THERMAL, Calif. (KESQ) – A group of Coachella Valley residents has filed a lawsuit against Riverside County to prevent the Thermal Ranch project, the Leadership Counsel for Justice and Accountability announced on Tuesday. The Thermal Ranch project is a massive 619-acre development centered around a 231-acre luxury equestrian center that will provide a new, permanent
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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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Update 1/20/26 The coroner identified the man killed in the crash as Ricardo Marano, 56, of Palm Springs. Police also announced that investigators identified the vehicle believed to be involved as a black 2005 Chevrolet Silverado. The vehicle was seized by officers on Tuesday in Thousand Palms. No arrests have been made; the investigation into the
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THERMAL, Calif. (KESQ) – The Coachella Valley Unified School District placed a bus driver on administrative leave after allegations involving a student. The district released a statement on Tuesday, which reads, “The District confirms that it is aware of allegations involving a District Bus Driver and a student. Upon becoming aware of the allegations, the
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COACHELLA, Calif. (KESQ) – Augustine Casino was completing the finishing touches today on a multi-department career fair for job seekers in the Coachella Valley that it will host Wednesday. The fair will be held from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. at the facility’s administration building, 84-001 Avenue 54 in Coachella. “We are looking for team
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INDIO, Calif. (KESQ) – A probationer who gunned down an Indio woman without ever giving a clear reason why was sentenced today to 55 years to life in state prison. Johnny Jose Rodriguez, 32, of Indio pleaded guilty on Jan. 5 to second- degree murder, as well as sentence-enhancing gun and great bodily injury allegations,
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LOS ANGELES (KESQ) – The California Republican Party and others today filed an emergency application at the U.S. Supreme Court seeking to block California from using the congressional district lines enacted through Proposition 50 for the 2026 midterm elections. The emergency application in Tangipa v. Newsom asks Justice Elena Kagan, the justice assigned to the
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PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – National surveys show religious participation across the United States has remained largely unchanged in recent years. After decades of decline, researchers say there is no clear evidence of a widespread religious revival, particularly among young adults. But in the Coachella Valley, some local faith leaders say they are seeing increased
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PALM DESERT, Calif. — A Sig Alert remains in effect Monday after a camper trailer overturned on westbound Interstate 10 just west of Washington Street, according to the California Highway Patrol. CHP officials said no injuries were reported, but the overturned trailer blocked the fast lane, which remains closed for cleanup and towing operations. The
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THOUSAND PALMS, Calif. — Authorities are investigating a three‑vehicle crash Monday night on Varner Road near the intersection of Cook Street. The collision happened north of Interstate 10, just west of the Classic Club and Acrisure Arena. Officials said it has been classified as a major injury crash, though additional details on the number of
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DESERT HOT SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – The First Community Baptist Church in Desert Hot Springs hosted a symposium today to empower youth, in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King. Organizers say the goal is to encourage middle school and high school students to dream big and plan boldly. “The goal is to teach them about
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PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – Hidden dangers on a Palm Springs road. A deadly hit-and-run on Vista Chino over the weekend has renewed concerns among Palm Springs residents and pedestrians who say the stretch of road has long been dangerous. Henrietta Ruiz lives not far from the site of the incident. She says she wasn’t
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IDYLLWILD, Calif. (KESQ) – It’s a great day to get outside this Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, especially as California is waiving entry fees to over 200 state parks in honor of Dr. King’s legacy. Locally in Riverside County, there are several parks participating in Monday’s free access: Anza-Borrego Desert SP (also in Imperial & San
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EL DORADO PALM ESTATES, Calif. (KESQ) Â – Dozens of El Dorado Palm Estates neighbors held a peaceful protest Sunday. Organizers said they’re voicing opposition to President Donald Trump’s immigration enforcement policies and the administrations push to gain control over Greenland. “It causes more damage to the image of our country,” Bill Holzhauer, attendee, said. “There’s
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INDIO, Calif. (KESQ) –Â The City of Indio is preparing for a busy 2026, with several major infrastructure and community-focused projects aimed at improving quality of life for residents and supporting long-term growth. City leaders say the planned investments focus on public safety, recreation, flood control, and downtown development. One of the largest projects is the
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CATHEDRAL CITY, Calif. (KESQ) – Community members held a protest this morning from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Highway 111 near the ARCO in Cathedral City. Organizers have been protesting outside the ARCO every Sunday since the summer. Another group will be protesting across the street, outside El Dorado Palm Estates at 2 p.m.
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PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – Palm Springs officials say night-time road closures on South Palm Canyon Drive will continue this week. The road will be closed in both directions between East Sunny Dunes Road and Mesquite Ave. Construction will resume from Tuesday, January 20th through Thursday, January 22nd, as crews complete gas line installations and
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PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – The Palm Springs Art Festival has multiple weekends set for 2026, with the first being this weekend Jan 17 -18. Art will include mixed media, glass artwork, sculptures and more. The festival will be open from 10:00 a.m to 4:00 p.m on each day and admission is free. The event
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CATHEDRAL CITY, Calif. – On Friday, officers with the Cathedral City Police Department arrested a man –accused of sexually assaulting a minor with intellectual disabilities. Investigators said the incident was reported in the early morning hours of January 1, 2026. They said the 14 year old was walking southbound on Date Palm Drive, when she
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Update: 01/17 Riverside County has identified the person killed in a crash in Palm Desert on Friday morning, as 20-year-old Jamie Licht of Riverside. Original Report: 01/16 PALM DESERT, Calif. (KESQ)Â – One person was killed in a traffic collision near a busy intersection in Palm Desert on Friday morning. Firefighters were dispatched at approximately 10:22
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