Local News

UPDATE 7/25/25 9:05 A.M.- CAL FIRE reports that the “Mitchell” brush fire near Anza remains at 51 acres and is now 90 percent contained. UPDATE 7/23/25 7:47 P.M. – CAL FIRE reports that the “Mitchell” brush fire near Anza remains at 51 acres and is now 70 percent contained. All evacuation orders have been lifted.

HEMET, Calif. (KESQ)– A man was arrested by the Hemet Police Department for impersonating a motorcycle police officer. According to the Facebook post, the rider was found wearing a uniform closely resembling a local law enforcement agency, along with a duty belt and what appeared to be a Glock-style pistol. For officer safety, the man

YUCCA VALLEY, Calif. (KESQ) – A shakeup at the Yucca Valley Animal Shelter after months of public controversy. The shelter’s longtime manager stepping down, a promising sign for local advocates towards improving operations. Criticism of the Yucca Valley Animal Shelter began gaining momentum in January, when residents started attending council meetings to speak out about alleged

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) — Occasionally in Palm Springs, military aircrafts will practice their routine training exercises in the airspace of Palm Springs International Airport.  Tuesday afternoon, many callers reached out to News Channel 3 with concerns for why military aircrafts were in the sky, but it is no cause for concern, according to PSP.

RIVERSIDE, Calif. (KESQ) – Over the weekend, 443 animals at Riverside County shelters found their new ‘fur-ever’ homes thanks to new initiatives pushing animals out of kennels. Programs like ‘Ticket to Ride,’ a short-term foster program, and extended weekend hours, have all helped save lives. Launched earlier this summer, ‘Ticket to Ride’ provides transitional foster

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – Palm Springs City Councilmembers approved a long-debated bridge project on South Palm Canyon Drive on Monday, despite concerns from environmental advocates. After years of delays and design changes, the council voted to approve a version that will impact the Oswit alluvial fan. Some conservation groups worry about the environmental effects

PALM DESERT, Calif. (KESQ)– Coachella Valley Mountains Conservancy announced a public comment period and Tribal consultation process for their proposed Proposition 4 Grant Program.  The proposed Proposition 4 Grant Program was enacted on November 5, 2024 by the Safe Drinking Water, Wildfire Prevention, Drought Preparedness, and Clean Air Bond Act of 2024. The program aims

Update 7/23/25 – The Riverside Coroner’s Office has confirmed the identity of a man found dead this weekend as Benjamin Cole, a 42-year-old who had been missing since July 9. Officials say the exact date and time of his death remain unknown. Investigators also have not determined where the injury that led to his death

PALM DESERT, Calif. (KESQ)  – Following the death of rock legend Ozzy Osbourne, Coachella Valley advocates are urging residents to learn the early warning signs of Parkinson’s disease — a condition Osbourne publicly battled in his final years. According to the Parkinson’s Foundation, about 1.1 million people in the U.S. are living with the disease. In

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – Promising signs in the fight against the HIV epidemic. But officials warn cuts to public health funding could reverse this progress. Director of specialty services at DAP Health, Dr. Jason Halperin, says access comes down to cost. “The biggest barrier I see for my patients are actually fighting to get the

COACHELLA VALLEY, Calif. (KESQ)– A new candidate has entered the race for the 41st Congressional District. On Tuesday morning, Katherine Aleman announced she will be running as a Democratic candidate, backed by an endorsement from Former U.S. Senator Barbara Boxer. Aleman is a public school teacher, working mom of four, small business owner, and former

PALM DESERT, Calif. (KESQ)– Scams targeting older adults are on the rise, becoming more deceptive and more costly. An upcoming “senior scam awareness seminar” in Palm Desert aims to give people the tools to stay informed and alert. The event is being hosted by assemblyman Greg Wallis in partnership with the desert recreation district. Organizers