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Local Politics

Naomi Soto sworn-in as new mayor of Palm Springs

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – Palm Springs City Councilmember Naomi Soto was officially sworn in as the city’s new mayor on Wednesday.   Soto was sworn in during Wednesday’s City Council meeting. Soto, a health-care executive, was elected in November 2024 to represent District 4. She will serve for one term in the rotating position, with

Lynn Mallotto sworn in as new Rancho Mirage Mayor

RANCHO MIRAGE, Calif. (KESQ) – Councilmember Lynn Mallotto was sworn in as the new mayor of Rancho Mirage. Mallotto will serve as Rancho Mirage mayor until Nov. 2026. The city rotates the position between councilmembers every year. Councilmember Michael O’Keefe was also sworn in as Mayor Pro Tem. He is set to serve as mayor

California Republicans sue over passage of Prop 50

RIVERSIDE, Calif. (KESQ) – One day after California voters approved Proposition 50, redrawing the state’s congressional district lines to boost Democratic representation in Washington, state Republicans filed a federal lawsuit in Los Angeles today challenging the constitutionality of the measure. Assemblyman David Tangipa, R-Fresno, the California Republican Party, and 18 district voters brought the lawsuit,

Rep. Ken Calvert announces campaign for new 40th District

CORONA, Calif. (KESQ) – Local Congressman Ken Calvert confirmed he will be running for the new 40th District, one day after Prop 50 passed. Calvert released a statement Wednesday: “Californians in the newly drawn 40th District deserve a proven conservative they can trust and a fighter who has delivered results for Riverside and Orange County

Prop 50 passes; Newsom, leaders react

COACHELLA VALLEY, Calif. (KESQ) – California voters today approved Proposition 50, the statewide congressional redistricting proposal. By 10 p.m., the proposition had nearly 65% of the vote. Live Coverage from ABC News: 9:00 p.m. President Donald Trump reacted to today’s election results with a short post on Truth Social. Earlier this morning, Trump threatened legal

Coachella Mayor Steven Hernandez pleads not guilty to felony charges, county places him on paid administrative leave

COACHELLA, Calif. (KESQ) – Coachella Mayor Steven Hernandez was arraigned Thursday morning on perjury and conflict of interest charges for alleged illicit acts connected to his decisions on projects in the city, along with other matters. A grand jury indicted Hernandez, 42, on nine criminal counts. He pleaded not guilty to all charges and is

Prop 50: The Stakes in California

COACHELLA VALLEY, Calif. (KESQ) – California voters will be deciding the fate of Proposition 50 in a state-wide special election on November 4th in a little over four weeks.  And the decision could have major implications in the battle for control of Congress in next year’s mid-term elections.  It would redraw the state’s congressional districts, giving democrats

Rep. Calvert calls Newsom’s redistricting plan a ‘power grab,’ expects his seat to be a prime target

COACHELLA VALLEY, Calif. (KESQ) – We’re hearing from local Republican Congressman Ken Calvert in the wake of Governor Gavin Newsom’s announcement that California will move forward with putting proposed new congressional maps on the ballot in a November special election. Check Out: First draft of California’s redrawn congressional district maps released Newsom has framed the