Bakersfield - CalMatters

Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy, a Republican from California, talks to reporters at the Capitol on Oct. 3, 2023. McCarthy says he's resigning from his congressional seat in California two months after his historic ouster as House speaker. Photo by J. Scott Applewhite, AP Photo

McCarthy resignation sets off mad scramble

by Joe Kieta December 6, 2023December 7, 2023

Rep. Kevin McCarthy of Bakersfield announces he will leave Congress at the end of the year after fellow Republicans booted him as House speaker. Who might run for his seat? Could one candidate be former Rep. Devin Nunes?

The entry sign off Buck Owens Boulevard in Bakersfield on Jan. 5, 2023. Photo by Gary Kazanjian, AP Photo

Kern County can remake its higher education offices to better reflect the people they serve

by Guest Commentary August 9, 2023August 9, 2023

From left: Esther Honda at Willie L. Brown Jr. Middle School in San Francisco, Bridgette Donald-Blue at Coliseum Street Elementary in Los Angeles and Dawn Payne at Buttonwillow Union Elementary. Photos by Shelby Knowles and Pablo Unzueta for CalMatters and Larry Valenzuela, CalMatters/CatchLight Local

Veteran teachers: Why some stay in tough classrooms

by Joe Hong May 2, 2023May 1, 2023

Construction on the High-Speed Rail over a ramp above Highway 99 in south Fresno on March 3, 2023. Photo by Larry Valenzuela, CalMatters/CatchLight Local

New cost estimate for high-speed rail puts California bullet train $100 billion in the red

by Ralph Vartabedian March 7, 2023May 24, 2023

A rendering of the proposed California High-Speed Rail. Courtesy of the California High-Speed Rail Authority

California bullet train project still lacks needed financing

by Dan Walters March 1, 2023March 2, 2023

Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy, R-California, waits for the results of a twelfth ballot for the speakership on the fourth day of the 118th Congress at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., on Jan. 06, 2023. Photo by Craig Hudson for Sipa USA, via Reuters

What Kern County and California can expect from House Speaker Kevin McCarthy

by Guest Commentary January 9, 2023January 8, 2023

State Sen. Melissa Hurtado, a Bakersfield Democrat, bows her head in prayer before session at the state Capitol in Sacramento on Jan, 4, 2023. Photo by Rahul Lal for CalMatters

Why 20 votes matter in California, Washington, D.C.

by Emily Hoeven January 5, 2023January 5, 2023

Volunteers are trained for going door-to-door to advocate for Republican candidates in the Republican National Committee office in Bakersfield on Oct. 14, 2022. Photo by Larry Valenzuela, CalMatters/CatchLight LocalVolunteers are trained for going door-to-door to advocate for Republican candidates in the Republican National Committee office in Bakersfield on Oct. 14, 2022. Photo by Larry Valenzuela, CalMatters/CatchLight Local

Inside California’s overlooked political powerhouse

by Emily Hoeven October 21, 2022October 21, 2022

Kern County Democrats get ready to canvass voters in Bakersfield at a kickoff event at the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers on Oct. 15, 2022. Photo by Larry Valenzuela, CalMatters/CatchLight Local

Elections, Politics

This is California’s most fiercely contested political turf

by Ben Christopher and Ariel Gans October 20, 2022December 14, 2022

A memorial is set up on the corner of Foothill Road and Morning Drive for 17-year-old Jose Flores in east Bakersfield on Nov. 16, 2021. Flores was stabbed and killed in a fight near Foothill High School in January of last year. Photo by Larry Valenzuela for CalMatters

‘Devil on the loose’: What’s behind Kern County’s soaring homicide rate?

by Nigel Duara December 1, 2021December 1, 2021

I don't have an account I already have an account

We've recently sent you an authentication link. Please, check your inbox!

Sign in with a password below, or sign in using your email.

Get a code sent to your email to sign in, or sign in using a password.

Enter the code you received via email to sign in, or sign in using a password.

Subscribe to our newsletters:

WeeklyMatters Catch up on the top stories in California with a summary of our reporting and commentary from the past week.
Inequality Insights Your weekly must-read to stay on top of inequality, one of California’s most pressing issues.
WhatMatters Start your day with a comprehensive rundown of the most important stories in California politics and policy.
Weekly Walters Get a digest of new insights from veteran journalist Dan Walters, who holds powerful people in California accountable.

Sign in with your email

Lost your password?

Try a different email

Send another code

Sign in with a password

OR