Authorities have identified two people who are missing after a cache of fireworks exploded, causing a deadly explosion at a home in Ontario. The two missing persons, who authorities said haven’t yet been confirmed to be the two known dead from the blast, are cousins Caesar Paez and Alex Paez. The individuals are 20 and 38, respectively. The explosion happened Tuesday afternoon around West Francis Street in Ontario and ignited multiple fires, drawing about 50 firefighters to douse the flames.

Californians who are eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine have a new way to find out where they can get their shots. KVCR’s Megan Jamerson has more on a new tool from Facebook. Available in 71 languages, the vaccine finder tool , built in partnership with Boston Children’s Hospital, helps people find vaccination sites close to where they live. The map includes hours of operation, contact info and links to make appointments. Facebook will promote the tool to users who are eligible for the vaccine

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Audrey Matthews, professor emeritus at Cal State San Bernardino, passed away on December 31, 2020 at the age of 84. Matthews dedicated her life to public service, spending more than 35 years working in local and state government as a professor, budget director, planning director and consultant. She was also a member of San Bernardino County’s Planning Commission and the county’s Workforce Investment Board. Audrey Matthews liked to say she didn’t know she was choosing a career in public service

The first known California case of the Brazilian strain of the coronavirus has been found in San Bernardino County. According to San Bernardino County health officials, a San Bernardino man in his 40s is the first person in the state confirmed to have the P.1 variant. The man was tested on March 2 and was confirmed to have the variant on March 13. According to the county, contact tracers have been communicating with the man, who has been self-isolating at home. County officials are investigating

In the state’s first unemployment report for 2021, the Inland Empire continues to outpace the state in regaining jobs. KVCR’s Megan Jamerson reports the unemployment rate for Riverside and San Bernardino County dropped to 8.6 percent in January—a marginal improvement since December of last year. After a devastating jump in unemployment at the start of the pandemic in March 2020, the Inland region has seen a decline in unemployment for seven consecutive months. Still, 179,000 people were jobless

Longtime Inland Empire journalist and KVCR contributor Cassie MacDuff and KVCR's Benjamin Purper review some of the big Inland Empire news stories from the past week, including: 1. The Riverside County District Attorney is accused of interfering in how the registrar of voters runs elections in the county. 2. The ACLU is suing to stop the district attorneys of Riverside and San Bernardino counties from attempting to “fast-track” executions of prisoners convicted in their counties. 3. A judge has

The Moreno Valley based Center Against Racism and Trauma , also known as CART, is hosting the Inland Empire’s first annual anti-racism summit next week. KVCR’s Megan Jamerson has more on what attendees can expect. From the start of the virtual event set for the evening of March 17, attendees will be invited to take action against racism in their own lives and communities says CART founder and director Corey Jackson. “Everyone has a part to play. And we realize especially after the murder of

A proposed state mandate, that would aim to get businesses that operate fleets of diesel trucks to transition to zero emissions vehicles will soon be released for public review. KVCR’s Megan Jamerson reports, the rule has the potential to improve the Inland Empires’ air quality issues that have worsened since the region’s logistics industry boom. The Advanced Clean Fleets program, proposed by the California's Air Resources Board, seeks to address the trucking industry’s outsized impact on toxic