Kern County

California lawmakers previously ordered regulators to prepare for underground carbon storage, setting deadlines for companies to prove they could pay for cleanup costs. California Resources Corp. began burying carbon at Elk Hills in Kern County, which became a test run approved by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Critics warn that without state-specific rules, California cannot hold companies accountable for keeping carbon safely underground.

The Ridge Fire near Gorman prompted evacuations in both L.A. and Kern counties due to its quick growth to 1,057 acres. The fire caused a temporary closure of the 5 Freeway at the L.A.-Kern county line. Authorities issued evacuation orders for specific areas while monitoring the wildfire's status.

A fast-moving wildfire is burning near Tejon Pass in Kern County, prompting officials to issue evacuation warnings for the area.

Kern Family Health Care in California uses an AI program named Angelica to assist Medi-Cal patients with enrollment renewals, reducing costs compared to hiring 40 full-time workers. The program, part of efforts to adapt to new Medicaid rules under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act signed by President Donald Trump, facilitates multilingual outreach and appointment scheduling for 387,000 members.

A 15-year-old girl who disappeared in February 1978 has been identified as the victim whose skeletal remains were found in June 1978 buried in a grape vineyard near South Wheeler Ridge Road in Kern County, California. Her identity remained unknown for nearly 50 years until recent investigative efforts.

A teenage girl buried in a California vineyard in 1978 was identified as Michelle Louise Collier nearly 50 years later, resolving a cold case that left her known as 'Arvin Jane Doe.' Her family, including sister Cynthia Dunbar, gained closure after decades of uncertainty, while authorities emphasized ongoing efforts to hold her killer accountable.

A headless woman drained of blood was discovered in a Kern County vineyard over 15 years ago. Investigators are now seeking public assistance to solve the case.

A 28-year-old Lancaster woman was formally charged by the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office in the murder of her 2-year-old son, Legend Lee. The case followed an eight-month investigation initiated after the Kern County Medical Examiner’s Office referred the death for review.

A 4.3-magnitude earthquake near Johannesburg in Kern County, north of Edwards Air Force Base, was felt across Los Angeles County. The U.S. Geological Survey reported the event.

A 4.2-magnitude earthquake struck near Frazier Park in Kern County early Sunday morning, followed by a 2.9-magnitude aftershock, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.

A magnitude 4.2 earthquake struck near Frazier Park in Kern County at 2:38 a.m. Sunday. The U.S. Geological Survey reported the epicenter was 1.2 miles east-southeast of Frazier Park at a depth of 8.1 miles. No initial reports of damage or injuries were mentioned.

A 4.2-magnitude earthquake struck near Frazier Park in Kern County early Sunday morning, as reported by the U.S. Geological Survey. The event occurred in the Frazier Park area according to USGS data.

Authorities issued an Amber Alert for 3-year-old Emaria Peel, who was abducted by 31-year-old Charnay Mclin in California City, Kern County. The pair was last seen near Redwood Boulevard and 83rd Street at 7:17 PM Friday.

An Amber Alert was issued by the California Highway Patrol for a 3-year-old child from California City in Kern County who is believed to be in imminent danger. The alert was activated on Friday to locate the child.

Rest areas along California's Highway 101 near Gaviota Tunnel closed from July 1 to October 1 due to a water shortage, forcing drivers to plan ahead for restroom and rest stops. The closures affect a heavily traveled corridor between Southern and Central California, with similar past shutdowns reported last year. Additional rest areas in Kern County are also closed for water system upgrades.

A red flag warning for critical fire weather is active in parts of San Bernardino, Kern, Inyo, and Tulare counties until 11 p.m. Saturday due to strong winds and critically low humidity.

A 68-year-old man from Antelope Valley is wanted in connection with the drowning death of a 12-year-old boy who was fleeing three dogs during an attack. The incident occurred on June 18 at a park in California City, Kern County.

The California Highway Patrol arrested a double-murder suspect after a 90-minute pursuit through the hills separating Los Angeles and Kern counties. The CHP used spike strips and a PIT maneuver during the chase.

The California Highway Patrol arrested a double-murder suspect after a 90-minute pursuit through the hills between Los Angeles and Kern counties. The suspect was apprehended using spike strips and a PIT maneuver.

Data centers face widespread opposition in the U.S. due to concerns over noise, water contamination, and energy use. A new project by California Resources Corporation proposes building a 600,000-square-foot data center in the Elk Hills oil field, leveraging existing infrastructure and power resources to mitigate community backlash. Similar projects are being planned in Texas and Pennsylvania, focusing on oil and gas fields to avoid densely populated areas.

An Air Force B-52 Stratofortress crashed during a routine test mission shortly after takeoff from Edwards Air Force Base in California, likely resulting in the deaths of all eight crew members. The base has closed operations and diverted incoming aircraft following the incident.

A B-52 Stratofortress jet carrying eight people crashed in Kern County, California, immediately after takeoff. Officials from Edwards Air Force Base stated the crash was deemed unsurvivable.

A B-52 Stratofortress crashed shortly after takeoff from Edwards Air Force Base in Kern County Monday morning, as confirmed by officials. The incident occurred during takeoff, leading to the crash.

A B-52 Stratofortress crashed shortly after takeoff from Edwards Air Force Base in Kern County Monday morning, according to officials. The incident occurred during the aircraft's departure from the base.

A B-52 Stratofortress crashed shortly after takeoff from Edwards Air Force Base in Kern County Monday morning, according to officials.

A B-52 Stratofortress crashed shortly after takeoff from Edwards Air Force Base in Kern County Monday morning, according to officials.

A military jet crashed upon takeoff at Edwards Air Force Base in Kern County. An emergency situation involving an aircraft is underway at the base.

A massive plume of black smoke was observed above Edwards Air Force Base in Kern County, with images appearing on X on Monday. A person noted a large column from the base aligned with a runway, questioning if an event occurred there.

California is reducing protections to prevent golden mussels from entering Lake Oroville, a critical reservoir, citing a new risk assessment. Experts warn this move increases invasion risks, as the state ends costly boat inspections and decontamination programs at the lake and nearby reservoirs.

The Tumbleweed project in California’s Kern County became the first major U.S. battery installation capable of discharging power for up to eight hours, twice as long as typical energy-storage facilities. This advancement positions California closer to achieving 24/7 clean energy.

A fast-moving brush fire has scorched approximately 1,600 acres in the Antelope Acres area, spreading from Los Angeles County into Kern County and prompting evacuation warnings. The fire has triggered evacuations and is reported to have burned around 2,000 acres across the two counties.

The Macy Fire burning in Los Angeles County has crossed into Kern County, covering approximately 1,400 acres and prompting evacuation warnings. It originated near N. 110th Street W and Highway 138 in Antelope Acres before spreading, according to L.A. Fire officials.

The FBI fatally shot a man holding hostages in a California office building that houses a bank and school district office. All hostages were released unharmed after a 12-hour standoff. The incident began with a bomb threat at the Chase Bank building in Bakersfield, leading to evacuations and road closures.

All hostages were safe after a 15-hour standoff at a Bakersfield bank ended with the suspect's death in a law enforcement shooting. The incident began with a bomb threat, involved FBI and SWAT teams, and concluded with the area blocked off and nearby buildings evacuated.

A man barricaded himself inside a JPMorgan Chase bank in Bakersfield, California, with an unknown number of people, prompting police to respond to a bomb threat. Multiple city buildings were placed on lockdown, and emergency responders were deployed to the scene.

A 4.1-magnitude earthquake struck Southern California Monday afternoon near California City in Kern County, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. The quake occurred at a depth of 3.7 miles and was felt as far south as Palmdale.

A Kern County fire captain was arrested on suspicion of sexually abusing a minor for years. The arrest was made by authorities. The abuse allegedly occurred over a period of years.

A 28-year-old man and his best friend were killed in a plane crash that sparked a brush fire in Kern County, just days before the man was to start his dream job as a private pilot. The crash occurred in a remote area near the boundary between Southern California and the Central Valley. The man was set to begin his new role in ten days.

A sheriff's deputy was killed in Porterville, Calif., during a standoff after a man opened fire on officers serving an eviction notice. The incident involved a prolonged confrontation, gas deployment, and a SWAT team using an armored vehicle to end the situation fatally.