DESERT HOT SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) KESQ News Channel 3 is working to speak with former detainees from the Adelanto Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility, as pressure mounts on federal officials over access, oversight and conditions inside the detention center. The effort comes one day after Rep. Raul Ruiz said he was denied entry into the
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THOUSAND PALMS, Calif. (KESQ) As investigations continue into the shooting death of Alex Pretti in Minneapolis, residents say daily life in parts of the city has been marked by anxiety, exhaustion, and disruption. Officials confirmed today that two of the officers involved in the incident have been placed on administrative leave as the investigation continues.
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COACHELLA VALLEY, Calif. (KESQ) – Coyote sightings are increasing across the Coachella Valley as breeding season gets underway, a seasonal shift wildlife experts say is expected and temporary. Coyotes typically become more visible from late January through March as adults travel longer distances in search of mates and, later, food for pups. That movement often
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PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) An iconic desert oddity that has gone viral for its bizarre design and roadside shock value is now sitting behind a chain-link fence, posted with a city warning notice, that is fueling speculation, concern and plenty of rumors. The VW Spider Beetle sculpture near Indian Canyon Drive, known for its vintage
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THERMAL, Calif. (KESQ) What began as a simple walk down a school hallway turned into an emotional surprise for a Desert Mirage High School chemistry teacher whose impact reaches far beyond the classroom. As part of News Channel 3’s One Class at a Time series, students and school officials joined representatives from Walter Clark Legal Group to
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RIVERSIDE, Calif. (KESQ) – Rebecca Haro appeared for a scheduled hearing in Riverside on Wednesday morning. The case related to the death of her 7-month-old son, Emmanuel. Haro, 41, is still in custody at the Robert Presley Detention Center. She has pleaded not guilty to the charges related to Emmanuel’s death, which was caused by
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INDIO, Calif. (KESQ) A magnitude 4.9 earthquake shook Indio Monday night, rattling residents across the Coachella Valley but causing no major damage or serious injuries — while also raising fresh questions about how California’s Earthquake Early Warning system works and why alerts reached some people before the shaking, but not others. The quake struck near
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PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) Melissa Galataud, principal of Nellie Coffman Middle School, has been named Riverside County’s Principal of the Year. The surprise announcement was made Thursday morning during a principals’ meeting at the Palm Springs Unified School District District Service Center in Palm Springs. Riverside County Superintendent Edwin Gomez presented the honor alongside district
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INDIO, Calif. (KESQ) Silvercrest CEO William Frank Rodriguez appeared in court Wednesday in connection with a 2024 deadly hit-and-run crash in Cathedral City. Rodriguez faces a felony hit-and-run charge tied to a crash that killed 60-year-old Christina Barrington. Prosecutors allege Rodriguez fled the scene without stopping to render aid. The hearing was continued until March
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SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif. (KESQ) News Channel 3 has confirmed that Jake Mitchell Haro, convicted in the 2025 killing of his 7-month-old son Emmanuel, is currently housed at California Men’s Colony in San Luis Obispo. Haro was transferred from Wasco State Prison, where he was first sent following his sentencing last fall. Haro pleaded guilty
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INDIO, Calif. (KESQ) KESQ News Channel 3 continues to learn more from the grand jury transcript that led to the indictment of Coachella Mayor Steven Hernandez. The transcript is nearly 500 pages and forms the basis of a nine-count indictment returned by a Riverside County grand jury back on Oct. 30, 2025. Hernandez, has pleaded
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INDIO, Calif. (Jan. 8, 2026) – Grand jury transcripts unsealed in the indictment of Coachella Mayor Steven Hernandez reveal dramatic testimony alleging that the longtime mayor used his public office to enrich himself – and allegedly bullied anyone who got in his way. The 467-page transcript, obtained by KESQ News Channel 3 provides an inside look
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INDIO, Calif. (KESQ) KESQ News Channel Three has obtained the grand jury transcript that led to the indictment of Coachella Mayor Steven Hernandez, offering a rare look at sworn testimony from current and former city leaders and regional officials about how City Hall operated behind closed doors. The more than 500-page transcript shows jurors heard
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RIVERSIDE, Calif. (KESQ) A Riverside County veteran, Charles Hunter, remains hospitalized in the Philippines, where his family says a dispute over medical bills is preventing him from returning home for continued care. The veteran became critically ill while visiting the Philippines, suffering what relatives describe as a severe foodborne infection. He is currently in an
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COACHELLA, Calif. (KESQ) The City of Coachella has canceled its regularly scheduled City Council meeting set for January 14, citing a lack of agenda items following the city’s holiday closure. According to a statement from the city’s public information officer, there were no actionable staff items ready to present, prompting the decision to cancel the
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RIVERSIDE, Calif. (KESQ) Gas prices across Riverside County dropped Tuesday to their lowest level in more than four years, according to new data, offering some relief to drivers across the Coachella Valley. Figures from AAA and the Oil Price Information Service show the average price for a gallon of self-serve regular gasoline in Riverside County
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PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) New tonight, Nicolás Maduro appeared before a U.S. judge today, pleading not guilty after being captured and brought to the United States. The dramatic move is reshaping Venezuela’s future and reopening deep concerns for Venezuelans living here.News Channel Three’s Garrett Hottle is at the Breaking News Center. Maduro’s court appearance comes
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PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) While Hollywood tallies up holiday box office totals, a local theater in Palm Springs is celebrating a milestone of its own. Festival of Theaters says it just posted its best day ever in operations, a notable achievement for a theater that has only been open about a year. The record-setting holiday
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BANNING, Calif. (KESQ) On Christmas Eve in Banning, holiday decorations line streets and front yards, but for many residents, questions about their utility bills remain top of mind. Utility statements that should have arrived months ago are now landing all at once, and for thousands of households, the totals feel overwhelming. “Yes, it’s affecting everyone,”
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PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) The Coachella Valley is known for sunshine, palm trees, and postcard-perfect winters. But doctors say even here, the holidays can quietly take a toll on mental health. Seasonal affective disorder, or SAD, is a form of depression linked to shorter daylight hours, changes in routine, and heightened emotional expectations during the
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