Kern County wins another legal round against Los Angeles in its effort to ban sludge from being dumped here. But the issue isn't over just yet.

Rudy Salas was born and raised in Ward 1. He made history as the first Hispanic elected to the Bakersfield city council this week. And he's got his work cut out.

California Democrats have increased their legislative clout despite a Republican backlash that prevented their capturing the supermajority they have long sought in the state Senate.

Fran Florez and Shannon Grove came out victorious Tuesday night in two high-profile local primary races.

The dumping of human waste on Kern County land may stop after action, or rather inaction, by the U.S. Supreme Court.

The California Public Utilities Commission has finally named an independent auditor to evaluate the SmartMeters installed by Pacific Gas and Electric Co.

A new report says voters in three Central Valley congressional and legislative districts have slightly more clout in Washington and Sacramento because thousands of inmates were counted in the last census.

There's still no word on when an audit will start on the SmartMeters installed by Pacific Gas and Electric Co. The California Public Utilities Commission promised the independent review about five months ago, but an evaluator still hasn't been selected.

Customers with questions about SmartMeters are still waiting for an audit to start. It's been five months since the California Public Utilities Commission said a review would be done, and that state agency missed its own deadline.

Sen. Dean Florez, D-Shafter, is dropping out of the race to become lieutenant governor. Florez' decision came in response to San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom's announcement Friday that he's seeking the office.

In a press conference Monday, Senate Majority Leader Dean Florez blasted the California Public Utilities Commission for working with Pacific Gas and Electric Co. and not for the people of the Central Valley.