Category: kesq-local-news

Haley Meberg

WASHINGTON, D.C. (KESQ)– Congressman Ken Calvert (CA-41) introduces a new “Bill to Outlaw Wounding of Official Working Animals Act,” called the BOWOW Act, protecting animals used by federal law enforcement agencies. 

The BOWOW Act would make the assault of an animal used by federal law enforcement a deportable offense under Section 237(a)(2) of the Immigration and Nationality Act. It would also make applicants with such offenses on their record inadmissible to the U.S. under Section 212(a)(2) of the Immigration and Nationality Act.

This act came in response to an incident that occurred in June, where an immigrant from Egypt assaulted a Customs and Border Patrol agriculture detector dog who had detected prohibited items in the luggage. 

Freddie, Customs and Border Patrol agriculture detector beagle, detected the prohibited items in a luggage at Dulles Airport before being assaulted by the offender. 

“The dogs and horses are on the front lines of our federal law enforcement efforts alongside our officers and deserve our protection,” said Rep. Calvert. “The BOWOW Act sends a clear message that we will stand up for our four-legged friends and have zero tolerance for any immigrants who assault them. Animals, like Freddie, work every day to keep Americans safe – we owe it to Freddie to do our best to keep him safe too.”

Stay with News Channel 3 for more information.

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Haley Meberg

UPDATE 7/29/25 10:17 AM- Riverside Sherriff’s Office has identified the two victims in the double-fatal crash that occurred the morning of Thursday, July 24.

It is reported by the RSO and CHP that the two victims were David Lynch, 68, and Kimberly Lynch, 65, who were traveling westbound on I-10 near the Cactus City rest stop before their car overturned.

The two individuals were pronounced dead at the scene and authorities began an investigation.

The cause of the incident has not been determined at this time.

UPDATE 7/24 4:40 PM- CHP reports all lanes have been reopened on I-10 Eastbound following Thursday morning double-fatal car crash.

CACTUS CITY, Calif. (KESQ)– CHP is investigating a double-fatal car crash that occurred on eastbound I-10 early Thursday morning. 

California Highway Patrol reports that at approximately 9:58 a.m., a 2002 Ford pick-up truck was driving in the #2 lanes going eastbound on I-10 near the Cactus City Rest Area before overturning onto the right shoulder. 

CHP reported that following the crash, the vehicle was engulfed in flames causing the two individuals inside the car to succumb to the injuries at the scene. 

CHP has shared that #2 and #3 lanes on I-10 Eastbound are closed while officers investigate the crash.

At this time the cause of the incident is unknown. We have reached out to CHP for more information.

Stay with News Channel 3 for more updates. 

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Kendall Flynn

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) — Tahquitz Creek tails are set to get major landscaping upgrades with hundreds of trees, plans and more. The Palm Springs City Council approved plans for $690,000 in upgrades, a project that’s been in the works since the master plan was approved in 2010.

The fresh landscape will be planted along the wash, between South Sunset Way and South Palm Canyon Drive. The project funding comes from Measure J tax, specifically coming from the tax portion dedicated to projects originating from local community groups.

Stay with News Channel 3 to hear from Palm Springs officials on this project and local groups who advocated its necessity.

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Garrett Hottle

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) From streamlining clinical trials to pinning down new candidates for drugs in record time, artificial intelligence is fast rewriting the pharmaceutical industry playbook.

To get a better sense of what’s going on behind the scenes, News Channel 3 sat down with Christian Olsen, Strategy VP of Dotmatics, a worldwide research software business that serves more than two million scientists worldwide.

“AI and machine learning are technology that we’re using to be force multipliers in the research and discovery space,” Olsen said. “They let us connect sophisticated data, uncover patterns that we might’ve otherwise missed, and make better hypotheses more quickly.”

Dotmatics builds software that helps researchers organize and analyze vast amounts of biological and chemical data, especially in early-stage drug development. But as Olsen pointed out, AI is notreplacing researchers it’s enhancing their ability to do the work.

“We’re taking a conservative approach. Because at the end of the day, even if AI suggests something promising, it still has to be tested and validated in the lab,” he said. “Biology is complex—and sometimes the tech gets it wrong.”

The fears of artificial intelligence in medicine are more prevalent as products become a subject of general conversation. Olsen mentioned a potential disadvantage of too much dependence on conclusions created from AI, mentioning recent high-profile cases ofhallucinated sources in academic papers.

“If all you relied upon was that, then yeah—the fears are well-founded,” Olsen said. “That’s why experimental validation is so critical. You have to see the science work with your own eyes.”

Further down the line, Olsen thinks that the real revolutionizer is what he terms the broad digital revolution going on within research organizations loosening up data from secluded silos into systems where applications of AI can get to work.

“We are engaged with companies actively in that transition,” said Olsen. “And that doesn’t happenovernight. But when it’s in place, it unlocks a vast amount of what’s possible.”

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Athena Jreij

INDIO, Calif. (KESQ) – Federal cuts to SNAP under the Senate reconciliation bill could increase traffic to local food banks as more Valley residents lose access to affordable groceries, officials say.

The Congressional Budget Office projects over $186 billion could be cut in SNAP benefits over the next decade. It’s a nearly 20% cut that Debbie Espinosa with FIND Food Bank says they’ll be feeling as more clients walk in needing support.

“We’re projecting more people coming to the food bank because of the SNAP cuts and the Medicaid cuts that are happening. A lot of the times, people that are food insecure are also medically insecure, too, because they struggle paying for their health care bills,” Espinosa said.

For one local senior living community, they fear what the rollbacks could mean for their financial security.

“There’s not a single cut that won’t affect us down the road. Everybody in this building is on Social Security. So that’s definitely a concern of us. Everybody here is on Medicare. A lot of people use SNAP benefits, and we don’t know what’s going to happen with that,” Bryan de Simas said. 

While De Simas says he gets little from SNAP, he worries what the snaps could do to less-privileged neighbors.

“I get a little but every bit helps and I’m fighting more for people who can’t fight. I mean, there’s people in this building who can’t even get out of their apartments,” he said. 

According to a 2020 Desert Healthcare District & Foundation community health survey, the Coachella Valley’s low-income communities could suffer the most. Data from 2020 found Indio Hills and Desert Hot Springs had the highest percentage of households receiving SNAP benefits, at 23.9% and 17.8%. When considering households that had children and were receiving SNAP, those margins increase, with 100% of Bermuda Dunes households and 92% of households in Oasis receiving benefits.

Espinosa says they’re already preparing for this impact, by increasing outreach to local donors and supporters.

“In California, we are projecting that there’s going to be over 395,000 people that are affected by these cuts. We have to be preemptive. We have to be strategic. We have to be able to build up our resources now. So when it happens, we’re already prepared as opposed to being behind and trying to make up.” 

FIND is confident they’ll support the community through this rough patch, but are asking anyone who can to also contribute to the solution.

“We require food, friends meaning volunteers and funds, so we can maintain our resources.”

If you’re interested in volunteering with FIND, visit: findfoodbank.org/get-involved/volunteer/

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Allie Anthony

Rancho Mirage, Calif.  (KESQ)—The Taste of Summer Rancho Mirage is back for the 2025 season, kicking off today with cool treats, great eats, and a chance to give back to the community.

Hosted annually by the City of Rancho Mirage, Taste of Summer is more than just a celebration of food. The food-focused initiative helps support local non-profits and independent restaurants during the slower summer months. Now in its 9th year, the event has become a seasonal favorite for locals and visitors alike.

This year, the city has approved to boost Shop Local gift cards for this program.

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Zachariah Perez

RANCHO MIRAGE, CALIF.  (KESQ) – Assemblymember Greg Wallis visited Desert Recreation District sites on Wednesday to thank and recognize local outdoor crewmembers who serve the community.

Over waters and frozen treats, Wallis gathered with Desert Recreation outdoor staff workers at two sites in Cathedral City to personally recognize and thank them for their service and hard work to keep our communities running.

The acknowledgment was in support of a recently introduced legislative resolution by Wallis, to formally recognize the week of July 21st through July 27th, 2025 as Outdoor Workers Appreciation Week – A statewide effort to showcase the critical contributions of those who often work outdoors in challenging conditions throughout the state.

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Cynthia White

UPDATE 7/24/2025 – The California Highway Patrol reports that Jeri Chamberlin, the subject of the Silver Alert issued on Wednesday, has been located.

INDIO, Calif. (KESQ) – The California Highway Patrol on behalf of the Riverside County Sheriff’s Office has issued a Silver Alert for 67-year-old Jeri Chamberlin.

She was last seen on Wednesday, July 23, around 1:00 p.m. near Muirfield Village and Golf View Drive in La Quinta.

She is 5-foot 5-inches tall, 110 pounds with gray hair and blue eyes.

Chamberlin is wearing a blue sundress, and believed to be on foot.

If you see her, you are asked by the CHP to call 911.

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Cynthia White

RANCHO MIRAGE, Calif. (KESQ) – Whether you’re a foodie eager to explore new flavors or simply looking for great deals while supporting the community, the Taste of Summer Rancho Mirage has something for everyone.

It’s a great way to experience the best of Rancho Mirage, all while making a meaningful impact.

This annual community-wide tradition is designed to celebrate the city’s vibrant local culinary scene while supporting its restaurants, over 35 Coachella Valley charities, and the Rancho Mirage Chamber of Commerce.

The event runs from July 24th through August 17th, 2025, at participating restaurants throughout Rancho Mirage.

Some locals enjoyed a preview of the culinary offerings from participating restaurants and mingled with Chamber of Commerce members and non-profit partners in a VIP Kick-Off Mixer Wednesday night at the Omni Rancho Las Palmas before the launch of the event.

Starting Thursday, you can enjoy the the same offerings, exclusive deals, and special offers at those participating restaurants by buying a Taste of Summer wristband for just $10. A portion of every wristband sold benefits local charities and the Rancho Mirage Chamber of Commerce.

To learn more about the event, purchase a wristband, and to view participating restaurants and specials offered, visit www.TasteofSummerRanchoMirage.com.

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Cynthia White

UPDATE 7/25/25 9:05 A.M.- CAL FIRE reports that the “Mitchell” brush fire near Anza remains at 51 acres and is now 90 percent contained.

UPDATE 7/23/25 7:47 P.M. – CAL FIRE reports that the “Mitchell” brush fire near Anza remains at 51 acres and is now 70 percent contained.

All evacuation orders have been lifted.

The fire’s forward rate of speed was stopped, and crews will remain on scene for several hours mopping up.

UPDATE 7/23/2025 – CAL FIRE is reporting via social media that evacuation orders have been issued for the following zones: RVC-ANZA-7, RVC-ANZA-8.

A care and reception site is being established at Anza Community Hall: 56630 Hwy. 371, Anza. The fire is at 51 acres and 0% contained.

ANZA, Calif. (CNS) – A brush fire that broke out Wednesday northeast of Anza scorched roughly 12 acres, moving in the direction of the San Bernardino National Forest, before Cal Fire aircraft slowed it down. 

The non-injury blaze was reported at 3:25 p.m. in the area of Bautista Canyon and Glasgow roads, according to the Riverside County Fire Department.

The agency said that multiple engine and hand crews were sent to the location and encountered flames moving at a moderate rate across open space to the east, along the foot of the national forest.

Four Cal Fire air tankers and two water-dropping helicopters initiated runs on the brusher 20 minutes after it started, trying to wedge the head of the fire between dirt roads. As of 4:10 p.m., the drops had significantly reduced the burn rate.

A mandatory evacuation order was issued for the few scattered properties in the immediate vicinity of the fire.

Officials at the scene said that a vacant structure, possibly an outbuilding, was damaged.

CAL FIRE reports that as of 4:15 p.m., there was zero percent containment of the fire.

There was no immediate word regarding how the brusher may have started.

The area encompassing Anza and Aguanga, abutting the Cahuilla Indian Reservation, has been the point of origin for a cluster of minor and major fires over the last few years.

   Eds: Riverside County Fire Department crews have deployed to a five-acre brush fire in the area of Bautista Canyon and Glasgow roads, north ofHighway 371, in Anza. The blaze is at the foot of the San Bernardino NationalForest. No homes are immediately threatened.   —

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