Author: KESQ

Jesus Reyes

INDIO, Calif. (KESQ) – MLS and NWSL clubs will return to the iconic Empire Polo Club in Indio this coming February for the Coachella Valley Invitational (CVI).

The CVI is the largest preseason event in North American professional soccer history. This year marks the fourth year of the event, but it could be the biggest with the potential participation of Korean superstar Son Heung-min of LAFC.

Orgaziners AEG noted that, as one of the first major professional soccer events of the year and leading up to the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States, CVI is likely to feature numerous Major League Soccer (MLS) players set to represent their countries on the world stage.

With the support of MLS and the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL), the 2026 edition of CVI will host players, coaches, and executives from participating clubs for preseason matches, training sessions, and organizational meetings at the iconic venue. 

2025 Season: CVI Match Day 2 on February 8,2025. Photo by Robert Mora/LA Galaxy.
—
www.LAGalaxy.com
—
@LAGALAXY | @LAGALAXYPHOTOS

“AEG is proud to once again partner with MLS and the NWSL to bring the best of professional soccer to the Coachella Valley,” said Dan Beckerman, President and Chief Executive Officer of AEG. “Through Goldenvoice and the LA Galaxy, we’re thrilled to transform one of the world’s most iconic festival settings into a showcase for the sport, the players, and the fans.” 

Passes for all competition dates will go on sale to the public on Thursday, October 16 at 10 a.m. PT at www.coachellavalleyinvitational.com.

In addition to providing MLS and NWSL clubs an unparalleled environment to prepare for their upcoming 2026 seasons in optimal weather and world-class facilities, CVI will once again offer fans an intimate and immersive opportunity to see some of the sport’s most decorated players and rising stars in action. Fans can also look forward to unique activations and experiences throughout the two-week event. 

“Building upon our collaboration with AEG, the Coachella Valley Invitational has become an important platform for our clubs to prepare collectively and showcase the continued growth of the women’s game,” said NWSL Senior Director of Sporting Sarah Gregorius. “We’re looking forward to another productive preseason and the chance for our teams to build momentum ahead of the NWSL’s next campaign.” 

New to CVI this year, the Denver Summit FC will make their first-ever NWSL appearances as they prepare for their inaugural season, while the Kansas City Current, Utah Royals, and North Carolina Courage will also be making their CVI debuts. On the MLS side, Atlanta United FC is set to participate for the first time. 

“Coaches and players consistently point to the high-quality facilities, professional environment, and unique setting as ideal for preseason preparations,” said Nelson Rodriguez, Executive Vice President of Sporting Product and Competition for MLS. “With 2026 set to be a landmark year for soccer in North America, CVI is an exceptional way for global futbol fans and MLS clubs to kick off the season.” 

Additional clubs, the match schedule, and fan experience details will be announced in the coming weeks. 

MLS clubs currently committed to the 2026 Coachella Valley Invitational include:

Austin FC 

Charlotte FC 

Chicago Fire FC 

D.C. United 

LAFC 

LA Galaxy (pending Concacaf schedule) 

Minnesota United FC 

New York City FC 

Portland Timbers 

San Diego FC 

San Jose Earthquakes 

Sporting Kansas City 

St. Louis CITY SC 

NWSL clubs currently committed to the 2026 Coachella Valley Invitational include: 

Angel City FC  

Denver Summit FC 

Houston Dash  

Portland Thorns FC 

San Diego Wave FC 

Seattle Reign FC 

EVENT SCHEDULE – Passes and Ticket Packages Available Thursday, October 16 at 10 a.m. PT

MLS DAY 1: Saturday, Feb. 7 
NWSL DAY 1: Sunday, Feb. 15 

MLS DAY 2: Sunday, Feb. 8 
NWSL DAY 2: Saturday, Feb. 21 

MLS DAY 3:  Wednesday, Feb. 11 

MLS DAY 4:  Saturday, Feb. 14 

Stay with News Channel 3 for continuing updates.

Click here to follow the original article.

Garrett Hottle

RIVERSIDE, Calif. (KESQ) – Jake Haro was transported to Riverside from Murrieta for a child custody hearing, News Channel 3 confirmed Wednesday.

More Coverage on the Baby Haro Case

Riverside County Sheriff’s deputies said Jake Haro was not in criminal court today instead, he was taken to Riverside’s juvenile courthouse for a child custody hearing.

Juvenile court proceedings are closed to the public and do not appear on court calendars, which explains why his name didn’t show up in today’s docket.

Both Jake and Rebecca Haro remain in custody and are due back in Riverside Superior Court on Thursday for their felony settlement conference in the death of their 7-month-old son, Emmanuel.

Jake and Rebecca Haro were charged with the murder of their baby, Emmanuel Haro, in September.

Prosecutors allege Emmanuel was abused over time and died between Aug. 5 and Aug. 14. At a news conference, Riverside County District Attorney Mike Hestrin said investigators believe Emmanuel “was abused over time” and died from those injuries. Emmanuel’s remains have not been found, but Hestrin said investigators have a strong indication of where the baby’s remains may be. 

Anyone with information on this case or the whereabouts of Emmanuel is encouraged to contact the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Homicide Detail at 909-890-4904 or submit an anonymous tip to We-Tip.

Timeline: Case of Baby Emmanuel

Thursday, Aug. 14: Rebecca reports an assault and kidnapping outside a Yucaipa store, deputies and K-9s search; case later reclassified after inconsistencies in her account. 

Thursday, Sept. 4: Arraignments at 8:30 a.m., both parents remain jailed on $1 million bail. 

Wednesday, Aug. 27: DA Hestrin: Emmanuel was “severely abused over time”, investigators have a strong indication where remains may be; not yet found.

Tuesday, Aug. 26: First appearance; case continued to Sept. 4, complaint filed alleging murder and false report. 

Sunday, Aug. 24: Search along Hwy. 60/Gilman Springs with Jake present, no remains found. 

Friday, Aug. 22: Parents arrested in Cabazon after detectives concluded the kidnapping claim was false. 

Stay with News Channel 3 for continuing updates.

Click here to follow the original article.

City News Service

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – Palm Springs International Airport will allow interested Coachella Valley businesses to submit a proposal to sell concessions at the airport as part of an expansion focusing on smaller retail spaces, it was announced today.

The “Blank Slate” program aims to provide high-quality amenities, expand opportunities for disadvantaged businesses, feature more local and regional brands and grow the airport’s brand, officials said.   

Retail, food and beverage concessions locations will be available at Agua Caliente Concourse Courtyard, Agua Caliente Concourse interior and the main courtyard.

A virtual pre-proposal conference will be held at 10 a.m. Oct. 22 for interested businesses to learn about the requirements, and proposals must be submitted electronically through the city’s PlanetBids website no later than 2 p.m. on Dec. 3.

“These spaces gives us a chance to bring in fresh, innovative concepts that reflect the sense of place that makes Palm Springs so special,” Executive Director of Aviation Harry Barrett Jr. said in a statement. “We’re especially encouraging local and regional SoCal brands to bring their unique offerings to the millions of travelers who experience PSP each year.”  

Interested parties can learn more by contacting Tabitha Richards, procurement and contracting manager for the city of Palm Springs, at tabitha.richards@palmspringsca.gov., or 760-322-8368.

Click here to follow the original article.

Athena Jreij

Update 10/16/25

William Rodriguez has been released from jail on bail, county jail records show.

Rodriguez was being held on $2 million bail following his arraignment on Wednesday.

He is scheduled to return to court on Oct. 24 at the Larson Justice Center in Indio.

Original Report 10/15/25

INDIO, Calif. (KESQ) — William ‘Billy’ Frank Rodriguez, the founder and CEO of Silvercrest Advertising, made his first court appearance Wednesday for a deadly hit-and-run in Cathedral City.

Rodriguez pleaded not guilty to all charges, which include murder, hit-and-run causing death, and driving with a suspended license. He remains in custody on $2 million bail.

Rodriguez is accused of killing 60-year-old Christina Barrington in the area of E. Palm Canyon Drive and Bankside Drive on October 11, 2024.

Police said the investigation revealed that the suspect’s vehicle dragged the scooter after the crash while fleeing the scene.

Court Docs: Silvercrest CEO spent weekend in Las Vegas after deadly hit-and-run crash

While Judge Dean Benjamini granted Rodriguez bail, the prosecution argued he’s a danger to the public and should remain in custody.

Karen Salas, with the Riverside County District Attorney, claims Rodriguez drove for years under a suspended license after a 2013 DUI misdemeanor. Salas said in court that Rodriguez had two registered vehicles under his name, despite not having a license.

“He likes to spend money and drink alcohol. Given all of this information and his access to funds, I think he is a flight risk, and additionally, he’s a danger to the public. He has access to yet another vehicle that is registered to him, and by the fact that he doesn’t have a license, and his history indicates that he drinks at Acrisure Arena and then drives home,” Salas said.

Salas also stressed Rodriguez’s propensity to evade police. She alleged that when Cathedral City Police first tried to arrest Rodriguez last week in his Acrisure Arena suite, security tipped him off, and he fled the arena before police could contact him.

However, Rodriguez’s defense attorney, David Greenberg, says those claims were never shared with them in documentation and refutes the notion that Rodriguez has tried to run.

“This happened over a year ago and we’re just in court now. He was just arrested on these charges over the weekend and so what I’m worried about and what I’m wondering about is why it took them a year to get these charges filed?” Greenberg said.

Instead, Greenberg says the advertising CEO is a generous member of the community who maintains his innocence.

“Mr. Rodriguez is a stalwart man in the community. He’s a philanthropist, and he’s been doing good work and a resident of this community for a long time. I hope people remember that,” Greenberg said.

Greenberg says, depending on how quickly Rodriguez can pay the $2 million bail, he could leave jail as soon as Wednesday evening.

Inside the courtroom, friends and family of Rodriguez came in a show of support. It’s unknown if members of the victim’s family attended.

Rodriguez is scheduled for a felony settlement conference hearing on October 24th. Stick with News Channel 3 as we continue to follow this story.

Click here to follow the original article.

Luis Avila

INDIO, Calif. (KESQ) – Downtown Indio is undergoing a major transformation, with new businesses, a growing college campus, and the recent opening of a modern public library drawing more people into the area. The rapid growth is fueling excitement among residents — but it’s also raising new concerns about public safety.

Mayor Glenn Miller says safety is top of mind as the city continues to invest in revitalizing downtown.

“This part of the city is a very big focus for us because a lot of our residents come here, especially for our events and as you see it get bigger and bigger, our focus will be on how we can be able to provide more public safety for the area.”

Glenn Miller, Indio Mayor

According to the mayor, crime in the downtown area has remained low in recent months, with overall crime rates trending downward over the last several years.

One recent incident occurred at the College of the Desert’s Indio campus, where an unhoused woman reportedly threatened two students with a screwdriver.

Miller emphasized that the city is working closely with law enforcement and private security to maintain safety.

“We have our Indio Police Department that works with the local security out here and then we have a security team that comes through, that works with us, going through the community to see if there are any problems and then they call Indio PD. We have officers that come through here all the time.”

Glenn Miller, Indio Mayor

Despite some lingering concerns, residents say the improvements are noticeable — not only in terms of safety, but in quality of life overall.

Stay with News Channel 3 for more.

Click here to follow the original article.

Gavin Nguyen

PALM DESERT, Calif. (KESQ) – The offices for Friends of the Desert Mountains, a nonprofit that partners with the Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains National Monument, have closed due to the ongoing government shutdown.

The organization has weathered government shutdowns before, but this is the first time they have been unable to continue operations. Their offices are located on federal land at the start of the monument off of Highway 74.

Tammy Martin, the nonprofit’s Executive Director, explained, “I think it’s probably due to the administration and the rules that are coming down from higher up. And they had they just have to follow what’s being directed to them.”

Martin says the nonprofit does not pay rent or utilities to operate its offices and gift shop at the visitor center because of the close partnership it has with its federal counterparts. That agreement, though, is what led to the closure amid the shutdown. And according to Martin, the timing is detrimental.

“In season, it’s overwhelming with people. They’re going on guided hikes. They’re just coming to check out things. They want to know what to do in the valley – that’s why they’re here. So, yes, with the government being shut down and this being in season right now, it’s hitting us hard,” she said.

The nonprofit said because of the shutdown, less donations are being given due to canceled programs and income has been lost since it cannot operate its gift shop. Other programs, like upcoming anniversaries for the monument, could also be postponed if funding is not restored in the coming weeks.

Ten of the nonprofit’s employees are still working off-site, but their services are limited for now. Programs that are continuing are still being hosted on the organization’s website, like native planting lectures.

But in the meantime, hikers in the area said locals have lost a vital source for knowledge and education about our natural landscape.

“If I was a kid, this would be a place that I would like to enjoy the education,” said Raymond Rubio. He is an avid hiker who frequents the trails in the area who is very familiar with the programs Friends of the Desert Mountains provides. “It’s a necessity to this part of the valley.”

“I just wish that this would all be over with if I didn’t know that this place is closed down. And that’s too bad, because those are good people that are in there that are trying their best to to do what they believe in,” Rubio hoped.

Click here to follow the original article.

Allie Anthony

RANCHO MIRAGE, Calif. (KESQ) – Today at Rancho Mirage High School, students are getting a head start on their financial futures.

Through an event called “Bite of Reality,” students are learning to navigate the real-world challenges of managing a budget, paying bills, and making smart financial decisions. The immersive simulation puts them in adult-like scenarios where they will learn about balancing expenses. As part of the experience, they’re faced with everyday financial choices.

According to the Pew Research Center, only about half (54%) of U.S. adults say they know a great deal or a fair amount about personal finances. This event aims to support students financially ahead of their graduation.

The event is a collaborative effort between OneFuture Coachella Valley, Sun Community Credit Union, and the Palm Springs Unified School District.

Stay with News Channel 3 to learn more about ‘Bite of Reality.’

Click here to follow the original article.

Peter Daut

PALM DESERT, Calif. (KESQ) – News Channel 3 and the H.N. and Frances C. Berger Foundation continue to present Impact Grants to local nonprofits working to improve lives and help those in need. And the foundation is also helping more than a dozen nonprofits achieve their goals at its Charitable Center in Palm Desert.

At the corner of Cook Street and Merle Drive is a building many people pass by everyday, without realizing the big difference being made inside. The H.N. and Frances C. Berger Foundation Charitable Center is currently home to 13 nonprofits, all leasing space at a charitable rate.

“They understand the mission these nonprofits have, and how they can best help them and support them. It’s really amazing,” the President and Co-founder of Alzheimers Coachella Valley, Dominick Calvano, said. The organization leases nearly 8,000 square feet at the Center. He said the organization has grown tremendously over the past seven years, and the Berger Foundation encouraged that growth by offering more space for it to flourish.

“They had the foresight, because realizing our growth pattern from way-back-when to present they were saying, ‘You’re going to need this spot.’ We were hesitant, but when we jumped on it we started realizing, ‘Hey, they were right.'” he said.

The discounted charitable rate also includes electricity, water, building maintenance, internet and air-conditioning. The property, which includes two buildings, totals roughly 60,000 leasable square feet.

“As a nonprofit, we rely on the community to fund our program. And so when we can save money on administrative costs, because no funder likes to see a lot of administrative costs for a nonprofit, it’s a benefit to us,” the executive director of Big Brothers, Big Sisters of the Desert, Judy Tobin May said.

The organization leases more than 1,400 square feet at the Center, which it’s been at for 26 years. She said it is also helpful to be surrounded by numerous other Valley nonprofits, allowing them to network and collaborate.

“It’s great. I can just go out the door, go next door, knock on the door and say, ‘Hey, can I talk to you about our program?’ So we have that opportunity here,” she said.

Right now, about 16,000 square feet across the two buildings are available for lease. For more information, head to hnberger.org.

Click here to follow the original article.

Shay Lawson

INDIO, Calif. (KESQ)  – Destiny Church hosted a memorial service Tuesday evening in honor of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, who was assassinated in September.

Pastor Nate Conant from Destiny Church in Indio said the event was held on what would have been Kirk’s 32nd birthday.

“It’s just to commemorate his life and allow some people to come together and celebrate who he was,” Conant said.

The service was originally planned to be held outdoors at The River in Rancho Mirage; however, Conant said that due to weather concerns, organizers decided to move the memorial indoors.

Organizers invited the public to attend and asked guests to wear red. The evening featured worship, video tributes, and messages from several pastors.

“It’ll probably be about an hour and a half,” Conant said. “It’s very healthy to have the community come together to either grieve or celebrate the life of Charlie Kirk here locally in the Coachella Valley.”

Conant described the service as a Christian gathering rather than a political one.

“It’s not so much a political event as much as it is a Christian gathering,” he said. “We view Charlie Kirk as what we would call an evangelist — somebody who takes the message of the gospel to unreached people.”

Conant said Kirk’s message resonated deeply with local young people.

“I have a 23-year-old son, and a lot of young people were mentored by him in their youth,” he said. “My son had his voice continually in his life to sort of frame his worldview in terms of his Christian view.”

Conant said he attended Kirk’s memorial service in Arizona.

“One thing that was very interesting about Charlie Kirk’s memorial there was that the name of Jesus was said more than the name of Charlie Kirk,” Conant said. “In doing this, we honor his memory — and like all of us who follow Christ, it is our hope that the name of Jesus grows greater and our names grow even smaller.”

Hundreds of community members attended.

“We want to celebrate Charlie Kirk,” Conant said. “And more than that, we want to worship Jesus together. We just hope that this event will be a blessing to the community.”

Click here to follow the original article.

City News Service

SAN DIEGO, Calif. (KESQ) – Days after the signing of a new state law that bans the sale or transfer of Glock and Glock-style handguns, firearms advocates filed a lawsuit in San Diego federal court this week challenging the ban.   

Assembly Bill 1127, which was signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom on Friday, bars California firearms dealers from selling semi-automatic firearms that include a “cruciform trigger bar,” which lawmakers behind the bill say allows semi-automatic guns to be converted into fully automatic weapons.

The law takes effect next year.   

On Monday, a complaint was filed challenging the new law, which it states “is flagrantly unconstitutional.”

The complaint cites case law stating that weapons “in common use at the time” are protected by the Second Amendment and that the guns targeted by the ban are “among the most popular firearms in the nation.”   

Plaintiffs in the case include national organizations like the National Rifle Association of America, Firearms Policy Coalition, and Second Amendment Foundation, along with local plaintiffs including firearms retailer Poway Weapons & Gear and its president, John Phillips, as well as San Diego County resident Danielle Jaymes.   

“The Constitution does not allow elitist politicians to decide which constitutionally protected guns the people may own, and California doesn’t get to tell people that their rights end where Gov. Newsom’s tyrannical, anti-Second Amendment politics begin,” Brandon Combs, president of the Firearms Policy Coalition, said in a statement. “Every American has a right to choose the tools they trust to defend their lives and liberty.”

Click here to follow the original article.