Bakersfield Observed with Richard Beene - The Podcast

Political Consultant Russell Johnson breaks down all the moving parts for important local elections: Congress, Supervisor, Assembly and State Senate. Plus asks... Who is advising Louis Gill and what were they thinking? 

Robert Peterson brings some of our community's most notorious stories - crimes, earthquakes, personal dramas - to light in the Notorious Bakersfield podcast. Remember the "Killer Santa and Denny's," or the day of "Terror on Panorama?" Tune into this terrific podcast to learn more about our shared history.

Dr. Ravi Patel talks about how studying the immune system has led to important new cancer therapies, and he also has some good news: Kern County is no better or worse than the rest of the country in terms of incidences of breast, colon and lung cancers.

Ciinica Sierra Vista has been around for 50 years and now the medical cooperative charged with providing health care to the most needy unveiled a new comprehensive health care facility in Bakersfield, across the street from Memorial Hospital. 

Rick Kreiser of Guitar Masters brings back his wildly popular Christmas with the Cranktones at the Crystal Palace on Wednesday, Dec. 29.

A survivor of sexual abuse as a teenager, Joelle Casteix has now devoted her life to exposing sexual abusers of all stripes, be they priests or Scout leaders. Listen as Casteix talks about the Catholic Church priest scandal, the case against a former priest Craig Harrison and why getting to the priest personnel files is all important to expose abuse.

Rob McCarthy grew up in Bakersfield, graduated from Garces and USC, worked for both Jean Fuller and Kevin McCarthy (no relation) and is now living in Austin, Texas and is running for the Texas State House. Listen as this Bakersfield-bred man talks about being a California transplant in a liberal city while avowing conservative principles.

Churches in at least 12 other states have copied the model of Bakersfield's own City Serve, a non profit umbrella group for churches and organizations that serve the needy in Kern County. Listen to Pastor Robin Robinson track the remarkable growth and success of this institution and pay attention to what it says about our community, faith and hope.

Brant Cotton is a Bakersfield native, a graduate of both West High and CSUB, and he has a role in the independent movie Oildale, the story of three homeless veterans who find family while getting their lives on track. The movie airs Sunday (Dec. 6) at 2 p.m. at the Fox Theater. Door open at 1 p.m. and the cost is just $10. Part of the proceeds benefit the Wounded Heroes Fund.

Supervisor Leticia Perez has made it clear: she will run for the 32nd Assembly District being vacated by Rudy Salas assuming the district map is not radically altered. Perez revealed her intentions in a wide ranging interview on this podcast in which she addressed a period of depression after being charged with a conflict of interest by the District Attorney, her upbringing by farmworker parents, success and her vision of a "purple America" where red and blue voters come together on common issues.