Hanford Insider
Welcome the Hanford Insider, I’m your host Rob Bentley. I’m a lifelong resident of Hanford and I’m very involved in the local history scene and podcasting so I decided to start this show as a resource to Hanford area residents for covering issues, promoting events, sports, and reflecting on some local history. Tune in each Monday for a new episode. Please help me get the word out about the show by sharing on social media, or telling a friend. For more information about the show, you can find me on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, X, or Threads at @Hanford Insider. If you have a show idea, be sure to email me hanfordinsider@gmail.com If you are part of an organization that needs help getting the word out to the community, let’s work together.
Recent Episodes
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Aug. 16, 2026
Hanford Insider: KRH Calico, Links for Life, High School Football Preview
Send me a text and give me feedback on this episode! Data centers, local control, and real-world community impact are colliding in Hanford, and we dig into what’s happening right now. We start with the Hanford City Council’s upcoming meeting, including a Measure H revenue and expenditures report and an update tied to land use regulations for data center facilities. We also share the City of Hanford’s public stance on proposed data centers and why review, participation, environmental analysis,...
6
Aug. 10, 2026
Hanford City Council Wrap Up in Minutes Aug 10, 2026
Send me a text and give me feedback on this episode! A single City Council meeting can quietly steer the next 25 years of growth, safety, and Vice Mayor Nancy Howze breaks down the August 4th Hanford City Council Meeting. We start with a big-picture item that affects everyday life: the Kings County Association of Governments (KCAG) update to the Regional Transportation Plan and Sustainable Communities Strategy, a required roadmap for 2026 through 2049 that helps keep our local agencies eligib...
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Aug. 9, 2026
Hanford Insider: Hanford Jewelry and Loan, Kings Players, Babe Ruth Stars, High School Fall Sport Preview
Send me a text and give me feedback on this episode! A pawn shop with two vaults in an old bank building sounds like the start of a crime story, but in downtown Hanford it’s really a story about trust. We sit down with Kirsten Bookout of Hanford Jewelry and Loan to talk about what it takes to keep a local jewelry store thriving for 65 years and why “pawn” often means something far more practical than people assume. We get into the real day-to-day: how the business grew from watchmaking roots...
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Aug. 2, 2026
Hanford Insider: The Tee Box, Time Capsule Contents, Sports Update
Send me a text and give me feedback on this episode! A small town feels bigger when you know what’s happening and you’ve got somewhere fun to meet up. We start with the civic stuff that impacts real life in Hanford: major City Council changes, three open seats, who has filed for candidacy, and the fast-approaching deadline to throw your hat in the ring. We also preview the week’s public meetings and the kinds of issues that show up there, from reports and hearings to how the city reviews comm...
3
July 30, 2026
Hanford City Council Recap In Minutes Pt. II
Send me a text and give me feedback on this episode! A reballot powered by neighbors. A budget shortfall that changes what gets maintained. A major public safety project that forces a hard conversation about eminent domain. Mayor Mark Kairis returns with part two of a July 21 Hanford City Council meeting recap, breaking down the votes and what they mean for everyday life in Hanford. We start with a bright spot: the City Council recognizes Grid Alternatives of Central Valley for helping Hanfo...
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July 27, 2026
Hanford City Council Recap In Minutes
Send me a text and give me feedback on this episode! A proposed data center that the city says it hasn’t been consulted on. Police tech that raises big questions about privacy. And a new California water law that could change what “normal” landscaping looks like across town. Mayor Mark Kairis gives us a fast, practical wrap-up of recent Hanford City Council actions from the July 21 meeting, focused on what residents asked about most and what council wants to revisit publicly. We start ...
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Recent Blog Posts
June 16, 2026
Superior Dairy Restoration
Superior Dairy, a Hanford cultural landmark since 1929 and one of the rare surviving examples of an American dairy and soda fountain. New owners Andy and Jacob Zonneveld describe why buying Superior Dairy Products feels personal, not just financial.…
Jan. 21, 2026
Renovating the Old Kings County Courthouse
Downtowns don’t rebound by accident—they rise when people decide to invest sweat, patience, and capital into places others wrote off. That’s the heart of our talk with Kevin Nickel, co-founder of Esteem Land Co., Carvalho Construction, and BarrelHou…
Nov. 17, 2025
2025 Winter Wonderland and Christmas Parade Preview
Hanford’s holiday season arrives with a full slate of community news, major event updates, and a practical guide for anyone planning to celebrate with family and friends. We start with the essentials: City Council meets with recognitions for youth a…