Local News Archives

Watch: Omicron variant of COVID-19 found in CA; case is first known in U.S.

December 1, 2021 11:14 AM KESQ News Team, Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) – US official: US identifies the first case of omicron COVID-19 variant in California. According to The Centers for Disease Control…

Troubled Waters: The Salton Sea Project, Part 1 – Paradise Lost

May 3, 2021 4:12 PM Angela Chen, KESQ News Team

Just a short drive south of Palm Springs, you’ll find California’s largest lake. The drive along the circumference of the Salton Sea reveals…

Troubled Waters: The Salton Sea Project Part 2 – ‘Toxic Exposure’

May 4, 2021 4:46 PM Angela Chen, KESQ News Team

It’s a strange phenomenon when the average Californian can tell you more about the breathtaking beauty of Lake Tahoe or the dizzyingly good times at…

Troubled Waters: The Salton Sea Project Part 3 – A Lake Languished

May 4, 2021 4:56 PM Angela Chen, KESQ News Team

Along the dusty shoreline of the Salton Sea, you could blink and you’d miss it: the Ski Inn, the only bar around the east side of the lake for 40…

Woman’s homicide being investigated in Palm Desert

December 1, 2021 10:33 AM KESQ News Team

Riverside County Sheriff’s Deputies confirm to News Channel 3 that they are investigating a homicide in Palm Desert. Investigators were called to the…

Indio officials concerned with city’s reputation, suggest sharing less info with media to improve public opinion

December 1, 2021 5:57 PM Madison Weil

Watch: Bonus Q & A with News Channel 3’s John White: On Tuesday, Indio city staff members reviewed a draft of ‘the city’s strategic plan into…

Coachella woman convicted of molesting an 18-month-old boy

December 1, 2021 6:06 PM City News Service

A Coachella woman was found guilty today of molesting an 18-month-old boy, while a molestation trial will continue Friday for one of the boy’s…

Meteorological winter off to a record start

December 1, 2021 3:30 PM Haley Clawson

For the second day in a row, high temperatures have climbed into record territory. Before 2:00 p.m., Jacqueline Cochran Regional Airport reached…

Waymond Fermon becomes Indio’s new mayor

December 1, 2021 5:15 PM Jesus Reyes

Waymond Fermon is officially the new mayor of the city of Indio. During Wednesday’s city council meeting, the title of mayor was rotated from Elaine…

Newsom: Omicron variant won’t spark California shutdown

December 1, 2021 4:51 PM Associated Press

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — Confirmation of the first U.S. case of the omicron variant in California was not surprising and shouldn’t force another…

29 Palms man accused of setting a trailer on fire with people trapped inside

December 1, 2021 4:22 PM Jesus Reyes

A Twentynine Palms faces attempted murder charges after authorities said he trapped people inside a trailer that he then setting it on fire. The…

Woman in viral video falsely accusing family of child abuse pleads not guilty

December 1, 2021 3:40 PM City News Service

A Desert Hot Springs woman who accused a mixed-race family of neglecting and sexually assaulting a young Black female family member pleaded not…

Medical Examiner: Teen killed with 3 others in Palm Springs was pregnant

December 1, 2021 2:07 PM City News Service

A 17-year-old girl who died along with three other people in what prosecutors call a mass shooting carried out by a Cathedral City man nearly three…

Firefighters Battle Flames That Engulf 1,500 Bales of Hay in Beaumont

December 1, 2021 1:25 PM City News Service

Firefighters were working to contain a fire that burned 1,500 bales of hay in Beaumont today. The Riverside County Fire Department received a report…

Two women accused of running a brothel in Desert Hot Springs

December 1, 2021 12:57 PM Jesus Reyes

Two women are out on bail after being arrested on suspicion of prostitution-related crimes in Desert Hot Springs. The arrest happened after the…

‘Belfast’ to receive Vanguard Award at PSIFF Awards Gala

December 1, 2021 7:54 AM Jeff Stahl

The movie ‘Belfast’ is set to receive the Vanguard Award at the Palm Springs International Film Awards Gala on January 6, 2022. The award is a group…

Tree lighting ceremonies to officially kick off the Christmas holiday season

December 1, 2021 5:58 AM Crystal Jimenez

Several tree lighting ceremonies are happening around the Coachella Valley this week to officially kick off the Christmas holiday season. Here is the…