April 2 Daily Briefing: Healthcare concerns, tribal elections, our pet of the week, and more

Happy Wednesday, folks! If you haven’t heard of Charlie Ervin, you probably haven’t been reading The Post for very long. Ervin, our 2022 Person of the Year, is a PSUSD Board member and former planning commissioner, but he has also hit it big with his children’s book on diversity and inclusion. After touring classrooms everywhere, his self-published work has now sold thousands of copies, connecting with kids ages 3-10 through its simple yet powerful message. Want a copy or know somebody who might? Click here! Teachers interested in a classroom visit can email him directly at Equitydiversityequality@gmail.com.

🎶 Setting the mood: “This Must Be the Place” by Talking Heads

LEADING OFF

Palm Springs HIV advocates navigate uncertainty after federal health agency cuts

The Trump Administration’s mass layoffs of 10,000 staffers at U.S. health agencies have triggered alarm in Palm Springs, home to one of the nation’s largest populations of people with HIV. Local HIV advocacy groups are fielding concerned calls as uncertainty grows about critical funding and research programs.

Driving the news: Reports indicate plans to close the CDC’s Division of HIV Prevention as part of restructuring efforts at the FDA, CDC, and National Institutes of Health (NIH), while hundreds of HIV research grants have reportedly been canceled.

• These actions come despite the previous Trump administration’s 2019 “Ending the HIV Epidemic” initiative, which aimed to reduce new HIV infections by 90% by 2030.

Why it matters: Jeff Taylor, executive director of HIV+ Aging Research Project – Palm Springs (HARP-PS), says his organization receives about half its funding as an NIH subcontractor for HIV cure research.

• While HARP-PS has not yet been notified of changes to its current five-year grant, any future funding loss in could significantly impact operations and staff salaries.

The big concern: Many residents worry about the future of funding for the Ryan White HIV/AIDS program, which has provided medical care and support services for low-income people with HIV since 1990, including the AIDS Drug Assistance Program that covers medication costs that can reach $60,000 annually.

• Taylor notes the program has historically enjoyed bipartisan support through congressionally approved budgets.

What they’re saying: “We’ve made amazing strides in the last few years,” Taylor said, referring specifically to prevention measures like the use of Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP). “Now we stand to lose all that overnight.”

Taking action: This week, AIDS United brought 500 advocates to Washington for “AIDS Watch” to meet with lawmakers and advocate for continued HIV funding and services.

Dive deeper with our complete story

BRIEFLY

🏛️ Agua Caliente Tribal Council election results finalized

The Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians has announced the results of its March 18 annual Tribal Council election, with Reid D. Milanovich continuing his two-year term as Tribal Chairman.

• Anthony W. Purnel was elected Vice Chairman to a full two-year term, while Savana R. Saubel secured her second consecutive two-year term as Secretary. John R. Preckwinkle III was re-elected to a fifth consecutive one-year term as Tribal Council Member, and Virginia Siva-Gillespie won her third consecutive one-year term in the same position.
  
• Bottom line: The election results were certified and finalized on Tuesday, when council members were sworn in, according to the tribe. The election process is governed by tribal law and managed privately by the Election Board.

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TODAY’S FEATURED EVENTS

Desert X
The fifth edition of Desert X, the recurring site-specific, international art exhibition is open now through May 11. Find the map of installations on the Desert X website.

Pre-Shredding Drop Off
8 a.m. | City Hall
From 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. drop off paper waste for shredding in secure bins placed inside City Hall. No bulky items will be accepted during pre-shredding.

Friends & Family CPR
2 p.m. | The Center
Learn what to do in the precious few minutes waiting for 911 when a friend or family member has either a cardiac or pulmonary event causing loss of consciousness, or a choking event. ($5)

First Wednesday Art Walk
5 p.m. | Backstreet Art District
Tour galleries and meet artists at this monthly event that happens rain or shine. Check with galleries’ individual websites to find out about their hours of operation and special events.

Better Together Nonprofit Expo
5 p.m. | Palm Springs Surf Club
Learn more about local newer or smaller non-profits. The complimentary event will have some giveaways and discounts on restaurant purchases at the Surf Club.

Library Board
5:30 p.m. | City Hall
The Board reviews and amends library policy, reviews progress reports, discusses immediate and long-range library planning, and prepares an annual budget. Check out the agenda here.

OutBook Book Club
5:30 p.m. | Palm Springs Public Library
This month, the group will discuss “Blackouts” by Justin Torres. Next month they’ll tackle “Pageboy” by Elliot Page. Join the club’s email list here.

Rock the Park:  Vegas McGraw
7 p.m. | Downtown Park
Grab your blankets, chairs, and dancing shoes for a night with Vegas McGraw, a Tim McGraw cover band. Note that extreme weather, wind, or rain may force rescheduling of some events and that start times could vary.

See all events

SAVE THE DATE

• Palm Springs Speaks Presents Mary Louise Kelly on Thursday at the Cultural Center. ($50-$70)
  
• Fuse – Opening Reception at Janssen Artspace on Saturday.
  
• Yoga Workshop: Pickleball Injury Prevention and Recovery at Khaga Yoga Palm Springs on Saturday.
  
• Coachella Valley Has Sole Shoe Drive at the Living Desert on Saturday.
  
• Free Shredding Event at the Palm Springs Convention Center on Saturday.
  
• Opera in the Park at Sunrise Park on Sunday.
  
• World Art Day at the Downtown Park on April 12.
  
• Self-Advocacy in Healthcare Conference at Mizell Center on April 19.
  
• PS Gay Men’s Chorus “Disney Pride In Concert“ starting April 24. ($35)
  
• 2025 Arthur Lyons Film Noir Festival starting May 8. ($17)

Submit your event

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AND FINALLY …

🐾 Each week, The Post partners with a local animal shelter to feature one or more of the many animal companions ready for a new home in our community. 

Today, we invite you to meet four-year-old Bane. Staff at the shelter say Bane is affectionate with familiar people, good at meeting new people, and appears to be housetrained. 

If you’re interested: You can visit the shelter at 4575 E. Mesquite Ave. Hours are 11 a.m. until 5 p.m. on all days except for Mondays (open for intake only) and Thursdays (1 p.m. until 7 p.m.). You can always call the shelter at (760) 416-5718.

• Make sure to check out all the other pets at the shelter here.