Author: KESQ

Jesus Reyes

INDIO, Calif. (KESQ) – A 36-year-old man accused of fatally stabbing his elderly stepfather last week in Rancho Mirage was officially charged with murder on Tuesday.

Joshua Jordan Kohain-King of Yucca Valley was arrested on Thursday in connection with the murder of Carl Harry Smith, 76, of Rancho Mirage.

Joshua Jordan Kohain-King

Kohain-King was arraigned on a murder charge Tuesday at the Larson Justice Center in Indio, in which he pleaded not guilty. He is scheduled to return to court for a Felony Settlement Conference on Oct. 15. He remains in custody on $1 million bail.

Deputies responded to a report of an assault with a deadly weapon at 8:33 p.m. Thursday in the 36000 block of Palm View Road. Arriving deputies encountered Smith suffering from “injuries consistent with stab wounds,” the department stated. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Kohain-King was identified as the suspect and taken into custody without incident. It was unclear what led investigators to identify Kohain-King as the suspect. A possible motive was not disclosed.

The investigation was ongoing, and anyone with additional information was asked to call 951-955-2777.

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Luis Avila

RANCHO MIRAGE, Calif. (KESQ) – UPDATE: 10/8 1:45pm- Following our report about dozens of clients demanding answers from Rancho Mirage immigration attorney Joe Luna, saying they paid for legal help from the Luna Firm but are now left looking for answers after learning the attorney’s license was suspended, News Channel 3 received a statement from Representative Raul Ruiz.

“I’m deeply concerned to hear about these allegations. These allegations should be investigated fully. People seeking help with their immigration cases should not have to worry about being taken advantage of by the very people they’ve trusted to represent them.

If you believe you may have been defrauded by an immigration service provider, you can file a complaint with the State Bar of California at (800) 843-9053 or report suspected fraud to the California Attorney General’s Office at (800) 952-5225.

Our office stands ready to help with immigration or other federal agency matters. Constituents can request casework assistance through our website or by contacting one of our district offices.”

Original Report

Dozens of clients are demanding answers from Rancho Mirage immigration attorney Joe Luna, saying they paid for legal help from the Luna Firm but are now left looking for answers after learning the attorney’s license was suspended.

Luna is currently not eligible to practice law in California, according to the State Bar of California.

The Luna Firm’s Rancho Mirage office has also had its signage removed.

Clients tell News Channel 3 they have been waiting months for updates about their immigration cases, with little to no answers.

One client, who News Channel 3 is identifying as Jane Doe because she asked that her name and face not be shown, says she went to the Luna Firm with other clients looking for answers.

“It’s just really hard and I haven’t cried as much as I probably should. It sucks because I don’t know where it’s going to go. I don’t have answers,” Jane said.

Jane says she did not know Luna’s license had been suspended until she went to the office asking for answers.

Jane says she paid thousands of dollars for representation and says Luna never showed up to any of her court hearings.

Jane is now worried about what could happen if nothing is done in her case.

“I do have court November 3rd. According to my judge, she said that if there’s nothing filed or in motion, I will be getting the deportation order,” Jane said.

News Channel 3 also obtained video showing a group of clients confronting people at the Luna Firm office. During the confrontation, one person is heard threatening to call U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or ICE.

News Channel 3 went to the Luna Firm office to get answers but was not allowed inside.

After that, a former employee reached out to News Channel 3 and shared what she says was happening behind the scenes at the firm.

“There was money taken and work not performed. Clients were put off,” the former employee said.

When asked what she believed the issue came down to, the former employee said, “Lack of supervision by the attorney.”

She also said, “This isn’t the first suspension this year.. it’s the second. Normally notification is sent out to clients. It wasn’t done. That’s why clients are finding out on social media.”

The former employee said she believed staff members had the best intentions.

But when asked whether she believed Luna had the best intentions, she said, “No, I don’t think he had the best intentions at all.”

News Channel 3 has been in contact with Luna to give him an opportunity to respond to the concerns raised by clients and the allegations made by the former employee.

Luna told News Channel 3 he was unavailable to speak Tuesday but would be available to speak Wednesday.

News Channel 3 will follow up with Luna and bring you his response.

Stay with News Channel 3 for more.

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Matthew Pearce

THOUSAND PALMS, Calif. (KESQ) — Early voting is officially underway across Riverside County, where 107 ballot drop-off locations have opened for voters to return their completed ballots through Election Day.

In-person voting in the county is currently limited to the Registrar of Voters office in Riverside until additional voting centers open later this month.

The registrar’s office recently sent out over a million ballots to registered voters throughout the county on Monday. Elizabeth Florer, with the registrar of voters in Riverside County, advises voters to allow adequate time for delivery through the postal system.

“We did mail out 1.4 million ballots yesterday,” Florer said. “So we do say allow time for them to get through the USPS system. So if you have not received them by Tuesday of next week, contact our office because it does take about three to five days to get through the system to get to voters.”

Election officials are encouraging residents to return their ballots early to assist with the vote counting process and allow time to resolve any potential issues, such as signature verification discrepancies. Those who plan on voting by mail are advised to send their ballots at the latest 5 days before election day to give it adequate time to reach the registrar’s office.

“We do say don’t delay,” Florer said. “Vote early. It helps us with the vote count. It also helps make sure that there are no snags in the system, like your signature not being accepted and you need time to cure that, right?”

Voters who have not received their ballot by Tuesday of next week are advised to contact the Riverside County Registrar of Voters office. Additional vote centers across the county are scheduled to open later this month leading up to Election Day.

For a city-by-city list of ballot drop-off locations, click here.

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Raymond Kalra

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – The Coachella Valley’s busy tourism season is taking off earlier this year, with some seasonal flights returning to Palm Springs International Airport weeks, and in some cases, months ahead of last year.

Airport officials say the earlier return of seasonal service is helping stretch the region’s travel season, giving both residents and visitors more options for a longer portion of the year.

“We’re seeing several of those seasonal returns earlier than last year, weeks and even months in some cases,” PSP spokesperson Jake Ingrassia said. “Which is fantastic because more options and more traveling for anybody who wants to get here or get from here.”

Palm Springs International Airport is coming off a record-setting 2025, when more than 3.3 million passengers traveled through the airport. Ingrassia said 2026 passenger numbers are currently slightly below last year’s record pace, but the airport is still experiencing one of its strongest years on record.

Last season, PSP added five new nonstop routes, including United Airlines service to Newark, American Airlines service to Charlotte, Alaska Airlines service to Santa Rosa and two new nonstop options to Austin. Those routes are returning this season, with some coming back earlier than they did last year.

For travelers, having more nonstop options can make the difference between an easy trip and an additional connection.

Allison Hume told News Channel 3 she travels to the Coachella Valley four or five times a year to visit friends in La Quinta and Rancho Mirage. She described traveling through PSP as “easy peasy,” but said getting to Palm Springs from Reno still requires two flights.

“We’d like you guys to get a direct flight,” Hume said.

Hume said the airport’s convenience is one of the reasons she enjoys using it, pointing to easy rental car access, security and navigation through the terminal.

That access is also becoming increasingly important to hotels across the Valley.

Dan Johnson, general manager of the Grand Hyatt Indian Wells Resort and Villas, said additional nonstop flights provide a significant boost to occupancy and help resorts compete with other warm-weather destinations.

“We are very encouraged,” Johnson said. “Q4 and Q1 are well ahead of pace versus same time last year.”

Johnson said additional nonstop service can be especially important for group and conference travel, where planners are often considering both cost and travel time when deciding where to hold an event. Direct service from key markets can make the Coachella Valley an easier choice.

He also wants to see the traditional tourism season expand beyond the winter and early spring months.

Johnson said the period from roughly mid-November through festival season in April is already strong, but believes additional flights could help grow tourism during the “shoulder” months in late spring and early fall.

Strong demand is also showing up at the JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa.

General Manager Nusrat Mirza said the property is seeing strong bookings through the end of the year and into the beginning of next year.

“We are having an amazing year,” Mirza said. “Probably I would say, the best year in the history of the hotel since we opened. We’ve been here for 40 years.”

Mirza said both conference and leisure travel are contributing to that growth. He said conference visitors often extend their trips or bring family members with them, creating additional spending outside the resort at restaurants, shops and other attractions throughout the Valley.

For local tourism leaders, the impact stretches far beyond hotel rooms and airport terminals.

PSP says travelers generated more than $2.55 billion in total economic impact in 2025. More than $1.1 billion was spent by PSP travelers in local communities, including at hotels, restaurants, shops and attractions.

Airport activity also supported more than 16,500 jobs last year, according to PSP. Ingrassia said that includes not only airport employees, but workers throughout the hospitality industry and other businesses that depend on visitor spending.

The connection between tourism and employment is also being felt inside the Valley’s resorts.

Mirza said the JW Marriott now employs more people than it did before the COVID-19 pandemic. With 884 rooms, two golf courses, a spa and other amenities, he said stronger tourism demand translates directly into more work for local employees.

“The more business we have, the more work they have and the more money in their pockets,” Mirza said.

Johnson made a similar connection, saying higher occupancy creates greater job security and can help resorts retain employees throughout the year.

“If we deliver strong tourism, job security advances,” Johnson said, adding that year-round employee retention helps create a better experience for visitors as well.

Airport officials say airline decisions ultimately depend on demand. Ingrassia said carriers continually evaluate where to place aircraft and whether individual routes are being used enough to justify extending seasonal service or potentially making it year-round.

He encouraged local travelers to consider using PSP when possible, saying passenger demand can help demonstrate to airlines that the market can support additional service.

For airport and hotel leaders, the next opportunity is extending the Valley’s tourism momentum even further – bringing more flights, visitors and tourism dollars to the region for more months of the year.

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Dakota Makinen

INDIO, Calif. (KESQ) – Indio Police are inviting the community to downtown Indio Tuesday evening for National Night Out.

The free event runs from 6 to 8:30 p.m. at Center Stage, 82881 Miles Avenue.

The event will give families a chance to meet local police officers and learn more about public safety through police demonstrations, family activities and community partners.

Food trucks will also be on site.

Organizers say the event is designed to strengthen relationships between law enforcement and the community in a relaxed, family-friendly setting.

Indio Police say National Night Out also gives residents an opportunity to ask officers questions, learn about crime prevention and discover ways to get involved in keeping their neighborhoods safe.

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Jesus Reyes

Update:

Around 8:30 p.m. Monday, the Palm Springs Police Department responded to a report of a crash involving a vehicle and a bicyclist along on East Palm Canyon Drive, near Cherokee Way.

An investigation indicates a vehicle traveling eastbound on East Palm Canyon collided with a bicyclist.

The bicyclist was pronounced dead at the scene. The identity of the deceased is being withheld pending notification of next of kin.

The driver of the car remained at the scene and cooperated with investigators. At this time, impairment has not been identified as a factor in the collision.

The deadly wreck remains under investigation. Investigators are now reviewing available evidence and seeking video footage from the surrounding area.

PSPD wants to remind motorists and bicyclists that roadway safety is a shared responsibility.

Drivers should remain alert for bicyclists and pedestrians, especially during nighttime and low-visibility conditions, while bicyclists should utilize appropriate lighting and follow applicable traffic laws.

Original Report:

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – E Palm Canyon Drive near Cherokee Way in Palm Springs was closed Monday night due to an investigation.

The roadway has been closed since at least 9 p.m. Police put up barricades shortly before 11 p.m., News Channel 3 crew confirmed at the scene.

There was no information available on the cause of the closure. News Channel 3 has reached out to the Palm Springs Police Department for details.

Stay with News Channel 3 for continuing updates.

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Jesus Reyes

INDIO, Calif. (KESQ) – A 42-year-old Cherry Valley man is dead, and two others were injured, after a vehicle being pursued by police crashed head-on with another vehicle in the opposite lane along the off-ramp of Interstate 10 in Indio Monday night.

The crash was reported at around 7:35 p.m. near the off-ramp heading into Monroe Street.

The California Highway Patrol confirmed that a vehicle that was being pursued traveled the wrong way on the Monroe Street off-ramp and crashed into another vehicle. The suspect vehicle caught on fire and the solo occupant remained inside. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Police said two occupants in the other vehicle sustained moderate to major injuries and were taken to the hospital. The driver was a 62-year-old woman, and a 58-year-old woman, both from Indio.

The Riverside County Sheriff’s Office told News Channel 3 that the pursuit started at approximately 7:33 p.m. when deputies spotted a wanted vehicle in the area of Park Street and Miles Avenue. Deputies attempted a traffic stop of the vehicle, but it failed to yield, and a pursuit was initiated.

Deputies lost sight of the vehicle on Monroe Street, but continued checking the area. They later found it involved in the crash.

A SIG Alert has been issued for a long-term closure of the eastbound I-10 Monroe off-ramp. All lanes on the I-10 are open, but traffic was moving slow in the area.

Stay with News Channel 3 for continuing updates.

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Jesus Reyes

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – The Pride Monument at Frances Stevens Park in downtown Palm Springs has been vandalized.

Officials said the vandalism happened on September 15. The monument has smeared handprints and the words, “Hate,” Hatred,” and “Hater” written in portions of the monument.

Photos Courtesy of Gary Armstrong

City Public Works personnel determined the markings caused no permanent damage and were able to clean and restore the monument, the Palm Springs Police Department told News Channel 3 on Monday.

Police said there are no identified suspects or persons of interest.

“PSPD recognizes the significance of the monument to our community and remains committed to addressing concerns involving public spaces and community landmarks,” PSPD wrote in an email to News Channel 3.

The vandalism comes just about a month before Greater Palm Springs Pride kicks off. 2026 Pride runs from November 6–8 in downtown Palm Springs.

The eight-foot-tall Pride Monument, located near the corner of Alejo Road and Indian Canyon Drive, was officially unveiled less than a year ago. The stainless steel sculpture, created by Isermann, features three symbols of solidarity, including lamba, triangle and the rainbow.

The monument measures 14 feet at its widest point, and includes 720 stainless steel modules painted in different colors that form a single structure.

It will also feature a triangular design inspired by the pink triangle used during the Holocaust that was reclaimed as a symbol of gay liberation in the early 1970s.

Its color scheme is inspired by Gilbert Baker’s 1978 rainbow flag design.

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City News Service

RIVERSIDE, Calif. (KESQ) – Beginning Tuesday and continuing to the day of the general election, Riverside County residents interested in seeing how the Office of the Registrar of Voters processes vote-by-mail ballots and coordinates other tasks are welcome to have a look.

“Election Observer Tours” start Tuesday and thereafter will be held every Tuesday and Thursday until Nov. 3, according to officials.

“We invite community members to engage with the democratic process and learn how their votes are counted,” Registrar of Voters Art Tinoco said. “Together, let’s ensure a fair, accurate and transparent election for all.”

Check Out: Riverside County tests voting system Thursday ahead of Nov. 3 election

The tours, which will facilitate a maximum of 20 people at a time, will be held at the agency’s headquarters at 2720 Gateway Drive in Riverside, generally from 11 a.m. to noon, or 4 p.m. to 5 p.m.

The Office of the Registrar of Voters has been a lightning rod of debate for the past two decades, struggling to counter accusations of negligent chain-of-custody policies, inaccurate voter rolls and unsecured electronic ballot tabulations.

The office has also contended with recurring red ink on its budget, and from time to time has been called out for laggard vote counts, running sometimes weeks after election day.

In February, an election integrity group found apparent discrepancies in the countywide results certified after the special election last November, leading Sheriff Chad Bianco to obtain warrants for the seizure of tens of thousands of ballots for examination. That led to a court battle between the sheriff and California Attorney General Rob Bonta, who argued Bianco had overstepped his authority.

The state Supreme Court sided with Bonta in a decision published last month.

Tinoco is the fourth registrar at the helm since 2006. He has made transparency one of his priorities during election cycles, starting in 2024.

For more information on observer tours, residents were asked to make reservations by calling 951-486-7200.

Information regarding where to vote early and other considerations can be found at https://voteinfo.net.

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Tommy Gallegos

RIVERSIDE COUNTY, Calif. (KESQ) — In our I-Team story, Data Centers: Outside City Limits, News Channel 3’s Investigative reporter Tommy Gallegos looks at the growing push to slow or stop data center development in Riverside County. A petition is gaining momentum, with residents calling on county leaders to establish an immediate moratorium on new projects in unincorporated areas.

At Tuesday’s Riverside County Board of Supervisors meeting, local advocate Elizabeth Humphreys formally submitted a petition with more than 9,000 signatures calling for the county to temporarily halt approvals for new data centers while officials develop standards governing where and how the facilities could be built.

“Without appropriate standards, residents of unincorporated Riverside County and people living in neighboring cities could face massive data center developments before the county has fully determined what rules should govern them,” Humphreys told the board.

Humphreys, who has been involved in opposition to data center development in the Coachella Valley, said her concerns grew after she began researching so-called hyperscale data centers and their potential environmental impacts.

“I started to look into really what hyperscale data centers are and the more I looked into it, the more horrified I was,” Humphreys said. “I had no idea the environmental impacts.”

Her campaign now extends beyond incorporated cities such as Coachella to unincorporated communities across the eastern Coachella Valley, including Bermuda Dunes, Thousand Palms, Mecca, Thermal and North Shore.

For opponents, the issue is not necessarily about the technology itself, but where massive facilities should be located and what safeguards should be in place before development moves forward.

Humphreys said she is particularly concerned about the possibility of large-scale projects being proposed in eastern Coachella Valley communities.

“There’s no place for a 6 million square foot building of any kind here,” she said, “let alone one that then causes heat and pollutes our environment.”

Coachella’s ban sparks wider debate

The concerns come after the City of Coachella enacted a ban on new data center development, following a period of growing community opposition.

Coachella Mayor Frank Figueroa said residents in the city’s neighboring unincorporated communities face similar concerns but have fewer direct avenues to influence development decisions.

“I’ve been getting a lot of comments,” Figueroa said, including questions about how residents could work toward a ban in unincorporated areas of the eastern Coachella Valley.

Figueroa pointed out that while Coachella residents have a city council representing them, people living in unincorporated areas do not have the same municipal structure.

“We might be the city that did it,” Figueroa said, “but there’s those people that don’t have a city council.”

Figueroa urged residents in those communities to organize and make their concerns known to county officials.

County confirms preliminary data center discussions

Questions about potential data center development in unincorporated Riverside County prompted inquiries to the county’s Transportation and Land Management Agency, which would be involved in land-use discussions surrounding potential projects.

The agency declined an interview request but confirmed to News Channel 3 that there has been recent interest and preliminary discussion with developers regarding a potential data center application.

The county said, however, that there are currently no commitments or formal proposals for a data center project in the unincorporated areas.

That distinction is important as county officials consider how, or whether, to establish regulations before a formal application is submitted.

Supervisor Perez says he has stopped data center meetings

Riverside County Fourth District Supervisor V. Manuel Perez, who represents much of the eastern Coachella Valley, said he has changed his position on data centers after facing criticism over his previous support for development in the City of Coachella.

Perez said he now regrets supporting the development.

“As far as my stance is concerned, I learned the hard way,” Perez said. “At that time I didn’t know all the repercussions.”

Perez acknowledged that he had not fully researched the potential consequences of data center development before supporting the policy.

“I also didn’t do all my homework, and I accept that,” he said.

Perez now says his district will not engage with data center developers.

“As far as I’m concerned here in the Fourth District, I’m not taking any meetings whatsoever when it comes to data centers,” Perez said.

He described the position as an internal administrative decision within his office, adding that his district is “not dealing with data centers whatsoever.”

Perez also referred to his position as a moratorium, but his action is limited to his own office and does not constitute a countywide ban.

Countywide action would require the Board of Supervisors

The larger question remains whether Riverside County will establish formal rules governing data centers in unincorporated areas.

Humphreys argues that the county needs regulations in place before a major project is proposed.

“Right now there is nothing in place to protect this area from those developments,” Humphreys said.

She said the absence of clear standards could put county officials in a difficult position if a developer submits a proposal that meets existing requirements.

According to Humphreys, rejecting such a proposal without established guidelines could potentially expose the county to litigation.

For now, the county says discussions with potential developers remain preliminary and that no formal application or commitment has been made.

But the debate is increasingly focused on what happens before an application arrives — and whether county leaders should establish standards first.

A countywide moratorium or ban on new data centers in unincorporated Riverside County would require formal action by the full Board of Supervisors.

Until then, residents and advocates on both sides of the debate will be watching closely as Riverside County weighs the potential economic benefits of a growing industry against concerns about land use, infrastructure and environmental impacts.

For Humphreys and other opponents, the question is ultimately about who gets to decide what the future of the Coachella Valley looks like — and whether residents have a say before large-scale development arrives.

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