COACHELLA, Calif. (KESQ) – The City of Coachella is reviewing how it offers youth soccer programs. Right now, two nonprofit organizations run separate soccer leagues in the city, including the Coachella Valley Soccer League. But the city wants to establish just one organization to manage all soccer programs through a new one-year contract, with an
Continue Reading
BANNING, Calif. (KESQ) – A jury is set in the high-profile public corruption case against developer John Wessman, who’s accused of bribing former Palm Springs Mayor Steve Pougnet in exchange for favorable treatment on city projects. Opening statements are set to start Monday at 9 a.m. at the Banning Justice Center. Wessman, 86, has pleaded
Continue Reading
PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) At first glance, Will Rooker might look like just another friendly face behind the counter at Revivals. But to many in Palm Springs, he’s something more: a neighborhood hero quietly powering hope through fashion, compassion, and community. Rooker, is a volunteer at Revivals Palm Springs, and is being recognized for his
Continue Reading
CATHEDRAL CITY, Calif. (KESQ) – The search continues for a missing woman last seen in Cathedral City on May 10. The family of Katelynn “Katie” Enstad have been searching for her since Saturday. Cathedral City police confirmed they have filed a missing persons report. “My Daughter Katelynn Enstad has gone missing, and we are deeply
Continue Reading
INDIAN WELLS, Calif. (KESQ) – In a Thursday Indian Wells City Council meeting, members declined to approve pickleball courts in the Indian Wells Country Club community, upsetting residents. Many communities throughout the Valley have approved the addition of pickleball courts. Residents said numerous people gave supporting statements to the council, but they said dissenting opinions
Continue Reading
CATHEDRAL CITY, Calif. (KESQ) – The third annual Down Syndrome International Film Festival is underway now through May 18th at the Mary Pickford Theatre in Cathedral City Founded by Steven Roche and Paul Belsito, the festival was inspired by their nephew Ryan and his unforgettable encounter with actress Jamie Brewer, who also has Down syndrome. That moment sparked the idea
Continue Reading
INDIO, Calif. (KESQ) – Two people were rescued from an Indio hiking trail after suffering an injury and showing signs of dehydration and fatigue Friday afternoon. The incident was first reported at around 12:05 p.m. on the Badlands trail, near Golf Center Parkway. Sheriff’s Sgt. Wenndy Brito-Gonzalez said a companion of the injured hiker told
Continue Reading
COACHELLA VALLEY, Calif. (KESQ) – A Coachella man has been arrested for making a series of threats, including a hoax bomb call, at local stores this month. Carlos Alberto Contreras, 43, was arrested on Wednesday. The District Attorney’s office filed charges of Falsely Reporting of Bomb, Falsely Reporting an Emergency, Petty Theft with Prior Convictions,
Continue Reading
RIVERSIDE, Calif. (KESQ)– A new report found the euthanasia rate for the Riverside County Department of Animal Services dropped by 33%. Data shows in 2025, there have been 540 fewer animals euthanized this year compared to this same time period last year. According to the Riverside County Department of Animal Services, a report on the progress from the first part of 2025
Continue Reading
A high-profile wellness initiative is officially underway in Palm Springs. But the launch of the Blue Zones Project is being overshadowed by confusion and controversy surrounding the sudden resignation of its first local leader. Geoff Kors, the former mayor of Palm Springs and the original director of the local Blue Zones effort, stepped down just
Continue Reading
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
Continue Reading
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,
Continue Reading
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
Continue Reading
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
Continue Reading
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
Continue Reading
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
Continue Reading
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
Continue Reading
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