Coachella Valley businesses prepare for Labor Day weekend crowds

KESQ on September 4, 2026

Raymond Kalra

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – After months of slower business, restaurant owners across Palm Springs are heading into Labor Day weekend with cautious optimism, hoping the holiday brings a much-needed surge in customers.

For many local restaurants, the weekend is about more than a few busy days. Owners say it can provide an important boost after a difficult summer and offer an early glimpse at whether business is beginning to pick up heading into the busier part of the year.

At La Bonitas Mexican Restaurant, owner Aaron Raei said preparation starts with making sure there are enough employees ready to handle the expected increase in customers.

“Labor Day is usually busy. We give extra staff because there’s a lot of people that come to Palm Springs,” Raei said.

Raei said Labor Day business can be about three times busier than a typical period, with many customers walking in rather than making reservations ahead of time.

For him, a successful weekend is less about any one sales number and more about seeing steady activity throughout the restaurant.

“Successful Labor Day [is] just a steady flow of people coming, walking, talking, smiling, you know, having a good time,” Raei said.

At Bongo Johnny’s Patio Bar and Grill, owner Mark Hewitt said the restaurant is taking several steps to prepare for the holiday crowds, including increasing its online promotion, updating menus and extending hours through the weekend.

But Hewitt said the stakes feel especially high this year after what he described as an exceptionally challenging summer.

“We have had one of the hardest summers that we’ve [had] on record,” Hewitt said.

That is why a strong Labor Day weekend would carry added meaning.

“A successful Labor Day weekend is full patios on both Saturday and Sunday — or I should say Saturday, Sunday and Monday — with lots of brunch goers,” Hewitt said.

The uncertainty, is whether customers will ultimately follow through and spend.

At Blaze Pizza, owner Dave Patrick said last Labor Day was softer than he had hoped. He said economic uncertainty remains a concern, but he is optimistic this year could be stronger.

“The economy is still kind of shaky, but we’re optimistic that this year is going to be better than last year,” Patrick said.

Patrick also said local customers play an important role in helping restaurants make it through the slower summer months, making a stronger holiday weekend especially valuable as businesses look toward the months ahead.

For all three owners, the formula is similar; prepare the staff, get the restaurant ready and hope the customers come.

Whether those expectations turn into full dining rooms and stronger sales will become clearer throughout the Labor Day weekend, but owners say even a short-term boost could make a meaningful difference as they move toward the busier part of the year.

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Talking to your children about AI safety

KVIA on September 4, 2026

Rosemary Garcia

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — As the school year continues, some Borderland students will be using artificial intelligence. In this age of AI, children must be safe and understand the risks involved.

According to a new report by Common Sense Media, children aren’t just using AI for their homework. For many, it has become their confidant.

The report, titled “AI Use by Tweens and Teens,” examined how this generation’s relationship with AI evolved. It surveyed more than 1,000 students across the nation. It found that nearly half of kids never had a conversation with their parents about AI safety.

Michael Nelson, the director of operations at Tech Frontier, said that while AI is a valuable tool, more conversations about it need to happen between parents and their children.

He said AI has become popular in the school setting among many students. He said some students use AI for homework answers, which isn’t helping them learn.

“If you’re going to use an AI app, let’s work on it together. Let’s see how we input that information and see what it spits out. Let’s analyze that critically, like, what comes out, and then take that and then finish your homework,” Nelson said.

Chatbots are designed to sound like humans. Some argued it can be an abstract concept for many young children. Experts said parents should establish their own guidelines for their children to follow.  

Parents can say something similar to: “Hey, if we’re sitting down as a family, no screens, this is our time together. This is our time to talk and hear about our days and plan our future.”

Parents can also ask their children:

Did you use AI today?

What did you use it for?

How did it help your learning?

Can you explain how it helped you?

To read the full report, click here.

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Firefighters battle vegetation fire in Imperial County

KYMA on September 4, 2026

Dillon Fuhrman

IMPERIAL COUNTY, Calif. (KYMA) – Firefighters are battling a vegetation fire in Imperial County Friday morning.

According to WatchDuty, the fire is burning in the area of Harris Road and Highway 86, north of Imperial.

So far, there isn’t any reports of how many acres it burned, nor how much of the fire has been contained.

To keep up-to-date on the fire, click here.

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Join the Care for the Land Fall Trash Bash on Sept. 26 in La Pine

KTVZ on September 4, 2026

Adrielle Hasara

Bend, Ore. (KTVZ) — Nonprofit organization Discover Your Northwest will host the Care for the Land Fall Trash Bash community cleanup near La Pine State Park in the Deschutes National Forest on Sept. 26, 2026.

The volunteer event is scheduled from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. in celebration of National Public Lands Day.

The cleanup is the second Trash Bash organized under the Care for the Land Program, which focuses on maintaining public lands and building community connections in Central Oregon.

Karen Walsh serves as director of programs for Discover Your Northwest and is coordinating event administration.

The community event requires no prior experience and all community members are invited to participate. Minors ages 12 and older must be accompanied by a parent or guardian for the duration of the cleanup.

Organizers will provide all necessary tools, supplies and lunch for participants. Dogs are not allowed at the cleanup due to event logistics and permitting requirements, though accommodations for disability-related needs may be requested.

In addition to picking up trash, participants will have opportunities throughout the morning to learn about public land stewardship in Central Oregon and ways to stay involved in future conservation efforts.

Discover Your Northwest is a Seattle, Wash.-based 501(c)(three) nonprofit organization founded in 1974. The group operates across Oregon, Wash., northern California, Idaho and Montana to support public lands through educational programs, retail operations and community partnerships.

Volunteers can register for the cleanup online at discovernw.org/volunteer. The exact meeting site near La Pine State Park will be finalized prior to the Sept. 26 event.

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Sisters Ranger District holds public meeting on Akawa Butte Fire recovery plans

KTVZ on September 4, 2026

Adrielle Hasara

Bend, Ore. (KTVZ) — The Sisters Ranger District will host a public meeting on Monday, Sept. 14, to share updates on local vegetation management projects and recovery plans following the Akawa Butte Fire.

The meeting will run from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Sisters Ranger District office, located at 201 North Pine St. in Sisters.

Forest Service staff will begin the meeting at 5:30 p.m. with a formal presentation covering current vegetation management implementation and the proposed recovery plan for the Sisters Canyons Active Restoration Project. Following the presentation, attendees can participate in a question-and-answer period and small group discussions. Members of the public may also stream the presentation live online by pre-registering.

The Akawa Butte Fire began on July 16 following an intense lightning storm across Central Oregon. The fire burned approximately 27,500 acres overall, including about 12,000 acres within the Deschutes National Forest.

The burned area included approximately 9,321 acres within the Sisters Canyons Active Restoration Project area. The restoration project is currently undergoing National Environmental Policy Act planning review.

For additional details regarding the meeting or vegetation management plans, contact person Lauren DuRocher can be reached at lauren.durocher@usda.gov.

The public meeting will take place on Monday, Sept. 14, at 5:30 p.m. at the Sisters Ranger District office.

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Central Oregon to reduce fire restrictions to Stage 1 starting Saturday

KTVZ on September 4, 2026

Adrielle Hasara

Bend, Ore. (KTVZ) — Fire officials in Central Oregon will reduce public use fire restrictions to Stage 1 starting at 12:01 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 5, 2026. The decision follows recent moisture and cooler temperatures across the region.

The reduction applies to the Deschutes National Forest, Ochoco National Forest, Crooked River National Grassland and Prineville District Bureau of Land Management.

Under Stage one restrictions, open fires—including wood stoves and charcoal briquette fires—are prohibited on Central Oregon public lands. Exceptions are allowed only in Deschutes National Forest Wilderness Areas and designated campgrounds.

Despite the reduction in restriction levels, fire officials noted that the regional fire danger rating remains high. A high fire danger rating indicates that unattended fires are likely to spread rapidly.

Stage one restrictions set specific rules for equipment powered by internal combustion engines. Chainsaw use is prohibited between 1:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. Saw operators must carry a long-handled round point shovel with an 8-inch blade and a minimum 8-ounce ABC fire extinguisher and they must maintain a one-hour fire watch after operations cease. Portable generators are permitted only in areas cleared of all flammable material within a 10-foot diameter and equipped with an approved spark arrestor.

Liquid and pressurized gas stoves, lanterns and fire pits with an on-and-off switch are allowed outside designated campgrounds on most federal lands. However, open flames remain prohibited on Bureau of Land Management lands along designated stretches of the Crooked River, Deschutes River, John Day River, White River, Lake Billy Chinook and Lake Simtustus under annual river corridor restrictions in effect since May 13, 2026. Designated campgrounds where open fires are permitted include specific sites across the Prineville District BLM, Ochoco National Forest, Crooked River National Grassland and Deschutes National Forest ranger districts.

Smoking is prohibited under Stage one restrictions unless inside an enclosed vehicle or building, within a designated campground, or while stopped in an area at least three feet in diameter cleared of flammable material. Traveling off developed roads and trails is restricted, allowing off-road motor vehicle access only to reach campsites within 300 feet of an open developed road. Possessing, discharging or using fireworks, pyrotechnic devices or explosives remains prohibited on all National Forest System and Bureau of Land Management lands in Central Oregon.

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Labor Day home security: What to know before you go

KESQ on September 4, 2026

Kiera McKinney

THOUSAND PALMS, Calif. (KESQ)- As Labor Day weekend gets underway, many people are packing their bags and heading out of town – but before hitting the road, security experts say it’s worth taking a few minutes to make sure your home is protected.

With airports and highways expected to be busy over the holiday weekend, millions of Americans could be spending time away from home.

Security cameras and video doorbells have become one of the most common ways people keep an eye on their property.

A 2026 SafeHome.org survey of more than 2,400 U.S. adults found 61% of U.S. households have at least one security camera, up from 52% in 2024. About 48% have a video doorbell.

But having a camera doesn’t necessarily mean your home – or the camera itself- is completely secure.

The same survey found 37% of home security users worry about who could have access to their footage. Nearly half of alarm system users surveyed also said they installed their systems themselves.

Security recommendations can include making sure doors, windows and garage doors are locked, using lights or timers to make a home appear occupied, preventing mail and packages from piling up and avoiding publicly posting vacation plans while you’re away.

For people using cameras and other smart security devices, the story will also look at camera placement, passwords, account security and whether homeowners are actually recording the footage they expect to have available later.

Stay tuned on News Channel 3 for simple steps you can take before walking out the door this Labor Day weekend.

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UTEP cites Karol G shows, construction for tight parking

KVIA on September 4, 2026

Gabrielle Lopez

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — The University of Texas at El Paso said this weekend’s Karol G concerts and construction has limited parking on campus.

An ABC-7 viewer said some students pay more than $400 for parking. According to UTEP’s website, student parking permits range from $225-400, not including taxes and fees. A motorcycle parking permit costs $150.00.

The viewer said UTEP blocked off some of its parking lots for events.

ABC-7 reached out to UTEP to ask about the campus blocking some parking spaces. The university sent the following statement:

“Parking has been tighter than usual on campus in recent weeks. Ongoing construction has closed part of one major lot, and additional spaces are closing temporarily in preparation for the upcoming Karol G concert – all during some of the busiest weeks of the semester.

Parking and Transportation is contacting affected permit holders directly and arranging alternate parking. Students having trouble finding a space can access real-time parking updates by calling the Parking and Transportation Office at 915-747-5724.

As in previous years, we expect conditions to ease over the coming weeks as demand levels off and closed spaces return to service.”

Parking information for the Karol G concert can be found here.

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Motorcyclist loses control, dies after crash on Montana Avenue

KVIA on September 4, 2026

Jerry Najera

UPDATE (Sept. 14, 2026): The El Paso Police Department said 75-year-old Kevin James Nolan died in the hospital after crashing his motorcycle on Sept. 3.

Police said Nolan lost control of his motorcycle for unknown reasons. His motorcycle tipped over and landed at the intersection of Montana Avenue and Rutherglen Street.

He was transported to the hospital with serious injuries.

EPPD’s Special Traffic Investigations unit learned Nolan died on Sunday.

Police said this is the 42nd traffic death of 2026.

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — One person was hospitalized after a motorcycle crash in East El Paso Thursday, according to police.

It happened at the intersection of Rutherglen Street and Montana Avenue near the Whataburger.

The injured person’s condition is unknown.

The crash temporarily closed westbound lanes on Montana Avenue. The El Paso Police Department’s Special Traffic Investigators Unit responded to the crash.

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Missouri gas prices climb ahead of Labor Day weekend

KMIZ on September 4, 2026

Ellyse Edwards

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Missouri drivers heading to recreation spots such as the Lake of the Ozarks for Labor Day weekend are paying nearly a dollar more per gallon than they were one year ago.

The statewide average for regular gasoline reached about $3.82 per gallon Friday, according to AAA. That is nearly 93 cents higher than Missouri’s average of about $2.90 at the same time last year.

Drivers leaving from Columbia are paying slightly more than the statewide average. Regular gasoline in Columbia averaged about $3.87 per gallon Friday, compared with about $2.93 one year ago. That is an increase of approximately 94 cents per gallon.

Despite the year-over-year increase, Missouri’s average remains below the national average of about $4.15 per gallon.

AAA says the country is on track for its most expensive Labor Day at the pump. The previous national Labor Day record was $3.82 per gallon, set in 2012.

GasBuddy had projected a national Labor Day average of $4.03 per gallon, 87 cents higher than the holiday average in 2025. The national average has since climbed above that projection, according to AAA.

The higher Missouri prices come as travelers head to the Lake of the Ozarks for the holiday weekend.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol said all available troopers will patrol the state’s roads and waterways during the Labor Day counting period. The period begins at 6 p.m. Friday and ends at 11:59 p.m. Monday.

The Highway Patrol’s preliminary online reports show at least five drownings investigated by the agency at the Lake of the Ozarks since May 27. The incidents were reported May 27, June 10, July 4, July 22 and July 25.

A 22-year-old Columbia resident was also seriously injured in a near-drowning at the lake July 31, according to the Highway Patrol.

During the 2025 Labor Day counting period, Missouri recorded nine boating crashes that resulted in six injuries and no deaths. One person drowned, and troopers arrested nine people on suspicion of boating while intoxicated.

The Highway Patrol is reminding visitors to wear life jackets when they are near, on or in the water. People whose holiday plans include alcohol are encouraged to designate a sober driver for both their vehicle and boat.

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