PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – Assemblymember James C. Ramos will present a symbolic $10 million state-funded check Friday to California Indian Nations College as part of an effort to help the school become the state’s first federally accredited tribal college. The presentation featuring a “blown-up” check is scheduled for 10 a.m. at the Agua Caliente
Continue Reading
IMPERIAL, Calif. (KESQ)– Coachella Valley Unified School District is set to receive a $70k grant from the Imperial Irrigation District (IID). IID announced they are set to award more than $1.1 million in grants to 20 local educational institutions throughout California through their Grants for Energy Modernization Program (GEMS). IID launched the GEMS grants earlier
Continue Reading
PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – An exhibit featuring photographs from several Coachella Valley journalists will open next week in Palm Springs, with proceeds funding the Coachella Valley Journalism Foundation’s visual journalism internship. The opening ceremony will be held at the Stephen Richard Baumbach Gallery in the Backstreet Art District, at 4116 Matthew Drive. The exhibit
Continue Reading
COACHELLA VALLEY, Calif. (KESQ)- Coachella Valley Adopt the Arts Honor Choir helped Ringo Starr celebrate his 85th Birthday with the annual “Peace & Love” campaign on July 7 with the help of the Artemis Space Program. Adopt the Arts Honor Choir is a program made up of 3rd-5th graders from four different elementary schools in
Continue Reading
CATHEDRAL CITY, Calif. (KESQ) – The Young Creators Program is opening doors for the next generation of filmmakers. This program is part of Palm Springs Unified School District’s Expanded Learning Program, aimed at giving students opportunities they might not get during regularly scheduled school hours. Over nine days, students have had the opportunity to learn
Continue Reading
THERMAL, Calif. (KESQ) – Sylvia Paz stepped down from her position as trustee of the Coachella Valley Unified School District. The move went into effect on June 17, the district announced on Friday. Paz said she is resigning to begin a “long-planned sabbatical.” Paz spent seven years on the board. District officials said she leaves
Continue Reading
INDIO, Calif. (KESQ) – Low-income children in the Coachella Valley will receive free backpacks and school supplies through a donation drive in Indio hosted by the Coachella Valley Rescue Mission. The 15th annual Backpack Bonanza drive-thru event is scheduled for 7 a.m. Aug. 14 at 47470 Van Buren Street. Organizers aim to distribute school supply-filled
Continue Reading
When kids returned to school after the pandemic, behavioral issues skyrocketed across the nation. Here in the Coachella Valley, parents and students reported a spike in altercations and sent News Channel 3 several videos of school fights. Now, years later, fights continue to be an issue at some schools, like a recent one at James Workman Middle
Continue Reading
LA QUINTA, Calif. (KESQ) – Desert Sands Unified School District is sharing that its free summer meal program is available weekdays for children and teens 18 and under. The program includes both breakfast and lunch, and is offered Monday through Friday at multiple schools throughout the district as well as at select locations of community
Continue Reading
UPDATE 06/10/2025: PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – The Palm Springs Unified School District Board of Education has named Dr. Marcus Funchess as the new PSUSD Superintendent. The PSUSD Board of Education will take action on Dr. Funchess’ contract at its upcoming June 24th meeting. Dr. Funchess will begin his employment on July 1st, following Dr.
Continue Reading
PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – The Palm Springs Public Library launched its six-week summer reading program today, aimed at inspiring and entertaining children while helping to prevent seasonal learning loss. The free “Level Up” program runs through July 18 at the library’s location at 300 S. Sunrise Way, at the corner of Sunrise Way
Continue Reading
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
Continue Reading
DESERT HOT SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – The achievements of 22 local students were celebrated by the Desert Hot Springs Women’s Club Monday evening at their 2025-26 Scholarship Awards Night. The Desert Hot Springs Women’s Club provides thousands of dollars in scholarships each year to support students in the DHS area. This year, the scholarships totaled
Continue Reading
THERMAL, Calif. (KESQ) – The Coachella Valley Unified School District has been dealing with an ongoing mass layoff, hoping to aid its $50 million budget deficit. In the wake of these challenges, the district is recognizing its progress in new learning programs and student success. In the State of the District meeting, Superintendent Frances Esparza
Continue Reading
PALM DESERT, Calif. (KESQ) – A nursing program at Cal State San Bernardino’s Palm Desert campus received just over $88,000 in grant funding aimed at improving access to medical services to unsheltered people throughout the Coachella Valley and to provide hands-on clinical training for nursing students, it was announced today. “We are proud to support
Continue Reading
PALM DESERT, Calif. (KESQ) – A salute to the Class of 2025 – Nearly 2,000 Roadrunners walked the stage at Acrisure Arena on Tuesday, moving on to take the next big step of their lives. The grads heard remarks from the Superintendent and President, as well as keynote speakers, who inspired the students along with
Continue Reading
At 8 a.m., the intersection of Landau Boulevard and McCallum Way was named in honor of Diego Jauregui. At 8:30 a.m., the intersection of Date Palm Drive and Dave Kelley Road was named after Kimberly Rodriguez Nunez. Rodriguez Nunez is an International Baccalaureate Diploma Program candidate, the ASB senior class president, and the Cathedral City
Continue Reading
PALM DESERT, Calif. (KESQ) – Owen Matas, a first-year English teacher at Palm Desert High School, has received the One Class at a Time Teacher award. Matas was recognized for reviving the school’s Cine-Arts Club, a once-thriving program from the 1990s, giving students a creative outlet to explore filmmaking. With a $777.77 donation from the
Continue Reading
PALM DESERT, Calif. (KESQ) – Some local families are voicing concerns to Desert Sands Unified School District regarding an altercation on a bus ride for a field trip on Wednesday. They say it temporarily stranded some third graders and chaperone parents as they returned from a trip to Legoland. A video from a parent shows
Continue Reading
MECCA, Calif. (KESQ) – Riverside County Office of Education announced on Thursday that Mecca Elementary teacher Marisa Gaytan is one of four teachers chosen as a 2026 Riverside County Teacher of the Year. Gaytan, a fourth grade dual-language teacher, was met by more than 100 students, along with family, colleagues, a drum line, cheerleaders, and
Continue Reading