Oct. 16 Daily Briefing: Pushback at town hall, Bernstein launches campaign, sister city art, and more

Happy Thursday (and ShakeOut Day), everyone! If you’ve been looking for an excuse to dust off your bike or scooter, or lace up your running or walking shoes, extras are needed this coming Monday (Oct. 20) for some CV Link promo video shoots at three times and locations: 7:30 a.m. at CV Link at Indian Canyon in northern Palm Springs; 8:15 a.m. at the Whitewater Club Drive rest stop just north of Gene Autry; and 3:45 p.m. at Mesquite Avenue (park in the cul-de-sac near 2245 Casitas Way). Email Josh Zipperman at josh@burkerix.com to let him know which shoot works for you and then just show up in colorful (non-branded) athletic wear.

🎶 Setting the mood: “Overnight” by Parcels

LEADING OFF

Republican state senator faces tense Palm Springs town hall over immigration, housing

State Sen. Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh encountered passionate pushback from residents during her first Palm Springs town hall Wednesday evening, with tensions flaring over immigration enforcement fears and controversial housing legislation.

Driving the news: The Republican senator who represents the city in Sacramento defended her legislative record before about three dozen residents at Palm Springs City Hall, facing heated exchanges when residents challenged her on immigration and housing density bills during what she said was her 69th town hall since May 2022.

• One Latino resident displayed his passport, saying he now carries it because “if you look too Mexican, you got problems” under current federal immigration enforcement.

The immigration clash: Ochoa Bogh acknowledged residents’ fears, revealing her own aunt now carries a passport in San Diego, and called California’s immigration system “broken.”

• She said she has written a bipartisan letter requesting expedited work permits for essential industries, arguing California educates undocumented students through college but cannot legally employ them.

Housing controversy: A Palm Springs homeowner accused the senator of voting for bills that strip local control over development, saying proposed rezoning would allow five- and seven-story buildings next to single-family homes.

• Ochoa Bogh defended her votes on SB 79 and SB 2011, saying they streamline housing development, though the resident countered that city officials were citing these bills to justify rezoning.

Her approach: The senator emphasized working across party lines as one of 10 Republican senators in a chamber with 30 Democrats, saying she avoids “partisan theater” and focuses on practical governance.

Bottom line: Despite confrontational moments, Ochoa Bogh maintained her commitment to transparency and constituent engagement, saying her open-door policy extends to all residents regardless of political affiliation.

Dive deeper with our full story

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BRIEFLY

🏛️ Bernstein formally announces reelection bid

• Palm Springs City Councilmember Jeffrey Bernstein announced Wednesday he will seek reelection to his District 2 seat in November 2026, becoming the first candidate to publicly declare for the race. The announcement came on the steps of City Hall with endorsements from the city’s police officers, police management and firefighters associations.
  
• Bernstein, a small businessman who was first elected in 2022 with 54% of the vote, served as mayor from December 2023 to December 2024. During his first term, he touted helping to open the Navigation Center for homeless residents, overseeing infrastructure projects including five new playgrounds and pickleball courts, and leading the effort to remove the sunset provision on Measure J.
  
• Details: If reelected, Bernstein said he plans to focus on economic development in healthcare, clean energy, arts, culture and tech sectors while developing a citywide shade and heat mitigation plan. The 2026 ballot will also include seats currently held by Councilmember Grace Garner in District 1 and Mayor Ron deHarte in District 3. Both have filed candidate intention statements.

Dive deeper with our complete story

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TODAY’S FEATURED EVENTS

Modernism Week – October
All Day | Various Locations
The annual fall version of Modernism Week features over 50 exclusive activities that include architecture tours, social events, and unique experiences unique to Modernism Week and Palm Springs.

Introductory French
9:30 a.m. | Mizell Center
This introductory French course covers foundational elements such as pronunciation, basic grammar, vocabulary and a few common expressions. Students will learn to introduce themselves, ask simple questions, and understand basic directions. This is the first of a 8 session course that meets weekly until Dec. 11. ($100) 

Preschool and Baby Story Times
10 a.m. | Library at Rimrock Plaza
Children’s Librarian Nancy reads stories, sings songs, and shares early learning concepts. Preschool story time is from 10-11 AM and Baby story time is at 11 AM – 12 PM each Thursday morning.

Art Museum Free Admission
5 p.m. | Palm Springs Art Museum 
From 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., enjoy free admission to galleries and exhibitions, and explore the collection at your own pace. 

Pride Honors Awards 2025
5:30 p.m. | Hilton Palm Springs
The Pride Honors Awards ceremony, co-chaired by Coachella Valley Firebirds, Desert Care Network, and Hilton Palm Springs, promises to be a night of inspiration and celebration, bringing together LGBTQ+ activists, allies, and supporters from all walks of life. ($25)

VillageFest
6 p.m. | Downtown Palm Springs  
The street fair features art, entertainment, shopping, and food.

View all events here

SAVE THE DATE

• Architecture + Design Book Sale benefiting Friends of the Palm Springs Library Friday through Sunday
  
• No Kings Rally on Saturday at Sunrise Park
  
• Wet + Wild Party benefiting Palm Springs Police and Fire at Desert Hand Car Wash on Oct. 23
  
• Pride Equality Walk on Oct. 25
  
• “Be A Hero For Kids” Halloween Bash on Oct. 26
  
• Rocky Horror Picture Show Sing Along at Quadz on Oct. 28
  
• Pride on the Page, an LGBTQ book festival, on Nov. 1
  
• Palm Springs Pride Nov. 6 through 9
  
• Palm Springs Pride 5K Run & Walk on Nov. 8
  
• West Side Story in Concert benefit for Dezart Performs Nov. 13-15
  
• Palm Springs Hospitality Golf Tournament on Nov. 14

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AND FINALLY …

A handshake between two mayors in June has blossomed into something beautiful: 36 vibrant, handcrafted flowers now grace Museum Way near Downtown Park, making Palm Springs the final U.S. stop for a traveling art installation from its sister city in Mexico.

Driving the news: The “Deriva Floral” (Floral Drift) exhibition arrived in less than 100 days after Mayor Ron deHarte asked his San Miguel de Allende counterpart how to bring the show to Palm Springs – a request that initially seemed so casual, deHarte wasn’t sure he’d been taken seriously.

• The colorful installation by Mexican artist Daniel “Mestiz” Valero features flowers measuring nearly 4 feet each, with some suspended in the air. It will remain on display through November.

Why it matters: The installation, funded entirely by San Miguel de Allende, represents the kind of cultural exchange officials envisioned when the sister cities relationship began nearly three years ago, fostering connections through art rather than borders.

What’s next: The exhibition previously visited Madrid, Houston, and Santa Fe before landing in the desert as its final U.S. destination.

Dive deeper with our complete story