COACHELLA, Calif. (KESQ) – The Coachella City Council voted unanimously to extend a 45-day moratorium it placed on data center developments last month, by 10 months and 15 days. Staff says more time is needed to carve out the framework for a permanent ban, that will include changing the city’s municipal code. Mayor Frank Figueroa
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PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) — A plan that could reshape one of Palm Springs’ most recognizable features for generations is now moving forward. After public testimony and debate Wednesday night, the Palm Springs City Council approved a new palm tree trimming policy that will remove the natural “skirts” from many city-owned California fan palms. However,
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PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – One person was injured after a small fire at an encampment in Palm Springs Wednesday evening. The fire was reported just before 6:15 p.m. along Tramway Road near Highway 111. “Engine 3 arrived on scene at approximately 6:13 p.m. and located a small fire that had not extended into the
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THOUSAND PALMS, Calif. (KESQ) – A delivery truck is on fire near the Bob Hope overpass along Interstate 10 in Thousand Palms. The incident was reported just before 6:10 p.m. Details remain limited. Westbound traffic was briefly impacted near Monterey, with at least two lanes blocked, according to the California Highway Patrol. Traffic as of
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LA QUINTA, Calif. (KESQ) — Assemblymember Greg Wallis continues the annual observance of Outdoor Worker Appreciation Week. This statewide effort aims to show workers who push through the desert summers that the community recognizes the importance of their work. Legislation authored by Wallis was signed in 2023, establishing a weeklong recognition of workers who work
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PALM SPRINGS (CNS) – The Palm Springs City Council approved a proposal for the city to move forward with the acquisition of a new BearCat vehicle, replacing a two-decade-old armored vehicle for the SWAT unit. Procurement of a 2026 Lenco BearCat G3 was proposed by the city’s Department of Public Works. The item was in
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INDIO, Calif. (KESQ) – A convicted felon accused of gunning down a 44-year-old Mecca man and wounding his friend was charged today with first-degree murder and other charges. Adolfo Suarez Lopez, 50, of Indio was arrested last week following a Riverside County Sheriff’s Department investigation into the slaying of Alberto Padron in June. Along with
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RIVERSIDE COUNTY, Calif. — Riverside County recorded 38 reported hate crime events in 2025, placing it among the 10 California counties with the highest number of reported incidents, according to the California Department of Justice’s annual Hate Crime in California 2025 report. The report shows Riverside County documented 38 hate crime events, resulting in 48
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PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) — North Gene Autry Trail was closed for several hours at the wash Wednesday morning because of an oil spill on the roadway. The closure was first reported around 7:35 a.m. Officials said the road is expected to remain closed for about an hour while crews work to clear the spill.
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PALM DESERT, Calif. (KESQ) – A hiker who initially required assistance on a trail in Palm Desert was found safe today. The “inaccessible rescue” call was reported at about 2 p.m. Wednesday on the Bump and Grind trail, according to the Riverside County Fire Department. The agency said arriving crews made contact with an
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PALM DESERT, Calif. (July 7, 2026) — The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens announced that President and CEO Allen Monroe will retire this fall after more than 12 years leading the organization through a period of significant growth and global recognition. Since joining The Living Desert in 2014, Monroe has overseen a dramatic expansion of
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COACHELLA, Calif. (July 8, 2026) — The City of Coachella has officially appointed Gustavo J. Romo as its new City Manager after a comprehensive recruitment process. Romo has been serving in the role since June 15, 2026. With more than 32 years of municipal leadership experience, Romo most recently served as Deputy City Manager and
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PALM DESERT, Calif. (KESQ) – Stamps will be going up four cents by July 12th. The price is going up to 82 cents from the previous 78 cents for the Forever stamps. Since the Forever stamps were introduced the price has increased 100 percent over the last 19 years. USPS corporate tells me “In the
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PALM SPRINGS (CNS) – A fire that destroyed the roof and attic space in a kitchen area at the Palm Springs Cultural Center, which prompted immediate evacuations and a temporary closure, was set to reopen this Saturday. The non-injury blaze was reported shortly after 7:30 p.m. June 27 in the 2300 block of East Baristo
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THOUSAND PALMS, Calif. (KESQ) — Temperatures are on the rise as summer is in full swing. This means vehicle awareness in the heat is more important than ever as temps inside cars can climb by 20 degrees or more in 10 minutes, according to the National Weather Service. Not only can these temperatures become dangerous,
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DESERT HOT SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – The Desert Hot Springs city council unanimously voted Tuesday to extend its temporary moratorium on new data centers, saying the city needs more time to study the potential impacts before deciding whether the facilities should be allowed. The extension prevents the city from accepting or approving permits, licenses and
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PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ)- Blood donations are at a historic low and the Palm Springs Police and Fire department are teaming up for a friendly competition for the first time. According to the American Red Cross, the number of donors has dropped by roughly 40% over the last two decades. This marks the lowest level
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MURRIETA (CNS) – A brush fire that erupted today in the hills west of Murrieta charred nearly 137 acres and threatened rural properties, but firefighters were able to achieve some containment by Tuesday night. The non-injury blaze was reported at 2:50 p.m. Tuesday in the area of Via Volcano and Tenaja roads, in the unincorporated
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COACHELLA VALLEY, Calif. (KESQ) – As more people head to Coachella Valley hiking trails during the early morning hours to beat the heat, wildlife experts are reminding the public that it’s also peak rattlesnake activity. The warning comes after an unusually early spike in rattlesnake bites across California. According to the California Poison Control System,
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The Palm Springs City Council is considering a plan to remove the natural skirts from 2,150 California fan palms on city property to protect public safety, which a local land trust says would destroy wildlife habitat and permanently change the look of Palm Springs.
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