Category: kesq-local-news

Jesus Reyes

COACHELLA VALLEY, Calif. (KESQ) – Update: Desert Sands Unified School District sent News Channel 3 a message saying, “Our provider has restored phone services. Incoming and outgoing calls are now fully operational.”

News Channel 3 has asked for an update from Coachella Valley Unified School District but has not heard back as of Thursday night.

Previous story:

The Coachella Valley and Desert Sands unified school districts are working to fix phone line issues.

District officials said it is currently experiencing issues with incoming and outgoing calls. For urgent needs, email your child’s school directly.

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Athena Jreij

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (KESQ) — The California State Assembly and Senate have greenlit Governor Gavin Newsom’s redistricting plan.

On Thursday, the majority-Democrat Assembly approved the plan 57-20, sending it to the Senate where it then passed 30-8.

Among the no votes were District 36 Assemblyman Jeff Gonzalez, District 47 Assemblyman Greg Wallis and District 19 Senator Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh.

Gov. Newsom proposed the move after the Texas House announced plans to redraw their maps. Opponents say the move by Texas was politically motivated, and could cost House Democrats five seats.

Speaking with News Channel 3 shortly after the vote, Assm. Gonzalez expressed concern that the redistricting fight wasted legislative time and resources.

“We have homeless veterans. We have a lot of things going on in Imperial County. We have a 20% unemployment rate. We should be focused on the most important things, and that’s taking care of our community first versus this partisan distraction.” Gonzalez said.

Assm. Wallis also expressed concern that the method legislators used to create the map was unfair. Since state voters elected an independent redistricting commission in 2010, those members have created maps each decade based off current census figures.

“If we abandon the independent redistricting process that Californians created, we don’t just lose a tool, we lose trust,” Wallis said.

However, Governor Gavin Newsom has defended the move, saying it’s necessary to protect democracy against Texas’s redistricting.

“They fired the first shot, Texas. We wouldn’t be here if Texas had not done what they just did,” Newsom said in a presser Thursday.

If the new maps yield Democratic votes, the party would pick up five seats lost in Texas. Assm. Gonzalez disagrees with the approach.

“They said, forget the rules. Throw out the rules. We’re going to do it this way. The excuses. Well, Texas is doing it and Trump is doing it. So we’re going to do it. That’s no excuse.”

Governor Newsom signed the plan into action, which will now send it to a special election vote on November 4th where voters can weigh in on the new maps.

“No other governor in U.S. history has ever signed a bill that will put the maps in front of the voters,” Newsom said.

Stick with News Channel 3 as we continue to follow the redistricting fight.

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Allie Anthony

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – As students across the Coachella Valley head back to school, local doctors are reminding parents that a healthy start is key to a successful academic year.

Dr. Rebecca Ward from the Desert Regional Medical Center’s Family Medicine Center emphasizes the importance of scheduling annual physicals and making sure children’s immunizations are up to date. She also highlighted the role of proper nutrition and sleep, noting that well rested, well nourished children tend to perform better in the classroom.

Some resources that could help you keep your child in great health this year are MyPlate.gov and HealthyChildren.org

Stay with News Channel 3 for more details on how to keep your student healthy this school year.

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City News Service

MECCA, Calif. (KESQ) – A fire broke out today in a vacant two-story building in Mecca.  

The non-injury blaze was reported shortly before 2:30 p.m. Friday in the 99000 block of Corvina Drive, according to the Riverside County Fire Department.

The agency stated that crews will remain at the scene for about two hours.   

The cause of the fire was not immediately known.

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María García

RANCHO MIRAGE, Calif. (KESQ) — With book bans on the rise, over 10,000 instances in public schools during the 2023–24 school year according to PEN America — the battle for access to diverse literature is intensifying.

While libraries in Long Beach, Los Angeles, and San Diego are joining the nationwide Books Unbanned movement to provide free digital library cards for teens, one organization is taking the fight to the streets — literally.

The organization founded by sisters, Anais and Mirabelle Lee, have donated over 1,000 books to those in need. Since it’s launch, it has expanded to four chapters across the country.

“We mainly focus on donating diverse books to schools, homeless shelters and libraries to make sure that these kids are able to have access to more diverse literature,” said Mirabelle Lee, co-founder of the organization.

The Lee sisters are teaming up with several organizations to raise awareness about book bans, even in states like California, where protections are stronger.

“Last year, we worked with the Huntington Beach Library and they were having an issue where a board was being placed that was going to increase the number of book bans and it could remove a lot of books from the shelves,” said Anais Lee, co-founder of the organization.

Stay with News Channel 3 for coverage on the organization’s efforts to fight book bans.

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Isaiah Mora

Update 5:40 p.m. (8/22/25)

The California Highway Patrol said the suspected DUI driver died in the hospital.

Original Report 7:30 a.m. (8/22/25)

COACHELLA, Calif. (KESQ) – Three people were injured after a car crash in Coachella on Thursday night.

It happened near the intersection of Calhoun Street and Avenue 52. A White Toyota Corolla ran a stop sign and crashed into a power pole. The vehicle also hit a Nissan Frontier that was parked and unoccupied at the time of the crash.

The collision pushed the Nissan into a nearby Taco Truck that was occupied by a man and a woman. Officials say both of the victims sustained minor injuries.

The driver of the Toyota sustained major injuries from the crash and was transported to Desert Regional Medical Center for treatment. The driver was also arrested for a DUI.

Stay with us for any further updates.

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Jesus Reyes

PALM DESERT, Calif. (KESQ) – A pursuit involving Border Patrol ended in a crash along Interstate 10 in Palm Desert Friday afternoon.

The crash was first reported at about 1:55 p.m. on the westbound side of the I-10, near Washington Street.

The California Highway Patrol told News Channel 3 that Border Patrol was in pursuit of a vehicle.

“It appears Border Patrol was no longer in pursuit when the Mitsubishi side swiped a Red Toyota Prius, east of Washington Street, then continued westbound,” writes CHP Officer David Torres.

The vehicle then rear-ended an SUV. The driver of the SUV sustained minor injuries.

The suspect fled the scene on foot but was apprehended by Border Patrol.

CHP is investigating the crash portion, but not the pursuit. There was no information on what initiated the pursuit or any additional suspect information. News Channel 3 will reach out to Border Patrol for additional information.

The crash caused major traffic delays in the area for about an hour.

Traffic just before 3:00 p.m.

Stay with Nwws Channel 3 for any updates.

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City News Service

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – The Palm Springs Public Library Foundation will host its fourth annual Pride on the Page book festival later this year at the Cultural Center, with a fundraiser following the festival.

“Each year, this festival grows in popularity,” Corey Roskin, library foundation board member, said in a statement. “Our community appreciates events like this, showcasing a wide variety of literary viewpoints, it’s part of what makes Palm Springs special.”  

The free event will be held  from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Nov.1 at 2300 E. Baristo Road.

It will feature six panel discussions from LGBTQ+ authors and allies about their books and different topics.

Participating authors and moderators will include Tara Madison Avery, publisher at Stacked Deck Press; Journalist Will Dean; Melissa Febos, author of “Girlhood”; and poet Steven Reigns.

The festival aims to provide “enriching topics that communicates different viewpoints and represents various genres, attracting readers or people who may not have never experienced queer culture and others who have made it the focus of their lives,” organizers said.

A fundraiser will commence from 7 p.m.-9 p.m. the same day featuring a conversation between moderator Meredith Fine and author Chris Colfer about his new book, “Roswell Johnson Saves the Galaxy.”   

Colfer is a screenwriter, producer, author and acted in the television show “Glee,” officials said.

All proceeds will benefit the foundation.

More information can be found at prideonthepage.org.

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City News Service

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – Palm Springs officials will host a public meeting next week to discuss a playground project at Desert Highland Park.   

The event will be held at 6 p.m. Tuesday at James O. Jessie Desert Highland Unity Center, 480 W. Tramview Road.   

The city’s Parks and Recreation Department is asking residents to provide input on the design and features of the proposed playground.   

“Community feedback is vital to ensuring that this playground reflects the needs and values of those who use it most,” Parks and Recreation director Nicholas Gonzalez said in a statement. “We hope to see parents, kids and community advocated join us in shaping this important neighborhood space.”

More information is available from the department at recreation@palmspringsca.gov, or at 760-323-8272.

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Gavin Nguyen

THERMAL, Calif. (KESQ) – Friday night lights … and maybe, lightning?

The Coachella Valley will be seeing more humidity through the weekend and into next week, bringing chances for monsoonal thunderstorms.

According to the National Weather Service, chances remain slight on Friday, with increasing chances through the weekend, and even greater chances early next week (Monday and Tuesday).

Thunderstorms present a challenge for school administrators planning high school sports games and practices already wrestling with high temperatures and humidity. Air temperature and humidity are key parts of wet bulb globe temperature (WBGT), which may delay games on Friday if that measurement surpasses 92.1°F.

Palm Springs Unified School District uses its Perry Weather Monitoring System to look out for lightning strikes, and will alert administrators of any strikes in close proximity of its schools.

Meanwhile, Jason Castillo, the Athletic Director of Coachella Valley High School, told News Channel 3 the school uses Zelus WBGT – an app that provides wet bulb globe temperature data and tracks lightning strikes in the area. Any lightning strikes within nine miles means play or practice must be suspended until 30 minutes pass without any new activity.

His coaching staff also keeps their eyes and ears open for any thunder or lightning; if they can see or hear it, they said it’s too close.

While some student-athletes and their parents may be disappointed by delayed or canceled games, Castillo said they do their best to keep everyone on the same page when weather-related delays occur.

“The game might be canceled or delayed or whatever like that. So we [explain] those those protocols to the parents as well. So they already have a… they already have a mindset of okay, it could be delayed,” Castillo said.

Safety is the biggest issue, especially as the National Weather Service says about 20 Americans die each year from lightning strikes. So far this year, 13 deaths have been recorded nationwide. Summer tends to be the season with the most lightning strikes.

“We’re just going to do what we’ve got to do with keeping the kids safe. That’s the biggest thing for our kids, for our neighborhood, our community. We’re just keeping the kids safe with whatever weather comes. We’ll deal with it and we’ll adjust to it,” added Castillo.

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