Category: kesq-local-news

Garrett Hottle

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. (KESQ) The California Supreme Court will hear oral arguments Aug. 24 in the case over Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco’s seizure of ballots cast in the November 2025 special election, according to the court’s online docket.

The docket entry, dated July 31, orders the case to be argued Monday, Aug. 24, at 10 a.m. in San Francisco.

The docket also shows Justice Gordon Burns was assigned as a justice pro tempore in the case.

The case, Attorney General v. Bianco, stems from Bianco’s seizure of ballots from the November 2025 election, which he has said was part of an investigation into whether they were fraudulently counted. As News Channel 3 previously reported, the Supreme Court granted Attorney General Rob Bonta’s petition for review April 8 and issued an emergency order directing Bianco to pause the investigation and preserve all seized materials. Bonta and Bianco then jointly asked a Riverside Superior Court judge to freeze the parallel local case while the high court resolves the dispute.

The docket shows the court later ordered both sides to address the effect of Senate Bill 73 on the issues in the case, and attorneys for Bonta and Bianco each filed letter briefs on the bill in June.

News Channel 3 has reached out to the court’s public information office for details on the session, and will have more tonight on this story at 4, 5, 6, and 6:30pm.

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Gavin Nguyen

THOUSAND PALMS, Calif. (KESQ) – We remain under a First Alert Weather Alert for dangerous heat through our early evening shows on Sunday. As the heat wanes for the night, the alert is set to expire, but dangerous heat is still set to linger as we start the workweek.

The Coachella Valley is still under an Extreme Heat Warning through Monday at 8 p.m. The Extreme Heat Warning for our friends in our local mountain communities was also extended to Monday night.

High pressure continues to dominate the desert southwest today. We’re expecting this ridge to weaken as we look towards Monday and beyond; that should help temperatures “cool” somewhat into the week. As that happens, we’re set to pick up some additional onshore flow. That’ll help push lingering moisture out and lead to breezy to gusty winds 25-40 MPH in the deserts tonight and Monday evening.

Even after the peak of the heatwave this weekend, highs on Monday and beyond stay toasty. Expect another round of one-teens tomorrow.

Do your best to avoid spending your day outside. If you have to, take frequent shade breaks and be sure to hydrate. For more information on cooling centers, click here.

We don’t expect to drop below 110°F for the foreseeable future. We stay in the one-teens for practically all of our 7-day forecast. The average for this time of year stands at 109°F, so we’re in for another week of above-average – though certainly not unexpected – summer heat.

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Timothy Foster

Update – 8/4/26

Police said Sunday after 5:00 p.m., the vehicle’s registered owner called dispatch, claiming that a 22-year-old male “cousin” had taken his 2024 Chevy pickup without permission.

Surveillance video of the crash

The vehicle, now in the owner’s possession, was processed by officers, and the owner was interviewed.

The case remains under investigation as officers continue to gather information related to the incident.

A GoFundMe has been set up to help support the restaurant’s road to reopening. Click here if you would like to make a donation.

Original – Report 8/2/26

INDIO, Calif. (KESQ) – A longtime Indio restaurant is dealing with significant damage after a vehicle crashed into Burger Box early Sunday morning.

Owner Anthony Ruiz says he received a call around 7:50 a.m. about the crash. When he arrived, a police officer told him the incident was a hit-and-run, and the driver and vehicle were no longer at the scene.

The restaurant was quickly boarded up as the business began assessing the damage.

The timing is especially difficult for Ruiz and his family. Burger Box was just 10 days away from celebrating its one-year anniversary since reopening.

Ruiz says the crash was a major blow, especially because the business was looking forward to celebrating the milestone.

Burger Box has been part of the Indio community since 1954. Customer Cesar Rodriguez says the restaurant has been a longtime fixture in the Coachella Valley and that he has been coming there for about 40 years.

Rodriguez says seeing the damage is devastating, especially because of the restaurant’s history and importance to the community.

Ruiz says the business is working with nearby businesses to gather surveillance video and any other information that could help investigators determine what happened.

Despite the damage, Ruiz says he is focused on moving forward and hopes the restaurant can come back even stronger. He says the incident is an opportunity to make improvements and take the business to the next level.

Ruiz also says he is grateful that no one was hurt in the crash.

The Indio Police Department is investigating. Anyone with information is asked to contact the department’s non-emergency line at 760-391-4051.

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Matthew Pearce

DESERT HOT SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – Firefighters were called out to structure and vegetation fires burning in Desert Hot Springs on Sunday morning.

Around 6:58 a.m., fire crews responded to the 18000 block of Bubbling Wells Road and the 67500 block of 18th Avenue.

Multiple resources responded to reports of about four acres of brush and palm trees on fire on both the east and west sides of Bubbling Wells Road.

Several outbuildings were also involved. All occupants had been accounted for and safely evacuated.

Southern California Edison was requested for downed power lines, which were de-energized. According to SCE’s website, the power outage impacted more than 1,400 customers and was expected to be restored by 9 a.m.

Officials tell News Channel 3 there was no damage to structures and no injuries from the fire. Crews were expected to remain on scene for about four hours, with Bubbling Wells Road to remain closed in the area until they finished.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation. Stay with News Channel 3 for updates.

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Matthew Pearce

THOUSAND PALMS, Calif. (KESQ) — A First Alert Weather Alert remains in effect Sunday as temperatures stay at dangerous levels.

Yesterday was officially the warmest day of the year so far, reaching 117 degrees. The first 120-degree day will have to wait, though, as today’s high is expected to be near yesterday’s peak.

The Extreme Heat Warning issued by the National Weather Service remains in effect until 8 p.m. Monday. An Air Quality Watch also remains in effect until 8 p.m. because of elevated ozone pollution. With these conditions, it’s recommended to stay indoors when possible, stay hydrated and check on neighbors. The heat can become dangerous quickly, especially if you’re unprepared.

EXTREME HEAT WARNING UNTIL 8p.m. MONDAY

AIR QUALITY WATCH UNTIL 8 p.m. SUNDAY

The high-pressure system driving these dangerous temperatures will begin to weaken today, allowing monsoonal moisture to potentially increase during the latter half of the week.

Temperatures are expected to remain above 110 degrees throughout the week, with a high near 112 on the first day of classes for the Palm Springs Unified School District Wednsday.

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Athena Jreij

INDIO, Calif. (KESQ) – The Desert Recreation District is updating it’s cooling center facilities so residents can beat the heat this summer.

As temperatures could reach near 120 degrees this weekend, News Channel 3’s Matthew Pearce visited the Indio cooling center to see what activities are available.

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Timothy Foster

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) — With triple-digit temperatures expected across the Coachella Valley this weekend, some people are looking for a different way to beat the heat.

For many, that means heading up — way up — on the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway.

The tram takes visitors more than 8,000 feet above the Valley floor and into the San Jacinto Mountains, where temperatures can be significantly cooler.

Visitors say the tram is an appealing option during extreme heat, with temperatures at the top potentially 30 to 40 degrees cooler than in the Valley.

The ride offers more than cooler temperatures. Visitors can enjoy mountain air, hiking trails and views overlooking the Coachella Valley.

The trip up the mountain is also an experience itself, with riders able to take in panoramic views and potentially spot wildlife along the way.

On clear days, visitors say the views from the mountain can stretch for hundreds of miles.

For some, the tram is a way to enjoy the outdoors without spending the entire day in the extreme heat on the Valley floor.

While the tramway offers a cooler option, people staying in the Valley are encouraged to take precautions during the heat.

That includes drinking plenty of water, wearing sunscreen, seeking shade or air conditioning and limiting time outdoors during the hottest part of the day.

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Gavin Nguyen

THOUSAND PALMS, Calif. (KESQ) – A First Alert Weather Alert for dangerous heat across the valley continues tonight.

We’re still waiting on the official maximum temperature recorded at Palm Springs International Airport from the National Weather Service, but unofficially, it looks like we topped out at 117°F this afternoon. That would mean staying shy of the 120s (and the daily record which stands at 123°F), though it’s still been very toasty!

We remain under an Extreme Heat Warning in the Coachella Valley. That is set to expire 8 p.m. on Monday. During this time, we can expect to see major to locally extreme HeatRisk, so please, please, please – practice heat safety by drinking PLENTY of water, avoiding outdoor activities, and take frequent breaks in the shade or air conditioning. You can find a full list of cooling centers across the valley by clicking here.

Temperatures tomorrow look to be a touch cooler than Saturday by a degree or two. Expect highs to stay well in the one-teens, but we should generally expect to stay out of the 120°F range.

We’ll certainly by hot in a hurry, though. Plan your Sunday plans around how quickly we’ll see temperatures soar; if you’re looking to beat the triple-digits, I’d suggest breakfast plans over lunch plans!

The setup is being driven by an area of high pressure staying firmly planted over the region. That stays true through Sunday. By Monday, though, this system should begin to weaken, offering us a chance to “cool” ever so slightly.

Even into next week, though, highs will stay above the 110°F mark. Average is 109°F for this time of year, so expect another week of above-average summer heat.

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Matthew Pearce

THOUSAND PALMS, Calif. (KESQ) — Have outdoor plans? You might want to reconsider. Weekend temperatures will peak today with a high near 120 degrees, likely breaking previous record highs for Aug. 1.

A First Alert Weather Alert is in effect through Sunday evening. An Extreme Heat Warning issued by the National Weather Service remains in effect until 8 p.m. Monday.

The high-pressure system over Arizona has moved toward the Colorado River, which is why temperatures continue to climb today.

Keep these dangerous temperatures in mind when making plans for the afternoon, and try to limit time outdoors.

Monsoonal moisture continues to be monitored. Some increased moisture may come back into play by middle of the week, but chances for rain remain very slim.

For the next week, today will be the warmest with temperatures settling into the low 110s by Wednesday.

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City News Service

PALM DESERT, Calif. (KESQ) – Coachella Valley residents interested in celestial entertainment will have a number of opportunities next month when Friends of the Desert Mountains host star-gazing events that feature nighttime treks near the Santa Rosa & San Jacinto Mountains National Monument in Palm Desert.

The “Star Party at the Monument” and “Night Sky Viewing Stars & Planets” activities will be free, giving participants a chance to glimpse planetary phenomena through telescopes provided by local astronomy volunteers.

According to Friends of the Desert Mountains’ website, the nonprofit strives to elevate community appreciation of the 63,000 acres of protected habitat which people can visit for trekking adventures, experiencing desert blooms, wildlife watching — and star-gazing.

The star parties are scheduled on Aug. 8, 15 and 22. Additional events are planned in September.

People of all ages are welcome to take part in the sky watches, though minors must be accompanied by an adult. Bottled water and closed-toed shoes are highly recommended for all attendees, organizers said.

While the activities are free, reservations are required to keep the groups small, and the nonprofit welcomes donations of any size.

Since 1987, Friends of the Desert Mountains has formed partnerships with the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians, SoCal Edison, Coachella Valley Conservation Commission and the U.S. Bureau of Land Management to accomplish its goals of preserving area land and protecting its wildlife.

The organization said that, along with 63,000 acres of critical habitat, it has protected about 30 unique plants and animals, establishing over 300 miles of trails, which are often wheelchair-accessible because they feature asphalt surfaces.

Additional information is available at https://www.desertmountains.org/.

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