Author: KESQ

Daniella Lake

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – Ben & Jerry’s has launched their Waffle Lotta Good initiative. For every waffle cone a customer buys, $1 goes to Migrant Justice, a farmworker-led human rights program that is working to ensure dignified working conditions on farms.

Ben & Jerry’s in Palm Springs is participating and it’s not the first time they’ve used their ice cream for activism. Last year, the Waffle Lotta Good initiative helped raise 150K for Black Voters Matter.

Ben & Jerry’s across the country will be participating, and the Waffle Lotta Good initiative for Migrant Justice lasts until Nov. 4.

 “It’s really enlightening to see a company that isn’t afraid to stand up for what they believe in,” says Allison Ackley, who co-owns the Ben & Jerry’s in Palm Springs with her husband, Jason Ackley.

Enrique Balcazar has worked on multiple dairy farms and has seen first-hand the issues farmworkers face.

“Wage theft from workers, people being fired for speaking out in retaliation, sexual harassment, discriminate nation. And a lot of times the poor housing conditions that workers are forced to endure,” he says. Now an organizer for migrant justice, Balcazar hears concerns from farmworkers and tries to make life better for them.

“Now more than ever, as our communities are increasingly under attack – workers, communities, that are treated as minorities in this country, we need to stand together, unite and fight to defend our rights.”

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Luis Avila

COACHELLA, Calif. (KESQ) – Beef prices are sizzling — and not in a good way. Shoppers across the Coachella Valley say they’re paying noticeably more for their favorite cuts, while local meat sellers are struggling to keep up with rising costs.

The higher prices are forcing some shoppers to make changes at the grocery store.

“It’s cheaper cuts of beef, it’s a lot more brisket. It has impacted the amount of beef I eat for sure.”

Michael Reno, Palm Desert Resident

According to recent data, ground beef sales are up about 12 percent from last year, while steak prices have climbed roughly 8 percent.

At Garibaldi Meat Market, manager Oscar Gutierrez says they’ve had to scale back orders just to stay afloat.

“We order what we can. Sometimes we don’t get it because of prices high and demand is so high.”

Oscar Gutierrez, Garibaldi Meat Market Manager

Experts say the spike comes down to supply and demand. Drought conditions and rising feed costs have forced ranchers to reduce herd sizes, tightening the beef supply nationwide.

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the number of beef cattle in the U.S. has fallen to its lowest level in a decade. The average price of ground beef now sits at over six dollars per pound.

Gutierrez says his market tries to keep prices reasonable for customers, but there’s only so much they can absorb.

“Normally, we try to keep it average for consumers but at the end of the day it’s the consumers that take the hit.”

Oscar Gutierrez, Garibaldi Meat Market Manager

That means shoppers are paying more — and many say there’s little choice.

Stay with News Channel 3 for more.

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Gavin Nguyen

THOUSAND PALMS, Calif. (KESQ) – As the days count down to next Tuesday’s special election, political groups in the Coachella Valley are urging voters to cast their ballots on Proposition 50.

Prop 50 is the only item on next week’s ballot. The measure, introduced by Gov. Gavin Newsom, would temporarily redraw California’s congressional districts starting in 2026 to favor Democrats.

More information about the proposition from California’s Official Voter Information Guide can be found here.

Also known as the ‘Election Rigging Response Act,’ the ballot measure was introduced in response to a similar effort in Texas, which could add up to five Republican seats to the House of Representatives. California’s redistricting effort, meanwhile, also aims to net five additional seats for Democrats in the House.

As of October 27, 2025, the Riverside County Registrar of Voters office said 270,781 ballots have been counted so far. The most recent statewide special election happened in 2009, and in Riverside County, only 227,443 votes were counted. The county has grown significantly since then, but mail-in ballots alone this year have outpaced 2009’s election.

Ballot drop-off locations across Riverside County can be found at this link.

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Athena Jreij

RANCHO MIRAGE, Calif. (KESQ) — A motorcyclist died following a pursuit with Riverside County Sheriff deputies Saturday night.

According to RSO, deputies tried to stop the rider on suspicion of driving under the influence and a vehicle code violation, near Highway 111 and Deep Canyon Road in Palm Desert.

The rider fled the area and officers began pursuing.

The motorcyclist then drove through a red light and crashed into another car at the intersection of Country Club Drive and John L Sinn Road in Rancho Mirage.

Paramedics and officers performed life-saving measures, but the rider died at the scene.

No other injuries were reported and the motorcyclist has not been identified yet.

Stick with News Channel 3 for continuing coverage on this story.

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Timothy Foster

PALM DESERT, Calif. (KESQ)  – The Palm Desert Area Chamber of Commerce hosted the 61st Annual Golf Cart Parade, drawing thousands of residents to the streets of El Paseo.

Dozens of decorated golf carts, sports cars, and marching bands participated in this year’s parade, which carried the theme “California Dreaming.” Many parade-goers adorned their carts to represent iconic California landmarks and scenery while celebrating the Coachella Valley.

The event began at 8 a.m. with a community breakfast, followed by the parade kickoff at noon. Local news personalities were also spotted riding on some of the golf carts, joining in the festivities.

Attendees praised the parade as a celebration of community spirit. residents say the event exemplified the strength and togetherness of the area, noting that all it takes is a few golf carts to bring everyone out. Julie Castellano described the parade as fun and colorful, highlighting the creative floats and beautiful weather.

Several prizes were awarded this year for the most creative carts, including Best Overall Cart, the Mayor’s Award, and the School Spirit Award. Organizers said the annual parade continues to be a highlight of the community calendar, bringing residents together to enjoy a day of fun and celebration.

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Timothy Foster

COACHELLA, Calif. (KESQ)  – East Coachella Valley Pride returned this weekend, marking its ninth year of celebrating love, culture, and community in the heart of Coachella.

The annual event, held at Coachella Library Park and Gardens, brought together hundreds of residents for a day filled with live performances, art, food, and local resources for LGBTQ+ individuals and their families. This year’s theme, “Orgullo floreciendo sin fin” or “Pride Blooming Without End”, symbolized the ongoing growth of acceptance and connection within the East Valley.

East Coachella Valley Pride first began in 2016 after local high school students conducted a survey that found one in ten young people in the area identified as LGBTQ+. The results inspired a community effort to create more safe spaces, support groups, and opportunities for connection in the eastern part of the Coachella Valley, where access to LGBTQ+ resources has historically been limited.

Miguel Navarro, Director of East Valley Programs at The LGBTQ Center of the Desert, said the event provides life-changing access to local LGBTQ resources and safe spaces for young people, allowing them to feel supported and not alone.

Over the years, the festival has evolved into more than a celebration. It has become a source of hope and belonging. With partnerships from organizations like Alianza Coachella Valley, the Youth Leadership Institute, and Planned Parenthood, the event continues to provide essential services and support to those who need it most.

Organizers said the mission behind East Coachella Valley Pride remains clear. They want to ensure everyone, no matter where they live, has a place to feel seen, supported, and celebrated.

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Shay Lawson

PALM DESERT, Calif. (KESQ)  – The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens is celebrating the spooky season ahead of Halloween.

This weekend, the zoo is kicking off its Howl-O-Ween event.

It runs from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. through Saturday and Sunday.

The event features trick or treat stations, face painting and brand new limited edition animal trading cards.

Organizers encourage guests to come dressed in their costumes and bring their own candy bags to help the Coachella Valley stay green this Halloween.

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Kendall Flynn

PALM DESERT, Calif. (KESQ) – Over 200 people gathered for an “Out of the Darkness Community Walk” at Civic Center Park Saturday. Each came to walk for suicide prevention, education and mental health awareness.

Riverside University Health System Behavioral Health hosted the event in partnership with the Riverside County Suicide Prevention Coalition and the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.

For attendees, the walk brings them together for a common cause of remembrance and action to address suicide. Participants were able to honor loved ones lost to suicide, talk with local resource and raise money for resources.

The walk raised over $26,000 so far, but organizers said money can still be raised until the end of the year.

Since 2019 Riverside County has seen a 16% decrease in suicide rates, which local officials said is sign of progress by sustained education and prevention efforts. The decrease comes from the latest data provided by RUHS-Public Health Epidemiology and Program Evaluation.

Volunteers with the community walk said the decrease is promising, but they won’t stop until suicide rates are at zero percent. For them, education and continued awareness are the keys to reaching that goal.

Stay with News Channel 3 to hear from volunteers and walkers about the importance of this event for suicide and mental health awareness.

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Shay Lawson

INDIO, Calif. (KESQ)  – Family, friends and coworkers of late mail carrier Jose Daniel Piña gathered at a car wash on Saturday to raise funds for his funeral expenses and his infant daughter.

As News Channel 3 reported this week, Piña worked as a mail carrier in the Coachella Valley and was known around town for his friendly demeanor and consistent service.

He died earlier this month from ongoing health issues.

In response, family and friends organized a fundraiser car wash at the 7-Eleven in Indio.

“We’re doing a car wash for my brother,” said Esperanza Tapia, his sister. “We’re trying to raise funds to lay him to rest and after we pay that fee, then the rest will be going to his baby girl that was just born 2 days after his passing.”

Tapia said the community turnout was overwhelming and emotional.

“It’s a beautiful feeling,” Tapia said. “My brother would be very happy knowing that everybody’s coming out to support him and show him a lot of love.”

Along with the car wash, she said the family has organized other ways the community can help.

“We have a GoFundMe right now that’s happening, it’s under Esperanza Cisneros,” Tapia said. “Then we also have 3 raffles going that you can find on my Instagram page. It’s Epiiii___ — and you’ll be able to find the raffles right there and also the GoFundMe link.”

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Cynthia White

LA QUINTA, Calif. (KESQ) – Liam Cantu, a 14-year-old La Quinta High School freshman, has died in the hospital after being struck by a drunk driver, according to the Riverside County Sheriff’s Office.

Cantu was one of two teens riding their bikes on Highway 111 in La Quinta when a driver, later identified as 47-year-old Jose Villegas Orbe of Palm Springs, fled the scene.

Statement from La Quinta High School Principal O’Mara

Authorities said the other teen victim has been released from the hospital and is recovering at home.

Villegasorbe is now facing charges including vehicular manslaughter, DUI, hit-and-run and probation violation.

The news comes just days after the community held a prayer ceremony for Cantu at the La Quinta High School baseball field, who was fighting for his life at the hospital.

The collision happened two weeks ago, on Friday, October 10.

Shortly after the collision, News Channel 3 spoke exclusively with Cantu’s parents as they pleaded for prayers and support.

Cantu’s parents described their son as someone who is funny, outgoing, loved to dance and had an impact on everyone in his life.

They also said the crash came as Cantu was excited to join the La Quinta High School baseball team.

The Sheriff’s Office says this remains an active investigation, and anyone with information is urged to contact Deputy Martinez at the Thermal Sheriff’s Station or call anonymously at 760-341-STOP (7867).

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