Kiera McKinney

RANCHO MIRAGE, Calif. (KESQ) – With extreme heat, rugged terrain and limited cell service in parts of the desert, a trip outdoors can quickly become dangerous if hikers aren’t prepared. The Joshua Tree National Park Association hosted a “Don’t Die Today” class Saturday at REI in Rancho Mirage, aimed at giving hikers and visitors practical

THOUSAND PALMS, CALIF. (KESQ)- A new study led by researchers at Oregon Health & Science University⁠ is raising hope that scientists could be getting closer to a new way of eliminating HIV. The study, published Aug. 10, 2026, in Nature Microbiology, was led by Dr. Jonah Sacha and Dr. Nancy Haigwood of Oregon Health &

THOUSAND PALMS, CALIF. (KESQ)- COVID-19 activity is increasing nationally as infections are growing or likely growing in 47 states, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The surge aligns with federal health research identifying a recurring pattern of two distinct COVID-19 peaks each year. Unlike influenza, which primarily surges during the

ONTARIO, Calif. (KESQ) -A sold-out crowd packed Ont Field as the Ontario Tower Buzzers hosted “Fly High Jackie Night” to honor the beloved Jackie the Big Bear bald eagle. Half of the ticket proceeds from the event went to the Friends of Big Bear Valley to aid local conservation efforts. The tribute follows the death

THOUSAND PALMS, CALIF. (KESQ)- Two dog food manufacturers have issued product recalls following reports of contamination risks. On Aug. 21, 2026, Fromm Family Foods LLC recalled Fromm wet canned dog food due to potential metal contamination. That announcement followed an Aug. 17, 2026, recall by Oma’s Pride for raw canine food linked to potential salmonella

THOUSAND PALMS, CALIF. (KESQ)- Health experts and advocates highlighted life-saving overdose prevention tools as Riverside County saw a 54% drop in fentanyl-related deaths in its most recent 12-month comparison. Fentanyl-related fatalities in the county fell from 545 to 251 during that period, though officials warn the synthetic opioid remains a critical public health threat. The

THOUSAND PALMS, CALIF. (KESQ)- With triple-digit temperatures, it’s tempting to water your plants more often. But in the desert, too much water can actually damage some plants. We’ll talk to local experts about how to tell the difference between a plant that’s thirsty and one that’s being overwatered and what homeowners should be doing differently during

THOUSAND PALMS, CALIF. (KESQ)- Recent research presented at the American Society for Nutrition meeting shows that popular photo-based AI food-tracking apps underestimate meal calories by 250 to 345 calories and miss about 30 grams of fat per meal, which amounts to roughly one-third of a meal’s actual energy content. Silvia Delgado, a registered dietitian with

PALM SPRINGS, CALIF. (KESQ)- Summer can be one of the slower times of year for businesses in Palm Springs, but this weekend, thousands of visitors are bringing more customers through the doors. Splash House is back in Palm Springs for its second weekend, bringing electronic music fans to the city for poolside performances, hotel stays

PALM SPRINGS, CALIF. (KESQ)- If a major earthquake, wildfire or other disaster hits the Coachella Valley, first responders could be overwhelmed. Palm Springs Fire is offering free CERT training to teach residents basic skills like fire safety, search and rescue and basic medical care. 2026–2027 Palm Springs CERT training dates October 16-18, 2026 January 22-24,

THOUSAND PALMS, CALIF. (KESQ)- President Trump signed an executive order calling for changes to the federal childhood vaccine schedule. With kids heading back to school, some parents may be wondering what the changes mean for their children. None of the recommendations or mandates in California have changed with any of these changes. We’re following the

INDIO, CALIF. (KESQ)- Two recent road-rage incidents involving guns are putting a spotlight on how quickly frustration behind the wheel can turn dangerous. The California Highway Patrol said it is not seeing an increase in road rage compared with previous years – including incidents involving weapons. Officers say crashes caused by road rage are not