Author: KESQ

Athena Jreij

DESERT HOT SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – Dozens of locals and visitors are exploring some of the best natural mineral hot springs in the world right here in the Coachella Valley.

At the Miracle Hill Spa Tour, attendees can tour 13 spas and experience over 80 activities, including yoga, meditation, workshops and spa treatments.

As the event sells out, Tourism Development Liaison, Rayce Jonsrud, says it’s a testament to the city’s increased presence in the wellness space.

“I would say that that the the people that come here are all interested in what spas offer, which is relaxation, a chance to chill, and in a way to kind of set your clock back a little bit and just kind of relax,” Jonsrud said.

The water comes all the way from Mount San Gorgonio to reach the city.

“This hot water comes up from San Gorgonio. It takes about seven years to get here. That comes out of the ground pretty hot from 105 to 175, and they cool it off with the other mineral water that’s cold.”

From small boutique stays like Miracle Manor, to world-class resorts like Two Bunch Palms and Azure Palm Hot Springs, there’s something for everyone.

At Azure, you’ll find the only Himalayan salt room in Coachella Valley, reaching up to 110 degrees. Laying in the salt is supposed to help with lymphatic drainage and clear your respiratory system.

In the same resort, you’ll also find the 29 degree ice room, which is supposed to reduce inflammation and soreness and increase one’s blood flow. The concept is halotherapy, meant to shock your body from extremely cold to hot temperatures.

Others say soaking in the mineral springs can reduce joint pain, muscle tension and soothe skin conditions like psoriasis and eczema.

It’s a form of self care that also goes back into the community.

“It supports all the things that we do here, and this is a community on the rise. When I came here 20 years ago, it was a little bit different. It just feels different now. We’re putting in curb and gutter where we’re doing all kinds of road improvements, and it just feels good,” Jonsrud said.

For a full list of the hotels featured and more information on the tour, visit: https://m.miraclehillspas.com/spa-tour/

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Timothy Foster

THERMAL, Calif. (KESQ) – At a time when many LGBTQ people say they are feeling isolated or uncertain, a community event in Palm Springs aimed to remind people they are not alone.

The LGBTQ Community Center of the Desert hosted its ninth annual Info-A-Go-Go on Saturday at Hotel Zoso, bringing together more than 50 local organizations offering resources, support, and opportunities for connection. Organizers say the event is especially important right now, as national rhetoric and ongoing social tensions have left many people searching for safe and welcoming spaces.

Info-A-Go-Go serves as a one stop information fair, connecting community members with volunteer opportunities, social clubs, advocacy groups, and support services across the Coachella Valley. The goal of the event is to reduce isolation and help people find community.

Lex Ortega, chief programs officer at the LGBTQ Community Center of the Desert, said it is easy for people to feel isolated or fearful right now and that events like Info-A-Go-Go help remind the community that staying connected builds strength.

In addition to LGBTQ focused organizations, the event included allied groups providing immigration resources, health services, youth support, and community activities. Organizers said these partnerships help ensure people know where to find trusted support.

The center estimates more than 500 people attended the event, many learning about resources they were not previously aware of. For some attendees, the event offered more than information and served as a chance to find connection and belonging.

Organizers said Info-A-Go-Go reflects the center’s ongoing mission to build community and ensure people do not feel alone. The event is expected to return next year.

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Gavin Nguyen

INDIO, Calif. (KESQ) – The Desert Recreation District hosted a town hall/conference in Indio on Saturday to gather input from veterans about what events and activities could benefit them.

It was the first time the discussion was hosted, with organizers of the event saying they plan to turn it into an annual conversation.

Veteran shares input with Desert Recreation District in Indio

Scott Sear, DRD’s Public Information and Legislative Affairs Officer, said, “We can’t implement programs without veterans programs being designed by them – have their veteran’s input. It’s so important because it’s the least we could do to our veterans and give back to not only to the veterans, but their families that have sacrificed.”

Some of the input gathered during today’s event: activities and events that veterans are looking for, what obstacles they may face when trying to go to certain events, and where veterans’ events should be held.

The discussion lasted more than half an hour, with many veterans asking for things like mental health retreats, different sports and recreational activities, and classes to help other service members transition back into civilian life. District organizers actively listened and took down the suggestions they heard from veterans.

Desert Recreation District staff took down notes as they listened to input from veterans

Several local leaders, like La Quinta Councilman Steve Sanchez, California Assemblyman Jeff Gonzalez, and Riverside County Supervisor V. Manuel Perez were in attendance.

After the event, Sear said it was now up to the District to work in tandem with those local leaders to bring the Coachella Valley’s veteran population the programs and activities they deserve.

He said it the District’s goal to bring pilot programs within the next 30 to 90 days.

If you have any suggestions or input to share with Desert Recreation District staff, you are encouraged to contact them directly by email: VetRec@drd.us.com

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Daniella Lake

INDIO, Calif. (KESQ) – Democrats of Sun City Shadow Hills is hosting a “signs of fascism” protest in Indio at 10 a.m. The protest will take place near the Food 4 Less parking lot, located at 82124 CA-111, Indio, CA 92201.

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Jesus Reyes

UPDATE 1/31/2026:

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – Palm Springs Police say the suspect was arrested Saturday morning after a community member shared they were spotted near the crime scene.

Officers say the suspect was arrested without incident.

1/30/2026:

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – Police are searching for an armed suspect in Palm Springs Friday evening.

Police searched the area west of N Indian Canyon, south of San Rafael, north of San Carlos.

The Palm Springs Police Department said shortly after 8 p.m. that officers cleared the area and were unable to locate the suspect. Authorities advise anyone who sees a person matching the suspect’s description to call 911.

Officers are searching for a man, described as five feet, eight inches tall, weighing 180 lbs, with short dark hair and a light mustache. He has tattoos on his chest and upper shoulder area.

He was shirtless with gray sweat shorts and black flip flops or white shoes.

Stay with News Channel 3 for any new developments.

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KESQ News Team

RANCHO MIRAGE, Calif. (KESQ) – The Rancho Mirage Writers Festival came to an end on Friday. The three-day festival featured literary powerhouses and some of the biggest names in politics and culture today.

News Channel 3 caught up with popular author Taylor Jenkins Reid, author of Daisy Jones and the Six and the Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo. Her latest book is called Atmosphere, about an aspiring female astronaut.

Reid talked about the decline in the number of people reading for pleasure.

“I think that one thing that a lot of people forget, and one thing that’s great about book people is they haven’t forgotten, is that reading is fun. Reading is supposed to be fun, and we’re going to get things from it and we’re going to learn things from it, but it’s first and foremost fun,” Reid said.

A University of Florida study shows the number of people reading for pleasure has dropped 40% over the past 20 years. Only 16% read for fun, down from 28% in 2004.

But Reid also talked about the joy that can come from reading and why it’s so important.

“It feels good to open a book and want to keep turning the pages because you can’t wait to see what happens next. So I write books for a lot of reasons, but I never forget that my job is to make it fun for you. My job is to pull you through to the end of the book because that’s what’s gonna make you keep reading,” Reid said.

Passes for the festival this year sold out in three minutes.

If you’d like to watch any of the sessions, festival organizers are live streaming all sessions for the first time. They will be posting them online later at https://rmwritersfest.org/

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Luis Avila

LA QUINTA, Calif. (KESQ) — Dozens of demonstrators gathered Friday afternoon in La Quinta for an anti-ICE protest, calling for accountability and voicing support for local immigrant communities.

The demonstration began at 3 p.m. near the intersection of Highway 111 and Jefferson Street, directly outside a Home Depot. Protesters of all ages lined the roadway, drawing attention with bells, whistles, and car horns as traffic passed by.

Organizers say the protest was aimed at condemning what they describe as Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s use of brutality and violence, while demanding action from officials. Participants also emphasized solidarity with immigrant families who they say are living in fear.

Although the protest was scheduled to end at 4 p.m., it continued strong until 5 p.m and a small group remained on-site until even later, continuing to chant and hold signs. Organizers say the goal of the event was not only to raise awareness, but also to encourage more community members to get involved, noting they believe public sentiment is beginning to shift.

Stay with News Channel 3 for more.

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Timothy Foster

INDIAN WELLS, Calif. (KESQ) – The FIND Food Bank is raising awareness about food insecurity across the Coachella Valley as demand for assistance continues to grow.

Community leaders, donors, nonprofit partners, and elected officials gathered in Indian Wells for FIND’s annual Guardians Breakfast. The event focused on educating stakeholders about hunger in Riverside County and highlighting how community support is helping families in need.

News Channel 3’s Meteorologist Katie Boer emceed the event.

FIND leadership said the event is designed to bring together organizations, cities, and donors to ensure residents are not left behind as economic pressures continue to rise. Leaders emphasized that collaboration across sectors is critical to keeping support systems strong for the long term.

Organizers noted that many families are struggling to make ends meet due to rising costs, making access to food assistance and other support services more important than ever. They stressed that food banks and nonprofit organizations play a key role in helping families not only survive but work toward stability.

During the event, FIND received a $500,000 donation from Bank of America. Leaders said the funding will help the organization continue distributing food to families across Riverside County.

One speaker shared her personal experience growing up in a low-income household where food assistance was a necessary resource. She said food insecurity is more common than many people realize and emphasized the importance of removing the stigma around seeking help. She also shared that access to food support played a role in helping her family move forward and inspired her continued involvement with FIND.

According to FIND, the organization recorded more than 1.5 million client interactions last year and distributed over 20 million pounds of food through mobile markets and partner organizations. FIND said more families are attending food distributions locally, with lines often growing longer as need increases.

The event also highlighted challenges food banks are facing nationwide, including reductions in food assistance benefits that are affecting communities across the country.

Looking ahead, FIND leaders said continued donations, volunteer support, and community partnerships will be critical to meeting demand. The organization also promoted its upcoming FIND Food Bank Telethon, presented by NewsChannel 3, which takes place May 1 and aims to raise funds to help feed families across the Coachella Valley.

FIND said community support will remain essential as the organization works to address hunger today and in the future.

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Karen Devine

COACHELLA VALLEY, Calif. (KESQ) – As ICE operations spark violence, protests, and political fallout nationwide, law enforcement leaders are being forced to answer hard questions about deadly force, de-escalation, and who is held accountable when civilians die.

Tonight, Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco tells News Channel 3’s Karen Devine what he believes went wrong in Minnesota and what he says would not be allowed to happen here.

With federal agents under intense scrutiny, Devine pressed the sheriff on a central question: what responsibility ICE agents have before pulling the trigger.

“What responsibility do ICE agents have to de-escalate before using deadly force?” asked Devine.

“The same as what we do. I mean that is that you, you don’t automatically jump to a deadly force,” stated Sheriff Bianco.

But the sheriff says de-escalation depends on who they’re dealing with and he rejects the idea that what we’re seeing are peaceful demonstrations.

“Honestly, we have to stop calling these protests they are not. They are violent. They are. They are purposely trying to impede that is not a protest,” said Bianco.

The sheriff’s sharpest criticism is aimed at how quickly the public and other leaders draw conclusions based on partial video.

“What we see right now is we have people with cell phones that are that it almost seems like that’s everyone’s mission is to go viral with a cell phone video and now you’ve already formed your opinion,” said Bianco.

He says that rush to judgment is dangerous especially when lives are lost.

“There is nothing worse, nothing worse than the loss of human life… and I wish we could get to a point where everyone could calm their emotions and hold their emotions till we get all of the facts.”

That criticism now extends to comments made by Palm Springs Police Chief Andy Mills, who called federal enforcement tactics reckless and unconstitutional.

“Would you say he’s wrong?” asked Devine.

“That’s a reckless statement for a law enforcement leader to make that was not there.”

The fallout in Minnesota has also put renewed focus on now former U.S. Border Patrol Commander at Large Gregory Bovino, who was temporarily assigned there and is now expected to return as chief patrol agent of the El Centro Sector.

“How do you feel about that and him being back in the sector locally?” asked Devine.

“Whether you like him or not, is irrelevant. He fits that bill, and he is very good at what he does having him come back to our sector, I think that’s a good thing,” said Bianco.

Where the sheriff draws a hard line is who controls a death investigation, criticizing the fact that federal authorities are leading the case in Minnesota and shutting out local law enforcement.

“If that happened in Riverside County, that would be my investigation.”

Instead, he says local law enforcement would lead and federal agencies would answer questions, not control the process.

And as a candidate for governor, Sheriff Bianco says he would expand Riverside County’s independent investigation model statewide requiring outside agencies, prosecutors, and DOJ investigators anytime law enforcement is involved in a civilian death.

We reached out to Palm Springs Police Chief Andy Mills for a response to Sheriff Bianco’s criticism and replied via text, “No response, he’s welcome to his opinion.”

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Jesus Reyes

RIVERSIDE, Calif. (KESQ) – Authorities are asking for the community’s help in locating a missing Coachella Valley man last seen in Riverside on January 23.

Mark Anthony Vasquez, 48, was last seen walking in the area of Mission Inn and Mulberry in downtown Riverside just after midnight on Friday, January 23, police said.

“Mr. Vasquez is from the Coachella Valley and may not be familiar with the Riverside area. He is known to suffer from several mental health conditions,” reads a post by Riverside Police Department.

Vasquez is described as 5’10” tall, 115 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes. He was last seen wearing a dark polo shirt with white horizontal stripes, dark pants, and white/black shoes

If you have seen Mr. Vasquez or have any information regarding his whereabouts, please contact our Public Safety Communications Center at (951) 354-2007 and reference his name.

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