Sam Hoyle

Prev Next Posted 5 minutes ago Sam Hoyle Shafter, Wasco, and Lost Hills Neighborhood Reporter SEMITROPIC, Calif. (KERO) — Wendy Castaneda-Leal, superintendent of the Semitropic school district in Kern County, is running for California state superintendent of public education in the June 2 primary. Castaneda-Leal has spent more than 20 years working in education, now leading Semitropic, a small rural district located on Highway 46, about 13 miles west of Wasco. During her career, she worked in communities across the country, many of them traditionally impoverished, where she observed inequities children and families face — not only in the quality of education they receive, but in accessing it at all. "I expected to see certain environments in rural South Dakota, like no running water, no electricity, no paved roads, having to use 4x4 vehicles — trucks, in order to access the homes of certain families to get the kids to schools," said Castaneda-Leal. As she wraps up her second year at Semitropic, Castaneda-Leal said it is those same inequities in her home community that motivated her to enter the race. "I saw it more working here in this position in this county and having to see it day by day, seeing the inequities with the basic needs, not even in academics, um, really drove me to say, OK, this is Tony [Thurmond's] last year, this position is opening up. Let's just go for it and see what happens." Ten candidates are running for the seat. Castaneda-Leal acknowledged she may not carry the name recognition of some of her opponents, but said her life experience sets her apart. "Being inside of the school district and seeing these lived experiences of the students and of the families and seeing it firsthand, not only that, but also growing up myself in government housing and being the Title One student," said Castaneda-Leal. "Yeah, I don't have the name recognition or the support of you know, different teachers unions, or democratic parties, or whatever other parties. That's absolutely correct, but for me it's not about the name recognition or anything, it's about the change I'm willing to make." The California primary is June 2. This story was reported on-air by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. Our editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy. Stay in Touch with Us Anytime Anywhere Download Our Free App for Apple and Android Sign Up for Our Daily E-mail Newsletter Like Us on Facebook Follow Us on Instagram Subscribe to Us on YouTube

Prev Next Posted 5 minutes ago Sam Hoyle Shafter, Wasco, and Lost Hills Neighborhood Reporter BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KERO) — California Gov. Gavin Newsom says the state's budget deficit will be eliminated through 2028 under his revised spending plan for the 2026-27 fiscal year. Newsom released the revised budget plan, which addresses a projected shortfall through a combination of Medicaid adjustments and prison reductions, among other changes. The full revised budget plan can be found on CA Department of Finance Budget website "A balanced budget in 26-27, and in 27-28, this is a two-year budget," Newsom said. Skip Ad Continue watching after the ad The governor's revised budget projects General Fund revenues to be $16.5 billion higher over the next three years compared to January's forecast — driven largely by a 2025 spike in stock market capital gains. Over the course of his hour-long address and in the 105-page budget document, Newsom outlined several key proposals though two have been discussed in Kern County extensively over the last year. Healthcare On healthcare, Newsom announced additional state-level changes to Medi-Cal aimed at preventing a potential shortfall. These include reinstating the asset test for seniors — meaning those with too much in savings could lose coverage — and raising monthly premiums for undocumented adults ages 19 to 59 from $30 to $50. He also detailed other program refinements designed to save the state hundreds of millions of dollars. Prisons Newsom said the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation expects to save tens to hundreds of millions of dollars by streamlining some clerical processes. A declining prison population is prompting the closure of 4 prisons across the state. Critics of the governor say the closure of these prisons and failures to fund efforts to enforce Prop 36 amount to turning his back on California residents. A joint statement from the California District Attorneys Association, California State Sheriffs' Association, and Chief Probation Officers of California reads in part: "Governor Newsom has again turned his back, denying communities across the state the resources they need to enforce the law and save lives." A separate statement from the Chief Probation Officers of California reads in part: "“Pretrial programs have increasingly become the dumping ground for nearly every state court-ordered community release, yet the state continues to reduce the funding needed to safely monitor those cases. That is not sustainable." Local and Statewide reaction The city of Bakersfield and Kern County both said they are reviewing the revision and assessing any potential impacts, while several advocacy groups and unions lauded and chided the Governor's announcement via emails to 23ABC. An email from CFT - Union of Educators and Classified Professionals advocates for Prop 98 to be fully funded. "A better California starts in our classrooms. The investment we make in students today will define who we are as a state tomorrow. Prop. 98 is a promise to every student in this state – their education, their future, and their potential are worth fighting for, even in uncertain times," said Jeff Freitas, President of CFT - A Union of Educators and Classified Professionals. "While California's educators and classified professionals appreciate the Governor's proposed 4.31% COLA, we stand firm in our demand that Proposition 98 be fully funded." Arnulfo De La Cruz, President of SEIU California and SEIU Local 2015 applauded the Governor's revised budget saying in part in an email: “With Trump's H.R. 1 cuts targeting health and food lifelines for millions of California families, SEIU members have led the fight to keep kids from going hungry and protect families from the devastating consequences of being shut out of health care. Our UnRig California campaign demands accountability from the corporations hauling down billions that Trump swiped from our safety net, and both branches of the Legislature as well as the Governor are listening and bringing real proposals to begin addressing this fundamental unfairness." Max Arias, Child Care Providers United's Chairperson and Chief Negotiator was disappointed to see a slashed cost-of-living adjustment for healthcare providers, saying in part: "Governor Newsom spent this morning talking about California's 'dominance' while pulling the rug out from under child care providers who keep working families afloat and are the backbone of California's economy. The Governor's proposal fails to ensure providers earn the true cost of care and slashes a COLA proposed in January that was already failing to keep pace with the actual cost of living and providing care." “The May Revision abandons struggling families the same way the President and Congress did by passing H.R. 1,” said California State Associations of Counties CEO Graham Knaus. “It doubles down on the federal cuts, leaving more families without healthcare or food, weakening our economy, and ultimately walking away from the communities that need support the most. This does not reflect California values.” “Health care is a fundamental human need, and this budget proposal recognizes the importance of coverage. To preserve access to care for California's most vulnerable, additional resources are needed,” said Carmela Coyle, President & CEO of the California Hospital Association. “The Governor's own budget numbers make the case for prison closure,” said Amber-Rose Howard, Executive Director of Californians United for a Responsible Budget. “Today's May Revision reflects a stronger-than-expected revenue picture, but Californians should understand what this moment really means. The state brought in more revenue than projected and spent less than anticipated, yet our fiscal outlook remains heavily tied to the volatility of Wall Street and a relatively small group of high-income taxpayers. That reality has not changed. What has changed is transparency," CA State Controller Malia Cohen. County Welfare Directors Association of California Executive Director Carlos Marquez III added: “We appreciate Governor Newsom's gesture to the life-saving role of county eligibility workers in keeping people fed and healthy in today's May Revise. However, today's proposal leaves two-thirds of the additional workers on the table needed to combat the magnitude of our federally-provoked hunger and healthcare crisis. We call on the Governor and Legislature to be even bolder with ongoing and higher workforce investments that respond to the true scale of the threats we face due to H.R. 1.” “While every step toward addressing the $100 BILLION cut to California's healthcare helps, this $300 MILLION proposal is simply nowhere near enough to meet the scale of the crisis facing California working families,” said Debru Carthan, Executive Vice President of SEIU-United Healthcare Workers West, A final budget is still months away. The enacted budget will not be voted on and signed into law until later this summer. This story was reported on-air by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. Our editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy. Stay in Touch with Us Anytime Anywhere Download Our Free App for Apple and Android Sign Up for Our Daily E-mail Newsletter Like Us on Facebook Follow Us on Instagram Subscribe to Us on YouTube

Prev Next Posted 3 minutes ago Sam Hoyle Shafter, Wasco, and Lost Hills Neighborhood Reporter BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KERO) — Kern County mosquito and vector control districts held a press conference to raise awareness about mosquitoes and the health risks they pose as summer approaches. Terry Knight, Public Information Officer for the Kern Mosquito and Vector Control District, says limited water from the winter and spring means the outlook for one common mosquito species is no worse than average. "The Culex mosquito, quite commonly are responsible for West Nile virus and St. Louis encephalitis. Those mosquitoes, I believe, will be very similar to last year," Knight said. For the other variety — the Aedes aegypti, commonly known as ankle biters — Knight says the outcome depends on residents. "The one thing everybody wants to know, the ankle biters, the Aedes aegypti mosquitoes, what are they going to be like this year? I can only answer that one way. It's up to you. It's up to every homeowner, every renter to do their part weekly," Knight said. Knight says ankle-biting mosquitoes breed in even the smallest amounts of standing water, including in potted plants and kids' toys, as well as in pools that are not being maintained. "They are going to continue to be a problem, but I say this every year; they're the easiest mosquitoes to control if we all do our part," Knight said. Mosquito-borne illnesses are also a concern. Kimberly Hernandez with Kern County Public Health says West Nile virus was first detected in the area more than 20 years ago. About 600 cases have been recorded over that span. "While the overall risk of severe disease is low, West Nile continues to be a risk in our community. There is currently no vaccine available to prevent West Nile virus infection, and there are no specific medications to treat it. This makes prevention our most powerful tool," Hernandez said. Hernandez says taking precautions — such as using bug spray and clearing out standing water around your home — can help prevent mosquito bites that could transmit the disease. This story was reported on-air by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. Our editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy. Stay in Touch with Us Anytime Anywhere Download Our Free App for Apple and Android Sign Up for Our Daily E-mail Newsletter Like Us on Facebook Follow Us on Instagram Subscribe to Us on YouTube

Prev Next Posted 8 minutes ago Sam Hoyle Shafter, Wasco, and Lost Hills Neighborhood Reporter SHAFTER, Calif. (KERO) — "Fast" Eddie Rodriguez has claimed the Golden Gloves national title, cementing his place as the top-ranked boxer in his weight class according to USA Boxing. Rodriguez, who trains out of the Shafter Boxing Club, said nerves were a factor heading into the championship fights, but he leaned on the work he had put in to carry him through. "The first one, he was ranked number two, so it was one and two going back and forth for that fight. I was able to get the win," Rodriguez said. "What went through my mind was just all the hard work that I was doing, just to go right there, and finally he would get my hand raised." Rodriguez's road to the top began early. He won a Junior Olympic Championship in the 9-10 year old age group, representing Dallas, Texas, as a national champion — a milestone his coach still recalls. For over a decade, Rodriguez has competed against the best in the state and the country, working his way to the number one ranking in his weight class according to USA Boxing. The Shafter Boxing Club, where Rodriguez trains, has operated as a non-profit for nearly 20 years under the direction of coach Miguel Ayon. Ayon said the club depends on community support to provide opportunities and an outlet to young men and women like Rodriguez. Ayon said he expects Rodriguez to make great strides in the sport, pointing to his dedication as the defining factor. "He stuck with it. I've never had none that really stuck with it. He stuck with it. He loves the sport, he follows the boxers, and he's dedicated to the sport," Ayon said. As for what comes next, Rodriguez said he hopes to turn professional in the near future, though he does not want to rush the decision. Looking ahead over the next 10 years, Rodriguez said his goal is to compete for a world championship. This story was reported on-air by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. Our editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy Stay in Touch with Us Anytime Anywhere Download Our Free App for Apple and Android Sign Up for Our Daily E-mail Newsletter Like Us on Facebook Follow Us on Instagram Subscribe to Us on YouTube

Prev Next Posted 11 minutes ago Sam Hoyle Shafter, Wasco, and Lost Hills Neighborhood Reporter BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KERO) — Manav Shah has become the first Bakersfield resident in history to qualify for the US Open, claiming one of the coveted spots after 36 straight holes of golf in Dallas earlier this month. The Centennial High School graduate has come a long way from the first time he picked up a club at age 6. Shah says he started taking golf seriously in middle school and found success early. "Did fairly well, and then you know, happened to play really good in high school. Two-time all-area player of the year, started getting recruited for colleges," Shah said. Shah started his career at the University of San Diego, transferring to UCLA after his freshman year. But in his final years as a college golfer, Shah says it could have gone either way, noting that without the support he's gotten from his parents and inner circle, he likely would have given up the dream of pro golf long ago. "[My dad] and my mom have been such a great support system. They've always kind of instilled in me, you know, whatever you want to do in life, if you just give it your full heart, you can, you can, you can do anything you want," Shah said. "It's my 10th season as a professional. It's a crazy, lonely road. If I didn't have the support system, I did – I would have hung it up a long time ago. So, shout out to the crew, they know who they are." That support has led to a U.S. Open start — and Shah says it's a milestone he has long dreamed of. "My first major, and the U.S. Open is the one I've always wanted to play," Shah said. After making it through the local qualifying round, Shah headed to Dallas for 36 holes to fight his way into the field. With his wife caddying for him, he said it was her mindset of taking it one hole at a time — or 2.75% of the day at a time — that kept him going. "She did some math on it. Every hole is like 2.75% of the whole day, so we're like, let's just get through one hole at a time. Let's play one shot at a time, keep it super simple, kind of add all up at the end, and see where we are," Shah said. "There's multiple times where I was like, well, I'm, you know, my legs are feeling heavy, I'm getting drained, and it's hard to focus, but you know, having her out there was a huge help." The support spilled over into Wednesday morning, when Shah's former coach, Larry Cook, stopped by to offer his congratulations. "Over the moon, brother, you know, I mean, we all talk. Every kid out here that shot even par or under 75 has thought of it," Cook said. "To make it is just — I don't have any words for it. It's just — it's a dream come true for both of us." Shah says he doesn't plan on resting on his laurels and is already thinking about how to prepare for the biggest tournament of his career. "I'll likely take a scouting trip pretty soon, maybe within the next week, week or two. Just go get on site, see the course, see the fields. Been told it's gonna be the hardest course I've ever played in life, so definitely going to try to go play it a bunch," Shah said. Shah is slated to take on the golfing world's best when he heads to Shinnecock Hills for the U.S. Open, which tees off on June 18. This story was reported on-air by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. Our editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy. Stay in Touch with Us Anytime Anywhere Download Our Free App for Apple and Android Sign Up for Our Daily E-mail Newsletter Like Us on Facebook Follow Us on Instagram Subscribe to Us on YouTube

Prev Next Posted 3 minutes ago Sam Hoyle Shafter, Wasco, and Lost Hills Neighborhood Reporter Finding a job is tough right now, but Kern Job Fest is working to change that for Kern County residents looking to re-enter the workforce or transition into a new career. Josh Conner, a job developer with the organization, says they have helped more than 500 people get hired in recent months, with several more events planned this summer. "This is our 4th event now, and it just started, you know. So I know in Bakersfield there was over 100 job offers on the spot that we were aware of," Conner said. Conner says events like these are helpful because they can open candidates' eyes to new industries they may not be considering and put them in front of hiring managers that same day. "The online world is great. You can apply for multiple places sitting on your couch, but the thing is: the software that they use, if you don't prepare your resume right, you don't write your application right, you're not using their terminology, you're going to get kicked to the side before anybody sees it," Conner said. Employers say landing a job is difficult — not only because of fierce competition, but also because fewer employees are leaving their positions. Nancy Cardona, an HR Analyst for the City of Wasco, says turnover at the city is low. "A lot of times, our positions that we have, the employees are there for years, like 5, 10 years. Sometimes it's very rare that we have an opening, but because we don't have a huge turnaround, the employees do like the benefits that they get from working with the city," Cardona said. Cardona added that events like Kern Job Fest give employers the opportunity to connect with candidates beyond a resume. "We get to see them, interact with them, and help answer any questions they may have in person, as opposed to just an application where we don't get to see who they are in front of us. We can make that connection in person," Cardona said. For information on upcoming events and job leads, visit the Kern Job Fest website. This story was reported on-air by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. Our editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.\ Stay in Touch with Us Anytime Anywhere Download Our Free App for Apple and Android Sign Up for Our Daily E-mail Newsletter Like Us on Facebook Follow Us on Instagram Subscribe to Us on YouTube

Don't move a mussel: Experts warn invasive species threatens California waterways Experts warn the golden mussel is spreading fast in California. Boaters are urged to clean, drain, and dry vessels this holiday weekend. Prev Next Posted 5 minutes ago Sam Hoyle Shafter, Wasco, and Lost Hills Neighborhood Reporter LAKE ISABELLA, Calif. (KERO) — The golden mussel first made landfall in North America in 2024 and has quickly spread throughout California waterways, with the bulk of sightings in Northern California, according to a dashboard hosted by California Fish and Wildlife . Experts say the species can create serious problems for water systems in a short time. Art Chianello, the Kern River Watermaster, said the mussel's rapid reproduction makes it a significant threat to local infrastructure. "The golden mussel population increases very quickly, and because of that, the golden mussel is a very high-maintenance problem. We want to prevent it from getting into water treatment plants, getting into various canals downstream that divert water from the Kern River, and we just basically — we want to keep it out of the Kern River and out of Lake Isabella as well." Chianello said there are no signs of the golden mussel in waterways like Lake Isabella — and officials want to keep it that way. Boaters bringing vessels in from other lakes are being asked to follow what officials call the golden rule: Clean, Drain, and Dry. Steve Pinheiro, owner of Galey's Marine Supply, said boaters need to know their own vessel thoroughly. "It's part of a maintenance process, right, to clean, drain, and dry your boat. You got to go through the boat top to bottom, front and back. Make sure you're pulling drain plugs. That is definitely an issue. Some boats have 2 or 3 drain plugs, and people don't always pull all of them. They pull the one that's easy to get to and end up with some water in the bilge area that's trapped somewhere where they can't see it, like under the engine or back in tight corners." Pinheiro said the golden mussel presents a unique challenge because it can be extremely small in the early stages of its life cycle, and small crevices on boats can hide water for days or even weeks at a time. He said he would like to see a more proactive approach, including decontamination stations. "That's something we definitely need to make happen, probably sooner rather than later, because that's the only way to be proactive about this. As much as people can try to clean things properly. If a little bit of water is left in that bag and that bag has a couple of the mussels in it and they spread to another lake, there's no stopping it from there without being proactive." This story was reported on-air by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. Our editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy. Stay in Touch with Us Anytime Anywhere Download Our Free App for Apple and Android Sign Up for Our Daily E-mail Newsletter Like Us on Facebook Follow Us on Instagram Subscribe to Us on YouTube Bakersfield CA Weather Enter zip code to change location

Prev Next Posted 3 minutes ago Sam Hoyle Shafter, Wasco, and Lost Hills Neighborhood Reporter WASCO, Calif. (KERO) — More than 100 people gathered at Wasco Memorial Park on Monday to pay tribute to those who served in the U.S. Military during a Memorial Day ceremony. The park was adorned with hundreds of flags signifying those who served, as the ceremony took place in the mid-morning sun. Retired Military Chaplain Mark Lynch emceed the event and noted that organizers continue to conduct a roll call for service members buried in Wasco and elsewhere, so that even if no one is present to remember them specifically, their name and sacrifice are never forgotten. One speaker at the ceremony spoke to the importance of honoring those who served. "It's important that we keep on the legacy of the men and women that have served this country. Too many people take it, take it for granted that the freedoms that we have are just there. The freedoms that we have are because of people that have given their lives," said Lynch Following the ceremony, two families shared why they came out to honor their loved ones. Patrick Provencio was there to honor his father, who served in the Korean War, and his uncle, who served during World War II. Both are buried in Wasco. Though Provencio said he did not know his uncle well, he thinks back on his father fondly and was grateful to see the crowd gathered on Monday. "Makes me feel proud. People actually come out to honor their past military members," said Provencio. Ellen and Javier Medina were also at the ceremony to honor Javier's father, who served in the Navy during World War II. Javier said he still draws on his father's teachings and passes that wisdom to his own grandchildren. "I remember as a kid he used to take care of me and show me how to do things, show me how to work, and all this, so it stays in my mind. I tell my grandkids about what he used to do, how he grew up. I try to bring them out here once in a while," said Medina. For those who were unable to attend Monday's ceremony, Wasco Memorial Park is open daily from 8 a.m. to dusk. This story was reported on-air by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. Our editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy. Stay in Touch with Us Anytime Anywhere Download Our Free App for Apple and Android Sign Up for Our Daily E-mail Newsletter Like Us on Facebook Follow Us on Instagram Subscribe to Us on YouTube

Prev Next Posted 6 minutes ago Sam Hoyle Shafter, Wasco, and Lost Hills Neighborhood Reporter BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KERO) — The Supreme Court dismissed a lawsuit from Florida challenging California and Washington state laws that allow undocumented immigrants to obtain commercial driver's licenses. The court announced Tuesday it would not hear the case. Justices Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alito were the only two who indicated a willingness to hear it. Attorney Win Eaton said the decision amounts to no change in the current legal landscape. "Essentially, it's a big fat nothing. Nothing has changed." Florida had sought an injunction against the CDL licensing programs in both states. Eaton said the court's refusal to act leaves those programs intact. "Florida was essentially seeking an injunction against California and Washington licensing schemes, there is no injunction. The Supreme Court refused to issue an injunction, therefore those licenses and those schemes are still in place and still valid." Florida filed the lawsuit after an accident involving an undocumented immigrant who held a California CDL killed multiple people. The suit challenged both states' laws allowing undocumented immigrants to obtain the federally regulated, but state-issued, commercial licenses. Eaton said the Supreme Court's decision not to hear the case does not resolve the underlying legal questions. "That doesn't mean that California and Washington's CDL licensing scheme is valid. That doesn't mean that the merits of the claim from Florida is not valid, it means nothing changes… they are licensed and regulated heavily through the federal government, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. So that's where we're going to run into a legal issue, is whether the federal requirements and the State of California's and Washington's noncompliance with those federal requirements is going to be litigated out to some conclusion at some point." For truckers who hold undocumented status and licenses in California and Washington, nothing changes for now — but the issue appears primed for future court battles. This story was reported on-air by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. Our editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy. Stay in Touch with Us Anytime Anywhere Download Our Free App for Apple and Android Sign Up for Our Daily E-mail Newsletter Like Us on Facebook Follow Us on Instagram Subscribe to Us on YouTube

Prev Next Posted 6 minutes ago Sam Hoyle Shafter, Wasco, and Lost Hills Neighborhood Reporter TUPMAN, Calif. (KERO) — California Resources Corporation's first carbon capture and sequestration project is now operational, with the company looking to expand its footprint throughout Kern County. Carbon capture and sequestration is the method of taking CO2 from local industries like natural gas, oil, and cement production and storing it deep underground in basins. Skip Ad Continue watching after the ad CRC's Carbon Terravault I has the ability to store approximately 1.5 million metric tons of carbon per year and up to 38 million metric tons overall. "Being in the early stages of the injection process, we're pleased to report that the facility and the injection are operating perfectly in line with our expectations," said Chris Gould, CRC's Chief Sustainability Officer. With the project is still in its early stages, Gould said the operation is far from reaching full capacity in what they're able to inject annually. "The first project, which is the one that we are injecting the CO2 from today, is 100,000 tons per annum, so it's roughly just under 10% of the full capacity of the reservoir," said Gould. "We have our own power plant there on site that could be further decarbonized. We have other field operations that could be decarbonized there as well, and third parties. Carbon Terravault was built as a business that would very specifically work with other companies that have emissions targets that they are trying to comply with, given the state's carbon neutrality goal and their own goals." Gould added that CRC has identified an additional 350 million tons of storage throughout the Central Valley, which are in various stages of EPA permitting. The project has not been without opposition. When Carbon Terravault I was going through the environmental review process in 2024, several groups pushed back against it. Grecia Orozco, a staff attorney for the Center on Race, Poverty and the Environment, based in Delano, was among those who spoke against the project during that process. She said she believes carbon capture amounts to a short-term fix that delays a true transition away from fossil fuels. "It is incredibly harmful for our community members to be living alongside oil and gas fields, oil and gas refineries, and that these industries will continue operating and continue harming them, because industries like carbon capture will keep them in business instead of the state focusing on other ways to reduce our carbon footprint." Ileana Navarro, a policy advisor for the Central California Environmental Justice Network, echoed those concerns and called for greater transparency as the project moves forward. "What CRC is doing to monitor the carbon dioxide that's being pumped underground, if the monitoring is available, if it's publicly available, if that data is in real time, like who's in charge of this data, is it by a third party or is it themselves, you know, reporting this. Yeah, things, things of that nature, just having that monitoring publicly available for residents to see what is being pumped underground so close to them." The additional projects representing approximately 350 million metric tons of carbon storage capacity are expected to clear EPA hurdles both this year and next. This story was reported on-air by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. Our editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy. Stay in Touch with Us Anytime Anywhere Download Our Free App for Apple and Android Sign Up for Our Daily E-mail Newsletter Like Us on Facebook Follow Us on Instagram Subscribe to Us on YouTube