Category: kesq-local-news

Daniella Lake

THOUSAND PALMS, Calif. (KESQ) – Variety Children’s Charity of the Desert hosted its annual bike giveaway at Acrisure Arena this morning. They gave bicycles, helmets and bike locks to lock fourth grade students.

“We know that fourth grade is a really meaningful time when these students. If they know the community is supporting them, they’re going to continue to show up, do their best work, try their hardest. And that’s what we want to be here today to support them in,” says Heidi Maldoon, executive director for the organization.

Students were nominated by their school districts for their character and merit. The Palm Springs, Desert Sands, and Coachella Valley Unified School Districts participated. 

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Daniella Lake

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ)- Guide Dogs of the Desert is hosting its annual 5K run/walk today. Jingle Paws, formerly known as Santa Paws, invites the community to celebrate the holiday season and support Guide Dog’s of the Desert’s mission. 

Participants are encouraged to walk or run in Santa suits. The event will include a special Elf Dash for children, along with vendor booths and holiday photo opportunities.

The event will take place at Vine Ave. & W. Chino Drive, Palm Springs, CA.

5K Run/Walk starts at  9:00 a.m. 

Elf Dash starts at 10:00 a.m.

Guide Dogs of the Desert says they’re looking for volunteers to raise over 20 new puppies. You can learn more information on their website.

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KESQ News Team

DESERT HOT SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – The City of Desert Hot Springs is counting down to its Parade of Lights and Holiday Festival on Saturday, December 13.

The event will light up Palm Drive with illuminated floats decorated vehicles, and community groups.

The festivities will include face painting, carnival rides, food vendors, and of course, photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus.

The event starts at 5:45 pm and will go until 10:00 p.m., with the parade starting at Palm and Mission Lakes Blvd. and ending at Palm and 2nd Street.

The holiday festival is on Palm and Pierson immediately following the parade, with a tree lighting at City Hall.

The Desert Hot Springs Police Department announced that there will be road closures for the event:

9:00 a.m. – The area of Palm Drive, First Street, and Acoma Avenue will be closed to all through traffic.

2:00 p.m. – Palm Drive from Mission Lakes Boulevard to 2nd Street will be closed to all through traffic.

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Jesus Reyes

Update 12/14/25

Snyder’s mother has reported her daughter has been found and is now back home.

Original Report 12/12/25

RANCHO MIRAGE, Calif. (KESQ) – A teenager from Rancho Mirage has been missing for several days.

Sara Snyder, 13, has been missing since Monday, Dec. 8.

The Riverside County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that this is an active case.

If you have any information, call the Sheriff’s Office at 760-836-1600.

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Jesus Reyes

TWENTYNINE PALMS, Calif. (KESQ) – Three teenagers were arrested after allegedly attacking a man with an intellectual disability and attempting to start a fire at his home in Twentynine Palms earlier this week.

The incident was first reported Wednesday at around 9 p.m.

According to the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department, deputies were called to the 6400 block of East Court Way after the mother of a 15-year-old reported that her child had been assaulted by a neighbor.

Deputies arrived on scene and say they contacted three teens, one of whom claimed to have been assaulted.

During the initial investigation, deputies said they determined the teen’s account was fabricated to conceal the true nature of the incident.

As the investigation progressed, deputies said they discovered a social media reel capturing the actual assault.

Authorities said the video depicted two girls and a boy, violently attacking a man with an intellectual disability. The suspects forced entry into the victim’s apartment and assaulted him. During the attack, one of the girls armed herself with a large kitchen knife and repeatedly slashed at the victim’s arms and head. Throughout the assault, the victim plead for his life.

Before fleeing the apartment, one suspect reportedly attempted to ignite curtains inside the residence in an effort to start a fire.

Due to a collaborative investigative effort, all suspects were immediately identified. 

Deputies obtained and executed search warrants for both the victim’s and suspects’ residences, and located evidence related to the violent assault. Deputies also recovered the knife used in the attack.  

One of the female juveniles initially reported sustaining lacerations as a result of being assaulted; however, the investigation reportedly revealed her injuries were caused when she punched through the victim’s glass window. Both the victim and the injured suspect received medical treatment.

The suspects were booked into the San Bernardino County Juvenile Detention Center and faces multiple charges, including assault with a deadly weapon causing great bodily injury, burglary, and criminal threats. Authorities said additional charges will be determined by the San Bernardino County District Attorney’s Office.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is urged to contact the Morongo Basin Station at (760) 366-4175.  Callers wishing to remain anonymous may contact the We-Tip Hotline at 1-800-78-CRIME (27463) or submit information online at www.wetip.com.

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Kendall Flynn

PALM DESERT, Calif. (KESQ) – The LGBTQ community is voicing strong opposition to a proposal introduced by Palm Desert Mayor Pro Tem Joe Pradetto.

During a Palm Desert City Council meeting on Thursday, Pradetto proposed that the city stop recognizing Pride Month. The proposal would include no longer displaying a Pride banner at City Hall.

Two other council members supported revisiting the city’s policy.

Pradetto said he does not believe it is necessary for the city to highlight one community over another, arguing that doing so can create division rather than unity.

The City of Palm Desert sent us this statement saying:

“At last night’s meeting, Mayor Pro Tem Pradetto made a formal request for Council discussion regarding Resolution 24-038 and a potential update to Resolution 2018-09. That request was approved for future agenda placement, but no action has been taken at this time.  

As of now, the earliest this item would return to Council is the second meeting in January, though it may be February. It’s anticipated that any initial discussion would take place in a study session format, allowing space for a full and thoughtful dialogue among Councilmembers before any decisions are considered.

The scope of potential changes, if any, will be determined through that public process.”

News Channel 3 is working to hold city leaders accountable and is seeking additional comment from city officials regarding the proposal.

Community reaction and more details on the proposal will be featured tonight on News Channel 3 at 6 p.m.

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City News Service

RIVERSIDE, Calif. (KESQ) – Payroll gains overcame losses at the end of summer throughout the regional economy, pushing the unemployment rate down slightly in Riverside County, according to figures released today by the California Employment Development Department.

Statewide labor market figures for September were finally released Friday, following a two-month delay stemming from the federal government shutdown, which impacted all data collection and publication by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, in turn affecting EDD’s publication schedule.

The belatedly released figures indicated that the countywide jobless rate in September, based on preliminary EDD estimates, was 6.1%, compared to 6.3% in August.

According to figures, the September rate was roughly half a percentage point higher than September 2024, when countywide unemployment stood at 5.5%.   

The combined unemployment rate for Riverside and San Bernardino counties — the Inland Empire — was 5.9%, down from 6.1% in August, the EDD said.

Bi-county data indicated payrolls expanded by the widest margin in the public sector, where an estimated 7,000 positions were added, mainly in education, as teachers and support staff in area school systems returned from summer hiatus.

Additional gains were recorded in the agricultural and health services sectors, which grew by 3,100 positions, according to figures.   

Payrolls contracted by the largest amount in the construction sector, where cuts numbered about 1,500 in September. The financial services, hospitality, information technology, manufacturing, professional business services and transportation sectors altogether shed 3,100 positions, EDD said.

Miscellaneous unclassified industries showed a loss of another 300 jobs.   

The mining sector was unchanged.   

The statewide non-seasonally adjusted unemployment rate in September was 5.6%.

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Jesus Reyes

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – Dwayne Johnson and Teyana Taylor will be honored at Variety’s Creative Impact Awards during the Palm Springs International Film Festival next month.

Johnson will receive the Creative Impact in Acting Award for his revelatory and transformative performance in Benny Safdie’s “The Smashing Machine,” which has garnered him his first Golden Globe nomination for Best Actor in a Motion Picture – Drama.

“Dwayne Johnson is a revelation in ‘The Smashing Machine.’ His haunting and committed portrayal of MMA fighter Mark Kerr is a testament to his willingness to forgo vanity to tell a truly human story. We are thrilled to honor Dwayne with Variety’s Acting Award in Palm Springs,” said Ramin Setoodeh, copresident & co-editor-in-chief, Variety.

Taylor will receive the Creative Impact in Breakthrough Performance Award for her standout performance in Paul Thomas Anderson’s “One Battle After Another,” which earned her a Golden Globe nomination for Best Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role in any Motion Picture.

“With her multilayered performance in ‘One Battle After Another,’ Teyana Taylor manages to do theimpossible: She stands out in one of the year’s best ensembles. Combined with her previous film roles in‘A Thousand and One’ and ‘The Book of Clarence,’ Teyana has quickly established herself as a formidableand fearless actress, and we can’t wait to see what she does next. We are delighted to honor her withVariety’s Breakthrough Performance Award,” said Ramin Setoodeh, co-president & co-editor-in-chief,Variety.

The awards will be given as part of Variety’s annual 10 Directors to Watch and Creative Impact Awards brunch on January 4.

Check Out: Variety to honor its ’10 Directors to Watch’ during Palm Springs Film Fest

The Palm Springs International Film Festival runs from January 2 to 12, 2026. Passes and tickets are currently on sale. For additional information visit https://www.psfilmfest.org/

Stay with News Channel 3 for continuing coverage of the Palm Springs International Film Festival.

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Jesus Reyes

NEW YORK (KESQ) – A Riverside County woman was stabbed while changing her 10-month-old daughter’s diaper at Macy’s Herald Square in New York City.

The incident happened on Thursday. According to WABC, the woman was changing her baby’s diaper on the 7th floor when she was suddenly stabbed multiple times from behind in the back and arm. Her husband was able to disarm the stabber and held her for police.

Police said the attack appears to be unprovoked and is currently under investigation.

The mother was taken to Bellevue Hospital in stable condition, according to multiple reports. The baby was not injured.

The victim and her husband are from Jurupa Valley and work for the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.

The suspect, a Massachusetts resident, was charged with two counts of assault, attempted murder, criminal possession of a weapon and endangering the welfare of a child. She is expected to appear in court Friday.

Multiple outlets, including from WABC, initially reported that the victim and her husband worked for the Riverside County Sheriff’s Office in Jurupa Valley. The Sheriff’s Office issued a statement on Friday on its social media pages stating that no Riverside Sheriff’s employees were involved in the assault.

“The Riverside Sheriff’s Office is aware of the incident that occurred yesterday in New York. No Riverside Sheriff’s employees were involved in the assault. Please contact the New York Police Department for any further details regarding this investigation.”

Stay with News Channel 3 for any new developments.

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Athena Jreij

COACHELLA VALLEY, Calif. (KESQ) – After cancelling the annual walk in September, Our Lady of Guadalupe pilgrimage resumes Friday at churches across the Valley, but with some changes.

The 30-mile walk that took over 20,000 parishioners from the west to east end of the Valley last year, was postponed due to immigration enforcement fears.

Participants will now walk the miles in church parking lots across the Valley, and hold celebrations on-site.

At Saint Luis Catholic Church in Cathedral City, the festivities began at 3 a.m. Thursday featuring music, dance performances, prayer and food vendors.

“The Holy Spirit is still working in the people and they’re saying, ‘hey let’s do the play, let’s do the dances.’ So, in a way I think the main point is to continue to give thanks to God and to praise him. Maybe not with the walking, but now we pray with him and many other things too,” Father Jose Orozco said.

Concepcion Cruz, a parishioner and lead dancer, said members of her community have been impacted by immigration enforcement fears.

“The fear is there, people are afraid to go out, people don’t go to the store but today we are here united, people have been coming in and out to support the event yesterday and today. So we had a good reaction towards the event.

It’s shown fear won’t sent their cultural traditions into hiding, but many still expressed a hope that the pilgrimage would come back next year.

“Our community is so big, 64% of the Valley is Hispanic. So this tradition, all the churches they need to keep it going,” Rafael Oscal said.

Several churches across the Valley are planning festivities into Friday evening.

Stick with News Channel 3 for continuing coverage.

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