THERMAL, Calif. (KESQ) — A months-long, mass layoff process at Coachella Valley Unified School District is coming to a head Thursday, the deadline for finalizing layoff notices. News Channel 3 has followed this story since the beginning, when it was revealed CVUSD was facing a more than $50 million budget deficit. The district has authorized
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PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – News Channel 3 is staying on top of former Palm Springs mayor Steve Pougnet’s bribery plea. On Wednesday, we reported the former mayor pleaded guilty in a bribery case stemming from an alleged scheme to buy off the mayor and ensure his support for a real estate developer’s projects. Tonight,
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RIVERSIDE, Calif. (KESQ) – In a study published by ‘Human Reproduction’ earlier this month, health experts suggest a healthy diet during childhood may be linked to starting menstrual periods later in life. Local health experts add that eating inflammatory foods, like processed foods, sugary snacks, and saturated fats, can cause imbalances with hormones. They say
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PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – The City of Palm Springs Parks and Recreation Department invites the community to celebrate a free, fun-filled day with “Kids to Parks Day” on Saturday, May 17. Kids to Parks Day is a nationwide event dedicated to connecting kids with nature and encouraging outdoor exploration. From 9:00 a.m. to noon
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INDIO, Calif. (KESQ) – Five local students received scholarships from the Palm Springs Chapter of the Military Officers Association of America Leadership and Scholarship Luncheon Thursday. This year the organization gave out five $2,500 scholarships including the Hunter Lopez Scholarship. Herman and Alicia Lopez, parents of fallen local Marine Corporal Hunter Lopez, presented the scholarship
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2025 is off to a burning start across the state. The Los Angeles wildfires, back in January, are now projected to be one of the costliest natural disasters in U.S. history. In an I-Team exclusive, CAL FIRE under pressure. News Channel 3’s Karen Devine watched as wildland-trained firefighters went through grueling exercises, being tested to
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PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – City officials are urging residents and business owners to take part in a pair of important surveys aimed at finding ways to improve the Palm Springs Economic Development Strategic Plan. One of the surveys is specifically designed for business owners while the other is for those who live, work, or
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LOS ANGELES (KESQ) – A Los Angeles federal judge has ruled that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s decision not to provide Endangered Species Act protections for the imperiled Joshua tree is unlawful, according to court papers obtained today. U.S. District Judge Wesley L. Hsu ruled Monday that the USFWS decision to not provide ESA
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INDIO, Calif. (KESQ) – An ex-Riverside County sheriff’s deputy accused of gunning down a man with whom he was at odds because the victim had been involved with the lawman’s then-girlfriend defied all professional boundaries when trying to take the man into custody on a warrant, prosecutors said today, while the defense argued the shooting
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BANNING, Calif. (KESQ) – A Banning man who sexually assaulted a developmentally disabled woman over a five-year span was sentenced today to eight years in state prison. Rene Leonel Robles Cerna, 39, pleaded guilty last month to sexual penetration by force under a plea agreement with the Riverside County District Attorney’s Office. In exchange for
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Update 5/15/25 Gene Autry is back open. Original Report 5/12/25 PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – Gene Autry has once again closed at the Whitewater Wash in Palm Springs. The roadway typically closes during windy days due to low visibility and sand buildup. There’s no word on whether Indian Canyon or Vista Chino will also close.
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RIVERSIDE COUNTY, Calif. (KESQ) – Homelessness in Riverside County continues to grow, but the rate is slowing, according to initial results in the county’s 2025 Point-in-Time Count. The County’s Homeless Point-in-Time Count took place on January 22 after a two-year delay. It helps determine the level of federal funding for homeless initiatives. The complete date
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TWENTYNINE PALMS, Calif. (KESQ) – A 16-year-old student was arrested after allegedly attacking two school district employees in Twentynine Palms, authorities announced. The incident was first reported at around 2:35 p.m. on Tuesday at the PLUS Program at a campus in Twentynine Palms. “Deputies learned a 16-year-old male student violently battered two female Morongo Unified
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RIVERSIDE COUNTY, Calif. (KESQ) – A Coachella Valley teen died from a flu-related illness, county health officials announced. It’s the first pediatric death of the 2024-2025 flu season in Riverside County.   County health officials said the teen died in late March and was identified through death records, which can take months to confirm while the
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CATHEDRAL CITY, Calif. (KESQ) – Cathedral City’s City Council is cracking down on varying speed limits and crashes throughout the city. In a study session Wednesday night, council members discussed the speed limits on 74 roads. Out of the roads discussed, for 11 of them the council proposed changes to either reduce or increase the
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PALM DESERT, Calif. (KESQ) – Papa Dan’s is set to open back up, a little over a year after a devastating arson fire that destroyed a row of businesses in Palm Desert. The restaurant has been part of Palm Desert for more than 40 years. “I think I’m still in shock,” said Ira Mosley, the
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As triple-digit temperatures return next week, the heat could be dangerous for our active desert community. The Palm Springs Fire Department is urging hikers to take precautions. Here’s how you can protect yourself: Plan ahead: Tell someone where you’re going and when you plan to return. Pack the right gear: Bring a first-aid kit, plenty of water, snacks, and a flashlight.
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PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – Palm Springs now has an updated comprehensive Emergency Operations Plan that city leaders say reinforces the city’s commitment and approach to public safety, disaster preparedness and animal care. The most recent plan for Palm Springs before the adoption of this new plan dated back to 2012. News Channel 3’s I-Team
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PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) Â – Reactions pouring in after former Palm Springs Mayor Steve Pougnet pleaded guilty in a bribery case stemming from an alleged scheme to buy off the mayor to ensure his support for a real estate developer’s projects. Palm Springs residents finding out just before Wednesday’s city council meeting. Some said the
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A new chapter in wildlife rescue and rehabilitation is about to begin in the Coachella Valley. The Desert Wildlife Center is just days away from its grand opening. But before that happens, News Channel 3’s Peter Daut got an exclusive sneak peak of the new, state-of-the-art facility in Indio, which officials are calling a “game
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