Author: KESQ

City News Service

RIVERSIDE, Calif. (KESQ) – Riverside County supervisors today approved a funding agreement for a new power substation slated for construction in Thousand Palms, benefiting several communities served by the Imperial Irrigation District.

“When there are blackouts in the summer, there’s no air conditioning. It’s hot,” board Chairman Manuel Perez said ahead of the 5-0 vote in favor of the Cook Street Substation Project. “It makes things tough. Advancing a new substation in the Thousand Palms area is important.”

The board voted to support the project with a promised $5.6 million investment via the newly established Coachella Valley Power Fund. The county committed an initial $250,000 Tuesday, drawn from the Unincorporated Communities Initiative account, which was established five years ago specifically to provide money for projects intended to uplift underserved or economically challenged areas.

Further appropriations will be added to the power fund as the project matures. Its total cost was estimated to be $42.62 million.   

In addition to the county, the cities of Palm Desert and Rancho Mirage, as well as IID and the nonprofit Berger Foundation, are parties to the funding compact.  

The project will be situated in the immediate vicinity of Cook Street and Chase School Road, just north of Interstate 10 and less than a mile northwest of Acrisure Arena. The property is owned by the Berger Foundation, which will be involved in the planning stages of the substation, according to documents posted to the board’s agenda.

No groundbreaking date has been set yet, and a timeline for construction wasn’t published.

IID officials said the station will house one 28 mega volt-amperes transformer and one 50 mega volt-amperes transformer, with space for a third 28 MVA transformer in the future. Substations serve as power flow regulators, distributing electrical current to homes and businesses via the grid with safeguards. The stations don’t generate electricity independently.   

“Our team has been able to draft a regional solution to the infrastructure needs of the eastern Coachella Valley,” IID spokesman Antonio Ortega told the board. “It took a lot of work, effort and diligence to get us to this point. Here we are today. But this is just the start.”

The county Transportation & Land Management Agency and other entities are also working toward the future establishment of a substation on Avenue 58 in La Quinta. That remains in the conceptualization phase.   

The Cook Street Substation will fall under the purview of the Coachella Valley Power Agency, a joint powers authority set up in May to provide a forum for government and private interests to work in concert toward expanding and improving power grid infrastructure throughout the region.

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Daniella Lake

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – As the holidays roll around and more people travel in and out of the Palm Springs International Airport, rideshare drivers are sharing some of their concerns.

Some drivers don’t have Lyft or Uber stickers displayed on their cars, which other drivers think can be potentially dangerous.

“How does that rider know that they’re being picked up by an actual Lyft and Uber driver?,” says Todd Wheelan, a rideshare driver.

News Channel 3 asked the airport what they do to ensure drivers identify their vehicles, they shared that their curbside operations staff issues warnings and citations to violators.

“We’re working hard to ensure that drivers are properly displaying their Uber or Lyft decals so passengers can easily and confidently identify their ride, and we are actively bringing vehicles into compliance,” Palm Springs International Airport said in a statement to News Channel 3.

Some drivers also say that passengers have trouble finding the rideshare pick up location. The Palm Springs International Airport has bright yellow signage to help passengers find they way.

“Our curbside staff and volunteer Navigators are available throughout the day to assist guests and provide directions,” they said in a statement to News Channel 3.

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Shay Lawson

PALM DESERT, Calif. (KESQ)  – Riverside County Sheriff’s Deputies say too many drivers are failing to follow the state’s “Move Over” law, putting first responders and tow truck operators at serious risk.

“We’ve been noticing a lot of vehicles just drive the speed limit right past you, within a foot of us, as we’re doing a traffic stop,”  Deputy Sheriff Paul Abrego with the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department said.

The Move Over law requires drivers to change lanes or slow down when approaching stopped emergency or utility vehicles with flashing emergency or hazard lights, to protect personnel.

“For example, if it’s a 40-mile-per-hour zone, the good practice would be to cut your speed down to 20 miles per hour as you’re passing. If you’re unable to change lanes,” Abrego said.

He said the law applies to law enforcement, fire crews, ambulances, tow truck drivers, and Caltrans workers.

“It’s not only on the highways,” Abrego said. “This is also required on city roads.”

Abrego said ignoring the law puts lives at risk.

“It could cause a fatal accident. It could cause serious injury,” he said. “All these roadside workers have loved ones at home… It’s courtesy as well as the law.”

Starting soon, Abrego said the Riverside County Sheriff’s Office (RSO) will launch enforcement operations.

“We are going to be heavily enforcing. Especially out here in the desert,” Abrego said. “Here at the Palm Desert station, we are going to be doing operations to try to protect these roadside workers and make it safe.”

Riverside County drivers who fail to move over or slow down face a $234 traffic fine.

“If something major happens, someone gets seriously injured, or a fatal accident happens, you can be charged criminally for the incident,” Abrego said.

Stay with News Channel 3 for the full report at 6 p.m.

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Tauli Anderson

COACHELLA VALLEY, Calif. (KESQ) – As the holiday rush ramps up, post offices across the Valley are already seeing a surge in customers hoping to get gifts in the mail before Christmas. USPS Postmaster Andrea White says foot traffic has jumped by at least 20 percent.

Postal officials are urging people to mail packages as early as possible to avoid delays. They’ve released this year’s shipping deadlines.

Recommending First-Class Mail and USPS Ground Advantage to get those packages into the mail system by December 17th. Priority Mail, by December 18. If you’re one of those really, really procrastinators, December 20 for Priority Mail Express.

USPS recommends using the self-service kiosks available in many lobbies. Customers can buy postage, print labels, and drop packages directly into the outgoing slot — often in a fraction of the time.

With deadlines quickly approaching and lines already forming, USPS officials say the best strategy is simple: ship early. Dropping gifts in the mail sooner rather than later is the most reliable way to make sure they arrive before Christmas.

 

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Gavin Nguyen

CATHEDRAL CITY, Calif. (KESQ) – Twelve intersections within Cathedral City are getting upgrades.

The project began on Monday and will continue until the spring of 2026.

The following intersections will be worked on during that period:

Ramon Road & Desert Vista Road/Avenida Del Yermo

Ramon Road & Whispering Palms Trail

Ramon Road & Cathedral Canyon Drive/Avenida Maravilla

Ramon Road & Da Vall Drive

Vista Chino Drive & Avenida Quintana/Desert Princess Drive

Date Palm Drive & Via Olivera

Date Palm Drive & Gerald Ford Drive

Gerald Ford Drive & Plumley Road/Avenida Del Sol Road

Dinah Shore Drive & Plumley Road

Dinah Shore Drive & Cathedral Canyon Drive

Landau Boulevard & 30th Avenue

East Palm Canyon Drive & El Dorado/East Canyon Plaza

New hardware upgrades are being installed, including advanced dilemma zone detection equipment, left turn phases, and pedestrian countdown heads. They are meant to provide added safety and improve traffic flow in the affected areas.

The city said residents should expect some delays during construction hours, which occur Monday through Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

For questions, you’re encouraged to contact Project Manager Andrew Lee at (760) 770-0319 or by email at alee@cathedralcity.gov.

Stay with KESQ as we hear from residents and the city on how these improvements will make your commute smoother and safer.

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Jesus Reyes

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – The Palm Springs International Film Awards announced that Kate Hudson is the recipient of the Icon Award, Actress, for her performance in Focus Features’ Song Sung Blue.

The Film Awards will take place on January 3, 2026, at the Palm Springs Convention Center, with the festival running January 2-12, 2026. The event will be presented by Kering and sponsored by Entertainment Tonight. You can watch the event live on CBS Local 2, coverage starts at 5pm

Palm Springs International Film Festival announces lineup of 168 films

“Kate Hudson’s turn in Song Sung Blue is deeply moving bringing warmth, vulnerability, and musical confidence to a role that demands both heart and grit,” said Festival Chairman Nachhattar Singh Chandi. “From her breakthrough in Almost Famous to her fearless turns in romance, comedy, and drama across her career, she has shown a remarkable ability to evolve as an artist. It is our privilege to honor her with the Icon Award, recognizing not just this performance but a body of work that continues to inspire.”

Based on a true story, Song Sung Blue follows Mike and Claire as they become Lightning and Thunder, a joyous Neil Diamond tribute band that takes them from a small garage to dive bar glory to an unlikely Milwaukee stardom defined by their moving devotion to one another and the raucous power of “Sweet Caroline.” But when tragedy strikes and plunges them to the bottom, it’s the revelatory power of their love — for music and for each other — that binds the pair, provides a way forward, and ultimately helps them remember one another.

The Focus Features film is directed and written by Craig Brewer, starring Hugh Jackman, Kate Hudson, Michael Imperioli, Ella Anderson, King Princess, Mustafa Shakir, Hudson Hensley with Fisher Stevens and Jim Belushi. Song Sung Blue opens in theatres nationwide on Christmas Day.

Hudson received a Golden Globe nomination for Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy.

Kate Hudson is a Golden Globe Award winner and Academy Award-nominated actress, singer/songwriter, producer, entrepreneur, and bestselling author. She is best known for her roles in Almost Famous, How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days, and Bride Wars, which she also produced. She co-starred with Mark Wahlberg in Deepwater Horizon, Marshall, opposite Chadwick Boseman and Sterling K. Brown, and was nominated for a Golden Globe for her performance in Music. She co-starred opposite Octavia Spencer in the Apple TV+ series Truth Be Told, and starred in Ana Lily Amirpour’s mystery thriller Mona Lisa and the Blood Moon. She was part of the all-star ensemble of the Netflix global smash hit, Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery.

She currently stars in and executive produces the hit Netflix series Running Point, which has wrapped its second season.

Hudson joins this year’s previously announced honorees Michael B. Jordan (Icon Award), Leonardo DiCaprio (Desert Palm Achievement Award, Actor), Ethan Hawke (Career Achievement Award), Adam Sandler (Chairman’s Award), Amanda Seyfried (Desert Palm Achievement Award), Hamnet director Chloé Zhao as well as actors Jessie Buckley and Paul Mescal (Vanguard Award), Frankenstein (Visionary Award) and Sentimental Value cast members Renate Reinsve, Stellan Skarsgård, Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas, and Elle Fanning (International Star Award).

Past winners of the Icon Award include Glenn Close, Willem Dafoe, Michael Douglas, Robert Duvall, Lady Gaga, Paul Giamatti, Tom Hanks and Meryl Streep. In their respective years, Close (The Wife), Dafoe (The Florida Project), Duvall (The Judge), Giamatti (The Holdovers) and Streep (August Osage County) were each nominated for an Academy Award in their respective years.

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Cynthia White

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – The Palm Springs Symphony brought the magic of the season to the Plaza Theatre on Sunday in its premiere performance.

Symphony lovers were treated to “Sleigh Ride & Symphony: A Joyful Christmas Concert,” where they were entertained with holiday classics, a festive sing-along, and a visit from Santa.

The evening blended world-class music with holiday cheer.

There are several more performances scheduled for the Palm Springs Symphony throughout the season.

For information on show dates and ticket pricing, visit palmspringsplazatheatre.com/events. To learn more about the Palm Springs Symphony, visit palmsprings-symphony.org.

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Cynthia White

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – Santa’s elves made an early delivery to Martha’s Village & Kitchen on Monday. The elves – members of the Palm Springs Gay Men’s Chorus – dropped off several carloads of toys and gifts from their recent Holiday Toy Drive.

The generous donations from chorus members and the Mattel Corporation will help ensure that clients of Martha’s Village have presents to open on Christmas morning.

This is the fifth year that Palm Springs Gay Men’s Chorus has partnered with Martha’s Village on a Holiday Toy Drive.

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Juan Montesló

INDIO, Calif. (KESQ) – Residents of a housing complex in Indio are raising concerns over the lack of proper maintenance for the trash.

They say the accumulation of garbage at Sun Castle Condominiums on Aladdin Street is bringing unwelcome guests that include flies, rats, and cockroaches into their homes.

They also say a lack of security is a concern, with homeless people digging through the trash.

Residents are frustrated, saying the homeowners association and management of the complex are doing nothing about it.

One resident comments, “I’ve spoken with the HOA, with the community manager here, and she tells me the association doesn’t have the money to fix it.”

News Channel 3 reached out to the association responsible for the maintenance of the complex on Monday, and they said they were not able to respond that day. We will have an update as soon as the organization responds to the issue.

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Daniella Lake

Update 12/9/25

The city has approved the use of the pantry following an inspection.

City officials in Cathedral City came by Christina Bruno’s home earlier today to look at the reinforcements needed to keep it up. After confirming the pantry’s upgrades, the city told the owner that her case was now closed. They even brought donations to add to her pantry once it reopens.

Original Report 12/8/25

CATHEDRAL CITY, Calif. (KESQ) – Kristina Bruno, a Cathedral City resident who started a food pantry outside her home near Century Park, is now upgrading her food pantry to comply with city codes.

News Channel 3 shared her story last week, after her food pantry went viral on the NextDoor app. Then, Cathedral City code enforcement asked her to remove the cabinet from the sidewalk within ten days.

“I was completely devastated. I cried. I didn’t understand why there was so much pushback on helping our community that’s in need,” she says.

Bruno says the city asked her to downsize the pantry and create a sturdier structure if she wished to continue her effort to feed those in need.

“[Code enforcement] were afraid that somewhere a child might climb by or walking by would want to grab one of the cereal boxes from up here and it could fall on them,” she says.

With the help of friends and neighbors, Bruno’s family is building a new pantry to serve the community.

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