Indio, Goldenvoice host ‘CHELLA’ Wednesday

KESQ on April 16, 2025

Jesus Reyes

INDIO, Calif. (KESQ) – “CHELLA,” a free community music event in downtown Indio in partnership with Goldenvoice will make its return on April 16.

The event will take place on Wednesday, April 16 from 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. at Center Stage (82881 Miles Avenue).

This year’s CHELLA lineup includes El Malilla, Bolo, Gasolina Party featuring DXSKO, J. Patron, Lizz, Castles, and Bass Moves.

El Malilla, cited by the Rolling Stones as one of the biggest stars in the new genre “Reggaeton mexa,” will also take the stage at this year’s Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival. He’ll be closing out the Sonora Stage at 9:50 p.m. on Saturday.

“Chella is more than just a concert—it’s a celebration of community, music, and the vibrant spirit of Indio, the city of festivals,” said Mayor Glenn Miller. “We’re proud to once again partner with Goldenvoice to bring this exciting, inclusive and free event to our residents and visitors in Downtown Indio.”

Beyond the music, guests can enjoy a variety of local food trucks, and those 21 years and over can relax at Indio Taphouse, the official beer garden of the event—making it the perfect night out for all. Don’t miss out on the excitement and celebration—join us in Downtown Indio for an unforgettable night.

Local vintage stores talk Coachella’s festival fashion

KESQ on April 16, 2025

Athena Jreij

PALM DESERT, Calif. (KESQ) — Whether it’s rhinestones, western accessories or blast from the past styles, Thriftology in Palm Desert is welcoming locals and visitors to shop festival fashion.

“People are gravitating towards cowboy boots. Always having hats and scarves and bandanas to cover your face from the dust and then just anything that’s wild, crazy, neon and fringe,” Dutchess Sanchez, owner of Thriftology said.

The desert festival is well known for elaborate and referential outfits, and as fast fashion billboards clutter Interstate 10, she wants to remind festival-goers to think “secondhand” first.

“Some of the fast fashion that you see coming out. It doesn’t last more than one wear,” Sanchez said.

Alexis, a festival-goer from Kansas City, Missouri, says Thriftology is her go-to when she’s in town.

“I’ve been really searching for anywhere between, like, Billie Eilish and Doechii kind of vibes lately. So I like oversized pieces and then also like eclectic pieces that can kind of fit in with any wardrobe,” she said.

The boom festival season brings is welcome change for Sanchez’s store. She says the current economy and frugal shoppers have hurt store sales.

“It’s less people, but people are coming. But people are definitely doing more window shopping,” Sanchez said.

Sanchez says sales from Coachella and Stagecoach shopping will usually sustain Thriftology through a slow summer. Through March and April, the store will see sales nearly double.

Thriftology offers a 15% discount to any shoppers who donate clothing and accessories with them. For more information on Thriftology, visit: https://www.visitgreaterpalmsprings.com/listing/thriftology/45157/

Man accused of threatening to bomb Coachella festival makes first court appearance

KESQ on April 16, 2025

Kendall Flynn

INDIO, Calif. (KESQ) – A man who allegedly told security guards he would be “responsible for a bombing” at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival made his first court appearance Wednesday in Indio.

Davis Darvish, 40, of Santa Monica, was arrested after allegedly threatening to bomb the Coachella music festival. He was charged with making a false bomb report, which he pleaded not guilty to during his arraignment Wednesday at the Larson Justice Center.

He remains in custody on $1 million bail, according to booking records.

According to court records, police requested Davis’ bail be increased from $10,000 to $1 million due to his threats of mass violence at the festival, his unwillingness to cooperate with law enforcement, and his recent international travel which would pose him as a flight risk.

Riverside County Superior Court Judge Dean Benjamini scheduled a felony settlement conference for April 25.

Darvish’s public defender argued during the arraignment that his client’s actions did not pose a credible threat to the community because he had nothing in his possession that would have constituted a threat, and instead the entire episode approximated a “crank call.”

The judge was unsympathetic to the argument and relied on a CCPD bail- setting declaration indicating that Darvish did represent a threat, ordering the defendant held without bail at the Smith Correctional Facility in Banning.

Darvish’s attorney, David Greenberg, sent a statement to News Channel 3:

“My client is a 40 year old educated man with no record whatsoever.  Unfortunately, he has recently struggled with some personal challenges.  I am confident that once all of the evidence is examined and brought to light, it will be clear that my client never intended any harm to befall anyone.”

Darvish was arrested Saturday after security guards at the Agua Caliente Casino in Cathedral City said they caught wind of him saying he intended to bomb the nearby festival.

Security quickly alerted police.

Officers tracked down Darvish’s Tesla using Flock ALPR – a system of surveillance cameras capable of reading and tracking license plates in real time. Investigators accessed DMV records to confirm the vehicle’s owner, then began searching for the Tesla’s movements throughout the Coachella Valley within minutes.

Check Out: How Police Tracked Down a Man Accused of Threatening to Bomb Coachella in Palm Springs

The car was found in Palm Springs and there was no immediate threat to festivalgoers or the public, according to police. When found, Darvish initially drove away from police, and attempted to walk away from his vehicle, but was taken into custody without resistance.

The vehicle search turned up with no explosives, weapons, or materials related to bomb-making, according to police.

The car was found in Palm Springs, police said. Darvish initially drove away from police, and attempted to walk away from his vehicle, but was ultimately taken into custody without resistance. A search of the vehicle turned up no explosives, weapons, or materials related to bomb-making, according to police.

Stay with News Channel 3 for continuing updates on this case.

An inside look at how a Coachella Valley health survey is conducted and funded as it looks for more participants

KESQ on April 16, 2025

Gavin Nguyen

PALM DESERT, Calif. (KESQ) – Did you receive $2 in the mail asking for your response to a survey?

If you did, you were likely randomly chosen for a health survey ran by Health Assessment and Research for Communities, or HARC, Inc.

25,000 valley households were invited to participate in the survey online or in-person with a $2 bill in the envelope. HARC is offering $20 Visa gift cards for those who complete the survey.

HARC, Inc. releases new data every three years. The last report came in 2022, and now, in 2025, the nonprofit is asking for participants to help provide “insights into healthcare access, mental health, food insecurity, and more.”

A copy of the 2022 Edition of HARC’s Community Health Survey

According to Amairani Ramos, the Communications Manager for HARC, the nonprofit takes on the difficult task of sizing up a demographic that includes a large portion of part-time residents. She also acknowledges the vast differences between most health surveys, which lumps the Coachella Valley with western Riverside County, and HARC’s survey.

“We’re very unique as you mentioned, we have snowbirds in certain times of the year. We also have farmworkers. We also have people in Palm Springs whose income may vary from those farmworkers out in the East Valley,” Ramos explains. “We definitely have a different story from Riverside County and from other organizations. So [HARC’s] data is able to compile everyone and tell a more descriptive story of who we are.”

When talking about the healthcare providers in the desert that frequently cite survey data, Ramos says, “They’re able to calculate how many physicians they need in the area, whether it’s specialists for cancer or diabetes, asthma or anything else that may be prevalent in the area.”

Local nonprofits benefit, too. Jewish Family Service of the Desert is one of those organizations. Executive Director of the nonprofit, Kraig Johnson, says, “It’s what we use primarily to cite need for community services, need for our specific services in mental health and in social services. Case management. HARC is really the only source for that data locally.”

Johnson says the data is also helpful when the nonprofit applies for grant funding. “Hundreds of thousands of dollars over the years, certainly. We have about between 30 and 40 grants that we’re operating a year. And again, every single one of those applications, we will utilize HARC data.”

But Ramos says for this year’s survey, the nonprofit needs your help. Check your mailbox to see if you were one of 25,000 to be randomly selected to participate; if so, you’ve earned your $2. But they also encourage you to fill out the survey, and you’ll earn the $20 gift card, too. Ultimately, they say it’s for the benefit of yourself and the community.

HARC hopes to finish collecting responses by this month, though it could be extended if it does not reach its response goal. “We’re trying to reach 2000 adults and 500 children. We’re still very short of the adults and for the kids, we have about 400 surveys, so we’re a little bit closer.”

Ramos says after responses are collected, HARC contracts a third-party to accurately scale and tabulate the responses to the Coachella Valley’s population.

The survey is confidential. HARC says you can scan the QR code in the envelope to take the survey online. Respondents can also call HARC and request a paper form – just make sure you keep the unique code inside the flyer.

HARC was established in 2006 in Palm Desert and has released its report every three years since 2007. This year’s report is expected to be released in early 2026.

If you’d like to access previous health reports, you can view them on HARC’s website.

QUESTION OF THE DAY: Should Missouri troopers have the limited ability to enforce immigration law?

KMIZ on April 16, 2025

Matthew Sanders

The Missouri State Highway Patrol is one of two agencies that have signed agreements with ICE to expand the local agency’s immigration enforcement power with federal oversight.

MSHP and the Christian County Sheriff’s Office signed agreements with ICE under an executive order that expanded federal cooperation in immigration law enforcement with local police. Missouri is one of 38 states that have a law enforcement agency signed up for the program.

The enhanced cooperation is part of the Trump administration’s hallmark policy to increase the deportation of illegal immigrants from the United States.

Historically, significant barriers have existed between federal and state or local law enforcement. Critics contend such agreements tear down those barriers, which are based on the Constitution.

Supporters, meanwhile, say it just makes sense to empower local agencies to help find illegal immigrants.

Do you think Missouri troopers should have limited immigration enforcement ability? Let us know by voting in the poll.

University of Missouri to partner with Hyundai on new nuclear reactor

KMIZ on April 16, 2025

Lucas Geisler

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

The University of Missouri announced a new partnership Wednesday with several Korean firms to help develop its new NextGen nuclear research reactor.

The school will partner with Hyundai Engineering America, the Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute, the Hyundai Engineering Company and MPR Associates in a $10 million agreement to start designing and licensing the reactor. The billion-dollar project on south Columbia’s Discovery Ridge is expected to be built within the next decade.

Executive Director University of Missouri Research Reactor Matt Sanford said the new reactor will will incorporate all of the lessons learned from MURR’s 59 years of operation.

“The new reactor w will be larger, more powerful and more versatile,” Sanford said.

The school opened up bids in 2023 for firms to help them design the 20-megawatt nuclear research reactor. MU has emphasized its nuclear research in recent years, as it is one of the only providers of radioisotopes in the world used in many cancer screenings. Local officials have hoped the growth of the research reactor would make Columbia more attractive for economic development and medical research.

University of Missouri Present Mun Choi said the hope is for other companies to manufacture in Mid-Missouri.

“To manufacture the finished product right here in Columbia using our radio-pharmaceuticals and ship it anywhere in the United States within five hours,” Choi said.

University of Missouri Board of Curators Chair Todd Graves said the project will allow Missouri to be a roadmap in playing a bigger role in critical medical isotope research and production for cancer treatments in the U.S.

“This project will be economic development for this state on this level of scientific discovery, a level of high level manufacturing that we will enjoy for many years to come,” Grave said.

The project is projected to cost a billion dollars and Choi said the university already has $200 million for the project that will require state and federal funding.

Gov. Mike Kehoe dedicated $50 million in the state’s budget this year to move the project forward.

President Donald Trump’s tariffs are being watched closely as they continue to impact international trade.

During Wednesday’s press conference, Choi said he doesn’t believe the project will be impacted, for now.

“At this point we’re just exchanging intellutucal property there is no physical assets that are being shipped from South Korea to the United States.” Choi said. “If it does we have to be flexible to have more manufacturing done in this country but thats part of the negotiations we will have,”

MU said the NextGen MURR project will mark the Korean company’s first U.S.-based nuclear reactor project. Hyundai, though, has some experience in nuclear production, working with a firm in Michigan earlier this year to produce small modular reactors.

The bid for this phase of NextGen MURR described the reactor as a “tank-in-pool, low temperature reactor utilizing low enriched uranium.” The firms will serve as the “design authority” with the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, and will come up with the architecture and design services. MU also sought out project managers ahead of hiring the firms to help keep the project on task.

The university broke ground last month on an expansion of its existing nuclear reactor on Providence Road, known as MURR West, which the school says is the nation’s sole provider of lutetium-177. That plant will further expand, paid through a contract with pharmaceutical firm Novartis, where MU will deliver radioisotopes created there exclusively to Novartis.

University leaders have kept the MURR project a priority in state budget requests.

The university’s current nuclear reactor, located off Providence Road has been operating for nearly 60 years. According to the university it helped 450,000 cancer patients last year across the U.S.

The reactor operates 24 hours a day, 6.5 days a week, 52 weeks a year and is the most powerful university research reactor in the U.S. working at 10 megawatts.

Once the new reactor is built, the University of Missouri will be home to two of the largest university reactors in the U.S., according university officials.

REAL ID deadline looms for domestic flyers

KMIZ on April 16, 2025

Marie Moyer

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Travelers have missed the deadline to get a REAL ID ahead of a May 7 change to flying regulations.

However, the sooner people get their REAL ID-compliant documents, the sooner they can board domestic flights.

Beginning May 7, non-REAL ID driver’s licences will no longer be accepted to board regulated domestic flights. Military cards and U.S. passports will still be valid. However, for convenience and document security, U.S. residents are urged to make the switch.

“I just turned 18, and I heard it was kind of like your birth certificate and everything else, it just made it a lot easier, didn’t have to carry around as many papers, I was like, ‘Why not?'” said Thomas Flanery who got his REAL ID Wednesday.

According to the Missouri Department of Revenue, only 45% of Missouri licenses are REAL ID’s.

Temporary paper copies of REAL ID-compliant driver’s licenses aren’t accepted to board a flight, and the hard copy can take 10 to 15 days to arrive by mail.

Trish Vincent the Director of Revenue for the state of Missouri recommends travelers to factor in this mailing time.

“If they’re traveling in September, they can wait to do that because there’s still plenty of time, but for those that are planning maybe a summer vacation, now would be a good time or within the next month or so,” Vincent said.

The REAL ID requirement started after the REAL ID Act was passed by Congress in 2005. According to the Department of Homeland Security, the change was to “set standards for the issuance of sources of identification, such as driver’s licenses and identification cards.”

The law came after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks, when the airplane hijackers were able to get government identification as they plotted.

REAL IDs are also used to get into certain federal facilities and nuclear power plants. They are not needed to drive or vote. Children under 18 are not required to have a REAL ID when traveling with an adult.

“Missouri is one of those states that it’s an option for you, you don’t have to get a real ID,” Vincent said. “So, again, if you’re not traveling or don’t plan to go to Fort Wood or Whiteman, or going to a nuclear power plant or even go to a federal courthouse, you know, it’s up to you whether you want it.”

Source: Missouri Department of Revenue

To apply for REAL ID, applicants must have a document to prove their identity, a document to verify citizenship, a document to verify their Social Security number and at least two documents that verify their address. A birth certificate is a common document used to prove identity and citizenship.

Applicants will also take a new ID photo.

The DOR has a REAL ID guide to help applicants find which documents comply with each category. The website also features a checklist at the end for users to print out to remember what documents to bring to the DMV.

A standard class F REAL ID driver’s license costs around $27.

Hours vary across licensing offices, so the DOR recommends checking online for the office’s hours first.

“It’s a short wait and just it was a simple in and out,” Flanery said. “Just had to bring address and birth certificate and whatnot, and then they were able to set it up for me just fine.”

New Generation Singers celebrate anniversary

News-Press NOW on April 16, 2025

Ashley Luthans

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — A local choral group for students is celebrating 55 years.

The New Generation Singers are a choir in St. Joseph that has performed contemporary Christian music since 1970.

The executive director and musical director of the group is Byron Myers, whose parents were some the original organizers.

Myers has been chorally directing the New Generation Singers for the past 28 years and said he enjoys watching his students grow up.

“My favorite part has been having a chance to see the kids grow and turn into adults and become part of our community,” Myers said.

The choir is composed of freshmen in high school through college-aged students. Auditions are not required to join the group.

Ethan High is a junior at Central High School and a member of the New Generation Singers. He shared his experience with the group.

“It’s been amazing to say the least,” High said. “I’d say it’s the greatest thing I’ve done in my life so far… I would recommend it if you’re looking for something to fulfill your life. It’s not New G, but New G gives you that connection so that you can meet God.”

High shared that his older sister is also a member of the New Generation Singers, and his mother is an alum of the choir.

Myers predicts, thousands of students have been a part of the New Generation Singers, and he hopes the program will continue to grow.

The New Generation Singers will have a trivia night fundraiser on Friday, April 25 at Wyatt Park Christian Church to raise money for their upcoming summer tour.

More information about the New Generation Singers can be found at ngsingers.com.

Idaho Falls Regional Airport adds new flight to Chicago

KIFI on April 16, 2025

Maggie Moore

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) – Idaho Falls Regional Airport is adding a new flight to Chicago O’Hare International Airport on Aug. 6, 2025. The flight will be operated by American Airlines.

“This is a route that the Idaho Falls Regional Airport has been after for a number of years, far longer than I’ve been here,” Idaho Falls Regional Airport Director Ian Turner said. “It offers the opportunity for people not only to reach one of our top 15 destination markets in Chicago, but have easy one stop service to another four of our top 15 destinations.”

“The easier we can make it to depart from here, the easier travel is for everyone,” Idaho Falls Mayor Rebecca Casper said. “Gone are the days when Idaho Falls residents had to factor in a drive and perhaps even a night stay in Salt Lake before they caught their flights to their favorite destinations.”

This is a huge step forward for the airport, as they prepare for a major expansion in June.

“We’re looking to begin the expansion to this terminal building that was announced almost a year and a half ago,” Turner said. “That will address what we’re looking at with infrastructure and utilities to accommodate the full build out of this terminal building over the coming decade.”

Airport officials are also looking to add flights to other major destinations as well.

“Our most recent study tells us that a lot of people who come here are trying to get to Los Angeles, and so we’re still trying to find the sweet spot to get our residents that direction as well,” Casper said. “But when you think about it, once we achieve, that route, we’ll be able to get people just about anywhere they need to go in a pretty short amount of time.”

Flights will arrive from Chicago at noon, and depart from Idaho Falls at about 12:30 daily. It will be a seasonal service until Nov. 1, 2025.

ORIGINAL:

THE FOLLOWING IS A PRESS RELEASE FROM THE CITY OF IDAHO FALLS:

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) – The City of Idaho Falls and the Idaho Falls Regional Airport are excited to announce American Airlines’ initiation of seasonal nonstop service between Idaho Falls Regional Airport and Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD) on Aug. 6, 2025. This new service will operate midday, allowing travelers to connect to destinations on the East Coast, Florida, and internationally on American’s comprehensive global network. 

“We are thrilled to have this new air service in Idaho Falls,” said Idaho Falls Mayor Rebecca Casper. “The summer months are the busiest of the year for IDA and it is a big win for travelers through our region to have this new flight option to explore. American Airlines has been an excellent partner when it comes to meeting traveler needs.” 

This new service is offered daily from Aug. 6 to Nov. 1, 2025, and will be flown on the 65-seat CRJ-700 aircraft that passengers in Idaho Falls are familiar with.

This marks American’s newest route serving IDA since 2021. American Airlines also flies year-round service daily to Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) and seasonal service to Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX).

“American looks forward to welcoming customers on our new service between Idaho Falls Regional Airport and our Chicago O’Hare hub,” said Joe Hughes, Managing Director, Government Affairs at American. “This new flight will offer customers convenient access to all that Chicago has to offer and shorter travel times with American to destinations like New York, Washington, D.C., and global cities such as London and Barcelona.” 

Whether you’re craving deep-dish pizza, eager to stroll along the Magnificent Mile, or planning a family day at Navy Pier, Chicago offers big-city excitement with Midwestern charm. Known for its stunning skyline, award-winning restaurants, iconic sports teams, and vibrant neighborhoods, Chicago is the perfect destination for a getaway or a last-minute adventure.

Healthcare and Business Leaders in the Desert Tackle AI’s Fast-Track Future

KESQ on April 16, 2025

Garrett Hottle

RANCHO MIRAGE, Calif. (April 16, 2025) — As artificial intelligence continues weaving its way into daily life, leaders across the Coachella Valley are coming together today to talk strategy and catch up.

Starting at 11:30 a.m., the Rancho Mirage Chamber of Commerce will kick off its 2025 Signature Speaker Series with a luncheon focused on AI’s sweeping impact. The event, held at Mission Hills Country Club, brings together both national policy voices and local marketing minds.

Headlining the discussion is Jordan Crenshaw, senior vice president at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s Technology Engagement Center (C_TEC), who also chairs its privacy working group and leads tech policy efforts. He’ll be joined by Andrew McCauley of Visit Greater Palm Springs.

Organizers say the event will dive into how AI is shifting the business landscape, helping nonprofits drive social change, and challenging organizations to keep pace in a fast-moving digital world.

Katie Slimko-Stice, CEO of the Rancho Mirage Chamber, called it a crucial moment for the region. “Understanding AI is no longer optional,” she said, adding that the gathering gives local leaders a chance to “navigate the AI revolution.”

Across town, Desert Oasis Healthcare (DOHC) is also doubling down on AI. The organization announced it’s expanding its use of AI-powered tools to help meet rising demand and boost patient care. DOHC now partners with more than 15 tech platforms that offer round-the-clock access to remote health monitoring and symptom tracking.

The tools, the organization notes, are rigorously tested for accuracy and safety — built to assist care teams, not replace them.

Meanwhile, new national data is stirring the conversation further. A recent Pew Research Center study shows a split in public perception: just 17% of U.S. adults believe AI will have a positive effect over the next two decades, compared to 56% of AI experts. Both groups share concerns about the speed of innovation outpacing government oversight and a growing need for control over how the technology is used.

Stay tuned to News Channel 3 tonight at 4pm, 5pm, 6pm, and 6:30pm for more on this story.