Bakersfield
Today
Tuesday, September 16th, 2025
Good morning, Bakersfield. Here's your local news at a glance for Tuesday, the 16th of September.
COMMUNITY NEWS
- ➤ Tomorrow, Kern County Fair will open as thousands are expected to visit rides from Butler Amusements, which are assembled and inspected every day by state officials to meet strict safety standards (each ride has posted height and safety requirements). Bakersfield Now
CULTURE NEWS
- ➤ The 14th Annual El Grito de Dolores took place Monday night at the Liberty Bell in downtown Bakersfield to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month and Mexican Independence Day, featuring ballet folklorico dancing, mariachi music, and a reenactment of El Grito. A section of Truxtun Avenue between Chester Avenue and L Street closed at 5 p.m.—the roads reopened around 9:30 p.m. Bakersfield Now
EDUCATION NEWS
- ➤ The Department of Education pulled $350 million from Hispanic-serving institutions, affecting CSUB and other colleges. CSUB had received $15 million over three years for research and student aid and will seek state help to support its Hispanic Heritage Month plans — a move that may impact student resources. 23ABC News
GOVERNMENT NEWS
- ➤ The City of Bakersfield announced that sidewalks on South P Street, Ming Avenue, and Belle Terrace will be closed starting Wednesday, September 17 through September 30 for the Kern County Fair—drivers are advised to use alternate routes. Bakersfield Now
- ➤ City leaders and community members met to promote collaboration on the Avenue of Heroes—a section of Truxtun Avenue from Jastro Park to the Amtrak Station designated last year. The Bakersfield Californian
- ➤ Today, Highway 178 in Kern Canyon remains closed during weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. as SoCal Edison works on repairs after power lines fell on the road. The full closure began on September 12 and although the highway reopened Sunday night, repairs will require additional weekday closures. Bakersfield Now
- ➤ Highway 178 in Kern Canyon remains closed this week as SoCal Edison continues repairs—The road was first closed Friday after downed power lines and briefly reopened Sunday, but it will close daily from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. until repairs finish. KUZZ
- ➤ The California Senate passed Senate Bill 237 to fast-track oil permitting in Kern County, a move designed to boost local production and lower energy costs while meeting state environmental standards—Governor Gavin Newsom now must sign the bill. Senator Tim Grayson said the bill could help energize the market by January 1. Bakersfield Now
- ➤ A Bakersfield man, Luis Miguel Torres, became the first in Kern County to graduate the Prop 36 treatment program after attending 145 of 147 sessions and passing 17 drug tests, which led to his felony charges being dismissed. A judge praised his progress and noted that the program—approved ten months ago—offers treatment as an alternative to incarceration for others. 23ABC News
HEALTH NEWS
- ➤ The Kern County Cancer Foundation will host its 12th annual Cancer Run/Walk fundraiser at Park at Riverwalk on Saturday, Sept. 20th starting at 8 a.m. Participants can still sign up to run or walk and support cancer research. 23ABC News
- ➤ September is National Preparedness Month and the American Red Cross advises Bakersfield residents to prepare a to-go kit with water, food, medications, and emergency supplies in both homes and vehicles in case of earthquakes or wildfires—ensuring gas tanks are filled and alert updates are received timely. 23ABC News
- ➤ Pharmacies in Bakersfield plan for upcoming changes to Medi-Cal that will cut coverage for over-the-counter drugs and weight-loss medications like Wegovy, and patients may face higher out-of-pocket costs when new guidelines begin in January. Local experts say state plans to save over $600 million by 2029 — a shift that could affect access to essential treatments. 23ABC News
TODAY'S FOOD FOR THOUGHT
Focus is saying no to good ideas.
~ Sam Altman
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