Luis Avila

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) — The Palm Springs Police Department has created a citizen oversight board to provide more accountability and transparency around the department’s use of surveillance technology, including Flock cameras. The five-member board includes technology experts and people who have raised concerns about police surveillance. Lieutenant Mike Villegas say they intentionally included people

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – Palm Springs City Council members unanimously approved a temporary moratorium on new large-scale data center projects Wednesday night. The 45-day pause gives the city time to study the potential impacts of the facilities before deciding whether additional regulations are needed. During public comment, several residents spoke in favor of the

DESERT HOT SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – A Desert Hot Springs family is speaking out after 36-year-old Lester Cordero was killed in a motorcycle crash last weekend in North Palm Springs. According to the California Highway Patrol, Lester was riding a motorcycle on Indian Canyon Drive when a 61-year-old Desert Hot Springs woman driving a Kia

COACHELLA VALLEY, Calif. (KESQ) – A powerful earthquake in Peru is hitting close to home for members of the Coachella Valley’s Peruvian community, as families and friends check on loved ones following Thursday’s 6.7-magnitude quake. Connie Ludena, a Palm Springs resident, says her loved ones were relieved the earthquake did not cause widespread damage. “They

UPDATE 8/20 10:48 A.M.: The Palm Springs City Council voted 3-1 at a special meeting Thursday to move forward with the Nov. 3 general municipal election for the District 2 seat, rejecting a proposal to appoint Councilmember Jeffrey Bernstein and cancel the election. Mayor Naomi Soto cast the lone dissenting vote. Bernstein, who was the

CALEXICO, Calif. (KESQ) — Federal, state and local officials gathered in Calexico Tuesday to address longstanding concerns over pollution in the New River and its potential impact on communities across the Imperial and Coachella valleys. Congressman Dr. Raul Ruiz joined state, federal, and other local officials for a tour of the New River. The visit

COACHELLA VALLEY, Calif. (KESQ) – The shockwaves from a powerful earthquake in Colombia are being felt here in the Coachella Valley — where local residents with family and friends back home are watching the destruction unfold. A 7.4-magnitude earthquake struck Colombia Monday, damaging buildings, tearing apart roads and leaving communities facing a long recovery. For

BIG BEAR LAKE, Calif. (KESQ) — A somber mood settled over Big Bear Lake Monday as residents and visitors mourned the loss of Jackie, a bald eagle who became a beloved part of the mountain community and attracted followers from around the world. Jackie died after weeks of treatment at the Ojai Raptor Center. She

THOUSAND PALMS, Calif. (KESQ) – As local animal shelters face one of their most challenging times of the year, Animal Samaritans is bringing back a lighthearted fundraiser with a serious purpose. The nonprofit’s annual “Poorly Drawn Pets” campaign invites pet owners to donate $20 in exchange for a hand-drawn portrait of their pet. While the

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) — The Palm Springs Police Department is warning residents about an increase in phone scams involving callers who falsely claim to be law enforcement officers. Police say they’ve received multiple reports in recent days from people who were contacted by scammers posing as Palm Springs police officers. The callers often tell

WHITEWATER, Calif. (KESQ) — Guide Dogs of the Desert is urgently looking for more volunteer puppy raisers to help prepare the next generation of guide dogs for people who are blind or visually impaired. The organization says volunteer puppy raisers play a critical role in every guide dog’s journey, providing the foundation puppies need before

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) — Drivers are lining up at the newly opened Agua Caliente Fuel station in Palm Springs, where some of the city’s lowest gas prices are drawing motorists looking for relief from high fuel costs. The Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians officially opened its second Agua Caliente Fuel station Saturday at

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – Palm Springs police say Flock cameras helped solve a recent burglary investigation in a matter of days, highlighting what they call one of the biggest benefits of the technology. Investigators say images captured by Flock cameras identified a white pickup truck, connect the driver to similar burglary arrests, serve a

COACHELLA, Calif. (KESQ) – A cyclist is recovering after being struck in a hit-and-run while riding on the CV Link in Coachella over the weekend, and now he and other riders say the crash underscores a growing safety concern: vehicles driving on the pathway. The crash happened on the CV Link between Dillon Road and

CATHEDRAL CITY, Calif. (KESQ) – Drivers are raising concerns about gas prices at a US Fuels Station near Date Palm Drive and Vista Chino in Cathedral City after noticing a difference between the advertised price and what they’re charged at the pump. “I’ve been tracking this place for two months,” said Cathedral City resident Wilfredo

UPDATE 7/28 7:26 A.M.: According to SCE, the maintenance outage has been rescheduled for August 9 at 10 PM due to customer concerns. PALM DESERT, Calif. (KESQ) – Some Palm Desert residents are questioning why a planned overnight power outage is being scheduled during one of the hottest stretches of summer. Southern California Edison has

INDIO, Calif. (KESQ) — Dozens of demonstrators gathered Friday morning outside the U.S. Customs and Border Protection station in Indio, calling for immigration reform and greater accountability following two recent fatal encounters involving federal immigration agents. The protest, organized by Comité Latino, Democrats of the Desert and several immigrant rights organizations, brought together community members

COACHELLA, Calif. (KESQ) — A nationwide Cyclospora outbreak linked to contaminated produce is prompting some Coachella Valley shoppers to think twice before filling their carts. Local farmers say they’re seeing growing concern from customers who want to know more about how produce is grown, cleaned and handled before it reaches their tables. At Temalpakh Farm

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) — A packed room at the Mizell Center Wednesday night marked the beginning of what city leaders expect will be a broader community conversation about the future of Palm Springs’ mayoral position. Dozens of residents attended the city’s first public meeting to weigh in on whether Palm Springs should return to