Category: kesq-local-news

Jesus Reyes

LA QUINTA, Calif. (KESQ) – The 2026 American Express concert series will feature Old Dominion and OneRepublic.

The concert series is scheduled for Friday, January 23 and Saturday, January 24, following the conclusion of play on the PGA WEST Stadium Course driving range.

“The artists for this year’s American Express® Concert Series will once again get our fans excited for an incredible weekend, solidifying the tournament as one of the most entertaining events on the PGA TOUR,” said Pat McCabe, Executive Director of The American Express®. “We’re thrilled to welcome Old Dominion and OneRepublic to the desert. This is a great opportunity to introduce country music and alternative rock music fans to top-tier golf, while giving our golf fans the chance to experience these world-renowned artists.”

Daily & Weekly tickets are now on sale for the 67th annual The American Express® PGA TOUR Golf Tournament, taking place January 22-25, 2026, at PGA WEST and La Quinta Country Club.

Check Out Our AMEX Section for Continuing Coverage

Old Dominion will take the stage on Friday, January 23 after the second round. Their skyscraping anthems and electrifying live shows have put them at the forefront of country music. Rolling Stone cited Old Dominion as “one of mainstream country music’s most popular live groups.” Since breaking ontothe music scene, the GRAMMY nominated band has notched nine No. 1 singles in country radio,including “Written In The Sand,” “One Man Band,” and “Break Up With Him.”

The group has surpassed six billion on-demand streams and earned a dozen RIAA Platinum and Gold single certifications. Old Dominion’s most recent studio album Barbara – the group’s sixth – was released on August 22nd and their How Good Is That – World Tour has seen them trek across the globe with stadium and arena performances continuing through the first half of 2026.

OneRepublic will perform on Saturday, January 24th following the third round. The band, which has grown to become one of the most popular pop rock bands the world, released their debut album, Dreaming Out Loud, in 2007. That included the multiple platinum selling hit single “Apologize,” which shattered digital sales and airplay records worldwide and earned them a GRAMMY nomination. In 2013, the band released their third globally successful album, Native, which included the No. 1 hit and recording breaking single “Counting Stars.”

In 2022, OneRepublic released their smash hit “I Ain’t Worried,” which was featured in the blockbuster hit, Top Gun: Maverick and boasts over 3 billion streams. Since their debut nearly 20 years ago, OneRepublic has amassed over 60 Billion global streams.

Daily and Weekly (Thur-Sun) tickets are now available at www.theamexgolf.com: Grounds ($85 – $135 per day / $245 weekly): Includes admission to the tournament grounds (PGA WEST’s Stadium, Nicklaus Courses, and La Quinta Country Club) and all public venues from January 22nd-25th. Friday and Saturday tickets also include GA access to nightly concerts. Clubhouse ($140 – $190 per day / $455 weekly): Includes admission to tournament grounds (PGA WEST’s Stadium, Nicklaus Courses, and La Quinta Country Club), all public venues and access to the PGA WEST Stadium Clubhouse from January 22nd-25th. Friday and Saturday tickets also include GA access to nightly concerts.

Champions Club Presented by Wealthspire ($475 – $525 per day / $1,200 weekly): Along with admission to the tournament grounds and all public venues from January 22nd -25th, it includes admission to a private, climate-controlled venue on the 18th Green of the Stadium Course at PGA WEST with a hosted breakfast, lunch, snacks and all-day full bar*. Guests also receive daily preferred parking and admission to the concert VIP viewing area that includes complimentary beverages on Friday and Saturday.

American Express® Card Members receive 20% off the ticket price for General Admission, Clubhouse, and Champion Club tickets when they pay with their American Express Card. For more information, please visit www.theamexgolf.com

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Luis Avila

PALM DESERT, Calif. (KESQ) – As the government shutdown begins, tensions are mounting in the Coachella Valley, with local Democrats and Republicans trading blame.

On Tuesday morning, dozens of concerned residents gathered outside Congressman Ken Calvert’s Palm Desert office, waving signs and calling for accountability. The demonstration, organized by Democrats of the Desert, aimed to highlight the local impacts of the shutdown and pressure lawmakers to reach a compromise.

Several demonstrators pointed to what they view as an unwillingness by Republican lawmakers to negotiate in good faith. Some criticized what they described as partisan obstructionism, while others blamed the influence of President Donald Trump on the GOP.

Organizers of the rally accused Republican lawmakers — who control all branches of government — of failing to follow through on promises to work across the aisle.

“When the Democrats tell them that they are willing to work with you, we have some ideas, they need to sit down and work with them. They need to not just roll through their power and forget about the rest of the elected lawmakers and the rest of us.”

Marcie Maxwell, Democrats of the Desert President

But local Republicans see things differently. They argue the root of the shutdown lies in excessive government spending and place the blame squarely on Democrats.

While they acknowledge the shutdown’s negative impacts, they believe pressure will ultimately force Democrats to soften their stance.

“This is not a good thing but you have to have cooperation. I’m hoping when the Democrats see where this is going that they’ll say ‘this is worse and they’ll just agree to the continuing resolution.”

Sandra Schulz, East Valley Republican Women Patriot Executive Vice President

Despite the sharp political divide, residents on both sides expressed hope for a swift resolution.

Organizers of the rally say they plan to continue applying pressure until the federal government is fully reopened.

Stay with News Channel 3 for more.

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Peter Daut

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – After a nationwide search, the Palm Springs Art Museum has found its next director close to home. Christine Vendredi had been serving as the interim executive director since Adam Lerner stepped down earlier this year.

News Channel 3’s Peter Daut spoke with Vendredi about her new role and her goals for the museum.

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Jesus Reyes

LA QUINTA, Calif. (KESQ) – Four people were injured, including one critically, after a crash involving a Sunline bus and a pickup truck in La Quinta Tuesday evening.

The crash was reported at around 6:20 p.m. on Washington Street and Eisenhower Drive.

Authorities said the driver of the bus and one passenger were transported to a local hospital in stable condition. The driver of the vehicle was airlifted to a local hospital in critical condition.

Courtesy: Juan Murguia Lopez

The other four passengers reported no injuries.

Details on what led to the crash were not immediately available. The Riverside County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the incident.

No arrests have been made.

Roads were closed in the area for over an hour, causing long traffic delays for drivers.

Statement from Sunline Transit Agency:

“SunLine Transit Agency is fully cooperating with the police investigation underway regarding a collision involving one of the Agency’s buses in La Quinta. Investigation updates will be provided by the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department.” 

Stay with News Channel 3 for continuing updates.

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John White

COACHELLA VALLEY, Calif. (KESQ) – California voters will be deciding the fate of Proposition 50 in a state-wide special election on November 4th in a little over four weeks. 

And the decision could have major implications in the battle for control of Congress in next year’s mid-term elections. 

It would redraw the state’s congressional districts, giving democrats an edge in some seats currently held by republicans. 

The effort is being spearheaded by Gov. Gavin Newsom who announced in August, “We’re doing this in reaction to a President of the United States who called a sitting governor of the State of Texas and said find me five seats.” 

The proposition was put on the ballot after Texas re-drew its districts in the hopes of picking-up five Republican seats. 

Co-Chair of No on Prop 50, Stop the Sacramento Power Grab, Jessica Millan Patterson counters that argument. 

“Well, this is very clearly a power grab from Sacramento politicians, and this power was given to the people in 2010 with our citizens redistricting commission,” Patterson says.  

Local Democratic candidate for congress, Brandon Riker, disagrees with that.   

“This isn’t something I think anyone wanted to do, but Texas did it first. We’re responding to Texas. We didn’t start this, but we need to make sure we respond and that we’re able to hold this administration accountable,” Riker says. 

Rep. Ken Calvert (R) CA-41 responds, “Well, I have no control over Texas, and Texas is going to do what they are going to do. But two wrongs don’t make a right.” 

Proposition 50 would set aside the independent commission’s districts for three election cycles. 

In the Coachella Valley, the current 41st district would be gone, moved into heavily Democratic East Los Angeles County. 

The 48th district is especially complicated. 

Proposition 50 adds Palm Springs and Indian Wells into a district in San Diego County, stretching almost to the coast. 

Former state lawmaker Chad Mayes says, “You know, you’ve heard the term gerrymandering, if we all learned that in in high school civics, the way that district lines are moved around to look like a gerrymander. They don’t have communities of interest, and so when politicians draw their lines, they draw lines to maximize their party’s electoral success.” 

It’s going to be an expensive fight, with state records showing 3 dozen committees raising money. 

As of September 20, state records show: 

    The Governor’s committee, “Yes on 50″ The Election Rigging Response Act had raised over $77 million. 

    The “No on 50” Congressional Leadership Fund had raised nearly $42 million 

    “No on 50” Protect Voters First had raised nearly $31million, nearly all of it from Charles Munger, Junior who financed the initiative to create the independent redistricting commission in California. 

The Director of Insights for OpenSecrets.Org, Brendan Glavin says, “People need to be, you know, understand who’s behind the messaging. What are their motivations for this, either supporting or opposing it, and you know, educated voters are able to make better decisions.” 

The fight over the proposition is also creating uncertainty for the candidates. 

Incumbent Republican Ken Calvert is a primary target of the proposition and won’t say what he will do if it passes.   His home would be in the newly drawn 40th district.  He says his focus right now is defeating 50. 

Democrat Brandon Riker lives in Palm Springs and is running against Calvert right now in the 41st district and against Republican Darrell Issa in the proposed 48th district. 

Democrat Marni von Wilpert, a current San Diego City Council Member is running in the 48th against Issa but won’t know if Palm Springs and Indian Wells will be a part of that until November 4th. 

Mayes describes the entire battle as one that’s entirely based on power, “This is really a symptom of a really deeper disease here in this country. You know, our polarization has gotten the best of us. It is true. This would not have happened in California had Republicans not done it in Texas. And at the end of the day, both Republicans and Democrats, all they care about is themselves, and they care about is power.”” 

Interactive Map of Current Districts:  https://wedrawthelines.ca.gov/final-maps/

Interactive Map of Proposed Districts:  https://aelc.assembly.ca.gov/proposed-congressional-map

Campaign Finance Information for Proposition 50:  https://cal-access.sos.ca.gov/Campaign/Measures/Detail.aspx?id=1483327&session=2025

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Jesus Reyes

DESERT HOT SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – An 18-year-old man died after being struck by vehicles Tuesday morning in Desert Hot Springs.

The crash was reported at around 4:10 a.m. near the area of N. Indian Canyon Drive and Scenic Drive.

The man was identified as Jaime Castro of Desert Hot Springs.

Police said officers arrived at the scene and found Castron in the roadway suffering from fatal injuries after having been struck by vehicles.

Several vehicles stopped at the scene and contacted the police.

“Based on preliminary information, investigators believe there may be outstanding drivers who may have either collided with the victim or observed the victim’s movements prior to the collision,” police wrote.

The Desert Hot Springs Police Major Accident Investigation Team (MAIT) is continuing its investigation.

Anyone with information on this collision is encouraged to contact MAIT Investigators, Detective Chris James at cjames@dhspd.com or Cpl. Gustavo Ramirez at gramirez@dhspd.com, or by phone at (760) 329-2904.

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City News Service

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – Two companies donated video and sound systems to the Palm Springs Plaza Theatre, it was announced today.   

“The incredible scope of these two important technology donations has significantly increased the ability of the Plaza Theatre to attract acts,” J.R. Roberts, president of the Plaza Theatre Foundation, said in a statement.   

SACO Technologies, the company behind the Sphere technology in Las Vegas, donated a video wall featuring a cast aluminum frame and LED panels that will be installed against the back wall of the theater’s stage.   

Fender Musical Instruments Corp., a leading manufacturer of guitars, basses, amps and other accessories, donated a range of high-end amplifiers, which officials said will reduce equipment rental costs for future acts.   

The amplifiers, otherwise known as a backline package, include an acoustic Junior amplifier, a 1964 Deluxe Reverb amp, a Tone Master Deluxe Reverb amp, a 1959 Tone Master Bassman amp, a bass 800 amp head, an acoustic 100 amp, two 4×10 Bass cabinets, amplifier covers and speaker cables.

“Having this industry-standard backline package will be very useful and will be included in our tech package sent to managers and agents when we are attracting acts,” Brian Ray, foundation board member, said in a statement.   

Following extensive restorations, the theater will open in early December, officials said.

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Shay Lawson

CATHEDRAL CITY, Calif. (KESQ) — Nearly a year after a drunk driver killed Ryan Provost in a DUI motorcycle crash, his family said they are still waiting for justice.

The driver has not been charged at this time.

Ryan’s mother, Cynthia Provost, said the family paid for a billboard at Vista Chino and Date Palm Drive to keep his case in the public eye.

“It’s time that we get justice, we’re going on a year in October 18th,” Provost said. “I’m hoping that they just quickly look, you know, because I want everybody to be safe while they’re driving… and just mainly see my son and know that he’s loved.”

Provost, 22, was killed in October 2024 in a collision on Dillion Road at Desert Crest Avenue.

The crash happened in an unincorporated area of Riverside County under CHP Indio’s jurisdiction.

According to a CHP spokesperson, the Indio office oversees highways and freeways and shares jurisdiction with the Riverside County Sheriff’s Office in unincorporated areas. CHP is the lead agency for traffic collisions within these areas.

He said investigators finished Provost’s case on January 14, 2025, and recommended charges to the Riverside County District Attorney’s Office.

It’s now up to the DA to decide whether to file. News Channel 3 has reached out for comment.

For Cynthia, the wait is agonizing — and she hopes her son’s story serves as a warning about the dangers of drunk driving.

“It’s very upsetting,” she said. “It makes me angry because nobody’s safe with drunk drivers out and about.”

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Jesus Reyes

Thousand Palms, Calif. (KESQ) –  SunLine Transit Agency will offer free rides on its fixed route bus during California Clean Air Day (Oct. 1) and Rideshare Week (Oct. 7-11).

Sunline officials said there is nothing specific needed by riders in order to receive free rides on October 1 and between October 7 and 11 – they can simply show up to their selected fixed route stop and board the bus.

Both California Clean Air Day and Rideshare Week are rooted in the idea that shared experiences can inspire collective action to improve community health. These campaigns encourage commuters to try alternative modes of transportation such as riding the bus, biking, walking, or sharing rides with others instead of driving alone.

“By making small changes in how we travel, we can significantly reduce air pollution, ease traffic congestion, and promote healthier lifestyles throughout the Coachella Valley and beyond,” said Mona Babauta, CEO/General Manager of SunLine Transit Agency.

SunLine has long been committed to clean air initiatives, and this special opportunity to ride SunLine’s alternative fuel buses for free allows others in the community to do their part in helping our environment, as well. It is also an ideal opportunity to try transit.

Visit SunLine.org for more information.

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Allie Anthony

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ)— The Palm Springs Police Department officially opened the doors to its brand-new substation. It’s right in the heart of downtown, in the Downtown Park.

Located at 230 Museum Drive, the new facility is part of a broader effort to strengthen community policing and improve accessibility between officers and the public.

The grand opening was held Tuesday evening.

Positioned just steps away from local shops and tourist destinations, the substation is expected to enhance safety and reduce emergency response times in the busy downtown area. The station provides mental health services for the unhoused community.

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