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CATHEDRAL CITY, Calif. (KESQ) – Californians will now pay more for legal cannabis products after a new state excise tax took effect July 1. The 19% tax represents a 4% increase from the previous 15% rate. Double Eye Dispensary in Cathedral City said it has been preparing customers for the tax increase, by letting them know

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – Leaders in the Coachella Valley met Tuesday to discuss how policy changes could affect immigrant communities. Representatives from UnidosUS, the nation’s largest Hispanic civil rights and advocacy organization, hosted the discussion on Tuesday at the Mizell Center in Palm Springs. Several different organizations, ranging from healthcare companies to local advocacy groups

CATHEDRAL CITY, Calif. (KESQ)–The Cathedral City Fire Department just commissioned a brand new ambulance, making it the department’s fourth in it’s fleet. The ambulance, along with six newly-hired firefighters and paramedics, were introduced to the community in a ceremony on Tuesday. The celebration took place at CCFD’s Fire Station #2. Cathedral City Fire Chief Michael

BANNING, Calif. (KESQ) – Firefighters are getting the upper hand on the Wolf Fire burning south of Banning. The brushfire is at 35 percent contained and has burned more than 2,400 acres. This progress, in large part, thanks to retardant lines. Retardant, or PHOS-CHEK, is made of a salt mixture that helps to slow the

RIVERSIDE COUNTY, Calif. (KESQ) – Riverside County Department of Animal Services is calling out for immediate help from fosters and adopters as they continue to push capacity numbers to the highest levels all year.  RCDAS announced on Tuesday they are operating at 125% capacity for cats with a population of over 300 cats in their

RIVERSIDE (KESQ) – The Board of Supervisors today approved a new three-year contract with the union representing upper-level Riverside County sheriff’s personnel, District Attorney’s Office investigators and other county peace officers, guaranteeing pay increases to members totaling 19% over the duration of the compact.   In a 5-0 vote without comment, the board authorized implementation of

CORRECTION: We previously reported that the event at the Mizell Center was scheduled for Sunday. The correct date is Monday. It is a third party renting space for a private event, not a Mizell-sponsored event. CATHEDRAL CITY, Calif. (KESQ)  – After weeks of ICE activity across the Coachella Valley, including in Cathedral City, Mayor Nancy Ross

RIVERSIDE, Calif. (KESQ) – A Riverside County Civil Grand Jury investigation has revealed serious oversight failures in Palm Springs. It’s from a $700 thousand grant awarded to Queer Works by the City of Palm Springs. The Riverside District Attorney requested the investigation following the indictment of Queer Works CEO Jacob Rostovsky in October 2024 on

DESERT HOT SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – Smoke from the Wolf Fire continues to push into the Coachella Valley, prompting health warnings for residents across the region. The South Coast AQMD issued a smoke advisory until 6 PM on Monday. Officials said fine particle pollution, or PM 2.5, reached potentially unhealthy levels for sensitive groups, including

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) — The Fourth of July is just days away, and local fire official are warning desert residents about the dangers of illegal fireworks here in the Coachella Valley. “This weekend, we had over a dozen fires in Southern California,” Said Palm Springs Fire Chief Paul Alvarado. “We had so many brush fires