Author: KESQ

Tommy Gallegos

RIVERSIDE COUNTY, Calif. (KESQ) — The Riverside County Flood Control and Water Conservation District has advanced to Class 5 in FEMA’s Community Rating System (CRS), recognizing the county’s efforts to reduce flood risks and improve floodplain management.

Effective October 1, 2026, eligible National Flood Insurance Program policyholders in unincorporated Riverside County can receive up to a 25% discount on flood insurance premiums for policies issued or renewed on or after that date.

“This new FEMA rating demonstrates the District’s commitment to not only meeting, but exceeding, federal guidance for managing flood risk in our communities,” said Board Chair Karen Spiegel, Second District Supervisor.

The upgrade is expected to generate more than $385,000 in annual savings for eligible residents, or more than $1.9 million over five years. Riverside County now ranks among the top one percent of NFIP communities nationwide.

The new rating comes as residents prepare for the potential impacts of an El Niño weather pattern, which can increase the risk of wet conditions in Southern California.

“Achieving CRS Class 5 is especially significant as we enter an El Niño year,” said Jason Uhley, District General Manager and Chief Engineer. “We encourage our residents to consider flood insurance if they live within a FEMA mapped floodplain or have a history of flooding.”

Officials remind residents that flooding is generally not covered by standard homeowners insurance and encourage them to review their coverage with an insurance agent or insurer.

For more information, you can visit the counties website.

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Tommy Gallegos

PALM SPRINGS, CA (KESQ) – The City of Palm Springs is moving forward with plans for a leadership transition following City Manager Scott Stiles’ announcement that he will retire effective November 1, 2026.

The city has hired Valerie Phillips of Bob Murray & Associates to lead the search for a permanent City Manager. The nationally recognized public-sector recruitment firm expects the process to take approximately four to six months and will include opportunities for input from residents, stakeholders and city employees.

News Channel 3 spoke exclusively with Palm Springs City Manager Scott Stiles when he announced his retirement.

Residents and community stakeholders can also participate through a City Manager Community Survey, now available online through Engage Palm Springs.

At the same time, the City Council is recruiting an Interim City Manager to provide leadership and maintain continuity while the permanent search is underway. The city expects to announce the interim appointment in the coming weeks.

Mayor Naomi Soto said the transition will not disrupt ongoing city priorities, including infrastructure, economic development, public safety and housing.

“Palm Springs has tremendous momentum on many crucial priorities, and we are committed to protecting that momentum during this transition,” Soto said.

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Tommy Gallegos

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Rep. Raul Ruiz, D-Calif., and Rep. María Elvira Salazar, R-Fla., introduced a bipartisan resolution Sept. 28 designating Oct. 1 as National Latino and Latina Physician Day.

The resolution recognizes Latino and Latina physicians and calls attention to their underrepresentation in the medical workforce. According to the lawmakers, Latinos make up nearly 20% of the U.S. population, but just 6.7% of physicians are Latino or Latina.

Ruiz said the designation highlights physicians serving Latino communities and the need to create more pathways into medicine. Salazar said Latino physicians can help build trust and address gaps in care.

The resolution is supported by the Association of American Medical Colleges and the National Hispanic Medical Association.

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Tommy Gallegos

INDIAN WELLS, Calif. (KESQ) — The 2026 BNP Paribas Open generated an estimated $887 million in economic impact across the Coachella Valley, according to a new study.

The two-week tennis tournament at Indian Wells Tennis Garden drew a record 527,626 fans, including more than 165,000 visitors from outside the region. Out-of-town spending, along with spending by organizers, sponsors, vendors and media, generated $629 million in direct economic impact, with another $258 million attributed to indirect and induced activity.

The tournament supported the equivalent of 12,706 full-time jobs and generated more than $55 million in tax revenue, according to the study conducted by The George Washington University.

“The BNP Paribas Open demonstrates the extraordinary impact a world-class sporting event can have across our entire destination,” said Scott White, president and CEO of Visit Greater Palm Springs.

The event also contributed $750,000 to The Champions Volunteer Foundation, supporting more than 75 local nonprofit organizations and programs.

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Tommy Gallegos

BANNING, Calif. (KESQ)— Banning police arrested a 19-year-old Beaumont man Wednesday in connection with an alleged armed robbery at a community pool parking lot.

Police said the robbery occurred around 2:33 p.m. Tuesday at the Atwell Community. According to investigators, the victim had arranged through social media to meet someone to sell a watch. During the meeting, the prospective buyer allegedly brandished a handgun, took the watch without paying and fled in a vehicle.

Banning Police detectives worked with the Riverside County District Attorney’s Office Gang Impact Team to locate him.

The man was arrested in Hemet on Sept. 30, police said. Investigators said he was wearing the stolen watch when he was arrested, and the firearm allegedly used in the robbery was also recovered.

Detectives later served a search warrant at his residence as part of the investigation.

The man was booked into the Larry D. Smith Correctional Facility on suspicion of robbery and carrying a concealed weapon in a vehicle, according to police.

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Kiera McKinney

THOUSAND PALMS, Calif. (KESQ)- CalFresh recipients are seeing several changes to the food assistance program, including a small increase in maximum monthly benefits and stricter eligibility rules for some households.

Beginning Oct. 1, the maximum monthly benefit for one person increased from $298 to $306. For a family of four, the maximum increased from $994 to $1,023.

At the same time, work requirements have expanded in Riverside County to cover more adults ages 18 to 64. The changes began June 1 and include fewer exemptions. People who are subject to the requirements and do not meet them or qualify for an exemption can face a three-month limit on CalFresh benefits.

FIND Regional Food Bank Interim President and CEO Lorena Marroquin says the organization is already seeing more demand.

“Currently, we’ve seen an uptick of residents being served in our area, about 20%. We anticipate that that need will increase during the coming months.”

Marroquin says many of the people turning to FIND are already working.

“A lot of the neighbors we serve have, you know, one to two full-time jobs. So having this type of change to their already existing food income or budget is really going to impact those that we serve.”

Nationwide, SNAP participation fell by more than 5 million people, or nearly 13%, between July 2025 and June 2026, according to an analysis by the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities using USDA and state data.

Marroquin says changes to CalFresh and Medi-Cal could affect more than 380,000 Riverside County residents, according to a county collaborative FIND works with. She stressed that does not mean all of those residents will lose benefits.

“There is a fear. There’s misinformation about if they qualify for benefits or if their benefits are going to be reduced.”

FIND says it is preparing its mobile markets and partner agencies for the possibility of more people seeking food assistance.

“When grocery benefits shrink, the need for food doesn’t.”

People with questions about their CalFresh benefits are encouraged to contact Riverside County Department of Public Social Services before assuming their benefits have changed.

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Kiera McKinney

THOUSAND PALMS, Calif. (KESQ)- New rules are changing the car-buying process in California, with new protections aimed at giving buyers a clearer picture of what they are paying before they sign.

The California Combating Auto Retail Scams Act, or CARS Act, took effect Oct. 1.

Under the new law, dealers must be more upfront about a vehicle’s total price. Optional add-ons, such as warranties, GAP coverage or theft protection, must also be clearly disclosed as optional before a buyer signs.

Dan Jessup, executive manager of Jessup Auto Plaza, said transparency is one of the biggest changes buyers will notice.

“The biggest disparity has been a lack of transparency. When a consumer sees a price of a vehicle online and then may approach the vehicle in person or via email or on the phone, only to find out the price online is different than what they’re getting quoted,” Jessup said.

Another major change applies to qualifying used cars valued at $50,000 or less.

Buyers now have three days to cancel the deal for any reason. The vehicle must still meet mileage and condition requirements when it is returned, and a restocking fee may apply.

For local driver Nayeli Fonseca, having that option brings some peace of mind.

“I feel like it gives me like an ease of mind. Like, if anything, I change my mind, or I feel like, oh, this car doesn’t feel right for me, it gives me an ease to be able to come back and look at another option,” Fonseca said.

Fonseca said clearer pricing could also help take some of the uncertainty out of buying a car.

“It’s one of the worries that you have going in buying a car. Like, oh, they advertise it at 30-thousand, and then you walk out and you get, oh, it’s actually 35,” she said.

The new rules apply to licensed California dealers selling or leasing qualifying vehicles. Buyers can find additional information about the CARS Act through the California DMV.

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Garrett Hottle

RIVERSIDE, Calif. (KESQ) The Riverside County Registrar of Voters is testing its voting system Thursday morning, and the public is invited to watch.

Logic and accuracy testing starts at 10 a.m. at the Registrar of Voters office, 2724 Gateway Drive in Riverside. It’s part of the county’s preparation for the Nov. 3 general election.

Registrar staff will run test ballots through the system. The ballots are marked with selections for every candidate and every measure. Staff then tally the results to confirm the machines read and count each vote correctly.

“The public is encouraged to attend these tests to witness firsthand the accuracy and reliability of the voting system,” the county said in a news release.

County officials say every part of the voting process is open to public observation.

The registrar runs the same public test before every election, including the November 2025 special election and the June 2026 primary.

For more information, call the Registrar of Voters at (951) 486-7200.

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Dakota Makinen

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, highlighting the importance of early detection and regular screenings.

Dr. Judy Jackson and Dr. Laura Lee with Desert Regional Medical Center say knowing your personal risk and recognizing changes in your breasts can help with early detection.

A lump is one possible warning sign, but other changes can also require medical attention. Screening recommendations vary based on factors including age, family history and personal risk.

Doctors recommend talking with your healthcare provider about your individual screening schedule and any new or unusual changes.

Stay with KESQ for the latest updates.

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John White

CATHEDRAL CITY, Calif. (KESQ) – Soaring temperatures and electric bills to match are a fact of life in the desert.

Ratepayers report struggling to manage those bills during the sizzling summer months.

Warren Horton, a Cathedral City ratepayer, uses thick window screens to block daylight, monitors weather conditions and keeps his thermostat in the low 80s, but still received summer power bills exceeding $400.

“Well, I think it could be affordable if you earn a million dollars a year,” Horton said.

News Channel 3 went to work to try to find out why Californians face the second highest electricity rates in the country, only behind Hawaii.

The California Independent System Operator (CAISO) runs the wholesale energy markets that power the grid for the state’s investor-owned utilities (IOUs).

Dede Subakti, Vice President of System Operations at CAISO, explains, “We’re like an air traffic controller, right?”

He explains that managing the state energy portfolio requires extensive coordination.

“I’ve seen a lot of growth in the coordination in both in the planning to make sure that we have the right mix and the right portfolio of resources being built in in California ISOs and being able to coordinate on the day-to-day operations for the day-ahead planning, as well as the real-time operation itself,” Subakti said.

Grid management relies on renewable generation and large-scale battery systems to maintain grid stability.

Overall, it’s working to increase supply and stabilize wholesale energy prices.

Wholesale electricity prices in California are often recorded between $.03 and $.07 a kilowatt hour(kwh).

In the desert, ratepayers, depending on their billing plan with SCE often pay much higher.

The “on-peak” rate for some ratepayers, at $.29, can reflect a mark-up for power generation of 800% or more.

News Channel 3 is working to get answers on that mark-up and the other side of the bill; delivery charges.

And that’s where “Power Struggle: Part Two” will pick-up, Thursday October 8th at 6:00 pm.

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