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
Continue Reading
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
Continue Reading
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
Continue Reading
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.
Continue Reading
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
Continue Reading
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
Continue Reading
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
Continue Reading
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
Continue Reading
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
Continue Reading
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.
Continue Reading
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
Continue Reading
PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – 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
Continue Reading
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
Continue Reading
PALM DESERT, Calif. (KESQ) – The College of the Desert Board of Trustees has chosen Val Martinez Garcia as its new superintendent/president. The board approved the hire with a 3-2 vote during a special meeting on Wednesday. School officials said contract details are still being finalized and will be presented for approval during a meeting
Continue Reading
CABAZON, Calif. (KESQ) – The Morongo Band of Mission Indians awarded nearly $400,000 in grants to dozens of non-profit organizations at its 4th Annual Morongo Community Outreach Awards Luncheon on Wednesday. The 80 non-profit organizations receiving awards of up to $5,000 spanned across Riverside and San Bernardino counties, including 25 groups from the Coachella Valley.
Continue Reading
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
Continue Reading
PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – Hiking in the heat: it’s one way some valley residents choose to exercise during the hot summer months. Each summer, firefighters urge hikers to use caution when taking to the trails in the desert heat. But what if someone does need help on the trails this summer? Fire officials say they’re ready. Captain Ronald
Continue Reading
PALM DESERT, Calif. (KESQ) — Inspired by the COVID-19 pandemic and Coachella Valley’s nursing shortage, Jason Davalos is graduating California State University, San Bernardino Palm Desert Campus (PDC), with a degree in nursing. Davalos graduates this weekend as PDC’s Outstanding Student of the year and as a University Legacy Scholar, a scholarship that provided a
Continue Reading
LA QUINTA, Calif. (KESQ) – The City of La Quinta is proposing an ordinance banning homeless camping on public property, making such camping a misdemeanor. However, some local homeless advocates are calling for it to stop. This comes after La Quinta sheriff’s officials report an increase in homeless encampments along the underpasses of busy roadway’s.
Continue Reading
PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – Palm Springs Aerial Tramway officials today announced the return of extended summer hours and seasonal programming, beginning Memorial Day weekend. On Sunday, May 25, the final tram up will depart at 9 p.m., with the last tram down at 10:30 p.m. On Monday, May 26, the last tram up will
Continue Reading