Author: KESQ

Cynthia White

RANCHO MIRAGE, Calif. (KESQ) – A new expansion is open at the Agua Caliente Casino in Rancho Mirage.

The ribbon cutting on Monday introduced the casino’s addition of over 12,000 square feet of gaming space. The expansion includes over 250 new slot machines and table games.

The month of April also marks Agua Caliente Casinos’ 30th year in gaming – since starting back in 1995.

Chief Operating Officer Saverio Scheri says they’ve purchased over 500 additional games for the tribe’s three casinos.

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Cynthia White

RIVERSIDE, Calif. (KESQ) – The County of Riverside Supervisors and the County Executive Officer have offered a series of community budget workshops this month to inform residents about the county’s services and budget process.

More than 40 county departments provide services ranging from healthcare and housing to law enforcement and public works projects. All these services require funding, whether it’s from locally generated property taxes or from the state and federal government. These workshops will provide a “Budget 101” overview that will go over where the county’s revenue comes from and which public services that money goes towards.

“As Chair of the Board of Supervisors, I am excited we are doing new things this year to increase outreach to community members during the budget process,” said Supervisor V. Manuel Perez. “For the first time, we will be bringing these discussions to our communities, in all five Supervisorial districts of Riverside County. We want to hear from you about what is most important in your county government.”

These feedback sessions are open to all residents and will provide an opportunity to give input into county services and priorities ahead of next fiscal year’s recommended budget in May and the annual budget hearings in June.

The workshops have been held throughout the county this month – Supervisor V. Manuel Perez will be hosting the District 4 workshop on Tuesday, April 29 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Classic Club, 75-200 Classic Club Boulevard in Palm Desert.

County officials say the goals of the community workshops are to make a complicated process more accessible and to ensure that the county’s budget reflects the needs of its growing population. For more information or to access a copy of “Budget 101: The County Budget Explained,” visit www.RivCo.org/budget.

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Peter Daut

In the fight for the U.S. House, Democrats are hoping rockstar power will help to oust long-serving valley Republican Rep. Ken Calvert.

Tim Myers, a Grammy-nominated former bassist for the band “One Republic,” announced he will challenge Calvert in the 41st District.

At a time when there are fewer competitive House contests nationwide, Democrats consider Calvert’s closely divided district, which stretches from Corona to the Coachella Valley, one of the party’s best opportunities to gain ground in the chamber.

Myers was born and raised in Corona, but News Channel 3’s Peter Daut asked Myers if he still lives in the district.

“You currently live in Corona?” Peter asked Myers.

Myers said, “Corona is so important in this district and Ken Calvert’s over in Washington, he’s completely corrupt.”

Peter responded, “I’m just asking what city do you currently live in?”

Tim answered, “I was born and raised in Corona, and I love this district, I love the people.”

Peter once again asked, “You don’t live in Corona, though?”

“I’m not saying that, I’m just sharing I was born and raised in Corona,” Tim answered.

A spokesperson for the campaign arm of House Republicans issued a statement that Myers is “Everything wrong with today’s radical left: a Hollywood liberal trying to fake his way into Riverside County.”

Stay with News Channel 3 for continuing coverage on this race.

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Jesus Reyes

PALM DESERT, Calif. (KESQ) – Authorities discovered several televisions and DJ equipment left behind after a train burglary Sunday night in Palm Desert.

The incident was first reported just before 10:20 a.m. on the 75000 block of Gerald Ford Drive.

A caller reported subjects possibly stealing items from a train, according to the Riverside County Sheriff’s Office.

“After further investigation, it was determined the items were remaining objects from the theft that occurred the night before,” an RSO spokesperson told News Channel 3.

A News Channel 3 crew spotted several boxes of televisions, DJ equipment, and headphones on the floor near the train.

Union Pacific responded to take custody of the recovered property.

There is no word on whether there were any arrests.

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City News Service

BEAUMONT, Calif. (KESQ) – A project to expand the Beaumont Library and restore some of the property’s historic architecture received a $250,000 boost in support from the Morongo Band of Mission Indians, it was announced today.   

“Libraries are more than just buildings filled with books — they arehubs of knowledge, opportunity and community that provide a variety of diverse resources and services,” Morongo Tribal Chairman Charles Martin said. “We are delighted to support the Beaumont Library Expansion & Renovation Project to help empower students, families and lifelong learners across the region.”  

The $5 million 8,300-square-foot expansion effort broke ground in February and is slated for completion in two phases, all of which will conclude by the end of next year.

The Morongo tribe’s charitable grant will fill some of the funding gap that the Beaumont Library District encountered while preparing the project budget, according to officials.

“The incredible support from the Morongo Band of Mission Indians brings us significantly closer to realizing our vision of a modern inclusive library for all,” Beaumont Library District Board President Margaret Coleman said. “We appreciate this contribution, which reflects Morongo’s dedication to strengthening the communities of the San Gorgonio Pass.”  

The library, located on East Eighth Street, was established in 1914, owing to a $10,000 grant by philanthropist Andrew Carnegie.   

Along with a large collection of books, it hosts “developmental play spaces” for children and caregivers, literacy enhancement programs and English as a second language classes.   

As part of the upgrades now underway, there will be new study and conference rooms, a children’s room, a bookstore and a community meeting space, according to the Library District.

The project is additionally intended to preserve most of the original structure.

More information is available at https://mybldproject.org/#home.

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Jesus Reyes

SEATTLE (KESQ) – Former Coachella Valley Firebirds head coach Dan Bylsma is out in Seattle after one season, according to reports.

SportsNet’s Elliotte Friedman was the first to report on the coaching change. Reports also revealed the Kraken GM Ron Francis will be reassigned.

Wow. Wasn’t the best season for Seattle but thought he’d get another shot next year. I guess not. Former Firebirds head coach let go after one season with the Kraken. Wishing Dan the best during this time. @KESQ @SeattleKrakenPR @SeattleKraken @KenjiitoKESQ @Tarp1969 https://t.co/wGGJfc5kEl

— Blake Arthur (@BlakeArthur24) April 21, 2025

In addition to a head coaching change with Dan Bylsma fired, there is no shortage of speculation in league circles that #SeaKraken GM Ron Francis will move to another front office position and assistant GM Jason Botterill will be promoted to GM.

We’ll see.

— Frank Seravalli (@frank_seravalli) April 21, 2025

The Kraken finished the season 35-41-6, second to last in the Pacific Division. Seattle missed the playoffs for the second consecutive season and the third time in the team’s four-year history. 

Bylsma was the team’s second ever head coach.

In two seasons with the Firebirds, Bylsma went 94-32-18 in the regular season and reached the Calder Cup Finals in the team’s first two years.

He is a former Stanley Cup Champion and has the second most wins in Pittsburgh Penguins history.

Bylsma joined the Firebirds’ NHL affiliate, the Seattle Kraken, in May 2024. A month later, Firebirds assistant coach Jessica Campbell joined his staff, making NHL history.

According to reports, Campbell will remain on the Kraken.

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Luis Avila

PALM DESERT, Calif. (KESQ) – People with disabilities and supporters gathered Monday outside Rep. Ken Calvert’s office to protest potential cuts to Medicaid.

Under the recently passed Budget Reconciliation bill, the House Energy and Commerce Committee, which oversees programs like Medicaid, has been instructed to cut at least $880 billion in waste, fraud and abuse.

Judy Mark, organizer, says that would only stop vital money from reaching those who need it.

“There is no proof there is that much in waste, fraud and abuse. We’re not saying that you can’t tighten things up here and there but what we know is that my son who depends on medicaid will be devastated by the cuts. This is not small tinkering around the edges, they are using a hatchet to get out waste, fraud and abuse.” 

Judy Mark, organizer

Demonstrators are demanding Calvert, who voted in favor of the budget plan, reverse course. They marched to his Palm Desert office, but it appeared no one was there.

One local health care manager says the impacts of such cuts would go far beyond just reduced health coverage.

“If we make those cuts in healthcare and preventative care, we’re going to end up paying more in hospitals. The federal government doesn’t mandate people be seen by the hospital and so if we cut medicaid, what happens people will end up in the hospital and that will cost us all more.” 

Ben, health care manager

In a statement to News Channel 3, Rep. Ken Calvert says:

Republicans in Congress are committed to protecting Medicaid benefits for Californians and other Americans who rely on the program, including children, mothers, and the disabled. One of the best ways to safeguard Medicaid  and taxpayers is to root out waste, fraud and abuse wherever it exists in the program.

Medicaid covers about 1 in 5 Americans, including:

low-income people

pregnant women

children

people with disabilities

This is the first of nine rallies to take place across the state of California this week.

Stay with News Channel 3 for more.

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