Author: KESQ

City News Service

RIVERSIDE, Calif. (KESQ) – The Riverside County Transportation Commission has awarded $80 million to HDR Engineering to conduct an environmental study for the planned Coachella Valley Rail Project, officials announced.

The Tier 2 study would include advancing the project towards construction by preparing and delivering an environmental documents that needs to meet all state and federal regulatory requirements.

In partnership with the Federal Railroad Administration and the California Department of Transportation, the proposed daily passenger rail service will travel from Los Angeles to the Coachella Valley.

It would connect riders for roughly 144 miles through nine proposed station stops, expand economic opportunities by traveling to restaurants and music festivals, and offer another means of transportation.

“CV Rail is a vital transportation investment that will connect Riverside County — particularly the San Gorgonio Pass and Coachella Valley — with the rest of Southern California through daily passenger rail service. This project delivers benefits that will positively impact our region for generations,” Cathedral City Mayor Raymond Gregory, chair of the RCTC, said in a statement.

“While there is still work ahead, today’s decision brings us one important step closer to construction,” Gregory added.   

The Tier 2 environmental review will proceed in two phases: complete CEQA review, preliminary engineering and station studies and then conducting NEPA review and 30% design.  

Officials said station locations, funding and the timing for the start of construction and service will be identified during the Tier 2 project.   

The rail service project will likely exceed $1.5 billion and service could begin by 2040 depending on funding, final design and construction.

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CNN Newsource

Originally Published: 29 JAN 26 17:23 ETUpdated: 29 JAN 26 17:58 ETBy Ramishah Maruf, CNN

New York (CNN) — The parent company of Saks Off 5th and Last Call will close most locations to focus on its luxury retail stores after filing for bankruptcy this month.

Saks Global announced on Thursday that it will shutter almost 60 of its Off 5th locations and five Last Call storefronts. One dozen Off 5th locations will remain open, according to the company’s press release.

Saks_OFF_5TH_and_Last_Call_Store_FootprintDownload

By shutting down the discount stores, Saks Global’s attention has shifted to its luxury offerings at Saks Fifth Avenue, Neiman Marcus and Bergdorf Goodman. It’s a major shift for the company, which floundered under a heavy debt load following its purchase of rival Neiman Marcus in 2024. However, even before the purchase, the company was already in a precarious financial situation.

In a statement on Thursday, Saks Global said the remaining Off 5th stores “will remain open to serve primarily as a selling channel for residual inventory from Saks Fifth Avenue, Neiman Marcus and Bergdorf Goodman.”

“As such, Saks Global will move away from purchasing merchandise directly for Saks Off 5th,” the company added.

Shoppers have grown skeptical of luxury shopping and buying those goods direct from the brands. Meanwhile, the remaining luxury consumers are increasingly buying from the brands themselves, cutting out middlemen like department stores. This trend exacerbated the strain on Saks Global and its massive debt load.

The company said closing sales will commence January 31 for select Off 5th stores and all Last Call locations. The Saks Off 5th website will begin its closing sale on January 30.

Existing gift cards will only be accepted through Saturday, February 14, in store and Friday, February 13, online, according to Saks Global’s website.

The-CNN-Wire™ & © 2026 Cable News Network, Inc., a Warner Bros. Discovery Company. All rights reserved.

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KESQ News Team

RANCHO MIRAGE, Calif. (KESQ) – The McCallum Theatre hosted its annual Leadership Circle Artists’ Salon on Thursday, celebrating the vital role donors play in supporting the arts and expanding access to cultural experiences across the Coachella Valley.

The event featured Grammy Award-winning conductor Richard Kaufman, conductor of the McCallum Theatre Orchestra, who gave attendees a behind-the-scenes look at the creative process that brings the theater’s productions to life.

Yvonne Bell, President & CEO of the McCallum Theater, emphasized that donor support is essential not only for presenting world-class performances, but also for inspiring the next generation.

“Those contributions are so critical to making sure that the McCallum can not only present the wonderful art we do but also welcome 40,000 school children in the Coachella Valley at all three school districts on an annual basis,” she said.

Richard Kaufman will also take the podium as conductor for two upcoming performances at the McCallum Theatre on February 6th and 7th.

For more information, click here.

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Peter Daut

COACHELLA VALLEY, Calif. (KESQ) – Today is “Stroke Prevention Day,” a time for everyone to remember the signs of stroke, which is a leading cause of death and disability in the United States.

Stroke is a medical emergency where every second counts. Remember the warning signs of stroke with the acronym “BE FAST.”

B is for balance

E is for eyes

F is for face drooping.

A is for arm weakness.

S is for speech difficulty

T is for time to call 9-1-1

“The good thing with stroke is basically it is something we can reverse, which means we can prevent permanent disability and we can improve the quality of life. so if one identifies stroke it is crucial to call 911 and get to the right hospital at the right time,” Dr. Rahul Jadhav of the Comprehensive Stroke Center at Desert Regional Medical Center.

Every 40 seconds, someone in the U.S. has a stroke.

Click here for more information on the signs of stroke and what to do.

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City News Service

PALM DESERT, Calif. (KESQ) – A program aimed to provide university students with field-based geospatial research that prepares them for diverse career opportunities has expanded to Cal State San Bernardino’s Palm Desert campus, it was announced today.   

Field-based Learning, Outreach and Workforce Scholarship program has reached Palm Desert campus students to expand community-driven environmental workforce training across Southern California.  

The program provides research and service learning opportunities to students by connecting them with local, regional and state natural resource practitioners, community members and Tribal leadership.

Housed at CSUSB’s Institute for Watershed Resiliency, the partnership with Palm Desert campus means students can explore and learn about the Coachella Valley’s desert regions through desert-based environmental learning. 

Officials said this year’s FLOWS cohort includes eight students from CSUSB and Cal State Northridge.

This month, fellows partnered with Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians, Native American Land of Conservancy and the Audubon Society to study regional water systems, restoration efforts and Indigenous governance.   

“The FLOWS program that took place in the Coachella Valley was a wonderful experience for students that gave us practical knowledge and skills essential for careers in the environmental field,” Matthew Scully, an environmental studies major and FLOWS fellow, said in a statement.   

A number of activities and applications during the program includes engaging with Tribal communities or organizations to explore Tribal perspectives of water issues, data collection and analysis and meeting resource practitioners to learn about programs, projects and career opportunities.

“By expanding collaboration with the Palm Desert campus, FLOWS continues to demonstrate how universities can address real-world environmental challenges while strengthening regional partnerships and workforce pathways,” officials said.

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Jesus Reyes

COACHELLA VALLEY, Calif. – February is Black History Month, and the entire valley is invited to take part in a host of free, fun, and educational events organized by the Palm Springs Black History Month Committee.

News Channel 3’s Peter Daut spoke with committee board member Zjarvre Crawford about the events coming up and why this year is especially poignant.

For more information, visit https://palmspringsblackhistory.org/

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Jesus Reyes

MORONGO VALLEY, Calif. (KESQ) – A pedestrian was struck and killed by a vehicle Thursday morning in Morongo Valley.

The crash was reported just before 5:40 a.m. on State Route 62 and Adeline Way, according to the California Highway Patrol.

The pedestrian was identified by authorities as David James Hill, 62, of  Morongo Valley.

CHP said Hill was walking within the #1 lane of westbound State Route 62 when the front a vehicle struck him. Hill was pronounced dead at the scene.

Investigators do not believe drugs or alcohol were a factor in the crash.

The road was closed in the area for several hours, and traffic patterns were altered to keep vehicles moving through the area. Both sides of the road were back open by 10:30 a.m. Thursday.

Stay with News Channel 3 for any updates.

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Luis Avila

THOUSAND PALMS, Calif. (KESQ) – Coachella Valley Water District officials attended a community meeting in Thousand Palms on Thursday to address ongoing flooding concerns.

This comes after residents in the Amity Lane area have been urging Riverside County to fix the problem they say has been ignored for years.

Residents say this will be exacerbated by the Thousand Palms Flood Control Program, a $90 million project currently underway. They argue it provides no flood protection for their area.

Stay with News Channel 3 for more.

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Garrett Hottle

DESERT HOT SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) KESQ News Channel 3 is working to speak with former detainees from the Adelanto Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility, as pressure mounts on federal officials over access, oversight and conditions inside the detention center.

The effort comes one day after Rep. Raul Ruiz said he was denied entry into the Adelanto facility during a planned visit, his second denied attempt in less than a year. Ruiz said he was seeking to investigate reports of overcrowding and inadequate care, and he called for the removal of Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem.

Ruiz said he provided advance notice of his visit and argued the denial prevents lawmakers from conducting oversight. ICE officials told Ruiz’s office he did not receive confirmation allowing entry, according to Ruiz.

The controversy arrives amid heightened scrutiny of immigration enforcement operations across Southern California and nationwide, with elected officials and advocacy groups demanding more transparency.

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Daniella Lake

RANCHO MIRAGE, Calif. (KESQ) – The Rancho Mirage Writers Festival hosted a panel focused on current immigration policy, called Crossroads: America’s New Immigration Reality this morning. The panel featured journalist Meena Ahamed, historian Russell Shorto and columnist Bret Stephens. They examined immigration policy under the Trump administration and how immigrants have shaped American society.

“We absolutely need a policy that secures the border. The complaints about immigration are not entirely illegitimate, and we have to be the ones who enforce these laws,” said Stephens, a columnist for The New York Times often writing about politics.

“One couldn’t have imagined that the streets of America would see federal agents in masks and uniforms coming in and threatening its own citizens,” said Meena Ahamed, who recently authored a book about the contributions of Indian immigrations to the U.S.

Attendees say they joined the event in hopes of making sense of current immigration policy.

“My heart breaks for what’s going on now. But this conference, because it talks about history and how we’ve survived in the past, gives me hope,” says Jo Kaplan.

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