Author: KESQ

Garrett Hottle

COACHELLA VALLEY, Calif. (KESQ) – Nicotine pouches are gaining popularity.

Now, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration is reviewing whether certain ZYN products can legally be marketed as potentially reducing harm compared to cigarettes.

That does not mean they are considered safe.

Swedish Match, the maker of ZYN, has applied for what’s called a Modified Risk Tobacco Product order.

Under federal law, the FDA can only grant that order if the company proves the product significantly reduces harm to individual users and benefits public health overall.

That includes people who don’t currently use tobacco.

For adults who already smoke, health experts say there is a distinction.

“We’re looking at adults who are currently smoking or using other more harmful nicotine substances, cigars, pipes, you know, cigarets, stuff like that, then yeah, it is definitely safer,” said Thomas Brazeal, PharmD, APh, BCACP, Associate Director of Technology & Process, Population Health & Prescription Management.

Cigarettes burn tobacco, creating cancer-causing toxins. Nicotine pouches do not involve combustion.

“The most concerning thing is the cancer, but if we can eliminate the harmful effects it’s having on your lungs, looking at the lesser of two evils, I’d much rather have someone that is using a ZYN versus smoking because there’s also the idea of second hand smoke,” Brazeal said.

However, nicotine remains highly addictive.

Even nicotine pouches that are authorized for sale in the United States are not considered safe and are not FDA approved.

If adults use pouches to move away from smoking and eventually quit, experts say that can reduce harm.

The FDA says it will review scientific evidence and public comments before making a final decision on whether to allow those modified-risk marketing claims.

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City News Service

PALM DESERT, Calif. (KESQ) – An elderly woman was rescued today after suffering a minor injury in a hard-to-reach area of Palm Desert, authorities said.   

The rescue was reported at 1:20 p.m. Tuesday in the 47900 block of Portola Avenue, according to the Riverside County Fire Department.   

The agency said a helicopter hoisted the patient from an inaccessible area and took her to a ground ambulance, where she was taken to a local hospital for further evaluation.

No further information was immediately available about the woman’s injury.

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Jesus Reyes

BIG BEAR, Calif. (KESQ) – Jackie the bald eagle has laid another egg up at the Big Bear nest on Tuesday.

Jackie laid her fist egg of a second clutch shortly after 2:30 p.m., according to the Friends of Big Bear Valley, a nonprofit that operates the nest camera.

The nonprofit later added that Jackie generally lays two to three eggs per clutch, and they have been laid three days apart. If she is going to lay a second egg, they will start watching for signs on Friday.

The latest update provides new hope that we may see eaglets this year.

Jackie had laid two other eggs earlier this year, but last month, the eggs were abandoned and ultimately eaten by ravens.

“It is with great sadness to report that both of Jackie & Shadow’s eggs were breached by ravens earlier today,” reads a FOBBV post. “Just before noon, Shadow left the nest, Jackie did not come in, and Shadow did not return for a few hours. We will never know why, but we are sure they had their reasons as they have been incubating the eggs faithfully.”

You can watch the livestream of the nest, courtesy of the Friends of Big Bear Valley, below:

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Gavin Nguyen

CATHEDRAL CITY, Calif. (KESQ) – Concern grows over a water hazard next to Interstate 10.

Water has collected in several retention basins between Date Palm and Bob Hope along the eastbound lanes of the 10. Water has pooled there after multiple recent storms.

Over the weekend, a man was killed in a two-car crash after his car became stuck upside-down in one of the retention basins. The California Highway Patrol told News Channel 3 it believed the man remained trapped inside his car underwater. Four others from his car, as well as the driver of the other vehicle, were able to free themselves.

A spokesperson for CalTrans District 8, which handles maintaining the area, acknowledged the basin is part of state highway property.

He clarified, though, the water should not have been there in the first place.

“The water that is in that basin should not all be flowing into the vicinity and Caltrans infrastructure,” wrote Eric Dionne. “This is a multi owner issue of private land access and the railroad company for us to try and correct the issue fully. We have been working with internal staff and adjacent property owners to remedy the situation.”

Tonight, we’re asking officials who is responsible for maintaining the area next to the highway, and what steps are being taken to keep motorists safe.

Stay with us for the latest.

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Jesus Reyes

INDIAN WELLS, Calif. (KESQ – The BNP Paribas Open announced an action-packed calendar of on-site activities set to greet fans at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden for the 2026 event.

From daily live music to a weekend fireworks show, the Indian Wells Tennis Garden will be full of energy from first ball to last with an unparalleled lineup of events for fans to enjoy during their time on-site in Tennis Paradise.

Village Stage and Paradise Pavilion To Serve As Hub For Daily Live Fan Entertainment

The Village Stage will be alive throughout the entire tournament as an electric lineup of live entertainment takes the stage in Tennis Paradise. As Main Draw play gets underway on Wednesday, March 4, American Idol Season 22 winner Abi Carter will kick off the festivities with a 5:00pm performance at the Village Stage. In addition, on Saturday, March 7, fans can enjoy the All Star Jam, a musical showcase featuring Sixwire with award-winning country music artist Sara Evans and Zac Barnett of American Authors.

The full lineup of live Village Stage entertainment includes a variety of acclaimed local Southern California artists performing throughout the two weeks in the desert, as well as a special performance from the fan-favorite Bryan Bros Band as the 16-time Grand Slam doubles champions and Hall of Fame duo bring their musical talents to Tennis Paradise for an electric performance from 4pm-6pm on Tuesday, March 10. Click here to view the full daily lineup of performances.

The BNP Paribas Open will also debut a brand new Paradise Pavilion for 2026 to play host to other fan-favorite live entertainment staples like Tennis Talks, Food & Beverage demos, and more. New in 2026, fans will be able to listen to a daily live radio show from the Tennis Paradise Stage thanks to the BNP Paribas Open Radio presented by Spotlight 29 Radio Program, which provides complimentary daily live earpiece radio commentary and analysis.

Fireworks Show and Candlelight Concert Highlight Weekend Entertainment

Stadium 1 will delight ticketholders with a plethora of must-see special events and in-stadium displays throughout the 2026 BNP Paribas Open. The action begins with a dazzling fireworks show and court projection on Friday, March 6 and Saturday, March 7. The shows will begin after the first match of the evening session. The in-stadium excitement will continue on Sunday, March 8 and Thursday, March 12 with a special courtside DJ show throughout the Stadium 1 evening session.

On Friday, March 13, fans can usher in Championship Weekend with a brand-new Candlelight® by Fever performance, setting Tennis Paradise aglow after the final night match in Stadium Plaza. Candlelight® will feature a string quartet performing music from Coldplay and Imagine Dragons, set against a signature candlelit ambiance as Stadium Plaza shines with thousands of flickering candles.

New lululemon Pop Up Headlines Elevated On-Site Retail Experience

Guests can anticipate unique experiences at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden with three retail stores on-site for fans. New for 2026, lululemon, the Official Outfitter of the BNP Paribas Open, will open its retail and fan experience for guests to enjoy throughout the tournament. The lululemon Pop Up will feature Indian Wells-inspired gear and customizable apparel with tournament-exclusive graphic for fans to shop – the space will also feature La La Land Café where fans can purchase beverages.

The new Official Outfitter will also operate the lululemon Court for fans on Saturday, March 7 and Sunday, March 8 on Practice Court 20, where guests can put their on-court skills to the test.

The Tennis Paradise Shop will serve as the main home for all official tournament merchandise as well as signature apparel and accessories from the world’s most popular brands. The store will open on Sunday, March 1 and fans can shop daily from 10am-9pm until the conclusion of the tournament. Tennis Warehouse returns to complete the retail trio, allowing fans to gear up like their favorite pros with the latest footwear, racquets, and apparel from the hottest brands in the industry.

Family Day To Serve As Kickoff Event With Brand New 5K Fun Run on Saturday, February 28

The annual Family Day will once again serve as an exciting, free kickoff event to commence the BNP Paribas Open on February 28. For the first time in Tennis Paradise, fans can lace up for a 5K Fun Run that will take participants around the Indian Wells Tennis Garden beginning at 10:00am.

Following the 5K, families are invited to experience a festive afternoon of on and off court activities from 12:00-3:00pm local time. Family Day festivities will include tennis clinics, live music, interactive games, arts and crafts, yoga, delicious food, and more taking place across Stadium Plaza and the Indian Wells Tennis Garden Practice Courts. USTA Southern California section will host clinics for children of all skill levels, with special appearances to be made by ATP and WTA professional players.

For more information on Family Day and to sign up for the 5K Run, fans should visit this link.

Expanded Qualifying Access And Eisenhower Cup To Make For Unforgettable Opening First Week

Fans attending BNP Paribas Open Qualifying Days from Sunday, March 1 through Tuesday, March 3 can look forward to a number of pre-tournament festivities taking place around the grounds. New in 2026, fans with a Qualifying Day ticket can watch their favorite stars tune up for the main draw with open practice sessions in Stadium 1 and 2.

In addition, fans can look forward to the BNP Paribas Open Main Draw Reveal presented by Tennis Channel from 3pm-4pm on Monday, March 2 – where the draws for the tournament will be made live on the big screens in Stadium Plaza. The main draw reveal will be broadcast live on Tennis Channel 2 and in the Tennis Channel App and can be experienced live on-site with qualifying day tickets available to purchase for just $10, with proceeds benefiting The Champions Volunteer Foundation.

Tuesday, March 3 will feature the star-studded Eisenhower Cup, where eight top men’s and women’s players will pair up to compete in a thrilling night of mixed doubles under the lights of Stadium 2. The exhibition event will begin at 7:00pm with teams competing in the fast-paced Tie Break Tens format in a single elimination knockout format. Tickets to the event are on-sale starting at $60, with proceeds to benefits The Champions Volunteer Foundation.

Partner Days And Activations Around the Grounds For 2026

The Tennis Paradise family of brand partners will enhance the experience for fans with special activations and giveaways taking place across the two weeks at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden. This year’s lineup includes new partners appearing at the event for the first time, including lululemon, FAGE, and Silversea. The following partner days will highlight partner activations in Tennis Paradise with the schedule featuring:

Wednesday, March 4 — Veroni Day

Thursday, March 5 — City of Indian Wells Residents Day 

Friday, March 6 — Spotlight 29 Day 

Saturday, March 7 — Emirates Day 

Sunday, March 8 — lululemon Day 

Monday, March 9 — Motorola Day 

Tuesday, March 10 – FAGE Day

Wednesday, March 11 — BMW Day 

Thursday, March 12 — Steve Furgal’s International Tennis Tours Day 

Friday, March 13 — Rolex Day 

Saturday, March 14 and Sunday, March 15 — BNP Paribas Championship Weekend 

Fans are encouraged to visit the Sponsor Village for a variety of partner displays, activations, player appearances, and autograph sessions to be held throughout the event.

The complete calendar of on-site fan events and activities can be viewed here.

Stay with News Channel 3 for complete coverage of the 2026 BNP Paribas Open.

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City News Service

INDIO, Calif. (KESQ) – Three people were arrested and 26 others were cited during a DUI checkpoint in Indio, authorities said today.   

The checkpoint was held from 6 p.m. until midnight Monday at the intersection of Indio Boulevard and Oasis Street, according to the Indio Police Department.

One person was arrested on suspicion of DUI, two people were arrested on suspicion of warrants, and 26 people were cited for various traffic violations.   

The checkpoint location was determined based on data from impaired driving-related crashes. Funding for the checkpoint as provided by the California Cannabis Tax Grant.

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City News Service

INDIO, Calif. (KESQ) – A 22-year-old Rancho Mirage man consumed a fatal dose of fentanyl that his friend helped him procure, a prosecutor said today, while the attorney for the accused countered that his client only aided in facilitating a transaction and “did not murder anybody.”

Riley Jacob Hagar, 28, of Cathedral City, is charged with second-degree murder for the death of Travis O’Brien on New Year’s Day 2022.   

“Travis O’Brien checked into a Motel 6 and never checked out,” Riverside County Deputy District Attorney Steven Sorensen told jurors Tuesday during his opening statement in Hagar’s trial at the Larson Justice Center in Indio. “Where did O’Brien get these pills (that killed him)?”

The prosecutor pointed the finger of blame at Hagar, a longtime acquaintance of the victim.  

Sorensen contended Hagar “is guilty of the charge of murder” stemming from O’Brien’s “acute fentanyl intoxication” death.

Defense attorney Ryan Markson challenged the prosecution’s narrative, rejecting the allegation that his client had a hand in the loss of O’Brien’s life.

“Riley Hagar didn’t murder anybody,” Markson told jurors.   

He noted O’Brien was desperate for money at the end of 2021 and was trying to unload 200 M30 “blues” containing the synthetic opioid fentanyl, but he couldn’t find a buyer.

Hagar was in contact with a known supplier, Nicholas Rodriguez, who goes by the moniker “Niko,” and arranged on New Year’s Eve for the latter to buy some of O’Brien’s pills, according to the defense.   

The attorney said his client had cautioned O’Brien not to take any of the pills, a few of which Niko purchased.   

At some point just before or after the transaction, O’Brien digested the fentanyl that led to his death, according to court papers.   

Hagar, who is being held without bail at the Benoit Detention Center, was arrested in August 2022, following a months-long investigation by the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department’s Overdose Death Investigations Unit.   

Sgt. Ryan Marcuse said that on the afternoon of Jan. 1, 2022, deputies were called to the Motel 6 in the 69000 block of Highway 111, where the young man was discovered unconscious and presumed dead. Paramedics arrived a short time later and confirmed he’d died at the scene. The autopsy pointed to fentanyl poisoning.  

Hagar has no documented prior felony convictions in Riverside County.   

Since February 2021, prosecutors have charged more than three dozen people in connection with fentanyl poisonings. Two prosecutions have resulted in murder convictions.  

Preliminary public health statistics indicated there were 229 suspected fentanyl-related fatalities countywide in 2025, compared to 351 confirmed poisonings in 2024, a roughly 40% decline.

Fentanyl is manufactured in overseas labs, principally in China, according to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, which says the opioid is smuggled across the U.S.-Mexico border by cartels.

It’s 80-100 times more potent than morphine and can be mixed into any number of street narcotics and prescription drugs, without a recipient knowing what he or she is consuming. Ingestion of only two milligrams can be fatal.

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Daniella Lake

COACHELLA VALLEY, Calif. (KESQ) – For our final Celebrating Black History story, we’re spotlighting local artists who’ve made significant contributions to art and culture. Alvin Taylor, a Palm Springs native, is a world-renowned drummer known for his work with Elton John, George Harrison and Billy Preston.

“When you are playing and you’re in the zone, it’s like, wow, you know, no better feeling,” Taylor says.

He started out as drum major for the Palm Springs High School marching band. He then went on to become part of Little Richard’s band and open for Elvis Presley. Taylor also performed at the first airing of Saturday Night Live. He received a star on the Palm Springs walk of fame exactly 8 years ago on February 24, 2018.

“I couldn’t believe it. It’s such a wonderful feeling. A feeling of acceptance,” says Taylor.

Bernard Hoyes is a visual artist based in Desert Hot Springs. His artwork is inspired by African spirituality and growing up in Jamaica.

“I was in the streets in downtown Kingston, pretty much floundering, but in a way, trying to figure out the life of a young man. And my artistic talents kind of came to the top,” says Hoyes.

He painted the mural on the side of St. Paul’s church in Palm Springs. He also designed the statue along Tahquitz Canyon titled diversity.

“I use a DNA genome with the hummingbirds at the top to show the commonality of all beings through the DNA,” says Hoyes.

Hoyes has an upcoming exhibit at the San Bernardino County Museum.

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María García

UPDATE 02/24/2026

The Sig Alert has been lifted.

ORIGINAL 02/24/2026

INDIO, Calif. (KESQ) – A Sig Alert has been issued following a crash caused by a wrong-way driver on Interstate 10 in Indio Tuesday morning.

According to the California Highway Patrol, a Nissan Sentra was traveling the wrong way in the eastbound lanes of I-10, just east of Dillon Road, when it collided head-on with a Toyota Camry.

Investigators say the driver of the Sentra was suspected of driving under the influence. He suffered critical injuries in the crash and later succumbed to those injuries. Authorities have not yet released his identity.

The driver of the Toyota Camry sustained minor injuries.

The freeway remains closed at Dillon Road as crews continue their investigation and clear the scene.

Stay with News Channel 3 for updates.

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Joel Killam

COACHELLA VALLEY, Calif. (KESQ) – A small fire was seen Monday night in an area of tamarisk trees near Agua Caliente, seen in video recorded by News Channel 3. The fire was recorded shortly after 7:30 p.m.

CAL FIRE officials have been contacted for information on the cause.

The incident comes one week after city leaders raised safety concerns following several small fires linked to homeless encampments in the same general area.

Last Wednesday, firefighters removed multiple encampments set up in tamarisk trees along the railroad tracks and Interstate 10. Crews later returned the next day when a fire in those trees appeared to rekindle.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

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