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Kern County has one of the highest infant mortality rates in California and mothers die during pregnancy and childbirth in the San Joaquin Valley at a higher rate than in any other region of the state. Simultaneously, research shows that maternal mortality rates are rising among the country’s Latino population.
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The city of Bakersfield received nearly $4 million to launch a new shelter and bring mental health services to unhoused residents. Council members say it's the latest in the city's efforts to curb homelessness.
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The City of Bakersfield Water Resources Department has cut off flows to city-owned recreation and water recharge facilities to hold on to what little surface water it’s receiving from the dwindling Kern River for drinking water.
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The first Black umpire to work in the National League grew up working in the fields of Kern County. In a new book, his brother shares his remarkable life story.
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The state has cited the company for dozens of violations since 2017.
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KVPR will add a reporter based in Kern County through Report For America
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Organizer and geology professor Anthony Rathburn says Bakersfield is the ideal location to both host the symposium and develop new carbon sequestration projects due to ample mapping of subsurface rock formations and technical expertise within the region’s oil industry.
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Advocates say the department is "denying clear evidence that there needs to be systemic change" to how it uses force.
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Thousands of ICE detainees nationwide have tested positive for covid; at least 11 have died. Doctors in California are volunteering to teach immigrants awaiting trial or deportation about treatment and vaccination.
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BPD has implemented a number of changes in its policies and procedures following an agreement with the California Department of Justice.