Category: kesq-local-news

Jesus Reyes

INDIO, Calif. (KESQ) – Rep. Raul Ruiz, D-Indio, appears on his way to handily defeating his Republican challenger, Hemet Mayor Joes Males, and securing reelection to an eighth term in Congress.

Election night returns showing composite results from three counties indicated Ruiz was ahead 65% to 35% in the battle for congressional District 25.

The district extends just north of Interstate 40 in San Bernardino County, south to the Mexican border in Imperial County, east to the Arizona state line and a two-branch western boundary, the lower half of which extends into the Hemet Valley, while the upper part curves into the San Gorgonio Pass via Desert Hot Springs, north of Interstate 10.

Ruiz was first elected to Congress in 2012, after defeating then- incumbent Mary Bono. The general practitioner said in campaign literature that he’s “furious” with the Trump administration over the “tariffs and war in Iran (that) have increased prices for gas, cars and appliances.”

The congressman said that he’s dedicated to “lowering the cost of living” through legislation and “improving MediCal coverage for thousands of local families.”

The issues page of his campaign website also listed environmental protection, lowering out-of-pocket expenses for medical services and facilitating veterans with access to government services as priorities.

Males, a former U.S. Marine who was first elected to the Hemet City Council in 2020, said in his campaign statement that he’s “running (for Congress) to bring leadership and commonsense solutions to Washington for the people of the Inland Empire.”

The mayor lost one of his two sons in a knife attack outside a Hemet bar in 2016, and he has cited that experience as one of the driving factors behind his desire to serve in government.

“I’ve always been a person that gets things done,” the congressional candidate said, adding that he stands “for public safety and the rule of law.”

He has acknowledged publicly that Congress cannot be the sole instrument for curing all social ills, but he asserted that he would be a voice for holding down “federal taxes, spending and regulations.”

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Matthew Pearce

DESERT HOT SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) — Incumbent candidates and newcomers are competing for two City Council seats in Desert Hot Springs, with races underway in District 1 and 3.

In District 1, two-time council member Gary Gardner faces challenger Edouard Boumendil. Meanwhile, in District 3, incumbent Jan Pye is running against challenger Joseph “Joe” Erndt.

UPDATE: Early Numbers Show Jan Pye leading the race against Joe Erndt and Gary Gardner leading the race against Edward Boumendil.

District 1

Gary Gardner was first elected to the Desert Hot Springs City Council in 2018 and is seeking a third term in District one.

Prior to serving on the council, Gardner worked in public policy and consulting in Washington, D.C., and Arizona. He also served on the city’s Planning Commission and chaired the Human Rights Committee.

Edouard Boumendil, who is campaigning for his first term on the council, grew up in France and became a resident of Desert Hot Springs in 2021.

He works as an engineer and formerly worked for General Motors, where he spent time working on autonomous vehicle engineering.

District 3

Pye brings more than two decades of municipal experience to her re-election campaign, having served Desert Hot Springs since 1999. Her background includes previous roles as a council member, planning commissioner and civic leader.

Joseph “Joe” Erndt is running for City Council for the first time against Pye in District three.

An operations manager with experience in hospitality, construction management and budgeting, Erndt leads the “DHS 2040” research project to engage residents in long-term planning and economic diversification.

For updates as they come, stay with News Channel 3 or go here to track local, state and national races.

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Blake Arthur

INDIAN WELLS, Calif. (KESQ) — The draws are set for the 2026 FAGE WTA Finals Indian Wells, with the singles and doubles groups announced Tuesday at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden.

The tournament also released its opening two days of matchups, with play beginning Sunday, Nov. 8, and Monday, Nov. 9. Both days are scheduled to begin at noon.

In singles, Kazakhstan’s Elena Rybakina headlines Group 1, which also features Americans Coco Gauff and Jessica Pegula, along with Czechia’s Linda Noskova.

Group 2 features world-class competition led by Aryna Sabalenka and includes Mirra Andreeva, Ukraine’s Elina Svitolina and Czechia’s Karolina Muchova.

The doubles competition features eight teams split into two groups. Canada’s Gabriela Dabrowski and Brazil’s Luisa Stefani lead Group 1, while Czechia’s Katerina Siniakova and American Taylor Townsend headline Group 2.

Singles groups

Group 1

Elena Rybakina (Kazakhstan) Coco Gauff (United States) Jessica Pegula (United States) Linda Noskova (Czechia)

Group 2

Aryna Sabalenka Mirra Andreeva Elina Svitolina (Ukraine) Karolina Muchova (Czechia) Doubles groups

Group 1

Gabriela Dabrowski (Canada) and Luisa Stefani (Brazil) Guo Hanyu (China) and Kristina Mladenovic (France) Hsieh Su-Wei (Chinese Taipei) and Jelena Ostapenko (Latvia) Elise Mertens (Belgium) and Zhang Shuai (China)

Group 2

Katerina Siniakova (Czechia) and Taylor Townsend (United States) Cristina Bucsa (Spain) and Nicole Melichar-Martinez (United States) Ellen Perez (Australia) and Demi Schuurs (Netherlands) Sara Errani (Italy) and Jasmine Paolini (Italy) Opening match schedule

Sunday’s schedule will feature Singles Group 1 and Doubles Group 2 competition, beginning at noon.

Elena Rybakina vs. Linda Noskova Coco Gauff vs. Jessica Pegula Katerina Siniakova and Taylor Townsend vs. Sara Errani and Jasmine Paolini Cristina Bucsa and Nicole Melichar-Martinez vs. Ellen Perez and Demi Schuurs

Monday’s schedule will feature Singles Group 2 and Doubles Group 1 competition, also beginning at noon.

Aryna Sabalenka vs. Karolina Muchova Mirra Andreeva vs. Elina Svitolina Gabriela Dabrowski and Luisa Stefani vs. Elise Mertens and Zhang Shuai Guo Hanyu and Kristina Mladenovic vs. Hsieh Su-Wei and Jelena Ostapenko

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The draw ceremony featured special guest host Nastia Liukin, a five-time Olympic medalist in gymnastics.

The tournament will also host Family Day presented by FAGE on Saturday, Nov. 7, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Gates will open to the public, with free admission and parking.

Tickets for the 2026 FAGE WTA Finals Indian Wells are available at wtafinals.com.

Stay with KESQ News Channel 3 for continuing coverage of the tournament.

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Matthew Pearce

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) — Three Palm Springs City Council seats are up for election, with incumbents running for reelection across Districts 1, 2 and 3.

District two incumbent Jeffery Bernstein is running unopposed, while District one incumbent Grace Garner faces challenger Donald J. Soja and District three incumbent Ron DeHarte is challenged by Charles A. Brown.

UPDATE: Incumbent candidates Ron DeHarte currently leads the race for district 3 against Charles Brown and incumbent candidate Grace Garner leads the race for district 1 chair against Donald Soja.

District 1

Garner is running for her third term on the council. Garner, an attorney and former member of the Palm Springs Planning Commission, was first elected to the City Council in 2019.

Raised in Palm Springs attending local public schools, she became the first Latina elected to the City Council and served as the city’s first Latina mayor in 2023.

Garner stated that she intends to focus on solving constituent problems and supporting the expansion of municipal libraries, the convention center and affordable housing.

Challenging Garner in District one is Soja, who is seeking his first term on the City Council.

Soja relocated to Palm Springs nearly two decades ago and served as vice chair of the City of Palm Springs Human Rights Commission before concluding his term in June. Soja stated his campaign focuses on neighborhood-first leadership and maintaining long-term financial health for the city.

District 3

In District 3, incumbent DeHarte is seeking reelection. DeHarte has served as a District three council member since 2022 and held office as the 27th mayor of Palm Springs from December 2024 to December 2025. He also serves as president and CEO of Greater Palm Springs Pride.

Charles A. Brown, known as Charlie Brown, is challenging DeHarte for the District three seat. Seeking his first election to the City Council, Brown highlighted 20 years of executive leadership, pointing to past experience managing large teams and balancing multi-million-dollar budgets.

District 2

Bernstein is seeking another term on the Palm Springs City Council. Bernstein was elected as a District two council member in 2022 and served as mayor of Palm Springs from 2023 to 2024.

For updates as they come, stay with News Channel 3 or go here to track local, state and national races.

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KESQ News Team

COACHELLA VALLEY, Calif. (KESQ) – Voters are deciding several closely watched political races across the Coachella Valley and surrounding communities, including California’s 36th Assembly District and three open seats in the City of Coachella.

In the 36th Assembly District, Republican incumbent Jeff Gonzalez is facing Democrat Ida Obeso-Martinez. The district includes parts of Riverside and San Bernardino counties, as well as all of Imperial County.

Democrats have a voter registration advantage in the district, but Gonzalez flipped the seat in 2024. He is a Marine Corps veteran, pastor and small business owner. Obeso-Martinez is a nurse practitioner and the mayor of Imperial. Both candidates have identified affordability as a top priority. The race has also attracted millions of dollars in campaign contributions and outside spending.

In Coachella, voters are choosing a mayor and two City Council members following a turbulent year in local government that raised questions about public trust, transparency and future development.

Four candidates are running for mayor: incumbent Frank Figueroa, Councilmember Denise Delgado, Francisco Molina and Jesus Gonzalez.

Figueroa, who was appointed mayor in April, is seeking a full term. He has highlighted listening to residents, economic development and affordability as priorities.

Delgado, who has served on the City Council since 2020, says the city needs a new approach to how it operates. Molina has made restoring public trust and increasing government transparency central to his campaign.

Five candidates are competing for two City Council seats, including incumbent Juan Martinez. The other candidates are Andrew Gallegos, Ya-vonne Zapata, Ambar De La Herran and Vicente Zamora.

At least one new face is guaranteed on the council after Stephanie Virgen decided not to seek reelection.

Unlike other Valley cities, Coachella voters can vote for all City Council candidates, regardless of district, with the top two vote-getters winning four-year terms.

Stay with News Channel 3 for more.

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Jesus Reyes

MURRIETA, Calif. (KESQ) – A 40-year-old Hemet man was officially charged in the death of a missing woman whose remains were found last month in Anza.

Joseph Wayne Rainey pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder on Tuesday at the Southwest Justice Center in Murrieta.

Rainey is set to return to court on November 12 for a felony settlement conference.

Rainey is accused of the murder of Jessica Rodriguez, 43, of Hemet. Rodriguez is believed to have gone missing during the month of October in the Hemet or Anza area. Her remains were found on Oct. 22 near Bautista Canyon Road and Willis Road in Anza.

Authorities said that, based on the autopsy results, investigators believe Rodriguez was the victim of a homicide. Rainey was identified as the suspect in the case; however, there was no information available on how the connection was made.

Rainey was arrested on Thursday in the 1400 block of State Street. Investigators said they served a search warrant at Rainey’s residence, where they seized multiple items related to the investigation.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is encouraged to contact Central Homicide Unit Investigator Daniel DiMaggio at (951) 955–2777.

Stay with News Channel 3 for continuing updates.

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Rich Tarpening

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – South Palm Canyon Drive in Palm Springs was shut down for nearly four hours following a gas leak.

City officials announced Tuesday morning that a gas line had been ruptured on South Palm Canyon Drive. The roadway was closed in both directions while crews worked to make repairs.

The roadway was reopened shortly after 3:00 p.m. S. Palm Canyon Drive is open both directions between Camino Parocela and E. Sunny Dunes Road.

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Raymond Kalra

PALM DESERT, Calif. (KESQ) – Early election results show incumbent Mayor Evan Trubee leading in Palm Desert’s District 4 City Council race, while John Greenwood is ahead in the contest for the city’s newly created District 5 seat.

The elections mark the final stage of Palm Desert’s transition to a five-district City Council system.

According to the Riverside County Registrar of Voters, the results remain unofficial as additional ballots may still need to be counted.

District 4: Evan Trubee leads Jonathon Polly

Incumbent Mayor Evan Trubee is leading challenger Jonathon Polly in the District 4 race.

Trubee was elected to the Palm Desert City Council in 2022 and is serving as mayor in 2026.

He also owns Big Wheel Tours, a local tourism business.

Polly has a background in science, auditing and public administration, including previous experience as a teacher.

Both candidates told News Channel 3 ahead of the election that they planned to watch the results privately.

Trubee said he expected to spend the evening at home with his wife, while Polly planned to watch returns with a small group of friends.

District 5: John Greenwood leads Ralph Perry

John Greenwood is leading Ralph Perry in Palm Desert’s newly created District 5.

The race is significant because voters are selecting the first councilmember elected specifically to represent District 5 under the city’s new five-district system.

Greenwood is an architect and business owner who has served on Palm Desert’s Planning Commission.

Perry has a background in healthcare administration and community service, including involvement in city advisory committees.

Speaking with News Channel 3’s Raymond Kalra on Election Night, Greenwood expressed optimism about the early results while acknowledging that ballots remained outstanding.

Greenwood described the campaign as a rewarding experience, saying it gave him the opportunity to see Palm Desert through the perspectives of other residents.

He also emphasized the importance of representing District 5 while continuing to serve Palm Desert as a whole.

If elected, Greenwood said he hopes to listen, learn and work with fellow councilmembers to address the city’s challenges.

Greenwood spent Election Night with supporters at a gathering in the Sagewood development.

Palm Desert completes transition to five council districts

Tuesday’s election marks the final phase of Palm Desert’s transition from two electoral districts to five.

Residents in Districts 1, 2 and 3 elected their representatives in 2024, while Districts 4 and 5 are voting in 2026.

Under the new system, each district will have its own elected representative.

The District 5 race is particularly significant because the seat is newly established, with no incumbent seeking reelection.

Results remain unofficial

Although all precincts are listed as reported, additional eligible ballots may still need to be processed before the election results are certified.

News Channel 3 will continue following both Palm Desert races as additional results become available.

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Jesus Reyes

RIVERSIDE, Calif. (KESQ) – Public health officials are reporting the first flu-related death of the 2026-27 flu season. The person was identified on Tuesday as a man over 65 who resided in Western Riverside County.

“This death is a sad reminder of the dangers that influenza can pose, especially to older adults, younger children and those with underlying conditions, and the impact it can then have on our Riverside County families who suffer the loss,” said Riverside County Health Officer Dr. Jennifer Chevinsky. “Vaccination is the single best prevention strategy to protect us and our loved ones from severe disease caused by the flu.”  

County public health officials said that while cases usually ramp up around Thanksgiving and the winter holiday travel season, current data, including emergency department visits, hospitalizations, laboratory testing and wastewater testing, indicates that influenza is increasing rapidly and has recently reached the “very high” threshold.

Influenza can be serious for everyone, but especially for individuals considered at-risk for severe disease, including adults over 65 years, children under 5 years, pregnant women and those who are immunocompromised or have certain health conditions such as asthma, diabetes or heart disease.  

Flu can lead to extended illness with uncomfortable symptoms such as cough, fever, sore throat, stuffy nose, muscle aches and fatigue. Flu spread can also lead to missed school days, lost work wages and out-of- pocket medical costs.  

Vaccination reduces complications, minimizes life interruptions and offers protection for all. 

“With the early rise in cases, now is the time to make sure you are protected against influenza. Vaccination is safe and flu vaccines are widely available. Treatment is also available if you have been exposed to or diagnosed with the flu,” Dr. Chevinsky said.   

According to the California Department of Public Health, everyone over 6 months of age should receive the flu vaccine each year. 

In addition to vaccination, the public is encouraged to take the following steps to protect themselves and others against flu, COVID-19, and other respiratory illnesses:   

Wash hands thoroughly and frequently. Cover coughs and sneezes. Stay home from work or school when sick. Consider indoor masking in crowded places. Improve ventilation by opening windows or moving events outdoors. Disinfect frequently used surfaces.  Those at higher risk who have been exposed or are sick should get tested and talk with their healthcare provider about treatment options. 

Vaccines can be accessed at your healthcare provider’s office and many local pharmacies. Public Health vaccination clinics can be found here. 

Flu season typically runs from October to April.

To learn about influenza in Riverside County, visit Respiratory Viruses | Riverside University Health System (ruhealth.org).

For more information: RUHealth.org/ruhs-public-health.  

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Kiera McKinney

LA QUINTA, Calif. (KESQ) – La Quinta voters are deciding who will lead their city, with the mayor’s office and two City Council seats on the ballot.

News Channel 3 is following both races and will update this article with results and candidate reactions after polls close at 8 p.m.

EARLY RESULTS SHOW

Early results show Mayor Linda Evans leading with 76.34% of the vote, followed by Lynne Langdon with 14.72% and Suzanne Espinoza-Jimenez with 8.94%.

In the race for two City Council seats, incumbents John Peña and Deborah McGarrey lead with 40.56% and 37.85%, respectively. Carene Hensley has 10.97%, followed by Julian Herrera with 10.62%.

These results reflect Riverside County’s 9 p.m. Tuesday update and remain preliminary as ballots continue to be counted.

Mayor’s race

Mayor Linda Evans is seeking a seventh term. She faces challengers Lynne Langdon and Suzanne Espinoza-Jimenez.

Evans is running on her record, emphasizing city finances, public safety, housing and continued work on major city projects.

Langdon is calling for closer scrutiny of spending and development agreements, including the city’s handling of the SilverRock resort project.

Espinoza-Jimenez has said the city should put more focus on residents’ needs over tourism.

City Council race

Four candidates are competing for two seats:

John Peña — incumbent Deborah McGarrey — incumbent Carene Hensley Julian Herrera

Peña and McGarrey are seeking to continue their work on the council, highlighting public safety, financial management and city improvements.

Hensley is calling for more resident input, transparency and term limits. Herrera is emphasizing opportunities for young people, including connecting students with local jobs.

The two candidates receiving the most votes will win the council seats.

What we’re watching

The results will show whether voters keep the current leadership or choose challengers calling for changes in city priorities.

Those elected will help make decisions about public safety, housing, development, roads, parks and taxpayer spending.

Check back for updated vote totals and reactions throughout the night. Election-night results are preliminary and may change as additional ballots are counted.

News Channel 3 will continue monitoring the La Quinta races throughout election night, bringing viewers the latest results, candidate reactions and developments on air and online at KESQ.com.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as election results become available.

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