Local News

PALM DESERT, Calif. (KESQ) – Over 30,000 health care workers are set to protest and strike against Kaiser Permanente Tuesday morning through Sunday morning. They’re asking for fair wages, better staffing and improved patient care. It’s a cause local health care workers are now joining. Over 60 workers gathered outside the Kaiser Permanent clinic in

INDIO, Calif. (KESQ) – The Coachella Valley now has its own chapter of the Military Order of the Purple Heart, officially opening in Indio this September. The chapter was founded by Vietnam War veteran Richard Gauthier, who was awarded the Purple Heart in 1966. Until recently, Gauthier had to travel to San Bernardino to attend

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ)  – As parade season kicks off in Palm Springs, police are emphasizing safety. “One of the things to be mindful about is traffic,” Palm Springs Police Lt. Gustavo Araiza said. “Try to get to the event early.” It comes after Kenney Merenda, Palm Springs Police officer, lost control of his motorcycle

PALM DESERT, Calif. (KESQ) – A kindergartener remains hospitalized after being bit by a rattlesnake last Friday. The bite, which happened at Gerald Ford Elementary School in Indian Wells, came from a Colorado Desert sidewinder. The snake is a venomous pit viper native to the Sonoran Colorado Desert, right here in Southern California. Emily Taylor,

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – After a months-long closure for its annual maintenance, the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway is back in operation. Crews used the downtime to tackle major safety upgrades, including rebuilding one of the tram carriages, replacing critical cables, and conducting thorough tests of the control systems. “Everything we do is about safety

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (KESQ) Governor Gavin Newsom signed a series of high-profile bills aimed at tightening California’s rules on artificial intelligence, online safety, and antisemitism in public schools, part of a final push before the deadline to act on hundreds of measures from this year’s legislative session. The governor approved a broad package focused on protecting

Update 10/13/25 The fire has been mapped at 72 acres and is 80% contained, according to CAL FIRE. According to the National Park Service, the area around the Black Rock Campground is closued until Thursday. “Joshua Tree National Park is currently responding to a fire near Black Rock Campground. As of now, Black Rock Visitor

PALM DESERT, Calif. (KESQ) —video game fans, cosplayers, and pop culture enthusiasts gathered this weekend in Palm Desert for GameAcon, a celebration of gaming, creativity, and community. Short for Game Arts Conference, the event offers a platform for game developers, artists, and fans to come together and explore the world of gaming beyond the screen.

LA QUINTA, Calif. (KESQ)  – Jennifer Fagan is pleading for help finding her brother. She said her brother, Casey Fagan, 54, living in La Quinta for a couple of months, disappeared after crashing his car along Highway 74 last week. She said a Riverside County Sheriff’s Department spokesperson told her that while driving home from

Update: A pedestrian was struck and killed by a vehicle Friday Night near Coachella, identified as Jose Luis Guillen. California Highway Patrol says the crash was reported just after 6:30 near Grapefruit Boulevard and 54th Avenue. CAL FIRE and CHP confirm Guillen was rushed to the hospital with major injuries and pronounced dead at the

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – Boo2Bullying hosted its third annual anti-bullying event, “Kick Bullying to the Curb,” October 11, at Power Stadium in Sunrise Park. The free, family-friendly event featured informational booths, face-painting, a petting zoo by Mobile Zoo of Southern California, and free hot dogs. Activities ran from 4 to 5:30 p.m., followed by