Author: KESQ

Tommy Gallegos

PALM DESERT, Calif. (July 7, 2026) — The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens announced that President and CEO Allen Monroe will retire this fall after more than 12 years leading the organization through a period of significant growth and global recognition.

Since joining The Living Desert in 2014, Monroe has overseen a dramatic expansion of the nonprofit, increasing annual program revenue from $4.5 million to $28.6 million while nearly doubling attendance and leading $85 million in campus improvements. Major projects included Australian Adventures, Rhino Savanna, the Patti and Jack Grundhofer Entry Plaza, Bighorn Cafe, and the Oasis Splash Pad, with the upcoming Lion Ridge exhibit scheduled to break ground later this year.

Monroe also expanded the organization’s international conservation efforts, helping The Living Desert become one of only 11 AZA-accredited institutions accepted into the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). During his tenure, the zoo launched the International Desert Conservation Summit, helped establish World Desert Day, and broadened conservation partnerships around the world.

Board Chair Bill Appel credited Monroe with transforming The Living Desert into a world-class conservation organization, while Chief Operating Officer RoxAnna Breitigan praised his commitment to animal welfare and staff.

In addition to growing its conservation impact, Monroe strengthened the organization’s financial position, increasing its endowment to $92 million and expanding educational access through programs serving Title I schools, SNAP/EBT families, and guests with autism.

The Living Desert’s Board of Directors will launch a national search for its next president and CEO as Monroe prepares to return to his hometown with his wife to spend more time with family.

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Kiera McKinney

PALM DESERT, Calif. (KESQ) – Stamps will be going up four cents by July 12th. The price is going up to 82 cents from the previous 78 cents for the Forever stamps.

Since the Forever stamps were introduced the price has increased 100 percent over the last 19 years.

USPS corporate tells me “In the midst of the severe financial crisis facing the postal service and continued rising operational costs, the Postal Service is using all available tools, including available regulatory pricing authority, To ensure we can continue to fulfill our universal service obligation and serve the American public.”

Kay Villas, a resident tells me “I pay almost everything online, so I use a stamp once a month. And so it’s not that big of a deal to me, but yet it’s a huge deal to so many people. And, I remember Penny post cards, so it’s gone up an awful lot, and it just keeps going up.”

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City News Service

PALM SPRINGS (CNS) – A fire that destroyed the roof and attic space in a kitchen area at the Palm Springs Cultural Center, which prompted immediate evacuations and a temporary closure, was set to reopen this Saturday.

The non-injury blaze was reported shortly after 7:30 p.m. June 27 in the 2300 block of East Baristo Road, according to the Palm Springs Fire Department.

A total of 31 firefighters halted the spread of the fire to the cafe area and evacuated 30 people. It was contained at about 8:10 p.m. and under control at 8:18 p.m. the same day.

The cause of the fire was under investigation. Theater officials announced on social media in the following days that the cafe was unusable, with water damage inside theaters 2 and 3 and the entire building smelling of smoke. Cleanup and restoration efforts were underway, including removing smoke particles and odors from the affected theaters.

The Historic Camelot Theatre will reopen with a film screening of “Jaws” at 6 p.m. on Saturday, July 11. “Thanks to the incredible support of our community, we are able to welcome audiences back to the Camelot while restoration efforts continue elsewhere in the building,” officials said.

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Gavin Nguyen

PALM DESERT, Calif. (KESQ) – No matter the kind of day someone is having, the reaction to seeing a giant hot dog on wheels drive by is the same: shock, awe, and disbelief.

That’s what Oscar Meyer’s “Hotdoggers” noticed the most driving throughout the West Coast over the past couple of weeks. Here in the Coachella Valley, it’s no different.

For one of the two Hotdoggers driving the Wienermobile assigned to the West Coast, it’s been a “bunderful” homecoming. Lauren Trippeer, who grew up in Palm Desert and attended Palm Desert High School, was one of just twelve selected to drive the coveted hot dog-shaped vehicle – and she’s relishing every moment.

“Very few people get to even drive the Wienermobile. To drive it in my hometown… that’s a once in a lifetime experience,” Trippeer said with a beaming smile.

It’s clearly an attention-getter. I had a chance to sit inside, and everywhere we turned, it was the same deal: phones stuck out of car windows, trying to record the giant hot dog, and onlookers running out of stores to catch a glimpse.

Trippeer recounted, “The first time driving, I thought all of a sudden, like, I didn’t know how to drive. I thought I was making all these mistakes because people were honking at me. They were like, you know, waving. And then I realized, oh, it’s because I drive a 27ft long hot dog car.”

Trippeer’s parents have been lumped into the attention, too. When not driving around town, it’s parked right in front of the Trippeer home.

Nancy Brier and Gary Trippeer, Lauren’s parents, said the Wienermobile has certainly created a buzz around the neighborhood. It prompted them to host a community-wide hot dog party – and they’re meeting neighbors they didn’t even know they had.

“Everyone’s really happy. They either are happy to see it or they remember it from childhood. They have some story from their childhood when they saw the Oscar Mayer Wienermobile,” said Gary. The two had a chance to ride along with Lauren in the Wienermobile shortly after it arrived. Even despite the heat, Trippeer said it was incredible to see the attention they drew.

“It didn’t matter what people were doing. They stopped in their tracks and it didn’t appear it mattered if they had a bad day, a good day. They were just smiling and waving. It was universal,” he said.

And for Lauren’s parents, the opportunity to hold the coveted “Hotdogger” position is something they’re incredibly proud of her for. They said it all began last year, when Lauren recorded herself to apply for the position. Her parents said she was among thousands of applicants – but with the video she recorded, she positioned herself above the rest.

“She did a little video series on her own, and I think this is just a culmination of that. And it’s really neat to see her come back with the Wienermobile, such an American icon, and then being parked in front of her house. It’s just unreal,” said Lauren’s father.

It’s clear to see how Lauren is relishing every moment. She talked about how important it was for her to bring smiles and something out of the ordinary to those who call the valley home – just like her. As she and her copilot, “All Beef Aiden,” visited the Children’s Discovery Museum in Rancho Mirage, they handed out Wiener Whistles, stickers, and took photos with families taking it all in.

Sitting in the driver’s seat of the Wienermobile, she affirmed, “Driving the Wienermobile, its buns and buns of fun, and we’re spreading smiles everywhere we go.”

The Hotdoggers and the Wienermobile spend about a week in each city they visit. They will be at several more events in the Coachella Valley this week, including the following:

Wienermobile Events

July 9, 7pm-10pm, VillageFest at 1100 North Palm Canyon Dr

July 10, 6pm-9:30pm, Palm Springs Power Baseball at 1901 E Baristo Rd

July 11, 8am-1pm, Palm Springs Certified Farmers Market at 201 S Pavilion Way

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Matthew Pearce

LA QUINTA, Calif. (KESQ) — Assemblymember Greg Wallis continues the annual observance of Outdoor Worker Appreciation Week. This statewide effort aims to show workers who push through the desert summers that the community recognizes the importance of their work.

Legislation authored by Wallis was signed in 2023, establishing a weeklong recognition of workers who work year round.

From pools to parks, workers maintain spaces families rely on during summer, despite extreme heat.

During visits to two Desert Recreation District sites, Wallis will thank employees, providing bottled water and frozen treats in recognition of their service.

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Tommy Gallegos

RIVERSIDE COUNTY, Calif. — Riverside County recorded 38 reported hate crime events in 2025, placing it among the 10 California counties with the highest number of reported incidents, according to the California Department of Justice’s annual Hate Crime in California 2025 report.

The report shows Riverside County documented 38 hate crime events, resulting in 48 criminal offenses, 48 victims, and 32 identified suspects. The county tied with Contra Costa County for the 10th-highest number of reported hate crime events statewide.

Within Riverside County, the City of Riverside reported the highest number of incidents, accounting for 11 hate crime events. Palm Springs followed with eight events, while the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department reported six. Other jurisdictions reporting incidents included Hemet (three), Temecula (two), and Desert Hot Springs, Indian Wells, Jurupa Valley, Murrieta, Palm Desert, Perris, Riverside City College, and the University of California, Riverside, each with one reported event.

Rank
County
Hate Crime Events

1
Los Angeles
795

2
Santa Clara
146

3
Orange
128

4
Alameda
107

5
San Diego
77

6
Sacramento
71

7
San Francisco
46

8 (tie)
San Bernardino
41

8 (tie)
Ventura
41

10 (tie)
Contra Costa
38

10 (tie)
Riverside
38

While Riverside County ranked in the state’s top 10, the figures were significantly lower than California’s largest urban counties. Los Angeles County led the state with 795 hate crime events, followed by Santa Clara County (146), Orange County (128), Alameda County (107), San Diego County (77), Sacramento County (71), and San Francisco County (46).

Statewide, California recorded 1,955 reported hate crime events in 2025 involving 2,402 victims. The overall number of hate crime events declined by 3.4% compared with 2024.

The Department of Justice emphasizes that hate crime statistics reflect incidents reported by law enforcement agencies and may not capture every hate-motivated offense, as some incidents go unreported or are not ultimately classified as hate crimes under California law.

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Julia Castro

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) — North Gene Autry Trail was closed for several hours at the wash Wednesday morning because of an oil spill on the roadway.

The closure was first reported around 7:35 a.m. Officials said the road is expected to remain closed for about an hour while crews work to clear the spill.

Northbound lanes were back open by 10:30 a.m.; however, southbound lanes remained closed for several more hours.

Palm Springs police announced the road was fully reopened just before 3 p.m.

This is a developing story. Stay with News Channel 3 for updates.

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Dakota Makinen

COACHELLA VALLEY, Calif. (KESQ)- A proposed federal housing bill aims to boost housing supply by reducing barriers to new construction, but local experts say any impact would take time.

The Coachella Valley housing market continues to face high home prices, elevated mortgage rates and limited inventory, making affordability a challenge for many buyers. First-time buyers, in particular, continue to compete for a limited number of homes while navigating higher monthly mortgage payments.

Local Broker Associate with Compass Palm Springs Tony Vaccaro says even if the bill becomes law, buyers and sellers should not expect immediate changes. Instead, any benefits would likely be felt gradually as more housing is built.

Vacaro says prospective buyers should focus on factors they can control, including their budget, credit score and financing options. He also encourages buyers to keep an open mind by considering smaller homes, condominiums, manufactured homes or neighborhoods with more affordable price points.

While supporters of the legislation say increasing the housing supply could eventually create more options for buyers and ease competition, local experts say the market will continue to be driven by mortgage rates, available inventory and overall demand in the near term.

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City News Service

MURRIETA (CNS) – A brush fire that erupted today in the hills west of Murrieta charred nearly 137 acres and threatened rural properties, but firefighters were able to achieve some containment by Tuesday night.

The non-injury blaze was reported at 2:50 p.m. Tuesday in the area of Via Volcano and Tenaja roads, in the unincorporated community of De Luz, along the boundary of the Santa Rosa Plateau Ecological Preserve, according to the Riverside County Fire Department.

As of 9:00 p.m., the fire was 25% contained.

The agency said multiple engine and hand crews from the county, Murrieta Fire & Rescue, Riverside Fire Department, Corona Fire Department and Cal Fire-San Diego County were sent to the location and encountered flames moving at a moderate rate through medium to heavy brush.

Three Cal Fire air tankers and two water-dropping helicopters initiated drops just after 3 p.m.

Residences are spread throughout the area on large lots, sometimes several acres wide, mostly off dirt roads. Evacuation orders were briefly issued, but by Tuesday night, orders at all but one zone were downgraded to warnings.

Sheriff’s deputies shut down Tenaja west of Via Volcano for public safety.

There was no immediate word on what might have triggered the brusher.

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Luis Avila

DESERT HOT SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – The Desert Hot Springs city council unanimously voted Tuesday to extend its temporary moratorium on new data centers, saying the city needs more time to study the potential impacts before deciding whether the facilities should be allowed.

The extension prevents the city from accepting or approving permits, licenses and other development applications for new data centers and similar high-intensity computing facilities while staff conducts additional research.

The vote comes as data centers continue to spark debate across the Coachella Valley. Earlier this year, a proposed project in Coachella drew widespread public opposition over concerns about water use, electricity demand, noise and environmental impacts.

Tuesday’s meeting drew residents who applauded the council’s decision.

“I think a lot of data centers target communities like ours,” said one resident. “Our community is more disenfranchised, people vote less, have less political power… I think we’ve seen a lot of support and activism around data centers.”

Mayor Scott Matas emphasized that Desert Hot Springs is not currently considering a specific data center proposal.

“This is much different than what Coachella went through,” Matas said. “We don’t have a specific project, but I understand the concerns from the community.”

He proposed sending the issue back to the Planning Commission for a thorough review that would include researching both the benefits and concerns surrounding data centers, working with local agencies and groups, and documenting those findings before the council considers any long-term policy.

“There’s a lot of good arguments out there,” Matas said. “If we work with our water district, power company, residents on both sides of the aisle and find out where the facts really lie… then we’ll be able to support saying no… or has technology in two years gotten better? We don’t know that until we do this study.”

City officials say the city’s current zoning regulations do not adequately address issues unique to data centers, including electricity demand, water use for cooling, backup power systems, infrastructure capacity, noise, air quality, greenhouse gas emissions and compatibility with nearby neighborhoods.

Some residents argued the research will reinforce concerns that data centers are not a good fit for Desert Hot Springs.

“The desert, we already have too little water, we have too little electricity, and we have too many environmental concerns,” said a resident. “Data centers aren’t going to create those sorts of jobs… it’s not going to be beneficial to our community.”

The moratorium will remain in effect for up to 22 months and 15 days, bringing the city’s total moratorium period to two years while officials complete their review.

Stay with News Channel 3 for more.

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