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Happy Saturday, everyone, and welcome to our look back at the stories shaping life across our entire desert community — The CV Reporter. Each week, we bring together standout reporting from The Palm Springs Post, The Palm Desert Post, and The Indio Post so you can see beyond your own neighborhood and stay connected to the issues, people, and moments that matter across the entire Coachella Valley.
— Mark & Kendall
Palm Desert Post
KRATOM ADDRESSED
The Palm Desert City Council opted to ban just synthetic kratom rather than outright banning the naturally derived kratom. (Photo: Shutterstock)
The Palm Desert City Council voted 5-0 Thursday to introduce an ordinance banning synthetic kratom products and restricting sales of natural kratom leaf to adults 21 and older, while also overhauling the city's tobacco retailer licensing and smoking regulations for the first time since 2009.
Palm Springs Post
CURBSIDE CRACKDOWN
Vehicles parked for sale on a side street off Sunrise Way in Palm Springs. (File photo)
The Palm Springs City Council on Wednesday approved an ordinance that largely prohibits vehicle sales and rentals in the public right-of-way, responding to concerns that car-rental apps like Turo have led to an increase in cars parked along city streets for commercial purposes.
A MESSAGE FROM PALM SPRINGS INTERNATIONAL PIANO COMPETITION
Join us at The Club at Morningside for an incredible evening filled with fine food and magical music. Hosted by KESQ NewsChannel 3's Chief Meteorologist Patrick Evans. Featuring performances by the 2025 International Competition Medalists Caden Lin, Kyle Yeung and Eddison Chen.
Indio Post
HEAT PUMP PUSH
New builds may soon be required to be fully electrified as new state laws take shape. (File photo)
The Indio Sustainability Commission on Monday learned more about California’s evolving building decarbonization policies and the options available to the city to adopt measures that could affect how residents heat and cool their homes and what appliances they use.
Palm Springs Post
CLINIC REBUILD
Dr. Maher Abdallah speaks at a news conference after his American Reproductive Center building was heavily damaged by a bomb in May 2025. (File photo)
About nine months after the American Reproductive Center was destroyed in a domestic terrorist attack, the clinic presented rebuilding plans on Tuesday that prioritize protecting the facility from any future threats.
Indio Post
LOCAL VOICE, NATIONAL STAGE
Indio resident Frank Brabec at Tuesday’s State of the Union address. (Photo: Rep. Raul Ruiz)
An Indio business owner and health care consultant attended President Donald Trump’s State of the Union address on Tuesday as the guest of Rep. Raul Ruiz, bringing attention to the rising cost of health insurance for families without enhanced Affordable Care Act premium tax credits.
WHAT WE’RE READING
Standout reporting from trusted sources
🚧 Planning continues on the Indian Canyon Drive and Vista Chino bridge projects — but costs are up, and timelines keep getting pushed back [Coachella Valley Independent]
🗳️ California’s governor race has a clear top tier [Politico]
🏫 AI images scandalized a California elementary school. Now the state is pushing new safeguards [CalMatters]
WHAT TO WATCH FOR
Browse our community calendars to find upcoming events, government meetings, and more all over the valley. Have an event to promote? You can always submit it for free.
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