Category: kesq-local-news

Dakota Makinen

INDIO, Calif. (KESQ) — FIND Regional Food Bank officially opened a new Volunteer Service Center Friday, providing volunteers with a climate-controlled space to pack food and support the organization’s food distribution efforts.

FIND says volunteers previously worked in outdoor or non-climate-controlled conditions during the summer, when temperatures in the Coachella Valley can reach 120 degrees.

The new center gives volunteers a dedicated space to work year-round. FIND says volunteers build about 5,000 food boxes each month, including boxes distributed to seniors.

The center’s opening comes during Hunger Action Month, a nationwide effort to raise awareness about food insecurity.

FIND says its volunteers and donors play an important role in providing food to children, families, seniors and other people experiencing food insecurity across the Coachella Valley and surrounding communities.

People interested in supporting FIND can volunteer or donate through the organization’s website.

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Kiera McKinney

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ)—Palm Springs International Airport generated $2.55 billion in total economic activity in 2025, according to a new economic impact study released by the airport.

The findings highlight how PSP’s role in the Coachella Valley extends beyond air travel, with airport-related activity supporting more than 16,000 jobs and generating millions of dollars in state and local tax revenue.

Visitors spend more than $1.1 billion

Visitor spending was a major contributor to the airport’s economic impact. Travelers using PSP spent more than $1.1 billion across the region last year, according to the airport. That spending reached hotels, restaurants, stores, attractions, transportation businesses and other parts of the local tourism industry.

Jake Ingrassia, a spokesperson for Palm Springs International Airport, said the airport serves as an entry point for visitors who then spend money throughout the Coachella Valley.

“When we bring those travelers to our destination, they are here to spend money,” Ingrassia said. “They’re booking hotels, they’re eating in our restaurants, shopping in our stores.”

The airport reported a record year in 2025, serving more than 3.3 million passengers.

More than 16,000 jobs supported

The study found economic activity connected to PSP supported more than 16,000 jobs across the region. Those jobs are not limited to employees working inside the airport. The impact extends into aviation, hospitality, transportation, retail, construction and other industries throughout the community.

Tourism plays a particularly large role in the Valley’s workforce.

“We know that 1 in 4 jobs in the Coachella Valley are supported by tourism, and we are the gateway that provides the tourists to support those jobs,” Ingrassia said.

$175 million in state and local tax revenue

The study also found PSP-supported economic activity generated $175 million in state and local tax revenue.

Airport officials say that revenue helps support infrastructure and public services throughout the region.

“The more that our airport grows and expands our passenger count, the more that we are able to support this community,” Ingrassia said. “That’s more jobs in our community, more tax revenue for our cities, supporting infrastructure and crucial public services that we all as residents here depend on.”

Most of the impact stays in the Coachella Valley

Despite PSP connecting the region with destinations across the United States and Canada, airport officials say most of its economic impact remains local.

Nearly 97% of the airport’s $2.55 billion economic impact stayed within the Coachella Valley, according to the study. More than half was concentrated within the city of Palm Springs.

Ingrassia said that local return was one of the significant findings in the report.

“97% of that economic impact stays locally,” Ingrassia said. “The lion’s share of it here in the Coachella Valley, over 50% in the city of Palm Springs.”

Airport preparing for continued growth

PSP is also moving forward with projects aimed at keeping up with passenger growth. Those plans include a new baggage handling system, planning for a new concourse and international arrival facilities, along with new rental car facilities.

Airport officials say continued growth could mean more visitors spending money in the region, additional demand for local businesses and more jobs tied to the airport and tourism industries.

The full economic impact study and additional information can be found through Palm Springs International Airport.

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Dakota Makinen

COACHELLA VALLEY, Calif. (KESQ) — Rising gas prices are putting pressure on drivers and local businesses.

AAA shows gas prices have climbed across the country, California and the Riverside area over the past week and month.

John Rodriguez, owner of Angel Limousine Party Bus and Limousine Company, says his fuel costs have jumped from about $16,000 to $24,000 a month for his 22 vehicles.

He says the company has raised prices about $50 per job to help offset the increase.

Drivers can compare local gas prices on the KESQ Gas Gauge.

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Jesus Reyes

INDIAN WELLS, Calif. (KESQ) – Organizers announced the speakers for next year’s Desert Town Hall, the Coachella Valley’s lecture series in Indian Wells, will feature Bill O’ Reilly, Jonathan Turley and John McEnroe.

“For our 2027 season, we have assembled a remarkable group of speakers who will bring very different experiences and perspectives to the Desert Town Hall stage,” Tim Pyne, board of directors president, said in a statement.

The four-program series will take place at the Renaissance Esmeralda Resort and Spa, at 44400 Indian Wells Lane, with the first event taking place on Jan. 17.

Presented by the H.N. and Frances C. Berger Foundation, the lineup will include Jonathan Turley, Bill O’ Reilly and Chris Cuomo, John McEnroe and Jack Keane.

Turley, a recognized constitutional scholar and author, will examine constitutional principles and free expression during his program, “Free Speech, the Constitution and America Today” on Jan 17.

O’Reilly, political commentator, and Cuomo, News Nation anchor, will discuss the issues facing the country in their program, “The Future of the Country” on Feb 13.

McEnroe, a tennis hall of famer, will discuss his career during “An Entertaining Look at Competition, Success and Resilience” on March 2.

Keane, a retired four-star U.S. Army general and Presidential Medal of Freedom recipient, will use his military leadership to discuss the country’s threats and challenges during “America’s Security in a Dangerous World” on March 30.

Past speakers have included prominent figures in different fields, such as former television host Larry King, former President George H.W. Bush, French explorer Jean-Michael Cousteau and former con artist Fran Abagnale.

“This is what Desert Town Hall does best: bringing compelling people and important ideas to our community,” Pyne added.

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Jesus Reyes

YUCCA VALLEY, Calif. (KESQ) – A Washington man was killed in a crash while traveling on a motorcycle alongside his wife in Yucca Valley last week.

The crash was reported on Thursday, Sept. 10, just before 1:10 p.m. on SR-247 near Acoma Trail.

According to the California Highway Patrol, two motorcyclists, husband and wife, were traveling on SR-247 and sideswiped each other.

The husband, identified as Matthew Holleck, a 69-year-old from Edmonds, Washington, crashed after the contact. He was rushed to the Hi Desert Medical Center in Joshua Tree, where he was pronounced dead.

The other rider was not injured, CHP confirmed.

CHP is investigating the cause of the crash and do not believe drugs and/or alcohol were a factor.

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Juan Montesló

Coachella Valley, California (KESQ) – Food distribution initiatives by ALIANZA NACIONAL DE CAMPESINAS, INC. are at risk in the coming months. The Desert Health Care District (DHCD) had previously awarded $75,000 in funding, but that support was cancelled due to the agency’s internal constraints.

The DHCD will not be able to resume funding until January 2026 at the earliest, and ALIANZA will have to reapply for the grant; in the meantime, the organization lacks the necessary funds for this activity.

For this reason, Alianza needs support to continue its food distribution work; they are asking the community to consider supporting their food distribution efforts in the Coachella Valley.

These distributions serve more than a thousand families—primarily farmworkers—each month.

Alianza is grateful that this initiative is made possible through collaboration with Food Forward, Desert Health Care District, Baby2baby, Lideres Campesinas, VIM, and dozens of volunteers, who have become a vital and ongoing resource for farmworker families facing food insecurity.

Juan Monteslo is the lead reporter for Telemundo 15 News; you can contact him at juan.monteslo@telemundo15.com or via Facebook. Stay tuned for the news he brings you.

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Tommy Gallegos

PALM SPRINGS, CA – (KESQ)- Cinema Diverse, Palm Springs’ annual celebration of LGBTQ+ films and filmmakers, returns this September for its nineteenth edition, bringing a wide-ranging lineup of feature films, documentaries, short films and web series to audiences across two festival weekends.

The 2026 festival opens Thursday, September 17 at 7 p.m. and runs through Sunday, September 20, before taking a short break and returning Thursday, September 24 through Sunday, September 27.

“I am excited about this year’s program,” said Michael C. Green, Cinema Diverse Festival Director and Executive Director of the Palm Springs Cultural Center. “We have a diverse selection of topics, with something for every letter of the LGBTQI+ alphabet.”

Cinema Diverse opens its 2026 program with Mineshaft: The Cruising Murders, a new documentary from Emmy-winning filmmaker Jeffrey Schwarz, whose previous films include Vito, I Am Divine and Tab Hunter Confidential.

The documentary takes audiences behind the story of one of cinema’s most controversial films, William Friedkin’s Cruising, examining the real-life murder that inspired the film as well as the fierce protests surrounding its production and release.

Blending film history, true crime and queer activism, Mineshaft: The Cruising Murders explores the complicated legacy of a movie that continues to generate discussion and debate decades after its release.

The festival continues Friday morning, with the first screening scheduled for 11:45 a.m. Morning screenings throughout the festival will feature curated selections of short films, with more than 100 shorts presented over the course of the event.

Afternoon and evening programming expands into feature-length dramas and documentaries, along with a spotlight on the growing world of streaming and web series.

From groundbreaking artists and entertainers to personal stories of identity, history, family, faith and self-discovery, Cinema Diverse 2026 offers audiences a broad look at contemporary LGBTQ+ storytelling alongside films that explore queer history and culture.

With more than 100 short films, feature-length productions, documentaries and episodic programming spread across two September weekends, the nineteenth edition continues Cinema Diverse’s longstanding focus on giving LGBTQ+ filmmakers and stories a prominent place on the Palm Springs cultural calendar.

Cinema Diverse 2026 runs September 17–20 and September 24–27 in Palm Springs. Tickets and passes are now on sale.

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Tommy Gallegos

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – Alice B., the Palm Springs restaurant founded by celebrity chef Susan Feniger, will not reopen this fall, bringing an end to the restaurant’s three-year run in the desert.

Feniger and chef Mary Sue Milliken announced the closure in a message posted to Instagram and their website, expressing gratitude to the Palm Springs community and the team behind the restaurant.

“It is with great sadness that we announce Alice B. will not reopen this Fall,” the chefs wrote.

The restaurant, which quickly became a gathering place for locals and visitors, was recently recognized in the 2026 Michelin Guide, an honor the team described as a fitting way to close the chapter.

“This year, we were honored to be included in the Michelin Guide, a reflection of the incredible support you’ve shown us, the dedication of our amazing team, and a fitting note on which to close this chapter,” the statement said.

Alice B. was part of Feniger and Milliken’s longstanding culinary partnership. The chefs are also known for Border Grill, the restaurant and catering business they founded together.

Despite the closure of the restaurant, the chefs said their work in the Coachella Valley will continue. Alice B. and Border Grill Catering will remain available for private events and gatherings throughout the desert cities.

The team also announced plans to offer Thanksgiving dinners for pickup at home, with additional details about pre-orders expected to come.

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City News Service

RIVERSIDE (CNS) – The average price of a gallon of self-serve regular gasoline in Riverside County topped the $6 mark for the first time since May 26 today, increasing 3.8 cents to $6.026.

The average price has increased 30 consecutive days, rising 50.6 cents, including 3.9 cents Wednesday, according to figures from the AAA and Oil Price Information Service. It is 20.4 cents more than one week ago, 49.9 cents higher than one month ago and $1.425 greater than one year ago.

The average price has increased $1.475 since the start of the joint U.S./Israel war on Iran on Feb. 28, which sent oil prices higher and drastically accelerated increases at the gas pump.

The national average price rose for the 17th time in 18 days, increasing 7.1 cents to $4.438. It has risen 36.1 cents over the past 18 days, including 3.9 cents Wednesday.

The national average price increased five consecutive days, dropped two-tenths of a cent Sept. 5 and resumed rising Sept. 6. It is 16.1 cents more than one week ago, 37.5 cents higher than one month ago and $1.238 greater than one year ago.

The national average has increased $1.456 since the attack on Iran.

The national average price is at its highest amount this late in the calendar year, according to Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy, which provides real-time gas price information from more than 150,000 stations.

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Kiera McKinney

THOUSAND PALMS, Calif. (KESQ)— Finding a job can be a challenge, even as employers continue to post openings across the region.

The latest federal data shows the Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario area had an unemployment rate of 5.7% in July, with about 125,000 people unemployed. Overall nonfarm employment was up 0.8% compared to a year earlier, according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and California’s Employment Development Department (EDD).

But the job market looks very different depending on the industry.

Construction employment was down 5.4% from a year earlier, while other sectors have continued to grow.

News Channel 3 is speaking with a local staffing company SEEK Personnel Staffing about what employers are looking for, what job seekers are experiencing and how the hiring process has changed.

SEEK helps connect workers with temporary, temp-to-hire and permanent positions throughout the Coachella Valley.

Staffing experts say some job seekers are submitting multiple applications before landing an interview, while employers can also be more selective about experience and qualifications.

OneFuture Coachella Valley hosted its Regional Coachella Valley College & Career Fair Thursday at Agua Caliente Resort Casino Spa Rancho Mirage. The event brought students and families together with colleges, universities, career and technical education programs, employers, military representatives and other organizations.

Organizers say the event has drawn as many as 4,000 students and family members in previous years.

Students spoke directly with representatives about college programs, financial aid, career opportunities and different options available after high school.

There are at least two other local job fairs coming up at the end of the month:

Palm Springs International Airport Job Fair – Sept. 23 at the Palm Springs Convention Valley-Wide Employment Expo – Sept. 30 at Fantasy Springs in Indio Click here to follow the original article.