Category: kesq-local-news

City News Service

PALM SPRINGS (CNS) – In honor of the upcoming Palm Springs Pride festival this weekend, the LGBTQ+ History and Archives of the Desert are releasing the entirety of the Pride guides online for the first time, officials announced today.

The digital collection explores the history of pride in Palm Springs and the Coachella Valley from 1986 through 2025.

“Preserving and sharing these publications provides more than a look back at the evolution of Pride,” the organization said in a statement. “The guides offer a remarkable historical record of the people, organizations, businesses, venues and community leader who helped shape pride over four decades.

They documented those who were honored, the organizations that participated, the events that brought the community together, helping to make Palm Springs Pride what it is today.” The collection can be found at lgbtqpshistory.org/greater-palm-springs-pride-guides/.

LGBTQ+ History and Archives of the Desert will also present an exhibit during the festival. “Palm Springs Pride: Then. Now. Next” will be available Saturday and Sunday on Palm Canyon Drive, celebrating the 40th anniversary of the event.

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Tommy Gallegos

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) — Greater Palm Springs Pride has announced the full schedule for its 40th anniversary celebration, taking place November 5–8, 2026, with four days of entertainment, cultural experiences, community programming, and its highly anticipated Pride Parade.

This year’s celebration promises to be one of the biggest yet, featuring expanded pedestrian-friendly activities, multiple entertainment stages, a vibrant festival marketplace, and special anniversary experiences throughout downtown Palm Springs. News Channel 3 is your place for all things PS Pride, with coverage of the festivities and live-coverage of the 40th Anniversary Palm Springs Pride Parade.

The festivities begin Thursday, November 5, with the new Arenas District Walkabout, running from 6 to 11:30 p.m. Along Arenas Road, visitors can enjoy a pedestrian-only celebration featuring music, dancing, DJs, and special entertainment. Highlights include Pop Royalty, a tribute to Bruno Mars, Michael Jackson, and Prince, with participating businesses including Hunters, Blackbook, Streetbar, Dick’s on Arenas, and Chill Bar.

Friday, November 6, officially kicks off the festival entertainment with performances on the Arenas Stage beginning at 3 p.m. Hosted by Jackette Knightley, the lineup includes Alexa Kamryn, Hunny Kita, Tom Aspaul, FEMME A, and a DJ set by Luxx Noir London. Additional entertainment will take place at the Amado Stage, while Palm Canyon Drive introduces the new Pride on the Drive celebration, featuring illuminated decorations, music, food, and a spectacular 100-foot rainbow-lit Ferris wheel.

Saturday, November 7, brings a full day of Pride festivities, beginning with the annual Palm Springs Pride 5K Run & Walk in the historic Old Las Palmas neighborhood. The downtown festival and marketplace open at 11 a.m., featuring more than 250 exhibitors, nonprofit organizations, artists, merchants, and food and beverage vendors.

Saturday’s entertainment highlights include appearances by Sizzy Rocket, THE COWGAYS, Jasmine Masters, Honey Davenport, and the MODGIRL GLITTER BALL. The Community Stage will also feature a special presentation, “Palm Springs Is Burning!”, presented by Brothers of the Desert. The 8 p.m. Ballroom celebration will spotlight the creativity, history, and cultural contributions of Black and Latino LGBTQ+ communities.

The celebration reaches its centerpiece Sunday, November 8, with the 40th Anniversary Palm Springs Pride Parade, beginning at 10 a.m. on Palm Canyon Drive. This year’s Grand Marshals include Fortune Feimster as National Grand Marshal, Cheyenne Jackson as Celebrity Grand Marshal, Marshall Pearcy as Pride Royalty for Life, and Gary Moline as Community Grand Marshal.

Following the parade, the downtown festival continues from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., with live entertainment across three stages. Sunday’s Arenas Stage lineup includes GAYC/DC, I Heart Drag Brunch, MODGIRL’s RAINBOW RAVE, and headliner Aubrey O’Day.

Beyond the main festival, the official Pride calendar includes additional community events, pool parties, performances, film screenings, and cultural celebrations throughout the weekend.

Palm Springs Pride also continues its commitment to inclusivity with dedicated spaces and resources, including Children’s Headquarters, a Youth Zone for LGBTQ+ youth ages 14–21, and a Recovery Oasis offering a substance-free gathering space. Accessible viewing areas, facilities, and accommodations will also be available.

Celebrating four decades of visibility, advocacy, and community connection, the 2026 anniversary weekend builds on a year of special milestones, including the Pride Honors Awards, the inaugural Pride Equality Walk, and the annual Raise the Rainbow Flag ceremony.

Most festival and parade activities are free and open to the public. Organizers encourage community members to support the nonprofit through donations, sponsorships, and volunteer participation to help keep Palm Springs Pride accessible for everyone.

For the complete entertainment schedule, additional event information, and updates, visit:

Official website: www.pspride.org Entertainment lineup: www.pspride.org/lineup Official event calendar: www.pspride.org/psevents Pride 5K registration: www.PalmSpringsPrideRun.com Click here to follow the original article.

Kiera McKinney

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) — With Pride celebrations coming up this weekend, LGBTQ+ community members in Palm Springs are reflecting on the election and looking toward what comes next.

Residents are sharing their reactions, the issues that mattered most when they voted and what they want elected leaders to focus on moving forward.

For those preparing to attend Pride, the election adds another topic to a weekend centered on celebrating the LGBTQ+ community.

Community members are sharing what the celebration means to them this year and their hopes for the future.

Stay tuned for the full story at 6 p.m.

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Matthew Pearce

THOUSAND PALMS, Calif. (KESQ) — Less than 24 hours after polls closed, Democrats have already won control of both the House of Representatives and the Senate.

Locally, incumbent Republican Greg Wallis trails Democratic challenger Leila Namvar in the race for the 47th District State Assembly seat. Additionally, incumbent Republican Jeff Gonzalez trails Democratic challenger Ida Obeso-Martinez in the race for the 36th District State Assembly seat.

The political shakeup strips Republicans of their unified control of the federal government, which they secured in the 2024 elections.

Tonight, News Channel 3 is getting reactions from voters across the Coachella Valley.

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Raymond Kalra

PALM DESERT, Calif. (KESQ) – Days after animal care workers at The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens walked off the job, questions remain about the ongoing labor dispute between employees and management.

News Channel 3 is speaking with union employees about their concerns, the ongoing contract negotiations, and what they say needs to change moving forward.

The Living Desert has also provided News Channel 3 with a statement addressing the dispute.

News Channel 3’s Raymond Kalra is hearing from both sides and will have the full story tonight at 6.

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Dakota Makinen

COACHELLA, Calif. (KESQ) – Denise Delgado is leading the race for Coachella mayor as early election results come in, with incumbent Mayor Frank Figueroa trailing by just 100 votes at the last check.

Delgado, who has served on the City Council since 2020, and Figueroa, who was appointed mayor in April and is seeking a full term, both spoke with News Channel 3 after the first batch of results was released.

Delgado said she was excited and grateful for residents who voted for her, while noting that more results are still to come. Figueroa said the initial numbers provide a baseline but could shift as additional ballots are counted.

Jesus Gonzalez and Francisco Molina are also running for mayor.

In the Coachella City Council race, five candidates are competing for two open seats. Early results show Vincente Zamora and Yavonne Zapata ahead of appointed incumbent Juan Martinez. If the results hold, Zamora and Zapata would take the two seats.

Ballots are still being counted in Riverside County, and the results remain preliminary.

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Peter Daut

SAN DIEGO, Calif. (KESQ) – Democratic San Diego City Councilwoman Marni von Wilpert declared victory over Republican county Supervisor Jim Desmond in the race for the 48th U.S. House District seat.

Von Wilpert had 92,924 votes, or 59.6%, compared with 63,015 votes, or 40.4%, for Desmond, as of 9 a.m. Wednesday. The race still likely has tens of thousands of ballots left to be counted.

“Tonight the voters of this district are sending a clear message — they’re tired of a corrupt Congress and out of control costs and ready for a representative who will fight for them,” von Wilpert said in a message to supporters late Tuesday. “I’ve spent the last year hearing from parents struggling to afford groceries and seniors scared of losing healthcare and I will carry their stories with me to Washington.

“I’ve spent my life fighting for working families — from defending workers’ rights to taking on the powerful corporations ripping our families off — and I’m ready to take that fight to Congress. I’ll fight to bring down the costs crushing the middle class, protect the healthcare our families rely on and clean up the corruption that’s stopping Washington from working for the rest of us. That includes holding Donald Trump accountable and reining in his chaos agenda,” she continued.

While von Wilpert has a sizable lead, Desmond has not conceded.

The winner will replace retiring Rep. Darrell Issa

The 48th District, spanning portions of San Diego and Riverside counties, was previously represented by Issa, who announced his retirement earlier this year. It has been identified as a key swing district after its lines were redrawn following the passage of Proposition 50.

Desmond, a San Diego County supervisor, U.S. Navy veteran, former Delta Air Lines pilot and former mayor of San Marcos, is prioritizing border security and addressing affordability issues, according to his campaign website.

Von Wilpert, a former civil prosecutor with the San Diego City Attorney’s Office, says on her campaign site that she turned the city’s “most conservative council district blue — and she’s ready to do it again in Congress.”

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Jesus Reyes

INDIO, Calif. (KESQ) – Rep. Raul Ruiz, D-Indio, tonight appeared on his way to handily defeating his Republican challenger, Hemet Mayor Joes Males, and securing reelection to an eighth term in Congress.

Election night returns showing composite results from three counties indicated Ruiz was ahead 65% to 35% in the battle for congressional District 25.

The district extends just north of Interstate 40 in San Bernardino County, south to the Mexican border in Imperial County, east to the Arizona state line and a two-branch western boundary, the lower half of which extends into the Hemet Valley, while the upper part curves into the San Gorgonio Pass via Desert Hot Springs, north of Interstate 10.

Ruiz was first elected to Congress in 2012, after defeating then- incumbent Mary Bono. The general practitioner said in campaign literature that he’s “furious” with the Trump administration over the “tariffs and war in Iran (that) have increased prices for gas, cars and appliances.”

The congressman said that he’s dedicated to “lowering the cost of living” through legislation and “improving MediCal coverage for thousands of local families.”

The issues page of his campaign website also listed environmental protection, lowering out-of-pocket expenses for medical services and facilitating veterans with access to government services as priorities.

Males, a former U.S. Marine who was first elected to the Hemet City Council in 2020, said in his campaign statement that he’s “running (for Congress) to bring leadership and commonsense solutions to Washington for the people of the Inland Empire.”

The mayor lost one of his two sons in a knife attack outside a Hemet bar in 2016, and he has cited that experience as one of the driving factors behind his desire to serve in government.

“I’ve always been a person that gets things done,” the congressional candidate said, adding that he stands “for public safety and the rule of law.”

He has acknowledged publicly that Congress cannot be the sole instrument for curing all social ills, but he asserted that he would be a voice for holding down “federal taxes, spending and regulations.”

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Matthew Pearce

DESERT HOT SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) — Incumbent candidates and newcomers are competing for two City Council seats in Desert Hot Springs, with races underway in District 1 and 3.

In District 1, two-time council member Gary Gardner faces challenger Edouard Boumendil. Meanwhile, in District 3, incumbent Jan Pye is running against challenger Joseph “Joe” Erndt.

UPDATE: Early Numbers Show Jan Pye leading the race against Joe Erndt and Gary Gardner leading the race against Edward Boumendil.

District 1

Gary Gardner was first elected to the Desert Hot Springs City Council in 2018 and is seeking a third term in District one.

Prior to serving on the council, Gardner worked in public policy and consulting in Washington, D.C., and Arizona. He also served on the city’s Planning Commission and chaired the Human Rights Committee.

Edouard Boumendil, who is campaigning for his first term on the council, grew up in France and became a resident of Desert Hot Springs in 2021.

He works as an engineer and formerly worked for General Motors, where he spent time working on autonomous vehicle engineering.

District 3

Pye brings more than two decades of municipal experience to her re-election campaign, having served Desert Hot Springs since 1999. Her background includes previous roles as a council member, planning commissioner and civic leader.

Joseph “Joe” Erndt is running for City Council for the first time against Pye in District three.

An operations manager with experience in hospitality, construction management and budgeting, Erndt leads the “DHS 2040” research project to engage residents in long-term planning and economic diversification.

For updates as they come, stay with News Channel 3 or go here to track local, state and national races.

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Blake Arthur

INDIAN WELLS, Calif. (KESQ) — The draws are set for the 2026 FAGE WTA Finals Indian Wells, with the singles and doubles groups announced Tuesday at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden.

The tournament also released its opening two days of matchups, with play beginning Sunday, Nov. 8, and Monday, Nov. 9. Both days are scheduled to begin at noon.

In singles, Kazakhstan’s Elena Rybakina headlines Group 1, which also features Americans Coco Gauff and Jessica Pegula, along with Czechia’s Linda Noskova.

Group 2 features world-class competition led by Aryna Sabalenka and includes Mirra Andreeva, Ukraine’s Elina Svitolina and Czechia’s Karolina Muchova.

The doubles competition features eight teams split into two groups. Canada’s Gabriela Dabrowski and Brazil’s Luisa Stefani lead Group 1, while Czechia’s Katerina Siniakova and American Taylor Townsend headline Group 2.

Singles groups

Group 1

Elena Rybakina (Kazakhstan) Coco Gauff (United States) Jessica Pegula (United States) Linda Noskova (Czechia)

Group 2

Aryna Sabalenka Mirra Andreeva Elina Svitolina (Ukraine) Karolina Muchova (Czechia) Doubles groups

Group 1

Gabriela Dabrowski (Canada) and Luisa Stefani (Brazil) Guo Hanyu (China) and Kristina Mladenovic (France) Hsieh Su-Wei (Chinese Taipei) and Jelena Ostapenko (Latvia) Elise Mertens (Belgium) and Zhang Shuai (China)

Group 2

Katerina Siniakova (Czechia) and Taylor Townsend (United States) Cristina Bucsa (Spain) and Nicole Melichar-Martinez (United States) Ellen Perez (Australia) and Demi Schuurs (Netherlands) Sara Errani (Italy) and Jasmine Paolini (Italy) Opening match schedule

Sunday’s schedule will feature Singles Group 1 and Doubles Group 2 competition, beginning at noon.

Elena Rybakina vs. Linda Noskova Coco Gauff vs. Jessica Pegula Katerina Siniakova and Taylor Townsend vs. Sara Errani and Jasmine Paolini Cristina Bucsa and Nicole Melichar-Martinez vs. Ellen Perez and Demi Schuurs

Monday’s schedule will feature Singles Group 2 and Doubles Group 1 competition, also beginning at noon.

Aryna Sabalenka vs. Karolina Muchova Mirra Andreeva vs. Elina Svitolina Gabriela Dabrowski and Luisa Stefani vs. Elise Mertens and Zhang Shuai Guo Hanyu and Kristina Mladenovic vs. Hsieh Su-Wei and Jelena Ostapenko

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The draw ceremony featured special guest host Nastia Liukin, a five-time Olympic medalist in gymnastics.

The tournament will also host Family Day presented by FAGE on Saturday, Nov. 7, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Gates will open to the public, with free admission and parking.

Tickets for the 2026 FAGE WTA Finals Indian Wells are available at wtafinals.com.

Stay with KESQ News Channel 3 for continuing coverage of the tournament.

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