National Weather Service: An Inside Look part 2 –

Spencer Blum

Last week, we learned about the National Weather Service and how the meteorologists there work day and night to keep Americans safe across every inch of the country.

First Alert Meteorologist Spencer Blum is taking an in-depth look at how recent government staffing cuts and proposed budget cuts could impact the agency monitoring the land, the seas, and the skies.

Watch part 2 of the special report.

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Man arrested in connection to hit and run in Cathedral City

Haley Meberg

CATHEDRAL CITY, Calif. (KESQ)- A Desert Hot Springs man was arrested in connection to the hit and run crash resulting in injuries of a bicyclist Sunday. 

At approximately 2:45 p.m., Cathedral City Police Dispatch received multiple emergency calls reporting a vehicle hitting a bicyclist along Date Palm and Perez Road.

Police said the 30-year-old victim was heading northbound in the designated bike lane when he was struck from behind by the 23-year-old suspect. 

Officers arrived at the scene soon after where the vehicle had been stopped to find the suspect had taken off on foot. 

The victim had sustained multiple injuries and was taken to Desert Regional Medical Center where he is currently in stable conditions. 

The suspect was found walking down the street one mile away from scene. Police said he provided a statement to the officers and was arrested and booked into the John Benoit Detention Center and is facing charges of felony hit-and-run resulting in injury. 

No official charges have been made at this time. The Cathedral City Traffic Bureau is asking that anyone with additional information about this incident contact Traffic Sergeant Daniel Anes at (760) 202-2476 or the Cathedral City Police Department at tips@cathedralcity.gov

Stay with News Channel 3 for more updates on this incident. 

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Coachella Valley fire officials warn residents about firework safety and risks during the Fourth of July

Tori King

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) — The Fourth of July is just days away, and local fire official are warning desert residents about the dangers of illegal fireworks here in the Coachella Valley.

“This weekend, we had over a dozen fires in Southern California,” Said Palm Springs Fire Chief Paul Alvarado. “We had so many brush fires because the weather is hot, the grass and the brush out there is dry, and it’s ready for a fire. So any little spark can cause a wildfire.”

Cathedral City Fire Department is also trying to raise awareness. This year, the department teamed up with the city to pay for signage, warning residents about the fireworks laws, and the consequences of breaking them.

“It’s al about public awareness, right,” said CCFD Chief Michael Contreras. “Do some people just not know that they’re illegal in Cathedral City? Well, let’s tell them. That’s our primary goal, is to tell people they’re illegal and to not use them. And then the the second piece is to try to get as much exposure as possible. So this year, we made a conscious effort with the council’s approval that we’re going to put them on all our vehicles, and all over town.”

According to the National Fire Protection Association, fireworks are responsible for thousands of incidents every year. The NFPA reports around 18,500 fires caused by fireworks on average annually, causing an estimated $43,000,000 in damages.

Not only are they dangerous, they can be deadly. Despite the annual warnings, thousands of people were injured in fireworks-related accidents here in the U.S. in 2024. According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, around 14,700 people were sent to Emergency Rooms and treated for fireworks-related injuries or burns across the country last year.

“People that think that it’s okay to break the law, and light fireworks and put the community at risk, they’re wrong,” said Alvarado. “In the city of Palm Springs, we don’t stand for that.”

During that same time period, eleven people died from fireworks-related accidents. That’s why both departments are on standby for the holiday.

“Every fire department in Southern California is doing the same thing I’m doing,” said Alvarado. “We’re trying to help out our mutual aid partners with brush fires in Southern California, but we also have to make sure the city is safe, so we’re working on that today to make sure we have plenty of firefighters on standby on the fourth.”

“We get double the amount of calls every fourth,” said Contreras. “It could be something from a spark or a larger firework. It could be the big mortar type fireworks, you know, Roman candles and things like that. And so really, the day, as the day progresses, it gets worse with the amount of calls, and usually about midnight or one o’clock is where it peaks. And then we just, we deal with whatever comes our way, whether it be a fire, an injury, a DUI crash. We just want people to be safe, but we are ready no matter what happens.”

Riverside County Fire, the Riverside County Sheriff’s Office, and the county Code Enforcement Department will be actively pursuing individuals who light fireworks without a permit.

During last year’s enforcement, nearly 300 citations were issued, while 10 people were arrested, and over 400 pounds of illegal fireworks were confiscated.

Under local ordinance, California-approved “safe and sane” fireworks such as sparklers and fountains are permitted only within the city limits of Blythe, Coachella, Desert Hot Springs, and Indio. They are not permitted in other local cities.

News Channel 3’s Tori King is speaking with PSFD about safety tips this 4th of July, stay tuned for her coverage at 4, 5, and 6 p.m.

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Wolf Fire smoke continues to affect the Coachella Valley

Luis Avila

DESERT HOT SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – Smoke from the Wolf Fire continues to push into the Coachella Valley, prompting health warnings for residents across the region.

The South Coast AQMD issued a smoke advisory until 6 PM on Monday. Officials said fine particle pollution, or PM 2.5, reached potentially unhealthy levels for sensitive groups, including older adults, children and pregnant women.

Short-term exposure to smoke can cause coughing, wheezing, and eye and throat irritation for healthy individuals, but long-term or heavy exposure can lead to more serious health problems like heart attacks, strokes, and even premature death, especially for those with existing conditions.

John Stoneham, respiratory therapist at Desert Care Network, says anyone can be at risk of complications as a result of poor air quality.

“Youth… think that ‘I’m healthy and I don’t have to worry about certain things,’ but unfortunately that is not the case. We should all be mindful about what is going into our lungs. It’s not like you can see every single thing in the air.”

John Stoneham, Desert Care Network respiratory therapist

But it’s not just smoke presenting a problem for residents, Stoneham says Monday’s gusty winds are making a bad situation worse.

“With the wind, blowing everything all types of directions, it becomes more invisible and hit you quicker than you realize.”

John Stoneham, Desert Care Network respiratory therapist

Residents are being advised to reduce outdoor activity, stay indoors, but if you have to go outside, monitor air quality and wear an N95 mask.

Stay with News Channel 3 for more.

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Wolf Fire near Banning at nearly 2,400 acres with 75% containment; Evacuation Orders downgraded

Bruno Lopez-Vega

Update 7/4/25 7:00 p.m.

CAL FIRE reports containment remains at 75%, with 2,387 acres burned. Crews will continue to strengthen the containment lines, and work on suppression repair continues. Evacuation Orders and Warnings are still in place.

Update 7/4/25 5:30 p.m.

The fire is now 75% contained, CAL FIRE announced.

Update 7/4/25 3:30 p.m.

Evacuation Orders have been changed to Evacuation Warnings for the area North of Old Banning  Idyllwild, West of Highway 243, East of Old Banning Idyllwild, and South of Smith Creek, RivCo Ready announced on Social Media Friday.

All previous evacuation warnings have been canceled.  

Residents are urged to use caution returning as emergency crews may still be working in the area.

For a map and more information visit: protect.genasys.com

Update 7/3/25 5:30 p.m.

CAL FIRE reports the Wolf Fire is now at 65% contained.

Highway 243 is open, though evacuation orders and warnings in the area west of Highway 243 remain in place.

Residents and travelers are urged to use extreme caution when traveling through the area, as firefighters remain actively engaged in full containment efforts along the highway.

Update 7/3/25 3:30 p.m.

Containment of the Wolf Fire grew to 55 percent Thursday afternoon, CAL FIRE announced.

CAL FIRE announced Highway 243 will reopen at 3 p.m. Thursday.

The area west of Highway 243 remains under an evacuation order.

Residents and travelers are urged to use extreme caution when traveling through the area, as firefighters remain actively engaged in full containment efforts along the highway.

Update 7/2/25 3:00 p.m.

CAL FIRE reports that the wolf fire remains at 2,414 acres and is now 40% contained. All evacuation warnings have been lifted and downgraded from evacuation orders to warnings with the exception of the fire perimeter. Officials tell residents to please use caution when returning to the area as fire crews still continue to work diligently to fully contain the fire.

Update 7/1/25 6:00 a.m.

CAL FIRE reports that evacuation orders and warnings remain in place. The fire is 2,414 acres and 35% contained.

Update 6/30/25 9:30 p.m.

CAL FIRE reports that evacuation orders and warnings remain in place. The fire is 2,414 acres and 30% contained. Firefighters continued to aggressively attack the fire from the air and the ground. Steep, rugged terrain, high temperatures and wind remain challenging factors for firefighters. Cooler temperatures tonight, with higher humidity will assist firefighters in constructing and strengthening containment lines.

Update 6/30/25 2:30 p.m.

The fire has been mapped at 2414.6 acres by CAL FIRE Intel aircraft.

Update 6/30/25 2:00 p.m.

The fire is now 30% contained, per CAL FIRE

Update 6/30/25 11:20 a.m.

Evacuation warnings have been expanded, CAL FIRE announced.

#WolfFIRE [6/30 UPDATE 11 a.m.] EVACUATION WARNINGS have been expanded to include the following zones:

RVC-0652RVC-0528BAN-0538ABAN-0536BAN-0530BAN-0525BAN-0649BAN-0647BMT-0827

Evacuation Map Link: https://t.co/1ihemE7uvr Please be prepared to leave if necessary.…

— CAL FIRE/Riverside County Fire Department (@CALFIRERRU) June 30, 2025

Click the image for an interactive map of evacuation orders/warnings

Update 6/30/25 9:11 a.m.

The Wolf Fire has grown to 1,400 acres scorched, and it’s now 10% contained.

Firefighters made good progress overnight. Multiple aircraft, along with hundreds of firefighters on the ground, will continue to establish containment lines. Overnight, Evacuation orders and warnings were expanded. Those can be found here.

Three firefighters have sustained non-life-threatening injuries. Stay with News Channel 3 for the latest updates.

Update 6/29/25 6:09 p.m.

The Wolf Fire has grown to 1,165 acres burned.

Evacuation orders and warnings are now in place for areas of Banning and Cabazon south of Interstate 10. Those can be found here.

Update 6/29/25 4:23 p.m.

The fire has been mapped at 62 acres and continues to burn at a moderate rate. No evacuations have been ordered.

BANNING, Calif. (KESQ) Firefighters are on the scene of an approximately 20 acres vegetation fire, which they say is burning at a moderate rate of spread.

That fire first reported at 3:06 p.m. in the area Old Banning and Idyllwild Roads, near Wolfskill Truck Trail, south of Banning.

They report several air and ground resources have been assigned to aid in the fight, no injuries or evacuations have been reported at this time.

Stay with News Channel 3 for updates.

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Backpack distribution event supports Coachella Valley teachers

Shay Lawson

DESERT HOT SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – Malyssa McCubbin, history teacher, said she is starting to prepare her classroom for next school year by gathering supplies.

“We spend our own money,” McCubbin said.

Team Mom Charities Inc. is holding an upcoming backpack distribution event, aimed at supporting dedicated teachers across the Coachella Valley.

“Our teachers are true heroes, consistently investing their own funds to ensure our children have the resources they need to succeed,” said a representative from Team Mom Charities Inc.

The initiative is aimed at helping educators alleviate the financial burden when buying school supplies for their classrooms according to organizer Margaret Webb.

“Team Mom likes to help the teachers out,” McCubbin said.

“We are thrilled to give them a much-needed break by providing essential school supplies through this backpack distribution,” said a representative from Team Mom Charities Inc.

The distributions will take place at various Quick Quack Car Wash locations throughout the Coachella Valley on July 10th, 11th and 12th.

McCubbin said school districts provide supply assistance as well.

“You get a little bit from our school sites that the district helps out with,” McCubbin said. “But it’s not enough. Especially all year.”

In a statement to News Channel 3 a spokesperson from Desert Sands Unified School District said:

DSUSD ensures that all teachers are provided with the essential supplies they need for their classrooms. Teachers submit supply requests through their school sites, and the district fulfills those requests. 

In a statement to News Channel 3 a spokesperson from Palm Springs Unified School District said:

The district supplies essential supplies. Our Foundation supports classroom grants. Teachers apply for a particular program or project (which often includes supplies they don’t have). We also have community organizations that often do supply drives before start of school that are donated to schools that need them the most.

Distribution Schedule:

Wednesday, July 10th

9:30 AM – 11:00 AM: Desert Hot Springs Quick Quack Car Wash

1:00 PM – 2:30 PM: Palm Springs Quick Quack Car Wash

4:00 PM – 5:30 PM: Cathedral City Quick Quack Car Wash

Thursday, July 11th

9:30 AM – 11:00 AM: Coachella Valley Quick Quack Car Wash

1:00 PM – 2:30 PM: Indio Quick Quack Car Wash

4:00 PM – 5:30 PM: Palm Desert Quick Quack Car Wash

Friday, July 12th

Rancho Mirage Quick Quack Car Wash 9:30AM-11:00AM

La Quinta Quick Quack Car Wash 1:00PM-2:30PM

Indian Wells Quick Quack Car Wash 4:00PM -5:30PM

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Palm Springs International ShortFest wraps up 2025 Festival with Awards Brunch

Tori King

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) — The 31st-annual Palm Springs International ShortFest is coming to a close, and the festival hosted its annual Awards Brunch at the Renaissance Hotel Palm Springs on Sunday morning.

During the brunch, the juried award winners and audience award winners were announced.

Awards and cash prizes worth $30,000 including five Academy Award® qualifying awards were presented throughout the morning.

Here’s a list of this year’s winners: Best of the Festival Award—Winner received $5,000 cash prize.-Retirement Plan, Directed by John Kelly-Special Mention for Best Director: Passarinho, Directed by Natalia García Agraz-Special Mention for Best Acting: Beyond Silence, Directed by Marnie BlokBest Animated Short—Winner received a $1,000 cash prize.-Winner: Budō (Sweden), Directed by Amanda Aagard and Alexander Toma-Special Mention: The Little Ancestor (Canada), Directed by Alexa Tremblay-FrancoeurBest Documentary Short—Winner received a $1,000 cash prize.-Winner: Shanti Rides Shotgun (USA), Directed by Charles Frank-Special Mention: One Day I Will Hug You (Palestine/Sweden/Qatar), Directed by MohammedFares Al MajdalawiBest Live-Action Short Over 15 Minutes—Winner received a $1,000 cash prize.-Winner: Susana (Mexico/USA), Directed by Amandine Thomas and Gerardo Coello Escalante-Special Mention: Nervous Energy (USA), Directed by Eve LiuBest Live-Action Short 15 Minutes and Under—Winner received a $1,000 cash prize.

Winner: Medusa (USA), Directed by Sarah Meyohas-Special Mention: Made From Leakproof Plastic (Canada/United Kingdom), Directed by Anastasiya MykhaylovaStudent Short Awards:Best Student Animated Short & Best Student International Short—Each winner received a $1,000 cash prize.Student Animated Short:-Winner: Dragfox (United Kingdom), Directed by Lisa Ott-Special Mention: Ma Mao (Canada), Directed by Thanh NgoStudent International Short:-Winner: Cura Sana (Spain), Directed by Lucía G. Romero-Special Mention: Crazy For You (Spain/USA), Directed by Greta Díaz MoreauBest Student U.S. Short & Best Student Documentary Short—Each winner received a $1000 cash prize, ties split.Student U.S. Short:-Winner: Nervous Energy (USA), Directed by Eve Liu and Breastmilk (USA/Nigeria) Directed byIfeyinwa Arinze-Special Mention: Kisses and Bullets (USA/Iran), Directed by Faranak Sahafian

Student Documentary Short:- Winner: You Can’t See It from Here (USA/Colombia), Directed by Enrique Pedráza-Botero- Special Mention: Dancing in Tomorrowland (USA), Directed by Jakob RostonSpecial Jury Awards:Vimeo Staff Pick Award—Winner received a $5,000 cash prize provided by Vimeo.- Winner: You Know You Wanna Stay (USA), Directed by Alex HellerBest International Short— Each winner received a $500 cash prize.- Winners: Beyond Silence (The Netherlands), Directed by Marnie Blok and Kuchar (The Itch)(India), Directed by Vaidaangi Sharma- Special Mention: Goodbye Sun (France), Directed by Hakim Atoui

Best U.S. Short—Winner received a $1,000 cash prize.-Winner: Szypliszki (USA), Directed by Jordan Axelrod-Special Mention: Ragamuffin (USA), Directed by Kaitlyn MikaylaBest Comedy Short— Each winner received a $500 cash prize.-Winners: How Was Your Weekend (USA), Directed by Cam Banfield and Your Own Flavor (USA), Directed by Alisha Ketry-Special Mention: Blood Ties (France/Belgium), Directed by Hakim AtouiBest LGBTQ+ Short—Each winner received a $500 cash prize.-Winners: Chico (France/Belgium), Directed by Théo Abadie and Hold Me Close (USA), Directedby Aurora Brachman and LaTajh Simmons-Weaver-Special Mention: It Will Always End In The End (Canada), Directed by Nancy PettinicchioBest Midnight Short—Winner received a $1,000 cash prize.

-Winner: Mango (United Kingdom/France), Directed by Joan Iyiola-Special Mention: Real (France), Directed by Rodrigue HartLocal Jury Awards:Desert Views Local Jury Award—Winner received a $1,000 cash prize.-Winner: Big Bass (USA), Directed by Drew Dickler-Special Mention: The Devil Is Busy (USA), Directed by Geeta Gandbhir and Christalyn HamptonYoung Cineastes Award—Winner received a $1,000 cash prize.-Winner: Énouement (USA), Directed by Angel Lu-Special Mention: Dandelion (USA), Directed by Fiona ObertincaKids’ Choice Award—Winner received a $1,000 cash prize.-Winner: Wednesdays with Gramps (USA), directed by Chris Copeland and Justin Copeland-Special Mention: Forevergreen (USA), directed by Nathan Engelhardt and Jeremy SpearsAudience AwardsBest Animated Short—Winner received a $1,000 cash prize.-Winner: Wednesdays with Gramps (USA), directed by Chris Copeland and Justin CopelandBest Documentary Short—Winner received a $1,000 cash prize.-Winner: The Devil Is Busy (USA), Directed by Geeta Gandbhir and Christalyn HamptonBest Live-Action Short—Winner received a $1,000 cash prize.-Winner: Beatrix Is Invisible (USA), directed by Alex FariasBest Student Short—Winner received a $1,000 cash prize.-Winner: Dandelion (USA), Directed by Fiona Obertinca

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Walter Clark Legal Group offers ‘Safe Ride Home Program’ on 4th of July holiday

Cynthia White

RANCHO MIRAGE, Calif. (KESQ) – Each year, alcohol-related crashes spike during the Fourth of July holiday, making it one of the most dangerous nights of the year to be driving.

In an effort to help prevent impaired driving and reduce crashes this Independence Day holiday, local law firm Walter Clark Legal Group is offering its “Safe Ride Home Program” for free ride reimbursements.

Walter Clark Legal Group founder Walter Clark says, “Our top priority is to save lives and keep our communities safe during high-risk holidays. The Safe Ride Home Program is a small but meaningful way to prevent tragedies caused by impaired driving.”

The Safe Ride Home Program for Independence Day will be in effect from 10:00 p.m. on Friday, July 4th, through 3:00 a.m. on Saturday, July 5th.

During the effective time of the program, residents and visitors 21 years and older with a valid driver’s license are eligible to get a reimbursement of up to $50 for a single-way ride taken home via Uber, Lyft, or traditional taxi service in the following areas:

Coachella Valley (Palm Springs, Palm Desert, Cathedral City, Desert Hot Springs, Rancho Mirage, Indian Wells, La Quinta, Bermuda Dunes, Indio, Coachella)

El Centro

Victorville

Banning

Beaumont

Yucca Valley

Morongo Basin

Eligible participants must register for a free reimbursement coupon before the holiday. For more information on the program, including rules and registration, visit walterclark.com/holiday. Once registered, participants will be sent instructions on how to submit their request for reimbursement after the holiday.

Reimbursements are available on a first-come, first-served basis while funding lasts.

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Indio Police rescue 18-year-old from drowning in canal

Athena Jreij

INDIO, Calif. (KESQ) — An 18-year-old man and his dog were rescued by Indio Police after they almost drowned in a canal.

According to the department, the man was attempting to rescue his dog when he fell in.

Officers responded to reports of a possible drowning in a canal near Golf Center Parkway and Avenue 42 when they pulled the unresponsive man from the water. A rescue disc was used to guide the officer and victim to a fixed ladder on the canal wall. Both were safely pulled from the water.

The victim was given chest compressions and regained consciousness. He was then transported to JFK Hospital and is in stable condition.

CalFire responded and rescued the german shepherd, who was alert and uninjured.

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‘Living Out’ community honors 56th anniversary of Stonewall Day

Kendall Flynn

PALM SPRINGS, Calif (KESQ) – Officials with the “Living Out” LGBTQ+ housing community in Palm Springs are taking an extra step to remember Stonewall Day by naming it’s three building wings after prominent members of the LGBTQ+ community.

The wings will be named after Phyllis Lyon and Dell Martin, Connie Norman and Carl Bean. Officials said together the four community members and rights advocates “shaped the landscape of LGBTQ+ activism, leaving a lasting legacy of courage and resilience.”

LuAnn Boylan, the director of marketing and leasing at “Living Out,” said Stonewall Day is important for the LGBTQ community and many residents told News Channel 3, it’s a symbol of freedom.

During the wing-naming ceremony, residents spoke about the community at “Living Out” and what it means to them to join together on Stonewall Day. But they say those who came before them, fought for their rights at the Stonewall uprising and now community members have to continue to fight.

Many residents said they are concerned for the LGBTQ youth, whose rights they say are in jeopardy.

Stay with News Channel 3 to hear from residents on the importance of Stonewall Day as they say they’re continuing to fight for equal rights and freedom.

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