By Anne To | Contributing Writer | California Local News Fellow Tiffany Duvernay-Smith went from “homelessness to homeowner” after she became a recipient of the
NBA All-Star Weekend cast a gigantic basketball net across Los Angeles and Inglewood from February 12 to 15, 2026.
To stabilize and strengthen local journalism across California, the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz) announced on Feb. 10 that it has launched an initiative called the Civic Media Program and appointed a diverse advisory board to steer the effort.
From the HBCU Classic and Rising Stars to a competitive All-Star Game and citywide events, Inglewood’s first time hosting NBA All-Star Weekend showcased Black culture, community pride, and the city’s growing national presence.
Dozens of people filled the pews of Inglewood First United Methodist Church’s (IFUMC) sanctuary on Saturday, Feb. 7. Applause and “amens” filled the room in celebration of the church’s groundbreaking event as the community became one of the first religious organizations to develop affordable housing in the city.
We are well into the New Year! There’s no turning back. 2026 promises to welcome millions of visitors to the City of Angels in the next few days and the months from now.
The City of Los Angeles marked the beginning of Black History Month on February 4, 2026. Guests heeded the invitation from the Los Angeles City Council, Mayor Karen Bass, and Lura Daniels-Ball, President, Our Authors Study Club, Inc. (OASC).
Kern County is often described as more affordable than coastal California, and in some ways, that’s true. Home prices are lower than in Los Angeles or the Bay Area. But the affordability gap for Black households remains one of the largest in the state. This means that they are less likely to have the income needed to buy a home.
The City of Los Angeles is two years away from hosting one of the biggest events for sports in the world, the LA 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Tiffany Duvernay-Smith went from knowing the harsh realities of homelessness to owning her first home – made possible by the California Housing Finance Agency’s (CalHFA) Dream For All program, which is reopening applications this month with up to $150,000 in down payment assistance for first-generation buyers.
The “City of Good Neighbors” is planning a food journey from January 25 to January 31, 2026. This will be the first official Restaurant Week in Hawthorne, aptly named Hawthorne Eats! Hawthorne Eats! It’s more than an event—it’s a citywide celebration of food, culture, flavor, and community. This initiative celebrates Hawthorne’s diverse culinary scene while supporting local restaurants, small businesses, and community pride.
For many pregnant people, pregnancy brings a mix of both joy and uncertainty. Alongside excitement, there are questions about finding the right doctor, understanding what care is covered, and knowing where to turn for support after the baby arrives. For Black families in Kern County those questions are often compounded by long-standing disparities in maternal health outcomes.
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Each year on the third Monday in January, communities across the nation honor the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.. In Bakersfield and throughout Kern County, that legacy is reflected not only in remembrance ceremonies, but in hands-on service and community care.
Each year on the third Monday in January, communities across the nation honor the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.. In Bakersfield and throughout Kern County, that legacy is reflected not only in remembrance ceremonies, but in hands-on service and community care.
In the largest Medicare Advantage fraud settlement to date, Kaiser Permanente has agreed to pay $556 million to settle Justice Department allegations that it billed the government for medical conditions patients didn’t have.
Dr. Irma Carson, a barrier-breaking public servant whose decades of work helped widen doors in local government, law enforcement, education, and community health, has died. Her passing marks the loss of a historic figure whose life of service reshaped civic leadership in Bakersfield and inspired generations within the Black community.
For nearly three decades, the Rev. Wesley Crawford Sr., a longtime civil rights advocate and Kern County leader, has carried the torch of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy in Bakersfield, organizing annual MLK Day Breakfasts that serve as both celebration and call to action for the community.
America no longer wakes up to news. It wakes up to damage reports, and the reports keep piling up faster than the country can absorb them.
Let’s talk about real dollars and real opportunity in the new year. At OIC of America, we like to say, “Skills pay bills.” And in this moment — when employers across the country are scrambling for trained workers — the people who hold the right certifications are the ones writing their own ticket. If you’re trying to increase your income without the cost or time commitment of a four-year degree, skill-based certifications might be the smartest investment you can make.
