Author: KESQ

Luis Avila

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – The city of Palm Springs is one step closer to addressing ongoing road closures on Gene Autry Trial at the wash as a result of high winds and sand accumulation.

On Wednesday, the city council awarded a nearly $2.2 million construction contract to Deark E&C Inc. for the wind wall project. Additionally, the council will approve task orders for construction management and administration services. This comes after the council approved the plans on February 13, 2025, and authorized staff to bid the project.

The site is located along North Gene Autry Trail, between the Union Pacific Railroad bridge (just south of the I-10 Freeway) at the north and E. Via Escuela at the south.

The concrete wall will stand at 14.5 ft and replace an existing wooden barrier that was put in place temporarily. The design for the barrier takes into account the potential environmental impacts. The project is being funded by Measure A.

The city’s engineering department gave a roughly six-month timeline for the project.

Stay with News Channel 3 for more.

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Athena Jreij

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) — Low-income families and seniors have a new place to call home at the Monarch Apartments in Palm Springs.

According to developers, Community Housing Opportunities Corporation or CHOC, Monarch is the first affordable living community to come to Palm Springs in 14 years.

For Ray Harkleroad, the new housing has given him a chance to live out his retirement off the streets.

“You don’t have to deal with the pain of waking up everyday and wondering what’s going to go on for the next day. That’s stability. That’s what we all desire. And it’s not easy to achieve. I’ve certainly had it before. I’ve had a wonderful career. I’ve owned two homes. Things change,” Harkleroad said.

For the last decade, he’s struggle to find secure housing after his apartment in Desert Hot Springs was sold by the property owner and he subsequently found himself priced out of the area.

“It’s the fickle finger of fate, you know could really be a problem to deal with. We were to about $750 after a period of time, which was easily affordable with what I had come in with a little bit of budgeting, of course, but when I came back out it was $1,500,” he said.

For him and many others, CHOC housing has been a saving grace.

The community also offers wrap-around services for those in need, with afterschool programs, financial literacy courses, a computer lab and wellness programs available.

“Our goal is to have a multi-generational approach. So whatever message we’re sending to the youth, the parents and the seniors, it’s the same across the board,” Juan Pulido, the Director of Resident Services said.

CHOC says residents who make between 30-60% of their median area income can qualify for the housing.

They’re hoping to keep those living paycheck to paycheck off the streets and break the stigma of affordable housing while doing it.

For Harkleroad, it’s given him back a sense of normalcy.

“I go to doctor’s appointments, spend time with friends and keep active. It’s normal.”

Placita Dolores Huerta in Coachella is also maintained by CHOC. Both housing communities are currently full and have waitlists.

For more information on CHOC housing, visit https://www.chochousing.org/.

For more information on affordable housing in Palm Springs, visit https://www.palmspringsca.gov/government/departments/housing-community-development/affordable-housing/rental-opportunities.

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Gavin Nguyen

THOUSAND PALMS, Calif. (KESQ) – Check the nutrition label! Your favorite foods likely contain artificial food dyes, which are set to be phased out by the end of next year.

The Food and Drug Administration moved Tuesday to phase out artificial, petroleum-based food dyes, like Red 40, Yellow 6, and Blue 5.

These colorings are frequently added to snacks, drinks, and more.

According to Environmental Working Group, or EWG, sodas are the most common way artificial dyes are consumed. More than 36,000 foods sold in the United States contain Red 40, which is the most used dye in foods.

Testing in animals have shown a possible link between these artificial colorings and increased risk of cancer and tumors.

It was a mixed bag from valley shoppers when asked about their thoughts on the change. Some shoppers, like Palm Desert resident Richard Avila, wasn’t aware of the artificial dyes in his foods, though he doesn’t think the change will do much.

“It hasn’t hurt me yet, you know, and I’m 65 years old and I’m doing fine. I think, you know, I still like them,” Avila says.

Others, like Gavin Arrona, from Joshua Tree, admits that when he chooses his munchies, his eye isn’t on the ingredients list. “I’m not really looking at it like, this is this is bad for me. I see it, I’m like, that’s yellow, that’s lime. I like that flavor. I’m not thinking about what it’s going to do to me in ten years,” Arrona says.

As for alternatives, Arrona says, “But if they came out with, like, just plain ones, without color, yeah, I wouldn’t have a problem with that.”

I showed other shoppers, like Margaret Wallace of Palm Desert, different products that include artificial dyes like red 40 and yellow 5. Wallace was shocked when I revealed one of her favorite snacks was made using the dye.

“I’m going to give you something you might not expect,” I told Wallace.

“Don’t tell me.”

Revealing a jar of Mt. Olive Kosher Dill pickles, I started, “This jar of pickles—”

“It’s not just pickles, it’s my favorite pickle,” Wallace interrupted. “Yellow 5. My God. I had no idea. Uh oh, that’s going to change what I buy.”

The FDA’s decision phases out the dyes by 2026, though last year, California moved to remove them in public schools by 2027. The latest federal move pushes up the public school deadline in the state, but in the meantime, some shoppers say parents should pay special attention to the food they buy for their kids.

“I think parents in particular need to pay attention. My age, I don’t know if it’s it’s going to affect me as much, but I’m still gonna be careful what I buy for my family,” says Wallace, now in search of a new brand of pickles to enjoy.

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Jesus Reyes

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) — Baseball fans in the Coachella Valley will have more reasons to cheer this season. The San Diego Padres and the Gulf California Broadcast Company (GCBC) are proud to announce a new broadcast distribution agreement that will bring 10 regular-season Saturday Padres games to local television in 2025.

The games will be available over the air on KESQ News Channel 3, CBS Local 2, and KCWQ CW 5, giving fans throughout the region the opportunity to catch all the action live—no subscription required.

2025 Padres Saturday Game Broadcast Schedule:

April 26: Padres vs. Tampa Bay Rays | 5:15 p.m. on KCWQ CW 5

May 10: Padres at Colorado Rockies | 5:00 p.m. on KCWQ CW 5

May 17: Padres vs. Seattle Mariners | 5:15 p.m. on KCWQ CW 5

May 31: Padres vs. Pittsburgh Pirates | 6:15 p.m. on CBS Local 2

July 19: Padres at Washington Nationals | 3:30 p.m. on CBS Local 2

July 26: Padres at St. Louis Cardinals | 4:00 p.m. on CBS Local 2

August 2: Padres vs. St. Louis Cardinals | 6:45 p.m. on KCWQ CW 5

August 9: Padres vs. Boston Red Sox | 5:15 p.m. on KCWQ CW 5

August 16: Padres at L.A. Dodgers | 6:00 p.m. on KESQ News Channel 3

September 27: Padres vs. Arizona Diamondbacks | 5:15 p.m. on KCWQ CW 5

“We’re excited to have the Padres on our stations for the upcoming season,” said Jerry Upham, GeneralManager of Gulf California Broadcast Company. “This is a unique opportunity, and we’re proud to be the over-the-air broadcast home in the Coachella Valley.”

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Allie Anthony

We’re just days away from the St. Jude Dream Home Giveaway drawing! On Tuesday, one lucky ticket holder will be announced as the winner of this year’s beautiful dream home, built by GHA Companies, located in La Quinta.

When you reserve your $100 dollar ticket by calling 1-800-535-6748, you could win this stunning new home and support the lifesaving mission of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. St. Jude families never receive a bill for treatment, travel, housing, or food. St. Jude treats more than 8,000 children each year, and your support makes that possible.

If you buy your ticket by Friday April 25th, you’ll also be entered to win a Last Chance Bonus Prize—a $10,000 home shopping and design spree courtesy of BoConcept of Southern California.

This year’s dream home features  3 bedrooms, 3.5 bathrooms, and breathtaking mountain views. You can see the Dream Home for yourself. It’s open to the public daily through Sunday, April 27th, from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM. During open house tours, you can also purchase a ticket in person to win the home. The home’s address is 51630 Avenida Villa La Quinta, CA 92253.

Tickets to win the home are going fast, so don’t wait. Call 1-800-535-6748 to purchase your ticket today. Every ticket helps kids fight cancer.

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Cynthia White

PALM DESERT, Calif. (KESQ) – Committed to making Palm Springs a destination for everyone – Greater Palm Springs is now a Certified Autism Destination.

The announcement was made on Monday at The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens. Greater Palm Springs spokespeople say this landmark designation champions accessibility and inclusion for all visitors.

In fact, the Greater Palm Springs area is only the second destination in California to achieve the certification and the fourth in the United States to do so.

To receive the Certified Autism Destination designation, staff at certain hotels, entertainment venues and other businesses must undergo training to make sure they can serve guests with autism.

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Cynthia White

PALM DESERT, Calif. (KESQ) – The world famous Clydesdales returned to El Paseo Shopping District in Palm Desert on Wednesday.

The horses and wagon made special beer deliveries to select restaurants along El Paseo before they moved on to get ready for the Stagecoach Country Music Festival in Indio.

The horses were accompanied by their Dalmatian “Coach Dog,” who is trained to protect the regal horses and guard the wagon.

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