Good morning, Bakersfield.

Biscuit (a playful, four-month-old pup) is the adoptable pet of the week at Kern County Animal Services on Fruitvale Ave in Bakersfield.

The shelter hopes local pet lovers will give the friendly, neutered puppy a new home.

The Bakersfield Californian celebrated 160 years of community service, tracing its history back to its start as the Weekly Courier (a trusted local news source).

It remains a vital link that connects residents with local stories and events.

Crashes, truck fires and reduced lanes from ongoing construction on I-5 through the Grapevine are causing long delays today — officials advise drivers to check traffic updates before leaving.

California Resources Corporation is set to acquire Crimson Midstream for over $60 million (a 60-million-plus deal) to give Kern County oil producers 2,000 miles of pipeline to access Bay Area refineries.

The acquisition is expected to complete in the third quarter (final approval pending) with more details to follow.

Students and families filled Reagan Elementary with smiles and welcome hugs yesterday as they returned for the first day of school; first-year assistant principal Susanna Letourneau described the start as smooth for building strong relationships on campus.

Bakersfield College held its annual EOPS Freshman Day for over 200 new students on Wednesday, Aug.

12 at the Panorama campus, where attendees connected with peers, engaged in workshops, and heard keynote speaker Zach Gowen share his story (and received free items to prepare for the Fall term).

Local schools welcomed students as families gathered around Old River Elementary on Wednesday for the first day of the 2026-27 school year.

Teachers and staff are ready to start a new academic journey in our community.

Arvin High School launched a new hospitality CTE program that gives 60 students a path to earn industry credentials and connect with local Kern County employers (partnering with Bakersfield College’s certificate pathway after Hard Rock’s opening).

The school’s 17th CTE offering prepares students for strong job prospects in hospitality.

School districts across Kern County started classes yesterday as students began a new academic year.

Officials shared safety reminders (including bus safety and guidelines on posting student details online) to help parents and students adjust.

Crews fought a brush fire near the split of northbound I-5 and Highway 99 on Wednesday, Aug.

12, after CHP reported the blaze at 10:58 a.m.; the truck bypass remains closed with only lane 2 reopened (officials continue to monitor the situation).

Chevron confirmed Wednesday it has withdrawn from a federal partnership aimed at designing and building equipment to pull carbon dioxide from the air for burial in Kern (the project was meant to support federal carbon removal efforts).

A new bill, AB 1793, would let stores round cash transactions to the nearest nickel to ease a local coin shortage.

Some businesses (like Blue Fig Farms) already round totals as they adapt while the measure awaits further review.

A Bakersfield pediatrician says vaccine decisions should follow research not politics as Kern County confirmed a measles case; Dr. Niranjan Dass warns splitting the MMR shot could reduce its effectiveness plus advises parents to consult their doctors.

California's Best Hip Hop Music Festival

7-9 p.m. — Mechanics Bank Arena — Ticket prices vary — Experience live performances from top West Coast hip hop artists.