EL CENTRO, Calif. (KESQ) – The Imperial Irrigation District (IID) Board of Directors approved funding to build new power substations in Thousand Palms and La Quinta. It’s a move that IID officials said will help serve increased energy demand due to the area’s rapid residential and commercial growth. The $23.2 million La Quinta project, known
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PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – A Palm Springs man suspected of sexually assaulting multiple minors pleaded not guilty to charges on Monday. Jesse James Garcia-Airada, 28, faces 18 charges, including multiple sexual assault charges. According to court documents, investigators believe Garcia-Airada sexually assaulted over 15 girls and provided them with fentanyl, cocaine, marijuana, and nicotine
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PALM DESERT, Calif. (KESQ) – Wildlights, the popular holiday lights display, will return to the Living Desert Zoo and Gardens starting Nov. 25. Wildlights features millions of lights, including spectacular light displays, walk-through lighted exhibits, a 30-foot-tall Christmas tree, and the G-Scale model train, with 3,300 feet of track, decked out for the holidays. There’s
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RIVERSIDE (KESQ) – Home sales rose across the Inland Empire and the state as a whole last month, with statewide sales figures reaching the highest level since February, the California Association of Realtors announced today. In Riverside County, closed escrow sales of existing, single-family detached homes rose 6.6% in October over September’s numbers, and
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INDIO, Calif. (KESQ) – A man who fatally beat a 77-year-old woman living in the same Palm Desert apartment complex was sentenced to 25 years to life in prison. Ryan Alkana, 38, was officially sentenced Tuesday morning. He was convicted of murder and a sentence-enhancing allegation of using a weapon during a felony in April
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RIVERSIDE, Calif. (KESQ) – Riverside County is continuing to place an emphasis on preserving the lives of pets impounded at the county’s four animal shelters, Department of Animal Services Director Mary Martin said today, renewing the agency’s appeal for residents to consider adopting or fostering dogs and cats going into the holidays. “Progress has been
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PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) Lance Bass, one-fifth of the renowned vocal group NSYNC, will serve as the celebrity tree lighter at the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway’s Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony. The ceremony will be held on Sunday, December 7. News Channel 3’s Chief Meteorologist and “Eye on the Desert” Host Patrick Evans will again emcee this year’s event at the Tramway’s Mountain Station. Festivities are scheduled
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PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – Leonardo DiCaprio will receive the Desert Palm Achievement Award, Actor, at the 2026 Palm Springs International Film Festival, organizers announced on Monday. DiCaprio is being honored for his performance in Paul Thomas Anderson’s One Battle After Another “In One Battle After Another, Leonardo DiCaprio delivers a riveting and emotionally charged
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PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – Fee increases at the Tahquitz Creek golf course are being reconsidered by the Palm Springs City Council. In late September, the Palm Springs City Council adopted green fee hikes of up to 73%. Resort course weekday fees were set to spike from $58 to $95 during October to December. December
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THERMAL, Calif. (KESQ) – Hundreds of families in the Coachella Valley are getting a little extra help this Thanksgiving. Monday evening, the Coachella Valley Unified School District hosted a massive turkey and produce giveaway, making sure local families have what they need for the holiday table. The district partnered with vendors and Aziz Farms to
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PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – One inch of snow has fallen at Mount San Jacinto near the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway. The Tramway’s annual snow guessing contest officially ended Sunday, November 16th. There were seven contestants who submitted the correct date: 1. Carolyn Kirner-Schmidt of San Diego 2. Sharon Lee Jones of Rancho Mirage 3.
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PALM DESERT, Calif. (KESQ) – It’s a scam where buyers distract you, slip oil into the hood of your car to make the engine look “blown,” then pressure you to sell your car for a fraction of what it’s worth. Mark Haye, Palm Desert part-time resident, said 2 men tried it on him — but
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PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) One of the biggest gatherings in the nation for long-term care professionals has taken over the Palm Springs Convention Center this week. The California Association of Health Facilities (CAHF) is marking a major mileston with its 75th annual convention and expo. The convention draws top caregivers, facility leaders and industry experts
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INDIO, Calif. (KESQ) – A jury was seated today for the trial of an ex-Riverside County sheriff’s deputy accused of harassing and abducting a former girlfriend, as well as possessing child pornography. Alexander Ravy Vanny, 34, of Hemet, was arrested last year following an investigation by the sheriff’s department’s Special Victims Unit. Vanny is
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INDIO (KESQ) – The Empire Polo Club in Indio will transform into a drive-through holiday light display for the fourth annual “Magic of Lights” beginning Tuesday. The event, sponsored by PNC Bank and produced by Family Entertainment Holdings, will take place from 5:30 to 9 p.m. Sundays through Thursdays and 5:30-10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays
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DESERT HOT SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – A major route in and out of Palm Springs is shut down this week. North Indian Canyon Drive is closed between Palm Springs Station Road and Garnet Avenue, a closure that began early Monday at 2 a.m. and will continue through Thursday. For many residents, including Blanca Torres, the
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CATHEDRAL CITY, Calif. (KESQ) – Cathedral City announced Monday morning that Councilmember Mark Carnevale died Sunday. “The City of Cathedral City is deeply saddened by the passing of Councilmember Mark Carnevale on November 16, 2025. Councilmember Carnevale was a dedicated public servant, beloved family man, and pillar of the Cathedral City community.” – Cathedral City
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CATHEDRAL CITY, Calif. (KESQ) — Heavy rainfall across the Coachella Valley has caused flooding, mudslides, and road closures, prompting safety warnings from law enforcement and emergency officials. In Palm Springs, major routes such as Indian Canyon Drive, Gene Autry Trail, and parts of Vista Chino often shut down when water collects at the washes. Drivers
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COACHELLA VALLEY, Calif. (KESQ) — With the government shutdown now over, many Valley residents experiencing food insecurity are hoping to feel relief soon. Recipients of SNAP, or the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, have been in ‘benefit limbo’ since the shutdown. With conflicting reports on when and how recipients will receive benefits with the government reopening,
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INDIO, Calif. (KESQ) – The AMVETS ONE suicide-prevention bus rolled into Indio on Sunday. The event drawing veterans, families and community members to American Legion Post 739 for a program aimed at reducing veteran suicides — highlighting the urgent need for mental-health support and continued outreach. According to AMVETS, an estimated 17.6 veterans die by
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