In the fight for the U.S. House, Democrats are hoping rockstar power will help to oust long-serving valley Republican Rep. Ken Calvert. Tim Myers, a Grammy-nominated former bassist for the band “One Republic,” announced he will challenge Calvert in the 41st District. At a time when there are fewer competitive House contests nationwide, Democrats consider
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PALM DESERT, Calif. (KESQ) – People with disabilities and supporters gathered Monday outside Rep. Ken Calvert’s office to protest potential cuts to Medicaid. Under the recently passed Budget Reconciliation bill, the House Energy and Commerce Committee, which oversees programs like Medicaid, has been instructed to cut at least $880 billion in waste, fraud and abuse.
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BEAUMONT, Calif. (KESQ) – Local Democratic Representative Raul Ruiz addressed dozens of constituents Wednesday night during a town hall gathering in Beaumont, speaking on key topics while fielding questions from concerned attendees. Ruiz discussed some of President Donald Trump’s recent Executive Orders and tariffs. He also pledged to protect Medicare and Social Security benefits. Audience
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WASHINGTON D.C. (KESQ) – Local Democratic Congressman Dr. Raul Ruiz is calling on fellow members of the “House Energy Subcommittee on Health” to demand a meeting with Health and Human Services Secretary Robert Kennedy Jr. In a statement Wednesday, Ruiz says there are growing concerns over the secretary’s staff cuts and the escalating bird flu
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PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – Democrat Brandon Riker, a Coachella Valley resident and successful business entrepreneur, announced his campaign for California’s 41st Congressional District. Riker is a former organizer on President Barack Obama’s 2008 campaign. He has worked in senior management and strategic planning roles at two investment firms. Riker ran for lieutenant governor of
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UPDATE: March 18, 2025 The Imperial County Registrar of Voters posted the Election Summary Report with the official final results of the March 4, 2025 special election on Tuesday afternoon. All three incumbents for Coachella Valley Unified School District trustees in Areas 1, 2, and 4 were re-elected to their seats. The returning incumbents are
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RIVERSIDE, Calif. (KESQ) – Calling it essential for public safety, the state Senate minority leader and other advocates, including Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco, unveiled a proposed overhaul of California’s “sanctuary state” law today. Speaking at a news conference in downtown San Diego, Sen. Brian Jones, R-San Diego, said Senate Bill 554 would do two
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Healthcare workers in Riverside County are joining together tonight in Corona for an emergency town hall meeting, calling on House Representatives to oppose cuts to Medicare funding. They are urging Congressman Ken Calvert to oppose these cuts. The possible cuts could severely impact local hospitals like Eisenhower Health, where 20-25% of ER patients rely on
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Political groups in the Coachella Valley hosted a local protest in solidarity with nationwide protests this President’s Day. Two local political groups, Courageous Resistance and Indivisible of the Desert, hosted the protest at Palm Springs City Hall at noon on Monday. “We’re gathering to stand against corruption and advocate for a government that serves all
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RIVERSIDE, Calif. (KESQ) – Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco formally announced his candidacy for governor of California on Monday. “I am running for governor because our beautiful state — which I absolutely love — is heading down the wrong track and has been for years. Everyone knows it, except those sitting in the Sacramento echo
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Right now, some serious arson offenses can be charged as misdemeanors allowing offenders to avoid serious consequences. In light of the LA wildfires, local State Assemblymember Greg Wallis (R) wants to ensure that all arson offenses are treated as felonies. Wallis has just introduced a bill that aims to reclassify all arson offenses as felonies,
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The countdown is on for a special election for the CVUSD board of trustees. Questions loom around one candidate’s residence and if she’s living in the area she was elected to represent. It started with a report from Cindy Uken, bringing awareness to a new home recently purchased by Jocelyn Vargas in Indio. The map
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A federal judge blocked the temporary pause on federal loans and grants within minutes of it taking effect. The block is effective until Feb. 3. The White House budget office ordered a freeze on billions of federal grants and loans. The pause was stated in an internal memorandum sent on Monday. The pause does not
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An attorney issued a Cease and Desist letter against the city of Coachella over potential Brown Act violations related to the controversy with its city manager. Attorney Megan Beaman Jacinto, a former councilmember, sent the letter to city officials on Wednesday. “It has come to our attention that in the past 24 to 36 hours,
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Update 8:15 PM: The city council voted 3-2 to place its City Manager Dr. Gabriel Martin on paid administrative leave effective immediately. The vote came after a closed session meeting that lasted five hours, which followed a nearly five-hour public comment session. Many attendees, who had been in attendance since 10 a.m., were still in
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Local Republican Congressman Ken Calvert said there should be a “political reckoning” in light of the devastating fires in Los Angeles and that some public officials should now be removed from office. Calvert is among the Republican critics who say that public officials in LA mismanaged the city’s preparation for the raging wildfires. He, along
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Jose Medina was sworn by Riverside County Judge Jorge Hernandez in as the Riverside County First District Supervisor Tuesday during the first board meeting of 2025. Medina takes on this role after serving as the California State Assemblymember for the 61st Assembly District. For the Board of Supervisors, Medina’s oath of office marked the first
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President Joe Biden’s planned stop in the Coachella Valley Tuesday was canceled due to weather issues, officials confirmed to News Channel 3. Biden was set to stop in the eastern Coachella Valley to sign a proclamation designating Chuckwalla lands a federally protected national monument. Officials said Biden will sign the proclamation next week in the
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Newly elected Republican Assemblyman Jeff Gonzalez says party affiliation is preventing him and other CA lawmakers from becoming members of the Latino Caucus at the State Capitol. Jeff Gonzalez (11/18/24) On Dec. 2, the California Legislature returned to Sacramento for the start of a 2-year legislative session. 29 new lawmakers were sworn in at the
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The most senior member of the Riverside County Board of Supervisors closed out his political career today, attending his final board meeting, where he was lauded by colleagues who recognized him as “very principled” and a “mentor.” Supervisor Kevin Jeffries, 64, of Lakeland Village will officially retire on Jan. 1, but Tuesday was the last
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