As 2015 comes to a close, Valley Edition asked two local journalists to help us take a look back at the top stories of the year. Evan Onstot of KSEE 24 and Robert Price of the Bakersfield Californian joined us to talk about the biggest news events of the past twelve months, with an eye towards stories to watch for 2016. Among the stories that stood out to our panelists:
- The "Year of the Almond" as ag water use took center stage in national media
- Kevin McCarthy's bid to be Speaker of the House
- Two high-ranking police officers in Fresno (Keith Foster) and Bakersfield (Damacio Diaz) were indicted by U.S. Attorney Benjamin Wagner on drug charges
- Low oil prices hurt the Kern County economy
- Fresno's Summerset Village apartments and fight against substandard rental housing
- Deadly natural gas pipeline blasts in both Fresno and Bakersfield
- Lease-leaseback scandal and federal investigation into Fresno Unified School District
- Stabbing at UC Merced
- Bakersfield's 24th Street widening project hit a legal roadblock
- Kern County explores privatizing public library services; a new vision for Kern Medical Center
- Political fight over SB350's fossil fuel cap led by Henry T. Perea
- New "streamlined" permitting for the oil industry in Kern County sparks controversy
- "Bonusgate" scandal involving "hidden" bonuses paid to top City of Fresno employees
- Democrats search for a viable candidate to challenge David Valadao
- Increased public scrutiny of law enforcement actions and deaths in Kern County
- Fresno's downtown revitalization effort picks up steam
- The trial of Taft High School shooter Bryan Oliver
- The Rough Fire closes Kings Canyon National Park
- High-speed rail "breaks ground" in Fresno
