News Headlines Archives

Broken Budget: CVUSD leaders plan $44 million in budget cuts to prevent deficit and state takeover

November 21, 2024 9:02 AM Jeff Stahl

Out of money. That will be the case for The Coachella Valley Unified School District if leaders don’t cut spending dramatically, according to a financial warning from the Riverside County Office of Education. News Channel 3 has secured the first interview with the District’s Superintendent Dr. Francis Esparza since learning of the $44 million budget hole. I-Team Investigator Jeff Stahl

COD tackling food insecurity among college students

November 21, 2024 5:59 PM Luis Avila

Addressing food insecurity many college students face. It’s an increasing problem that impacts them in and out of the classroom. According to the National Institutes of Health, a survey of over 100 colleges showed that 45% of students experience food insecurity. College of Desert has food pantries at its Palm Desert and Indio campuses, where

Palm Springs city council expected to vote on Human Rights Commission restructure

November 21, 2024 5:55 PM Shay Lawson

The Palm Springs city council is expected to, “prepare a draft ordinance amending Chapter 2.45, Human Rights Commission, of the Palm Springs Municipal Code,” according to the city council special meeting agenda on Thursday night. This would “rebrand” the Human Rights Commission (HRC) in its current form and replace the focus to a “Human Services

Homicide investigation continues after man found dead at Coachella ranch

November 19, 2024 2:15 PM Jesus Reyes, Shay Lawson

Update 11/21/24 The coroner’s office identified the man found dead as Zachary Sandoval Roberts, 31, of Coachella Original Report 11/19/24 The Riverside County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a homicide after the body of a man was found in a Coachella ranch Tuesday afternoon. The body was first reported to deputies at around 12:30 p.m. on

Morongo Unified School District team up with SBCSD to launch winter clothing drive

November 21, 2024 4:35 PM Jesus Reyes

The San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department Morongo Basin Station and the Morongo Unified School District are teaming up to launch a Winter Clothing Drive to support students in need throughout the Morongo Basin. The drive will run for the next three weeks, giving the community an opportunity to make a difference in the lives of

‘Movember’ encourages men to have conversations on men’s health issues

November 21, 2024 3:24 PM Gavin Nguyen

“Changing the face of men’s health.” That’s the mission statement that defines Movember, a movement that works year-round, but is most prominent during November, when men all over the world grow mustaches to raise awareness for men’s health issues. Devin Hollis, the Head of Marketing for Movember, says the mustache is often a conversation starter.

Fill the Bus Food Drive benefitting local families in need

November 21, 2024 5:45 AM Allie Anthony

News Channel 3 and SunLine Transit Agency are partnering up ahead of Thanksgiving to Fill the Bus! This year, Food Now and Coachella Valley Rescue Mission will benefit from the food donation drive. SunLine buses are parked at the Walmart on Monterey in Palm Desert and at the Ralph’s at Smoketree Village in Palm Springs

Thousand Palms resident sentenced after pleading guilty to burglary charges

November 21, 2024 12:01 PM City News Service

A man who carried out a string of commercial burglaries in Rancho Mirage was sentenced to two years in prison after entering guilty pleas to multiple charges, authorities said today. Thousand Palms resident Kenneth Cook, 48, pleaded guilty to six felony counts of burglary Wednesday at the Larson Justice Center in Indio, according to case

Desert Hot Springs man suspected of sexually assaulting child

November 21, 2024 11:14 AM Jesus Reyes

A 31-year-old Desert Hot Springs man was arrested on suspicion of sexually assaulting a minor in the High Desert, investigators announced on Thursday. According to the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department, on October 20, deputies began their investigation into unlawful sexual intercourse with a minor that occurred in Yucca Valley. Through the investigation, deputies determined

Do the Right Thing: Local students recognized for positive behavior

November 20, 2024 10:03 PM Cynthia White

Some local students are recognized with this month’s ‘Do The Right Thing’ award for exhibiting good deeds and positive behavior. The Greater Palm Springs chapter of Do The Right Thing is a partnership between Palm Springs Police and News Channel 3. Congratulations to Sebastian Navea Robles from Andrew Jackson Middle School, Zoe Karroll-Gonzalez from George

PSP sends travel alert ahead of Thanksgiving holiday week

November 20, 2024 10:24 PM Kristen Outlaw

Palm Springs International sent out a Thanksgiving travel alert ahead of the holiday week. It was expecting 34,000 passengers during the week of Thanksgiving. Peak days during the holiday week were expected on Tuesday, Wednesday, and the Sunday following Thanksgiving- with the busiest times between 10:00 a.m. through 2:00 p.m. PSP recommended travelers to arrive

Coachella Valley marks Transgender Day of Remembrance with ceremonies

November 20, 2024 6:36 PM Shay Lawson

Organizations across the Coachella Valley held ceremonies to honor Transgender Day of Remembrance, a day dedicated to remembering the lives lost to anti-transgender violence. The Transgender Health and Wellness Center held a ceremony at Palm Springs City Hall. The LGBTQ Community Center of the Desert also organized a gathering in Coachella. In 2024, at least

News Channel 3 Exclusive: First residents moving into Palm Springs Navigation Center

November 20, 2024 4:13 PM Peter Daut

Phase Two of the Palm Springs Homeless Navigation Center is now officially open, with the first residents moving in on Tuesday. News Channel 3’s Peter Daut has been following the project for years, and got a sneak peek of the facility right before those first residents arrived. The nearly $40 million Center includes 80 independent

Coachella line-up released: Travis Scott, Lady Gaga, Green Day, and Post Malone to headline

November 20, 2024 11:31 AM Jesus Reyes

The Coachella 2025 line-up was officially released on Wednesday, confirming reports that Travis Scott, Lady Gaga, Green Day, and Post Malone will headline. The presale will begin on Friday at 11:00 a.m. PT. You can register now for access at coachella.com. just dance 🕺🌵 register now for access to passes at https://t.co/EJt4E49wMb presale begins Friday,

Christy Holstege concedes State Assembly race to Greg Wallis

November 20, 2024 3:13 PM Jesus Reyes

Democrat Christy Holstege has conceded the race for State Assembly to Republican incumbent Greg Wallis. Holstege made the announcement on her social media account Wednesday afternoon. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Christy Holstege (@christyholstege) Wallis sent a statement to News Channel 3 on his victory: “After a hard-fought campaign, I am

Rodent infestation reported at College of the Desert child care facility

November 20, 2024 11:08 AM Athena Jreij

A mice infestation has been reported at the College of the Desert’s McCarthy Family Child Development Center in Palm Desert. A recent state investigation responded to complaints that an infestation had not been resolved at the facility, which currently cares for more than 70 children. Tonight at 5, News Channel 3 is digging deeper into

Palm Springs Unified School District gives out 1,200 boxes of produce

November 20, 2024 3:20 PM City News Service

With the help of a $150,000 grant, the Palm Springs Unified School District distributed 1,200 boxes of fresh produce to families in need today. The boxes were handed out at a drive-up site at 150 District Center Drive on Wednesday morning. A previous PSUSD distribution was able to hand out 800 boxes. The

LA Galaxy Foundation to Host Annual Golf Tournament on Feb. 7

November 20, 2024 12:14 PM City News Service

The LA Galaxy’s annual fundraiser golf tournament will return to Palm Desert on Feb. 7, the team announced today. The scramble-style tournament will tee off at 8 a.m. at the Firecliff golf course at Desert Willow Golf Resort, with registration and a pre-round breakfast opening 90 minutes prior, according to a team statement. All

Cold case rape, murder of Beaumont girl solved 45 years later

November 20, 2024 11:56 AM City News Service

More than four decades after it happened, the identity of the man who sexually assaulted and killed a 17-year-old Beaumont girl was confirmed through DNA evidence, authorities alleged today. Lewis Randolph “Randy” Williamson, now deceased, is believed to be the person responsible for the rape and murder of Esther Gonzalez in the winter of 1979,

Kieran Culkin to receive Breakthrough Performance Award at Palm Springs Film Festival

November 20, 2024 10:00 AM Jesus Reyes

Kieran Culkin will receive the Breakthrough Performance Award, Actor at the 2025 Palm Springs International Film Awards. Culkin will be honored for his performance in the film, A Real Pain. The Film Awards will take place on January 3, 2025, at the Palm Springs Convention Center, with the festival running January 2-13, 2025. The event