Highland High School’s theater program is flying especially high this spring after receiving three nominations at the prestigious Rita Moreno Awards in San Jose — a regional competition that recognizes exceptional high school musical theater talent across Northern and Central California.

In recognition of outstanding academics, athletics, public service and leadership, Bakersfield Mayor Karen Goh on Tuesday night awarded the 2026 Mayor’s Trophy to Centennial High School student Ila Rose.

Members of the public are being asked to help come up with a new name for Cesar E. Chavez Elementary after allegations surfaced two months ago that the civil rights icon who became the school’s namesake sexually abused minors.

More than 50 Kern County teachers who were named Teacher of the Year in their school districts were honored Thursday evening at the annual Kern County Education Champions of the Year celebration at Bell Tower Plaza in downtown Bakersfield.

Three finalists have emerged in the search for a new president of Bakersfield College, the Kern County College District announced Wednesday about an hour before live-streaming the first in a series of candidate forums continuing Thursday.

Kern County’s increasing need for students who excel at math, engineering, technology and science received extra attention Friday morning as Cal State Bakersfield officially opened an educational support center partly funded by money from Chevron.

Vista Continuation High School in central Bakersfield moved closer to demolition and expanded reconstruction this month after the project’s draft environmental review cleared a key regulatory hurdle.

Results of Thursday’s competition Bakersfield teams swept Thursday’s trade show, with the top five spots won by local high schools. Coming in first was Chameleon, from Centennial High School; second went to Loop, Bakersfield High School; Securely Yours, from Ridgeview High School, place thir…