Author: KESQ

Jesus Reyes

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – Desert X installations by four artists in the 2025 exhibition, which officially closed on May 11, will remain on view alongside works from prior editions, giving visitors a last chance to experience Desert X over Memorial Day weekend and through the summer and early fall.

Now on view through and including June 1, 2025:Agnes Denes, The Living PyramidKimsooja, To Breathe–Coachella ValleyKapwani Kiwanga, Plotting Rest

Now on view through and including October 1, 2025:Jose Dávila, The act of being together 

These works were featured in the 2025 exhibition curated by Artistic Director Neville Wakefield and Co-Curator Kaitlin Garcia-Maestas that activated the desert landscape. Installations by artists from around the globe provided alternative ways of looking at the transformational effects of nature and humanity.

Works from prior editions of Desert X continue on view indefinitely:Felipe Baeza, Finding Home in My Own Flesh (Desert X 2021)Jeffrey Gibson, ALIVE! (Desert X 2017)Armando Lerma, Visit Us in the Shape of Clouds (Desert X 2019)​​Armando Lerma, La fiesta en el desierto (Desert X 2017)

Through October 1, 2025 in Desert Hot Springs: Jose Dávila’s massive, monolithic marble blocks in The act of being together appear splintered across both time and space. Drawing on Robert Smithson’s concept of site/nonsite dialectics, Dávila brings the stone blocks from a quarry a few hundred miles across the U.S.-Mexico border to the Coachella Valley, connecting the two locations by highlighting the void of their origin and the striking presence they create in a foreign landscape. To reach their new home, the blocks had to cross the physical border while also traversing a metaphorical border between the seen and the unseen. Moved by the invisible forces of unknown histories, they evoke the archeological relics of ancient civilizations and the potential future of life beyond our own. 

Jose Dávila, The act of being together, photo by Lance Gerber

Through June 1, 2025 at Sunnylands Center & Gardens in Rancho Mirage: The Living Pyramid by pioneering artist and philosopher Agnes Denes is a monumental sculpture and environmental intervention on view at Sunnylands Center & Gardens. This first desert iteration of Denes’s pyramid structure is planted with vegetation that is native to the region. Its structure and appearance have transformed since its installation in November 2024 and continues to evolve according to the slow growth cycles of the desert environment. But it is the life-cycle of the plants – their growth, transformation and eventual death – that animates the pyramid, one of the most iconic forms of human civilization, and in so doing reminds us that within care and nurture can be found the spirit of our endurance.  

Agnes Denes, The Living Pyramid at Sunnylands Center & Gardens, photo by Lance Gerber

Through June 1, 2025 in Desert Hot Springs: To Breathe – Coachella Valley by Kimsooja invites an interaction with the essential elements of the desert: the texture of sand underfoot, the air we breathe, and the light around us. Drawing inspiration from bottaris, the fabric-encased bundles of belongings prominent in her work and in Korean culture, she describes this installation as a “bottari of light.” By wrapping the glass surface in a unique optical film, the physical architecture is transformed into a dynamic spectrum of light and color. The work reflects its counterpart work in the desert of AlUla, Saudi Arabia while also acknowledging the historical origins of the Light and Space movement on the West Coast of the United States.

Kimsooja To Breathe–Coachella Valley, photo by Lance Gerber

Through June 1, 2025 in Palm Springs: In the desert, where concepts of shelter, freedom, expansiveness, and enclosure have shaped midcentury dreams. Kapwani Kiwanga’s Plotting Rest, a pavilion-like structure reflects on the iconic midcentury design found in Palm Springs, signaling protection while offering none. Its roof, a lattice made of interlocking triangles, hovers overhead, allowing the elements to pass through and casting ever-changing shadows on the ground. Inspired by the quilting motif known as “flying geese,” this pattern resonates with the contested narratives of the Underground Railroad, serving as an encrypted guidance system for those fleeing slavery toward the perceived freedom of the North. Kiwanga’s sculpture fosters contemplation and hope while reminding us that history is marked by successive migrations.

Kapwani Kiwanga, Plotting Rest, photo by Lance Gerber

EXPERIENCE DESERT X

Hours and LocationsExhibition opening hours are from sunrise to sunset, except for Sunnylands Center & Gardens, Wednesday – Sunday: 8:30 am – 4:00 pm. Visitors are encouraged to check details for each artists’ work at desertx.org. Free Admission.

The Desert X 2025 map of artist installations can be found online at desertx.org and via the Desert X app.

Leave No TraceDesert X encourages visitors to follow official Leave No Trace guidelines. Plan ahead and prepare, walk on designated paths, dispose of waste properly, leave what you find, respect wildlife, don’t smoke, and be considerate of other visitors.

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Jesus Reyes

SAN JACINTO, Calif. (KESQ) – A Beaumont man has been arrested in connection with the death of a four-month-old baby.

The suspect, a 40-year-old man, was identified as an associate of the victim’s family. He was arrested Friday afternoon and remains in custody at the Larry Smith Correctional Facility. He has not been officially charged, but he could face murder charges.

Authorities said the case dates back to Aug. 23, 2024. Deputies responded to a home in San Jacinto after a report that a four-month-old was not breathing. The baby was transported to a local hospital in critical condition.

“During the investigation, several injuries were located on the juvenile,” reads a news release by the Riverside County Sheriff’s Office.

The baby was pronounced dead nearly a week after the original call. The Riverside Sheriff’s Central Homicide Unit took over the investigation. An extensive investigation led detectives to determine that the juvenile died as a result of homicidal violence, RSO confirmed.

The investigation remains ongoing. Anyone with information related to the investigation is encouraged to contact Master Investigator D. Sandoval of the Central Homicide Unit at (951) 955–2777.

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Athena Jreij

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) — Talks over closing the Arenas District main road for safety reasons have circulated for years but are coming to a head now in light of the recent terrorist attack.

Several people have floated the idea of making Arenas Road pedestrian only to prevent risks to public safety.

News Channel 3 took those concerns to Palm Springs and checked in with bar-goers on their thoughts.

“This is a ‘gay haters Mecca,’ and they could do some serious damage just driving down the street,” Greg Begin, a Palm Springs resident, said.

Several locals that talked with News Channel 3 said they liked the idea of a closed street but are unsure what that could mean for parking, which is already limited in the area.

“My only concern is the parking lots being not closed off. That access to the parking lots where someone can drive up behind the building and still cause problems,” Chris Sustaire said.

That concern is shared by some business owners.

Dean Lavine, the owner of Blackbook, says the feelings are mixed. Some restaurant owners are open to the idea, but retailers on Arenas Road say a lack of parking would hurt revenue.

“If you’re coming to shop at a retail outlet, you might want to pop in really quickly, grab something and go. If you’re coming to a restaurant or bar, it might be fine to walk a block or two before super busy. So again, you want to make sure everyone can maximize the value for their own business,” Lavine said.

Mayor Ron deHarte says the topic of road closures have circulated for years and are becoming stronger following that attack. However, he doubts if that’s the answer and says a lot of logistics would go into that decision.

“How do you protect everybody and the entire city with 250 miles of streets? It becomes daunting to think that you can close down roads here or closed down roads there because that’s not the end solution,” deHarte said.

According to him, the city is focusing on public safety awareness and outreach, with several mass casualty trainings taking place during large events like Pride.

“We’ve got an incredible police department, an incredible fire department, and they very frequently are having community outreach, very frequently having meetings in Arenas, so that constant education and talking with the community is very important.”

PSPD Chief Andy Mills also addressed the fears, saying, “We want to make sure that the if there’s a reasonable fear that it will let you know and, and that, we can work together to make sure this community as safe as possible.”

Locals say until a decision is made, they’ll continue to enjoy the area.

“People come here to celebrate. People come here to mourn. When things happen, this is a community gathering place,” Lavine said.

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Garrett Hottle

PALM DESERT, Calif. (KESQ) — Parents of elementary school students stranded on the side of the road during a field trip meltdown are now speaking with attorneys and considering legal action after what they describe as a traumatic and negligent ordeal.

The incident happened Wednesday evening as a private charter bus –  contracted by Desert Sands Unified School District but not operated by it – was returning third graders from James Carter Elementary School back from a trip to Legoland. According to school officials, the driver stopped abruptly on Cook Street in Palm Desert after a heated exchange with a parent chaperone, called 911, and refused to continue driving.

“The driver was yelling at kids, locked us inside, and then just walked off the bus,” said one parent, in a a formal complaint submitted to the district. They allege the driver also denied bathroom breaks and created what he calls a “dangerous and emotionally scarring” situation for students.

News Channel Three’s Garrett Hottle speaks with the mother of one of the children on the bus. (KESQ)

Videos shared with News Channel 3 show visibly shaken children climbing off the bus as law enforcement arrived and families scrambled to pick them up.

While Desert Sands says it’s reviewing the incident and providing counseling support to students, some parents say that’s not enough – and several are now in contact with legal counsel to assess options.

Civil Rights Attorney Megan Beaman Jacinto tells us she’s now in direct contact with at least four families and others indirectly as legal discussions begin. (KESQ)

The district clarified it does not manage the company’s operations, though it did hire them for the trip.

The bus company involved, Cardiff Limousine and Transportation, is privately owned and did not respond to request for comment on Thursday. 

News Channel Three’s Garrett Hottle reached out to Cardiff several times Friday to get their side of the story. Before Friday’s 5pm broadcast, he was told, Cardiff will not comment at this time, may send a statement at a later date.

News Channel Threes Garrett Hottle spoke with leadership at Cardiff Limousine and Transportation on Friday, and was told Cardiff would be providing a statement or explanation on the series of events precipitating the scene in an interview for tonight’s broadcast.

In an update, before our 5pm broadcast, Cardiff said they will not comment at this time, but may send a statement at a later date.

We hope to get their answers soon and will continue to reach out to all sides.

News Channel 3 will continue to follow this developing story, and provide any additional updates as they come in. 

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Luis Avila

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – Temple Isaiah held a memorial service on Friday to memorialize the two Israeli embassy staff members who were shot and killed outside a Jewish Museum in Washington D.C.

For community members, a heartbreaking reminder of a pattern seen too often.

“It’s sad but unfortunately not unexpected. There’s a lot of hate.”

Jeffery Farber, Palm Springs resident

Hate that has shaken a community already on edge. Local faith leaders say they’re hearing more and more from congregants who are scared.

“You have people say ‘I’m afraid,’ ‘I don’t want to come out,’ ‘I don’t want to show a Jewish star,’ ‘I don’t want to wear a yamaka in public,’ ‘I don’t want to show any mark or sign that I’m Jewish.”

Rabbi Kenneth Emert, Temple Isaiah

The attack comes amid an alarming rise in anti-semitic incidents in the U.S., up 900% in the last decade.

An alarming statistic, but Rabbi Steven Rosenberg, a member of the National Advisory Board of Rabbis United, says in response, organizations like StandWithUs are ramping up outreach.

“A lot of it is education, a lot of it is being on the ground… filing civil rights.” 

Rabbi Steven Rosenberg, National Advisory Board of Rabbis United member

Still, the message to the Jewish community was one of resilience.

Local leaders were in attendance, reaffirming their commitment to protecting the Jewish community and standing firm against antisemitic violence.

“If you are afraid to go out then they won.” 

Jeffery Farber, Palm Springs resident

Stay with News Channel 3 for more.

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Allie Anthony

PALM DESERT, Calif. (KESQ) – The Automobile Club of Southern California projects a record-breaking 3.6 million Southern Californians will travel this Memorial Day weekend — part of a national total of 45.1 million travelers, the highest ever for this holiday. Travel is expected to surpass pre-COVID-19 levels this year. That means more drivers and busier roads than we’ve seen in years.

Gas prices are helping drive the trend. In Southern California, prices at the pump are about 50 to 60 cents lower per gallon compared to this time last year, according to AAA.

Popular destinations for Southern Californians this weekend include Las Vegas, San Diego, the Central Coast, the Grand Canyon and other nearby national parks.

If you’re planning to hit the road today, expect heavy traffic Friday afternoon, especially along Interstate 5 north from Los Angeles to Bakersfield, where travel times could nearly triple. AAA says the best times to drive are Saturday morning and Monday before 2 p.m.

Before hitting the road, CHP Officer David Torres reminds you to stay safe.

“Check your vehicle, check your tires,” said Torres. “Make sure that everything is in order and just be patient when you’re on the road.”

Memorial Day weekend is often a preview of summer travel trends, and if this weekend is any indication, we’re in for a very active summer season.

If you are traveling, give yourself extra time, stay patient on the roads and drive safe.

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Joel Killam

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) — A fire at a home broke out Thursday night in the 2000 block of Racquet Club Road, just east of Sunrise Way, according to authorities.

News Channel 3’s Shay Lawson reported live, where fire crews were working the scene. No injuries have been reported at this time.

This is a developing story. Updates will be provided on-air and online at KESQ.com.

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Cynthia White

PALM DESERT, Calif. (KESQ) – Some local families are voicing concerns to Desert Sands Unified School District regarding an altercation on a bus ride for a field trip on Wednesday.

They say it temporarily stranded some third graders and chaperone parents as they returned from a trip to Legoland.

A video from a parent shows the aftermath of those on the bus being dropped off. Parents say it all happened after the bus driver refused to allow students to use the bus’s restroom.

In a statement to families, the Principal of James Carter Elementary School wrote:

“While the bus was nearing home, the contracted bus driver from a local transportation company acted unprofessionally toward students and became verbally confrontational with a parent chaperone. The driver pulled over on Cook Street, refused to continue, and called 911. Law enforcement responded quickly, and families were contacted to pick up their children.”

The Principal added that the school understands how upsetting and unsettling the experience was, and that counseling services are available for students.

Desert Sands Unified School District officials say the incident is being reviewed.

Stay with News Channel 3 for updates.

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Cynthia White

MECCA, Calif. (KESQ) – Riverside County Office of Education announced on Thursday that Mecca Elementary teacher Marisa Gaytan is one of four teachers chosen as a 2026 Riverside County Teacher of the Year.

Gaytan, a fourth grade dual-language teacher, was met by more than 100 students, along with family, colleagues, a drum line, cheerleaders, and a flag team as she learned of the news.

RCOE says Mecca Elementary School is the same Coachella Valley Unified School District campus that Gaytan attended as a child, starting from pre-school. She is now in her ninth year of teaching there.

Gaytan commented, “I’m very proud of this school. It’s my home. It is where beautiful things happen and I always tell my students, if I can do it, you can do it as well because I was just like you.” She added, “I truly believe that it’s important for everyone to feel welcome and belong. We are a family and each of our successes are all of our successes.” 

Officials say Marisa incorporates class chants, music, kinesthetic learning, and cultural references into her instruction along with extolling the virtues of bilingualism for the current and future success of her students. She empowers parents and families with strategies to advance dual-language development at home with their children, and invites Read With Me volunteer readers from the community to support students in a mentor-mentee relationship in the classroom. 

She helped start the Keep It Clean (KIC) club on campus and partnered with a Kindergarten teacher to launch a Book Buddies program to develop mentorship, goal-oriented learning, and reading skills in students from both classes. She launched Wisdom Wednesdays as an opportunity for teachers to come together and share resources, perspectives, and support for one another. 

Marisa earned her bachelor’s degree, bilingual authorization teaching credential, and master’s degree from the University of California, Davis. 

The Riverside County Office of Education states that the Teachers of the Year are selected from nearly 20,000 educators in the county based on nominations by teachers, principals, and school district administrators. Applications are submitted to RCOE for review by a selection committee that chooses semi-finalists, conducts interviews and site visits, then selects the final four candidates before the county superintendent makes the announcements. 

San Jacinto Unified School District preschool teacher Anthony Segura and Temecula Valley Unified School District high school science teacher Ziba Mayar were named as the first two 2026 Riverside County Teachers of the Year earlier this month. One more 2026 Riverside County Teacher of the Year will be revealed in an upcoming surprise visit, and all four teachers of the year will represent the county in the 2026 California Teacher of the Year competition.

Recent Riverside County teachers selected as California Teachers of the Year include: 

2025 – Robert (Bob) Mauger, Corona High School, Corona-Norco USD 

2022 – Nichi Aviña, Cielo Vista Charter School, Palm Springs USD 

2021 – Keisa Brown, University Heights Middle School, Riverside USD, and Allison Cyr, Lyndon B. Johnson Elementary School, Desert Sands USD 

2020 – Brenda Chavez-Barreras, Good Hope Elementary School, Perris USD 

2019 – Dr. Angel Mejico, El Cerrito Middle School, Corona-Norco USD 

2018 – Dr. Brian McDaniel, Painted Hills Middle School, Palm Springs USD 

2017 – Shaun Bunn, Ethan A. Chase Middle School, Romoland School District  

2016 – Michelle Cherland, Carrillo Ranch Elementary School, Desert Sands USD 

2014 – Jessica Pack, James Workman Middle School, Palm Springs USD 

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