Dec. 31 Daily Briefing: Home prices report, ‘Roadrunner Renaissance,’ in memoriam part 2, and more

Happy New Year’s Eve! As we head into 2026, thank you to everyone who supported our holiday fundraising drive. Your contributions help keep our work going and ensure local news remains free and accessible to all. Whether you donated, advertised, read, or shared your time and thoughts with us in 2025, you helped strengthen our community! We’ll be off for the rest of the week and look forward to serving you in the new year. — Mark and Kendall

🎶 Setting the mood: “What Are You Doing New Year’s Eve?” by Ella Fitzgerald

LEADING OFF

Home prices on the decline, inventory up compared to last year

The most recent housing report shows trends in line with seasonal expectations, but prices dip slightly compared to the year before.

Driving the news: The median price of an average-sized detached home in the Coachella Valley last month was $645,000, a decrease of less than 1% from the year before but a $20,000 increase from October. Attached homes decreased 6.3% year-over-year to $419,000.

• Only two valley cities, Indian Wells and La Quinta, saw an increase in detached home prices compared to the year before.

Zoom in: In Palm Springs, detached home prices fell nearly 3% to $1.1 million in November. Prices for condominiums and other attached homes fell 10% compared to the year before, with the average price recorded at about $400,000.

In context: This time of year is typically when valley home prices hit their low, but prices compared to the same month a year ago are still slightly lagging. 

What to watch for: Earlier this month, the Federal Reserve cut interest rates for a third consecutive time. Local market analysts for months have been saying the Fed needs to cut rates to encourage home buyers.

Dive deeper with our complete story, including data on sales volume and inventory.

IN OTHER NEWS

🎓 After several turbulent years, College of the Desert appears back on track, writes The Coachella Valley Independent’s Kevin Fitzgerald, in what’s being described as a “Roadrunner Renaissance.”  [CV Independent]

🍾 Organizers of local New Year’s Eve events are moving forward despite possible rain, with contingency plans in place to adjust schedules or setups as needed to keep guests safe and comfortable. [KESQ]

🍴 Palm Springs and the surrounding area lost a few cherished favorite restaurants and other spots that barely got time to shine, reports The Desert Sun’s Paul Albani-Burgio as he looks back at the year that was in restaurant news.  [Desert Sun 💰] 

💰 = Subscription required

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TODAY’S FEATURED EVENTS

Chinese Mah Jong Open Play
2 p.m. | Mizell Center
Practice your skills and play with others. This is a FREE library program; you do not have to be a member of Mizell Center to attend.

Journals Of Adam & Eve
5 p.m. | Plaza Theatre
The Journals of Adam & Eve is a delightful look at the world’s first love story. Experience this legendary couple up close when TV legends Hal Linden (“Barney Miller”) and Sally Struthers (“All in the Family”) take the legendary Plaza stage for an unforgettable night. ($64)

New Years Eve Carnivale Gala
7:30 p.m. | Riviera Resort
Join Brothers of the Desert’s for their New Year’s Eve Legacy Gala and Fundraiser. It’s the perfect opportunity to come together with friends, family, and the community to make a positive impact while having a blast! ($242)

Midnight on Mount Olympus!
8 p.m. | Boozehounds
An immersive, opulent celebration fit for the Gods. Join a New Year’s Eve party beyond anything you’ve seen earthside. ($87)

See all events here

SAVE THE DATE

• Auditions for Modern Men Chorus (celebrating Dr. Stan Hill’s final concert) on Jan. 5 (Monday) and Jan. 10 (Saturday)
  
• Rock the Park with Bee Gees Forever on Jan. 7
  
• Wishing Well Benefit Concert for Well in the Desert on Jan. 12
  
• Palm Springs Health Run & Wellness Festival on Jan. 24
  
• Palm Springs Speaks with Cheech Marin on Feb. 10
  
• Palm Springs International Jazz Festival from Feb. 19-22

Submit your event here

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AND FINALLY …

The Coachella Valley lost remarkable individuals in 2025, from civic leaders to artists who shaped our communities. We’ve been looking back this week with Bruce Fessier’s annual tribute to their legacies and the spaces they leave behind.

Driving the news: Fessier, who covered the community for more than four decades with The Desert Sun, has compiled his annual memoriam highlighting notable residents who passed away this year, celebrating contributions spanning politics, entertainment, sports, and community service.

• Catch Part 2 of his series, published Tuesday evening, online here.
  
• Part 1 of the series was published Monday evening and featured additional community luminaries.

The departed: The list includes former mayors and council members Don Adolph (La Quinta), G. Dana Hobart (Rancho Mirage), and Mark Carnevale (Cathedral City); Palm Springs philanthropist Harold Matzner. 

• “Fabulous Palm Springs Follies” creator Riff Markowitz; longtime Desert Sun sports editor Gene Lube; actress Maria Riva (daughter of Marlene Dietrich); Oscar-nominated actress Sally Kirkland; and adventurer Glen Heggstad are also included.

Notable achievements: Matzner transformed the Palm Springs International Film Festival into a major awards-season event while strengthening local cultural institutions. Markowitz’s Follies ran 23 years and drew more than 3 million visitors. Hobart conceived the Rancho Mirage Observatory and helped launch the city’s Writers Festival. 

• Heggstad circled the globe four times and survived kidnapping by Colombian rebels.

Why it matters: These individuals helped define the Coachella Valley’s cultural identity, from revitalizing downtown districts to establishing world-class arts programming that continues attracting visitors and enriching residents’ lives.

Dive deeper with Part 1 and Part 2