Author: KESQ

Garrett Hottle

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) While Hollywood tallies up holiday box office totals, a local theater in Palm Springs is celebrating a milestone of its own.

Festival of Theaters says it just posted its best day ever in operations, a notable achievement for a theater that has only been open about a year. The record-setting holiday turnout comes as the Palm Springs International Film Festival begins screenings across the city.

“We had our busiest day ever on Christmas Day,” said Zack Solomon, general manager of Festival of Theaters. 

The theater reopened last year after transitioning from a former Regal Cinema into an independent, boutique moviegoing experience focused on a mix of commercial releases, independent films, and more.

This holiday season, Solomon says the biggest driver of crowds wasn’t just a blockbuster.

He said the strong turnout was largely for Marty Supreme, which he says has delivered full houses night after night. 

“We have Avatar playing, it’s been doing well, but Marty Supreme has been full houses,” Solomon said. 

Nationally, films like Avatar: Fire and Ash continue to drive holiday ticket sales, but Solomon says Festival of Theaters audience tends to gravitate toward adult dramatic programming and independent releases.

Outside the theater, moviegoers lined up not only for mainstream films, but also for international and documentary screenings tied to the Palm Springs International Film Festival.

“We come every year,” said one attendee visiting from Newfoundland, Canada, while waiting for a festival screening.

Festival of Theaters is hosting multiple festival screenings this weekend and into next week, welcoming audiences eager for stories from around the world and treating moviegoing as more than just entertainment.

In an era increasingly dominated by streaming and scrolling, this holiday week offered a reminder that the theatrical experience still resonates.

Because sometimes the best holiday tradition isn’t under the tree, it’s under the marquee.

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Shay Lawson

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ)  – The Palm Springs International Film Festival is kicking off its 37th year Friday night with Calle Malaga, this years opening screening.

Directed by Maryam Touzani, the film stars Carmen Maura as an 80 year old woman in Tangier fighting to hold on to her home and her sense of self after her estranged daughter arrives to sell her beloved childhood home. 

Touzani is expected to attend opening night alongside festival leadership and local officials.

The festival will screen 170 films from 72 countries and territories, including 53 premieres from Jan. 2 to 12.

For the first time, Cathedral City is a part of the festival, now happening in 3 valley cities.

The City of Palm Springs is a title sponsor of the festival, which has become a major stop on the awards-season circuit while continuing to spotlight emerging voices from around the world.

Stay with News Channel 3 for continuing coverage. 

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Kendall Flynn

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – It’s almost time for the Palm Springs International Film Festival, a highly anticipated event over 130,000 people attend. As celebrities and visitors come to the Coachella Valley, the Palm Springs Police Department has a plan in place to keep everyone safe.

PSPD said for the festival it is “all hands on deck” as it is a large undertaking. The department spends all year planning for the film festival security as technology and the event expand each year.

“We have bomb dogs, searching vehicles. The area, we have high, high ground officers. We have low ground,” Lt. Mike Villegas said. “We’ll do have technology. We’ll have we’ll have our drone team out there as well.”

Villegas said PSPD will be working with local and federal agencies to make sure all bases are covered.

“We’ll have probably over 100 personnel working this event, and that’s not just with Palm Springs. This is with our allied agencies as well,” Villegas said. “We also work closely with the FBI to make sure that there are no potential threats that have been identified on social media, on the internet.”

Villegas asks all attendees to report any suspicious activity to authorities so they can ensure the festival stays safe for everyone all weekend.

Stay with News Channel 3 to hear how officials plan to use their technology to keep visitors safe during the festival.

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Kendall Flynn

INDIO, Calif. (KESQ) – After a pedestrian died in a hit and run New Year’s Eve, the Indio Police Department is reminding residents and drivers of a pedestrians right of way. 

Officers are asking residents to use crosswalks whenever they are available and to check for vehicles when entering. They’re also asking drivers to slow down and be prepared to stop. Drivers are expected and required to yield to pedestrians who are already crossing or waiting to cross. 

Stay with News Channel 3 to hear from officials and residents on pedestrian safety in the city. 

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Luis Avila

COACHELLA VALLEY, Calif. (KESQ) – The wet weather may be over, but its impacts are still being felt across the Coachella Valley. Several roadways remain flooded, causing ongoing travel concerns.

“We were trying to make our way to the Palm Springs Air Museum and it took us almost two hours to get there because of all the detours we had to go through,” says Donald Owens, hitting the road back to Simi Valley after celebrating the new year.

One of the impacted areas for drivers is the intersection of Bob Hope Drive and Varner Road in Cathedral City, where heavy flooding made travel difficult and, at times, hazardous.

Vehicles drive through floodwaters at Bob Hope Drive and Varner Road in Cathedral City.

Some drivers said they were caught off guard, citing a lack of warning signs.

Ronnie Huerta, a Desert Hot Springs resident, recalls, “Last night I was getting off work… and me and my daughter, there were no signs and I told my daughter, ‘you got to be careful.’ We didn’t know that it was flooded.” He continues, “We should have signs out there because cars could stall, cause accidents.”

Flooded roadways can also hide serious hazards, like debris and potholes.

Officials continue to remind residents to slow down, avoid flooded areas and use alternative routes.

News Channel 3 reached out to Riverside County, which oversees Thousand Palms, but has not received a response. Cathedral City officials, who oversee the area of Bob Hope and Varner Road, were unavailable for comment.

Stay with News Channel 3 for more.

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Athena Jreij

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – Bobo Palm Springs, a boutique stationery store off N. Indian Canyon, is sounding the alarm for other small businesses after they claim they found their shop’s products listed on Amazon without their knowledge or consent. 

The shop owner, Angie Chua, says she first noticed the items listed earlier this week and contacted Amazon to take them down. The online mega-retailer removed Bobo from the program, but she now worries her small business isn’t the only one being listed without the owner’s knowledge.

“Our entire catalog was listed on Amazon without our permission and without our consent. It was a combination of products that we had, products that we’ve long deleted, that don’t exist on our site or on our back-end, as well as leveraging AI images that we didn’t create or use,” Chua said.

For Chua, who says she’s spent years curating trusted relationships with her customers, she feels like the listing without permission was a violation.

“We spend a lot of time building trust with our customers. It takes a long time for us to earn their dollar, and for Amazon to come in and undercut us and just step in under the guise of, ‘we are supporting these small businesses,’ is like appalling,” she said.

Chua believes she was opted into an Amazon beta program called ‘Buy For Me,’ that lists outside businesses’ products on the site.

“We were starting to see an increase of these orders for items that were out of stock, items that were like a single item, which was very out of the norm for what we would normally see. Every single one of those orders had a jumbled Amazon email address titled ‘@buyforme.amazon.’ It was there that we realized that those orders were actually coming from Amazon and being fulfilled through our Shopify account.”

The cost? Chua says she’s had to refund orders for items that didn’t exist and worries this could interfere with her direct customers relationships.

News Channel 3 reached out to Amazon, who said in a statement they are piloting a ‘Buy For Me’ program that lists several products on the website, including some ‘additional relevant products’ from other vendors. Shoppers can then click ‘Buy For Me,’ that’s when Amazon makes the purchase from the website on the customer’s behalf using AI.

When asked if shop owners give consent to list their products online, Amazon responded that they ‘proactively introduced’ several shops they thought would benefit from the program, and owners can opt-out if they’d like.

Spokespeople say the goal is to increase small business visibility and sales. However, Chua disagrees and points to recent collaborations Amazon did with other small creators.

“Having a one off $11 or $3 sale from Amazon is not enough to cover the fact that this is a long game for them. They had a platform called Amazon Handmade, where they recruited thousands of independent makers to sell their products on Amazon Handmade as a competition to Etsy. They ended up finding what items did really well and then created dupes for those items,” Chua alleges.

Chua’s products have since been removed from Amazon at her request, but she says shell items of her products still exist with special SEO keywords that could divert traffic from her own website.

For this small business, the incident is another notch in the belt of Amazon’s global market dominance.

“There is this constant, villainous behavior that happens from these large companies and it is always at the expense of somebody else. It doesn’t matter who it is, and for us, it’s small business and they continue to exploit us,” Chua said.

She believes e-commerce retailers that use Shopify or Woo Commerce could be unknowingly opted into the pilot program and is now encouraging all business owners to check for themselves.

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Jeff Stahl

News Channel 3 is focused on 2026 and talking with city leaders across the Coachella Valley about what we can expect this new year. Many cities are focused on new housing developments to address shortages and the state’s affordability crisis. There are also new parks and infrastructure in the works, along with new business and community initiatives to create jobs and make life more enjoyable throughout the Coachella Valley. Let’s start our look ahead at what’s new in Rancho Mirage in 2026. 

RANCHO MIRAGE

In the City of Rancho Mirage, the Cotino by Disney community is set to expand this year.”

Expect the opening of Cotino Bay Beach, introducing a large, swimmable lagoon with a public beach, new waterfront dining, retail, and public spaces.

The city is also addressing housing needs, with nearly 900 new affordable and workforce housing units for families, seniors, and veterans.

“The hospital, the hotels, those are our biggest employee workforce,” said Rancho Mirage Mayor Lynn Malotto, adding, “How can we make it better? How can we make it easier on them? We want to bring that workforce closer.”  

The Rancho Mirage Library and Observatory will also celebrate its 30th anniversary with a year of special programming. READ MORE HERE.

INDIO 

In Indio, the nearly completed Indio Sports Park will open in early summer, offering families and tournaments with extensive amenities, including more than a dozen soccer and baseball fields.

The Lights at Indio golf course will debut a modern 5,000-square-foot clubhouse featuring dining and event spaces.

And the Avenue 44 Bridge is set to reopen this spring, replacing the roadway destroyed by Tropical Storm Hilary. READ MORE HERE.

INDIAN WELLS 

Indian Wells is enhancing its recreational offerings by upgrading its popular “Shots in the Night” attraction at the I-W Golf Resort, which should complement the recently reopened $13 million renovation of the Players Course.

“This is a great remodel,” said Indian Wells Mayor Toper Taylor, adding, “And I gotta tell you, the first hole is a 625 par five. Welcome to Indian Wells!” 

The Indian Wells Tennis Garden is also undergoing improvements to ensure a record-breaking year for the BNP Paribas Open and other community events. 

The city is prioritizing resident safety through additional sidewalks, traffic infrastructure upgrades, and lighting. READ MORE HERE.

DESERT HOT SPRINGS 

In Desert Hot Springs, residents will see the official grand opening of Fire Station 98 this year. 

The city will also formally launch a new 7,000-square-foot Amazon Fulfillment Hub, bringing new jobs and reinforcing Desert Hot Springs’ emerging status as a Coachella Valley logistics hub.

Cultural and beautification efforts will also intensify with the Phase II Mural Program, bringing a full year of monthly “Desert Nights on The BLVD” arts and entertainment events. READ MORE HERE.

CATHEDRAL CITY

In Cathedral City, the state-of-the-art Roadrunner Motors Campus at College of the Desert is set to open next summer. “It fulfills a long promise here in Cathedral City to help with our auto center,” said Mayor Raymond Gregory, adding, “having skilled labor with our local residents throughout the valley here, having a place where they can learn an essential skill.”

Progress is being made on the new measure J-Funded Community Recreation Center, with consultants completing a study on a potential location. 2026 is also the first full year of expanded parks programming and professional maintenance at six city parks with the Desert Recreation District, which is introducing new recreation opportunities for residents. READ MORE HERE.

LA QUINTA

In La Quinta, the Fritz Burns Park improvement project is expected to be completed in 2026, with $7 million in upgrades, including new playgrounds, expanded picnic areas, EV charging stations, and a pool area with a new water feature.

The city is also advancing its affordable housing initiatives and is looking to finalize development contracts for a key mixed-use site on Highway 111 at Dune Palms.

The city’s Cultural Campus is in its final design stages and is expected to go out to bid for construction this Spring. READ MORE HERE.

PALM SPRINGS 

In Palm Springs, expect to see a lot of construction continuing at the new College of the Desert (COD) Palm Springs Campus. The campus represents a $405 million investment to expand workforce opportunities in high-demand fields. Mayor Ron deHarte said, “Plus, we’ll lean into tourism and reinforce that tourism is not going to be our focus.”

Expect the spring opening of the new Demuth Park Pickleball Courts Expansion Project, featuring 22 courts and improved amenities. And VillageFest is set to undergo a modern refresh with new themes and events. READ MORE HERE.

PALM DESERT

The City of Palm Desert anticipates several significant developments in 2026. The DSRT Surf water resort is expected to open its doors by early summer.

Fire Station 102, the city’s fourth station, is going up on the city’s north side at a cost of $23.4 million and is set to open in late spring.

The City also projects a continuing boom in new housing, much of it affordable, with 4 to 5 construction starts expected to bring more than 1,000 new units to north Palm Desert.

Look for the Catavina, Vesta, and Portola Springs residential projects to move ahead. READ MORE HERE.

COACHELLA 

In Coachella, the Coachella Electric Financing Authority (CEFA) is being formed with the Imperial Irrigation District (IID) to secure essential energy sources for planned commercial and residential developments.

The city also successfully annexed the 377-acre P7/Mesquite Area from Riverside County. That’s expected to allow for future infrastructure investment, housing, and economic growth.

Finally, the city is preparing to break ground on a new bridge over the Whitewater Channel on Avenue 50 to improve driver safety and mobility by eliminating flooding and road closures during rainstorms. READ MORE HERE.

COACHELLA VALLEY ASSOCIATION OF GOVERNMENTS (CVAG)

CVAG is focusing on increasing use of the recently expanded CV Link by encouraging residents and visitors to use it and coordinating with partners like Desert Recreation District and Tour de Palm Springs to promote safe events. It’s also responding to changing federal grant requirements. “It’s hard to make plans when it comes to federal funding,” said Executive Director Tom Kirk, adding, “We’re not sure what the government wants from year to year, depending on the administration.”

CVAG plans to work closely with member agencies to secure necessary outside funding for desert projects and ensure the region receives its fair share.

It’s also continuing efforts to keep traffic moving with Phase 2 of the CV Sync regional signal synchronization project, along with planning future road improvements for Varner Road and Rancho Mirage. READ MORE HERE.

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Shay Lawson

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ)  – Rain hit parts of the Coachella Valley this New Year’s day, slowing commutes and closing roads making getting around more difficult for some people.

Despite the conditions, not everyone stayed home.

Yolanda Sandor, Palm Springs homeowner, said she continued with her plans and attended Villagefest.

“I believe that we need to support the local economy,” Sandor said. “Just get out of the house after the rainy 48 hours or so. Just wanted to catch a nice breath and see other people.”

Officials continue to remind residents to slow down, allow extra travel time and use alternative routes.

Stay with News Channel 3 to hear more from travelers this new year.

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Luis Avila

PALM DESERT, Calif. (KESQ) – The new year is here with a pay raise for minimum wage workers in California.

The state’s minimum wage has increased by 40 cents to $16.90 per hour. The annual increase is primarily due to a state law requiring annual adjustments for inflation, ensuring wages keep pace with the rising cost of living.

Some local workers say the increase comes at a much-needed time, as everyday expenses remains high, though acknowledge it still falls short.

“In reality, it’s not enough. I think it’s a step forward, a small one at least, to help us,” admits Nataly Sanchez, an employee at Casa Luna Mexican & Seafood Restaurant.

Business owners, however, say they are already in a tough spot and that the increase adds to their current financial strain. As a result, it could force some to make tough choices to make ends meet.

Jose “Pepe” de la Torre, owner of Casa Luna Mexican & Seafood Restaurant, says, “It hurts us because high costs are in everything, food, rent — everything. So, of course, it’s really affecting us.” He adds, “When we hear that, we start thinking of what we should do — what kind of changes we should do so we can continue to operate.”

While workers and business owners view the increase differently, both say they hope the higher wage ultimately brings more benefits than challenges in the year ahead.

Stay with News Channel 3 for more.

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Kendall Flynn

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – It’s rainy start to the new year in the Coachella Valley, and many are looking to avoid the storm during the holidays.

New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day are popular holidays for people to visit Downtown Palm Springs, but the rain might be putting a damper on tourism. Businesses have been expecting an increase in sales and foot traffic, but with the rain that’s now uncertain.

“We had 14 reservations canceled today in the last I want to say in the last two hours,” Mark Hewitt, the owner of Bongo Johnny’s Patio Bar and Grill, said. “When half of your patio space is uncovered and, you know, normally under this glorious sun that we have here, you lose a ton of business.”

“It’s definitely hurt our business,” Willie Rhine, co-owner of Eight4Nine Restaurant and Lounge, said. “Fortunately, we have a large, indoor lounge area — but we definitely got hurt both holidays. ”

Now Hewitt and Rhine are looking toward tourism season to help pick up their businesses before the summer. But, each said there are other factors in play that keep their concerns high.

“I think the biggest fears is that is that the tourism season is going to be down this year is and we’ve already seen some of that,” Hewitt said. “We’ve seen a lot of our snowbirds that are not coming back.”

“Our industry right now is probably the hardest it’s ever been,” Rhine said. “Our cost of labor has gone up. Our cost of goods have gone up. So we definitely need as many operating days as possible. [The rain] definitely doesn’t help.” 

Stay with News Channel 3 to hear from visitors and businesses on the impacts of the rain.

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