PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – As the United States’ military actions in the Middle East continue to stir debate, the ripple effects are being felt even in the Coachella Valley, where community members, including local veterans, express mixed feelings about U.S. involvement in the region. The situation, marked by increasing tensions between the U.S. and
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CATHEDRAL CITY, Calif. (KESQ)- City Manager Charles McClendon announced his retirement from Cathedral City following his 11 years of service to the community. McClendon began his tenure in March of 2014. City officials said he was the catalyst for significant growth and improvement in the community. The most significant improvements during his time as City
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INDIO, Calif. (KESQ) – Local Republican State Assemblyman Jeff Gonzalez announced Wednesday the Joint Legislative Audit Committee has approved his request to consider an audit of the Coachella Valley Unified School District. “This has to do with right and wrong. And wrong is taking place and we want answers!” Gonzalez said. The announcement comes in
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DESERT HOT SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – Desert Hot Springs has a new city manager, and it is a familiar face for residents. On Tuesday, the city council voted to appoint Doria Wilms as the new city manager of Desert Hot Springs. Wilms was unanimously appointed the acting city manager in February, following the retirement of
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BANNING, Calif. (KESQ) – 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. Hear from former Palm Springs Mayors Robert Moon and Geoff Kors, who dealt with the fallout of the bribery
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California Senate leader Toni Atkins is hoping to be the state’s first female and LGBTQ governor. The San Diego Democrat made history as the first out lesbian to be assembly speaker, as well as the first woman and LGBTQ person to lead the senate. Atkins is hoping her long resume in elected office, coupled with
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INDIO, Calif. (KESQ) — Indio Councilmember Oscar Ortiz is joining the race for California State Assembly District 36. Ortiz, who has served for seven years on the Indio City Council and was previously mayor, announced the run via social media Sunday. The councilman lost a Congressional bid against Representative Raul Ruiz in 2024. Republican Jeff
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RANCHO MIRAGE, Calif. (KESQ) – Coachella Valley Congressman Dr. Raul Ruiz is inviting the public to attend a town hall in Rancho Mirage on Saturday afternoon. It’s for the House Democratic Caucus Steering and Policy Committee, which helps to shape the party’s legislative agenda. There will also be a special surprise guest. The event begins
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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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