Category: kesq-local-news

Kiera McKinney

COACHELLA, CALIF. (KESQ)- U.S. Department of Homeland Security is rescinding the 2022 public charge ground of inadmissibility regulations (“2022 Final Rule”).

The Public Charge Rule is used to decide whether someone is likely to depend mainly on government assistance. If immigration officers determine that an applicant is likely to become a public charge, they can deny a visa, admission to the U.S., or a green card.

The change gives immigration officers more freedom to look at a person’s overall situation, including:

Age

Health

Family size

Income, assets, and financial resources

Education and job skills

Under federal guidelines, officers may consider whether an applicant has received certain means-tested public benefits, along with their financial and personal circumstances, when making that decision. The goal of the policy is to encourage immigrants to be financially self-sufficient.

While DHS cannot determine the number of individuals who will read the rule, DHS assumes immigration lawyers, immigration advocacy groups, benefits providing agencies, nonprofit organizations, non-governmental organizations, and religious organizations, among others, would choose to familiarize themselves with this rule.

Dates:

The final rule is effective on September 18, 2026.

This rule applies to applications for admission made on or after September 18, 2026 or applications for adjustment of status postmarked or electronically submitted on or after September 18, 2026.

Receipt of means-tested public benefits before September 18, 2026 will be considered consistently with the 2022 Final Rule.

Attorney Claudio Koren says officers can now look at an applicants job history, come, and medical history.

“This administration said we don’t want somebody that eventually, potentially can ask us for money. We don’t want that. They can ask for whatever they want or whatever happened in the past” said Koren.

A Coachella Valley resident who did not want to be identified says he is worried because he relies on Medi-Cal, despite already having a green card.

“I have had Medi-Cal and it has benefited me quite a bit. I even just had surgery on my leg. Now with this thing that it is going to be a public charge, it is going to be very difficult for us” he said.

Costs:

Costs will include the opportunity cost of time to read the rule and subsequently determine applicability of its provisions.

DHS estimates that the time to read this rule in its entirety would be 8 to 9 hours per individual.

DHS estimates that the opportunity cost of time will range from about $384.40 to $432.45 per individual who must read and review the rule, according to the Federal Register.

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Tommy Gallegos

PALM DESERT, Calif. (KESQ) – Season Ticket Memberships are officially live for the inaugural Coachella Valley Lakers season at Acrisure Arena.

Fans can now lock in their seats, enjoy exclusive member benefits, and be there from day one as the newest chapter of professional basketball begins in the desert.

Beginning this fall, Acrisure Arena will serve as the home of the Los Angeles Lakers’ G League affiliate, bringing professional basketball to the valley. The inaugural season will run from November 2026 through March 2027, giving fans months of action right here in the Coachella Valley.

Season Ticket Memberships include access to all 24 regular season home games at Acrisure Arena, along with exclusive member events and experiences, 25% off select food and beverage purchases, and discounted parking.

Fans who have already placed a membership deposit will be contacted by the ticketing team to discuss available seating options and finalize their membership.

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Jesus Reyes

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – The Plaza Theatre is producing a tribute to the long-running show, the Fabulous Palm Springs Follies, which ran at the theatre for 23 seasons.

“Still Kicking: Celebrating the Legacy of the Fabulous Palm Springs Follies,” the special one-day event will be held on Monday, December 14 at 7 pm. The all-new production will feature a documentary screening and performances featuring Susan Anton and Donna Mills in this celebration of the legendary musical revue.

For more than two decades, the Follies captivated audiences from around the world with dazzling musical revues that featured extraordinary dancers and entertainers ranging in age from 55 to 84. It was one of the defining cultural attractions in Palm Springs and was an inspiration to generations of performers and audiences alike until it eventually closed in May 2014.

Sept 2025: Riff Markowitz, co-founder of ‘Fabulous Palm Springs Follies,’ dies at 86

To honor this extraordinary show, the Plaza Theatre Foundation has organized an entertaining look back at the Follies, which will celebrate its enduring legacy with an exclusive screening of the Academy Award®-nominated documentary Still Kicking: The Fabulous Palm Springs Follies, an entertaining and heartfelt tribute to the remarkable performers whose energy, humor, and artistry made the Follies an international sensation. The show will include all-new LIVE performances by former Follies performers, celebrated guest artists, and outstanding local entertainers.

Joining the celebration will be an extraordinary lineup of performers and special guests whose careers span television, film, music, dance, and the stage. Among those appearing in the show are acclaimed singer and actress Susan Anton, whose celebrated career has included Broadway, television, film, and Las Vegas; Donna Mills, the Emmy Award-winning actress best known for her iconic portrayal of Abby Cunningham on Knots Landing; Kym Johnson, international ballroom champion and two-time Dancing with the Stars champion; Trina Parks, actress, singer, dancer, and the first African American Bond girl, who also performed as a featured headliner with the Palm Springs Follies; and Marcia Harp, award-winning vocalist, choreographer, and former featured soloist with the Palm Springs Follies.

“Over nine decades, the Plaza Theatre was privileged to host scores of engaging events, including film premieres, live radio broadcasts, fantastic live performances, and the first Palm Spring International Film Festival,” said J.R. Roberts, President of the Plaza Theatre Foundation. “In its later years, the theatre welcomed people from around the world to attend the Follies, so it is fitting that as we honor the that popular program with a special tribute.”

Tickets for the show range from $50 to $125 and will be available for purchase on Friday, July 24 at 10 am. All proceeds from the evening will benefit the Plaza Theatre Foundation and support its continued operations, programming, and stewardship of the theatre.

The tribute is part of the theatre’s year-long 90th anniversary celebrations. Additional Ninetieth Anniversary events will be announced later.

For more information, go to palmspringsplazatheatre.com.

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Tommy Gallegos

INDIO, Calif. — The Indio Police Department and the Riverside County Sheriff’s Office are among a select group of California law enforcement agencies receiving state funding to expand education efforts aimed at preventing impaired driving.

The grant is part of more than $41 million awarded by the California Highway Patrol to 183 state and local agencies through the state’s Cannabis Tax Fund Grant Program, which is funded by tax revenue generated under voter-approved Proposition 64.

Indio Police, along with Riverside County Public Health are two of just 12 agencies statewide selected to receive education grants. The organizations will use the funding to educate local communities about California’s impaired driving laws while highlighting the dangers of driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs.

The education grants are designed to increase public awareness through outreach campaigns, community events and educational programs focused on preventing impaired driving before it occurs.

In addition to Indio Police, the Riverside County Sheriff’s Office was also awarded funding through the Cannabis Tax Fund Grant Program. The Sheriff’s Office was among 160 law enforcement agencies statewide receiving enforcement grants, which support DUI enforcement operations, training for drug recognition evaluators, expanded efforts to identify drug-impaired drivers and public education campaigns.

Another 10 grants were awarded to toxicology crime laboratories to reduce forensic testing backlogs, improve laboratory capacity and purchase upgraded testing equipment. Los Angeles Medical Examiner also received a two-year grant to improve data collection related to impaired driving cases.

The CHP administers the Cannabis Tax Fund Grant Program using tax revenue from cannabis sales approved under Proposition 64.

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City News Service

DESERT HOT SPRINGS (CNS) – Firefighters battled a blaze at a mobile home that was engulfed in flames in the unincorporated Sky Valley area north of Desert Hot Springs and Cathedral City, authorities said today.

The fire was reported at 3:26 p.m. near 22nd Avenue and Hot Springs Road on Sunday, according to the Riverside County Fire Department.

At 5:32 p.m., fire officials reported the flames were out. No injuries were reported.

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Dakota Makinen

COACHELLA VALLEY, Calif. (KESQ) – As the cost of living continues to rise, more Coachella Valley residents are turning to side hustles to bring in extra income. From gig work to temporary jobs and small businesses, we explore why more people are taking on additional work and how these extra income streams are changing the way people earn a living.

Stay with News Channel 3 for the latest updates.

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Matthew Pearce

THOUSAND PALMS, Calif. (KESQ) — As of June 2026, the average price of ground chuck per pound are at $6.98, up 88 cents, or 14%, from June 2025.

The increase is part of a longer trend. Ground chuck prices have climbed steadily over the past two decades, outpacing price increases for other grocery staples, including dairy products and vegetables.

The higher prices come as the U.S. cattle and calves inventory has steadily declined since the 1970s, reaching just over 86 million heads as of Jan. 1.

News Channel 3 spoke with Coachella Valley residents to hear how they’re managing higher grocery costs in today’s inflationary economy.

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Gavin Nguyen

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – Concerning trends around swimming pools are pushing doctors to remind the public about drowning prevention.

According to Desert Regional Medical Center, drowning-related visits in 2026 are already on pace to exceed the number of incidents it saw in 2025.

Drowning-Related Emergency Department Visits

2025 (full year): 6 visits

2026 (through June/July): 6 visits

“When we have pools that are not gated adults, that just their attention is being distracted for just a few seconds, a child falls into a pool and, and has a near-drowning incident. Every year we see that uptake in the summer,” said Dr. Rebecca Ward, the Chief of Pediatrics at Desert Regional Medical Center.

“A lot of people think that drowning is this big, loud, splashy event. Most of the time it is actually silent. A lot of kids, they fall into the pool and then just quickly sink to the bottom. There’s no splash, there’s no loudness,” she explained. “You have to keep your eyes on the pool at all times.”

“Working in the Pediatric ICU, I saw a lot of severe submersion injuries, and it’s so sad because it’s so preventable,” she continued.

Dr. Ward, an avid swimmer herself, said the issue was especially key for her. Her message: drowning is preventable. Always have an adult supervising children in the pool. She also recommended water safety training for children, which can be done as early as six months.

Jaskaran Singh brought his three children to Pawley Pool in Indio to do just that. Desert Recreation District (DRD) also offers swim lessons and for all ages – from six months old to adults – at its pools across the valley.

Singh watched on as his youngest took part in one of those programs. He said he was building a new pool at his house, and wanted to make sure he and his children were educated before jumping in.

“It’s going to prevent it, and then we’re going to have peace of mind from them swimming and stuff,” Singh said.

For more resources on drowning prevention, she said great resources are created by the American Academy of Pediatrics.

For more information on the swim lessons and other pool programs DRD offers, links to those programs can be found here. Also, if the cost of these lessons are a barrier, DRD also offers scholarships for some of those programs. Click here to learn more about those free youth swim lessons.

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Kiera McKinney

Update (7/21/26 – 4:00 p.m.)

Wildlife officials said the eagle’s condition remains critical.

“Initial bloodwork indicates that the eagle is experiencing severe anemia and inflammation affecting the kidneys. We are still working to determine the underlying cause, and additional bloodwork and diagnostic test results are pending,” reads an update by the Ojai Raptor Center Tuesday afternoon.

Original Report (7/20/26)

PALM DESERT, Calif. (KESQ)- A bald eagle believed to be Jackie from Big Bear’s popular eagle nest cam is recovering after being rescued over the weekend.

Wildlife officials say the bird was found injured after an apparent altercation with other eagles.

“The eagle was found hanging around on the ground. So when we say grounded, that means they’re not perched in a tree; it’s not normal behavior because they do want to be perched in trees,” said Jenny Vosard, of the non-profit Friends of Big Bear Valley.

Wildlife rehabilitators said Monday evening the eagle is underweight but alert. She’s perching and eating with assistance.

Officials are awaiting test results to confirm whether the eagle is indeed Jackie.

The non-profit is also thanking those they call “Jackie’s Angels,” visitors and local residents who kept her safe until rescuers arrived.

The eagle remains at the Ojai Raptor Center.

San Dimas Raptor Rescue Donations:

https://crm.bloomerang.co/HostedDonation…

Ojai Raptor Center Donations:

https://ojairaptorcenter.networkforgood.com/…/303440…

Dates to note

Thursday July 16 – An adult bald eagle was first seen on the ground near Dana Point Park by Big Bear Lake. The eagle appeared unable to fly normally.

Friday, July 17- Witnesses saw the adult eagle in an altercation with two subadult bald eagles. Defending itself with its talons but unable to fly far away afterward.

Saturday, July 18- The eagle was rescued by the L.A. County Parks & Recreation San Dimas Raptor Rescue Team, stabilized, and transported to a specialized wildlife rehabilitation facility.

Sunday, July 19 – Friends of Big Bear Valley said photos and video indicate the rescued eagle is likely Jackie, though the identity has not been officially confirmed. Jackie had been missing from the nest cam for several days.

Monday, July 20 – The eagle remains under the care of wildlife rehabilitators, and officials say they’ll provide more updates as they become available. Friends of Big Bear Valley continues to emphasize that the eagle is believed to be Jackie but confirmation is still pending.

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Timothy Foster

RANCHO MIRAGE, Calif. (KESQ) — A day of swimming, games and laughter brought dozens of families together Sunday as Grandparents Love hosted its annual “Sunday Fun Day” at the Westin Rancho Mirage.

The nonprofit serves grandparents across Riverside and San Bernardino counties who unexpectedly become full-time caregivers for their grandchildren because of family tragedies, incarceration, or other difficult life circumstances.

Founder and President Aristotle McDaniel said the goal of the event is to give both grandparents and grandchildren a chance to enjoy a stress-free day together.

“The kids just get to be normal kids,” McDaniel said. “They get to run around, play, swim and have fun, while the grandparents can relax for a few hours without worrying about anything. We just want to take some of that stress off their shoulders and let them know the community cares about them.”

Grandparents Love works through nominations from schools, case workers, victim advocates and community members. Once a family is connected with the organization, volunteers help meet immediate needs such as furniture, appliances, school supplies and other essentials.

One recent family was referred by the Riverside County District Attorney’s Office after a grandmother moved from Utah to the Coachella Valley to care for her grandchildren following the death of their mother. After learning the family’s greatest need was furniture, Grandparents Love partnered with Mathis Brothers Furniture in Indio to furnish the home within hours.

For Gilbert and Sandra Lucero, the nonprofit made a difference during a difficult time. Gilbert Lucero said he was recovering from heart surgery when the couple became responsible for raising their grandchildren.

“When we first got involved with Grandparents Love, I was recovering from heart surgery and we needed a washer,” Lucero said. “They stepped in and got us one. When you’re taking care of three grandkids, something like that means everything.”

The Luceros said the support extends beyond household needs. Events like Sunday’s give children a chance to have fun while allowing grandparents to connect with others facing similar challenges.

“The kids get to come out, swim, play games and just have fun,” Sandra Lucero said. “Seeing them happy is a blessing. If you’re a grandparent raising your grandkids and you’re struggling, don’t be afraid to ask for help.”

Grandparents Love is also preparing its back-to-school campaign, hoping to raise money to provide gift cards so grandchildren can shop for their own school clothes, helping ease another financial burden for grandparents.

Those interested in nominating a grandparent for assistance, volunteering or donating can learn more at GPL-GrandparentsLove.org.

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