Riverside County highlights Pride health and safety ahead of major celebrations

Luis Avila

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – As Pride events bring thousands of visitors to the Coachella Valley this upcoming weekend, Riverside County health officials are urging the community to stay mindful of public health and safety. With an uptick in mpox cases and other health concerns during large gatherings, Riverside University Health System is reminding residents that prevention and vaccination remain key to keeping celebrations safe.

Riverside County has reported 24 mpox cases so far in 2025 — more than half in the last two months — with two virus types circulating locally. While numbers remain below 2024 levels, officials say the rise is a reminder that the virus has not gone away.

Health leaders also continue to address stigma and misinformation around mpox, emphasizing that the disease can affect anyone through close, prolonged contact. RUHS says awareness and open conversations are essential to keeping communities safe. Free mpox vaccinations and HIV/STI testing will be offered Nov. 8–9 at Greater Palm Springs Pride.

Stay with News Channel 3 for more.

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Filipino residents in the Coachella Valley coming together to create community festival amid travel trouble

Gavin Nguyen

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – The return of the Coachella Valley Filipino Festival, or CVFF, is coming at the right time for many Filipino-American residents in the Coachella Valley.

Organizers with the festival said residents are having a tougher time traveling to the Philippines amid inflation and other troubles. They said events like these help bridge the gap and create a community environment where they can celebrate their culture thousands of miles from their homeland.

The festival announced it will return on November 15th at Downtown Park in Palm Springs. The event will run from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and offers free admission. It was last held in 2023.

For Filipino-Americans in the Coachella Valley, the return of the festival is important.

Bert Ticman is a regular at Fil-Am Oriental Market, one of few Filipino stores around the Coachella Valley. After eating lunch, he described the importance of cultural celebrations like these.

“I’ve been here almost 40 years or something, but it’s been a long time. So every now and then, you know, we want to go home and see… see our country,” he explained.

“You miss a lot of things. You miss a lot of food, you miss talking about when you were young and you went to college, riding the jeepneys and things like that.”

For some, visiting friends and family in the Philippines is a simple plane ticket away. But for others, finding the money to do so is a more difficult task.

Michael Milan, who is part of the event organizing team for the CV Filipino Festival, said some Filipinos in the valley find tariffs and travel expenses to be a barrier, keeping them from returning back home.

“Our older generation who were were immigrants here are not able to to travel into the Philippines as easily just due to those costs,” he explained. “We want to make sure that they have access to the to have that experience here in in so far as what we can bring to them through this festival.”

The celebration will feature over 50 vendors selling tastes from the Philippines, like lumpia, adobo, lechon, and much more. Bayanihan Desert will also be tabling at the event to provide more information and gather community feedback about a mural project in Palm Springs over five years in the making.

Christine Soto, a member of Bayanihan Desert, said the mural will celebrate the diversity of the Coachella Valley.

“Well, representation matters. I know that that phrase gets thrown out a lot, but, you know, I think people want to see themselves reflected in the community that they live in. And art is a wonderful way to do that.”

The demand for Filipino representation is also growing in the region. As other Asian restaurants and markets begin making their way into the desert, the Filipino community continues to ask for favorites only found outside of valley, like Seafood City, a popular Filipino supermarket chain, and Jollibee, a Filipino fast food staple.

Milan remembered during the last festival in 2023, vendors that took weeks of convincing to venture into the desert ended up selling out within hours.

“That’s our long term hope, is that is that the the vendors who are presenting at the festival will understand that there’s a demand here.”

To learn more about the Coachella Valley Filipino Festival, you can visit their website by clicking here. Organizers also encourage you to find them on social media, like their Instagram (@cvfilipinofest).

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Cast of ‘Sentimental Value’ to receive International Star Award at Palm Springs International Film Festival

Jesus Reyes

Palm Springs, Calif. (KESQ) – The first set of honorees at the 2026 Palm Springs International Film Awards was officially announced on Wednesday.

The cast of “Sentimental Value” will receive the International Star Award for their ensemble performance, organizers confirmed. Cast members Renate Reinsve, Stellan Skarsgård, Inga Ibsdotter Lilleass, and Elle Fanning are expected to accept the award, with director Joachim Trier presenting.

The Film Awards will take place on January 3, 2026, at the Palm Springs Convention Center, with the festival running January 2-11, 2026. The event will be presented by Kering and sponsored by Entertainment Tonight.

Check Out Our Film Festival Section for More Announcements

“We are proud to present the International Star Award to the cast of Sentimental Value, the first time this honor has been given to an ensemble,” said Festival Chairman Nachhattar Singh Chandi. “This extraordinary group embodies the very spirit of international cinema that our festival celebrates. Their deeply felt performances illuminate Joachim Trier’s moving story of family and reconciliation. With Sentimental Value representing Norway for Best International Feature Film, we are thrilled to recognize a film and cast whose impact resonates across cultures and continents.”

From award-winning filmmaker Joachim Trier (The Worst Person in the World), Sentimental Value follows sisters Nora (Renate Reinsve) and Agnes (Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas) as they reconnect with their estranged father, Gustav (Stellan Skarsgård), a once-celebrated director eager to reclaim his former glory. When Gustav offers Nora the lead role in his long-awaited comeback film, she refuses, only to learn that he has given the part to a rising Hollywood star (Elle Fanning). As shooting begins, old wounds resurface, and the presence of the American star forces the family to confront their fragile family dynamics.

Sentimental Value is Norway’s official submission for the 2026 Academy Award® for Best International Feature Film.

Past recipients of the International Star Award include Nicole Kidman, Carey Mulligan, Michelle Yeoh, Penélope Cruz, Helen Mirren, Saoirse Ronan and Charlize Theron. Yeoh went on to receive the Academy Award for Best Actress for her performance in Everything Everywhere All At Once, while Mulligan (Maestro), Cruz (Parallel Mothers) and Ronan (Lady Bird) were all nominated for the Academy Award for Best Actress in their respective years.

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Augustine Band of Cahuilla Indians donates Thanksgiving turkeys to Martha’s Village

KESQ News Team

INDIO, Calif. (KESQ) – Martha’s Village and Kitchen received a special donation on Tuesday, just ahead of Thanksgiving.

The Augustine Band of Cahuilla Indians dropped off 150 turkeys to help Martha’s Village serve its annual Thanksgiving Day meal to those in need.

Alejandra Diaz, Donor Relations for Martha’s Village and Kitchen, says of those who would like to join in on Thanksgiving, “We are open to the public for them to come and grab a meal and then we’re also going to be feeding the residents who live with us. So we have families and singles and all the children as well – They’ll have a hot meal on Thanksgiving Day.

Martha’s Village and Kitchen will be serving Thanksgiving meals from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day – All are welcome.

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Coachella Valley residents react to Prop 50 passage

Shay Lawson

RANCHO MIRAGE, Calif. (KESQ)  – Passion coming from residents across the Coachella Valley as many learn the fate of Proposition 50.

The measure – passing Tuesday night.

Some calling the result a win for California, others saying it misses the mark.

“We’re just giving more power to our elected officials,” Johnny Coladonato, Palm Springs resident said. “The power should be with us.”

“Good,” Brandon De La Riva, Indio resident said. “If they’re going to be changing the rules of the game for themselves, we have to at least have a fighting chance.”

Still — turnout across the desert was strong — with residents from every corner of the Coachella Valley making their voices heard.

“I was happy to hear that even other voting centers had lines that were going hours long,” Olivia Gonzalez, Thousand Palms resident said. “They wanted to come and they wanted to vote.”

Stay with News Channel 3 for continuing coverage.

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Longtime Councilmember Dana Hobart remembered for incredible legacy and big set of footprints at Rancho Mirage City Hall

KESQ News Team

RANCHO MIRAGE, Calif. (KESQ) – Tuesday was a day to remember longtime Rancho Mirage City Councilmember Dana Hobart.

Hobart died last month at the age of 93. He was appointed mayor five times and served on the Rancho Mirage City Council from 2002 until 2021.

Tuesday’s memorial service was open to the public, with fellow Councilmembers attending to pay their respects.

“He left an incredible legacy and a big set of footprints at City Hall.  and I can only hope that in my time in service, I can come close to even filling those. He was an incredible leader that balanced the preservation of what makes Rancho Mirage so beautiful, the future of where Rancho Mirage is headed. And in that legacy, I hope to serve.”

— Rancho Mirage City Councilmember Eve Fromberg Edelstein

The service was held at the Rancho Mirage Library and Observatory, which Hobart played a major role in bringing to the city.

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Strong voter turnout, smooth process mark Election Day at Registrar of Voters

Luis Avila

RIVERSIDE, Calif. (KESQ) — Hours after polls closed Tuesday night, things had quieted down at the Riverside County Registrar of Voters. But earlier in the day, the scene was much different — filled with long lines, steady traffic, and a strong turnout of eager voters.

Throughout the day, residents arrived to cast their ballots in person or drop off mail-in ballots. Election workers greeted voters, provided guidance, and ensured the process ran smoothly.

According to the Registrar of Voters’ Public Information Officer, operations went as planned thanks to extensive preparation and training.

“They go through a three-week training — it’s called an academy — so workers here are well prepared. Obviously, there can be surprises, but so far it’s been pretty smooth. You can see voters lining up, and we also have the police department helping with traffic so the experience can be a lot better for those who want their ballot.”

Yaoska Machado, Riverside County Registrar of Voters PIO

Inside the ballot processing center, staff worked nonstop verifying and counting votes. As of the latest update, more than 390,000 ballots had been returned.

Election officials say counting will continue through the night, with updated numbers expected as more ballots are processed.

Stay with News Channel 3 for more.

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Greater Palm Springs Pride to begin four-day celebration this Thursday

Peter Daut

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – Greater Palm Springs Pride kicks off this week, with a variety of events on the days leading up to Sunday’s big parade.

An estimated 200,000 people are expected to attend the four-day celebration, which begins on Thursday.

From free block parties, to entertainment, to a variety of activities, there’s truly something for everyone.

This weekend, head to Palm Canyon to explore the massive festival, featuring hundreds of vendors and exhibitors. And catch the parade on Sunday which begins at 10:00 a.m.

News Channel 3 will be broadcasting the parade live on our CW station, and our very own Peter Daut is this year’s Community Grand Marshal.

The theme of this year’s Pride is “Be Heard.”

Greater Palm Springs Pride Executive Director Jasmine Sullivan-Waits says of the theme, “It’s more relevant now than ever to the LGBTQ+ community. Our power is in our visibility. And we take these moments right now during Pride to stand together to be heard and be seen, and the Palm Springs Pride organization wants everyone to feel loved and welcomed.”

News Channel 3’s Peter Daut spoke in-depth with Sullivan-Waits to get more information on the celebration.

And something different this year – There’s going to be a 100-foot Ferris wheel with free rides on Palm Canyon Friday night.

For more information and a complete list of events, visit pspride.org.

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Prop 50 passes; Newsom, leaders react

Jesus Reyes

COACHELLA VALLEY, Calif. (KESQ) – California voters today approved Proposition 50, the statewide congressional redistricting proposal. By 10 p.m., the proposition had nearly 65% of the vote.

Live Coverage from ABC News:

9:00 p.m.

President Donald Trump reacted to today’s election results with a short post on Truth Social.

Earlier this morning, Trump threatened legal action over mail in ballots cast in California.

Republican Congressman Darrell Issa (CA-48) commenting on the passage of Prop 50:“California is my home. And it’s worth fighting for.I know how many of my friends and constituents feel about tonight’s election results and the unprecedented purely partisan campaign that pitted neighbor against neighbor and divided the state as never before. It was difficult to watch as Gavin Newsom and Sacramento’s special interests set about shredding the state constitution, disenfranchising millions of Californians solely because of how they vote, and delivering what they know is an undeserved advantage to Democrats.But here’s something Newsom and his cronies don’t know: It won’t work. The worst gerrymander in history has a fatal flaw. Voters get to pick their representatives. Not the other way around.I’m not going anywhere. I’ll continue to represent the people of California — regardless of their party or where they live.I’m not quitting on California. And neither should anyone else.”

Congressman Kevin Kiley, one of the most vocal critics of Gov. Newsom in recent years, issued a statement on Prop 50 passing:

Keep the faith, my friends. We’ll be ok. pic.twitter.com/jc5i6zEsPN

— Kevin Kiley (@KevinKileyCA) November 5, 2025

Democrat Rep. Ami Bera (CA-06) announced he will run against Kiley in the newly drawn Third Congressional District.

8:50 p.m.

Governor Gavin Newsom spoke for the first time since Prop 50 passed:

8:45 p.m.

Local Congressman Ken Calvert, whose district will change with the passing of Prop 50, issued a statement:

“With the passage of Prop 50, Californians were sold a bill of goods, allowing Gavin Newsom and his radical allies in Sacramento an unprecedented power grab to redraw the Congressional map and silence those who disagree with his extreme policies,” said Congressman Ken Calvert. “Gerrymandering districts because you don’t like the results of an election is politics at its absolute worst. Governor Newsom pouring millions into this ballot initiative while crime goes unchecked, housing costs skyrocket, and taxes as well as gas prices remain among the highest in the nation shows he’s more interested in protecting his party’s stranglehold on the state than delivering on the issues families face. Despite the passage of Prop 50, I am determined to keep fighting for the families I represent in Congress.”

In Riverside County, the Yes votes were up by nearly 57% of the ballots after the first batch of results.

8:05 p.m.

Prop 50 is projected to pass, according to multiple outlets, including ABC News.

Riverside County is set to release its first batch of results at approximately 8:20 p.m.

Check Out Proposed Redistricting Maps

California voters have chosen to redraw their state’s congressional map in the middle of the decade and to temporarily sideline the state’s independent redistricting commission, according to ABC News’ projection that California’s Proposition 50 (Prop 50) will pass — which could have major implications for the 2026 midterms.

The proposition being projected to pass gives Democrats their first major win during the ongoing mid-decade redistricting wars across the country. Gov. Gavin Newsom proposed the ballot measure after Texas Republicans, encouraged by President Donald Trump, revised their maps in a rare mid-decade redistricting move that could allow Republicans to gain five seats in 2026.

-ABC News’ Oren Oppenheim

7:00 p.m. Polls close at 8:00 p.m. in California; however, if you are still in line at a voting center, you can still cast your vote.

KEY RACES ACROSS THE COUNTY

Zohran Mamdani will win New York City’s mayoral race, according to multiple outlets.

Democrats are also projected to win two key governors’ races: Abigail Spanberger will flip control from Virginia GOP Gov. Glenn Youngkin and Rep. Mikie Sherrill will defeat Republican nominee and Trump ally, Jack Ciattarelli.

Texas voters approve two constitutional amendments:

US citizenship is required to vote in the state

Parents are the primary decision makers for their children

Maine will pass ballot referendum enacting red flag law; Maine voters rejected a ballot initiative requiring photo ID to vote in person and by mail

BREAKING DOWN PROP 50

CALIFORNIA – Voters will be asked whether to approve the redrawing of California’scongressional district lines in an effort to create more Democratic seats in the House — an effort Gov. Gavin Newsom says will offset a similar move in Texas designed to create more Republican seats.

Proposition 50, dubbed by supporters as “The Election Rigging Response Act,” would establish new congressional district maps for the 2026, 2028 and 2030 elections. An analysis by the election news website Ballotpedia said it would shift five Republican-held congressional districts toward Democrats.  

Check Out Proposed Redistricting Maps

Democrats hold a 43-9 advantage in the state’s House delegation.   

Backers of the measure say it “draws fair maps that represent California’s diverse communities and ensure our voices aren’t silenced by Republican gerrymandering in other states.”   

Opponents say Proposition 50 “creates one of the most extreme partisan gerrymanders in modern American history” and is a “threat to democracy and fair elections in California,” according to the campaign against the measure.

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South Coast AQMD to Host Dust Summit in Palm Desert

City News Service

PALM DESERT, Calif. (KESQ) – Air quality regulators will host a summit in Palm Desert this week to discuss the health impacts and environmental factors of dust.

The event, hosted by the South Coast Air Quality Management District in partnership with Riverside County Supervisor V. Manuel Perez, will be held at 5 p.m. Thursday at the auditorium on UC Riverside’s Palm Desert campus, at 75080 Frank Sinatra Drive.

It will feature presentations, panel discussions and an interactive Q&A session from experts and community leaders.   

Dust pollution affects the Coachella Valley through high winds across the desert, which impacts air quality and overall quality of life, officials said.

The agency said it will outline a three-part plan approved by its Governing Board, which includes scientific research led by faculty at UC Riverside and UC San Diego/Scripps Institution of Oceanography, targeted strategies to develop area-specific control measures and implementation of on-the-ground mitigation projects.   

The SCAQMD is an agency responsible for improving air quality in several counties, including the Coachella Valley.   Attendees unable to make it in person may view the summit via Zoom ataqmd.zoomgov.com/j/1611757966.

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