Nov. 5 Daily Briefing: Election Day arrives, cinema plans revealed, unique display, and more

Welcome to Election Day, everyone, where we hope we don’t have to wait a month to know the winners. One thing you are definitely going to have to wait a month for is the re-opening of the dog park behind City Hall. Starting today, it’s closed until Dec. 8 for its annual reseeding. The city suggests you and your pooch head to the Demuth Dog Park, which will remain open from daybreak until dusk, seven days a week. That facility is located at 4200 East Mesquite Ave. 

🎶 Setting the mood: “Ladies Night” by Kool & The Gang

LEADING OFF

Palm Springs hits the polls: City Council and beyond

Some of the voters in Palm Springs who have yet to cast their ballots are heading to the polls today to decide two City Council seats, the fate of a sales tax, and whether to sell the city’s hospital. 

Driving the news: The District 4 and 5 City Council seats are up for grabs, with five candidates vying for the District 4 seat and only one candidate running unopposed in District 5. 

• Two members of the council who currently hold the seats in those districts, Christy Holstege and Lisa Middleton, are seeking higher office in Sacramento. Holstege is running for the State Assembly in District 47, while Middleton is aiming for the State Senate in District 19. 

Bigger picture: Voters will also decide on removing the 2037 sunset date on a 1% sales tax increase (Measure J) and selling Desert Regional Medical Center to Tenet Healthcare.

• In addition to city races, voters will decide on county, state, and federal issues, including state ballot initiatives on marriage, housing, and the minimum wage.
• There are also seats on the local college district board and hospital board up for grabs.

By the numbers: As of the latest count on Monday, 63% of the 29,300 ballots mailed out in the city have been returned. That’s higher than at the same time in both the 2022 and 2020 General Election, according to Political Data Intelligence. 

• Riverside County data shows 35% of the 1.4 million ballots mailed out have been returned.

What’s next: While official certification in the county happens later this month, an early picture of the local races should emerge by late this evening. We’ll track and report results as they become available.

Dive deeper with our complete story

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IN OTHER NEWS

📽️ The Regal Cinemas on Tahquitz Canyon Way, which closed on Sunday, will reopen later this month under new ownership and branding as “Festival Theaters.” The new owner said he plans to show a broader range of film programming and offer reclining seats, a new bar, and better food options. [The Desert Sun]

🏆 Palm Springs International Film Festival announced Monday that Colman Domingo will receive its Spotlight Award, Actor, for his performance in ‘Sing Sing’, marking the second consecutive year he will be honored by the festival. [Deadline]

✈️ In a first of its kind event in the United States airport industry, Agua Caliente Casinos and Palm Springs International Airport (PSP) officially revealed the Agua Caliente Concourse last week, marking the re-naming of the airport’s RJ Concourse to Agua Caliente Concourse. [Aviation Pros]

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TODAY’S FEATURED EVENTS

Election Anxiety Support Group
5 p.m. | Scott Hines Behavioral Health Clinic
In-person, drop-in group to help process anxiety and stress related to the upcoming presidential election and politics in general.

Melba Miller’s Jazz Oasis
5:30 p.m. | VIP Lounge, Cultural Center
Join songstress Melba Miller and special guests for an evening dedicated to serious listeners and lovers of Jazz. ($22)

Election Night Watch Party
6 p.m. | one eleven bar
After this election we could all use a cocktail. Join us for happy hour all night as we watch the ballots roll in hope for the best.

SAVE THE DATE

• ‘Next to Normal’ by Coachella Valley Repertory starting Wednesday.
  
  
• Palm Springs Food & Wine Festival on Saturday and Sunday.
  
  
• Four Seasons Palm Springs Community Garage Sale on Sunday.
  
  
• ‘Loot’ by Desert Ensemble Theatre starting Nov. 15.
  
  
• ‘Hillary and Clinton’ by Dezart Performs starting Nov. 15. 
  
  
• Desert Air on Nov. 15 and 16.
  
  
• “Studio One, Forever” with Q & A following at The Church of St Paul in the Desert on Nov. 16.
  
  
• ‘When the Band Played On: A conversation with Michael G. Lee and Hank Plante’ on Nov. 16.
  
  
• Palm Springs Pickleball Tournament on Nov. 16.
  
  
• Kewet Native American Learning Day and Market on Nov. 16.

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AND FINALLY …

If you haven’t heard the message that there’s an important task for you to complete by the end of the day, perhaps a trip down North Mica Drive will remind you.

Driving the news: Palm Springs resident Adam Gray used the rooftop of his home to remind those passing by that there’s an election happening and they can make a difference by doing one simple thing. He used holiday lighting to spell out “VOTE.”

But wait: Gray’s light display serves a dual purpose. Not only do those who drive or walk past his home get the message, but he also lives in the flight path of Palm Springs International Airport. No doubt a few of the thousands of passengers who come in and out of the city have gotten the word as well.

Yes, but: We’re not sure if Gray is planning other messages that can be see from the air, but perhaps what this resident of Milwaukee did will give him some ideas.