Jan. 5 Daily Briefing: ICE activity advice, year’s first baby, Pavilion closure, and more

Welcome to Monday and to our first newsletter of 2026! If you didn’t attend the red carpet ceremony or weren’t invited to the big awards show over the weekend, worry not! You can look back at The Palm Springs International Film Festival opening weekend from the comfort of your chair or couch thanks to the always impressive work of veteran Desert Sun photojournalists Taya Gray and  Jay Calderon (See their photo gallery from the Saturday red carpet event here) and catch the very latest the coverage from Sunday by entertainment reporter Ema Sasic here. See what’s in store next as the film fest continues all week! 

🎶 Setting the mood: “🎶 Setting the mood: “Who’ll Stop the Rain” by Creedence Clearwater Revival

LEADING OFF

Mayor warns residents of immigration enforcement activity, offers advice

Palm Springs Mayor Naomi Soto alerted residents last week to federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) continued detainments in the city. She shared information about legal rights and resources available to affected families.

Driving the news: In a video statement recorded Jan. 1, Soto confirmed federal agents were actively operating in Palm Springs and outlined steps residents could take if family members were detained.

• Families can contact the Palm Springs Police Department to retrieve property and vehicles left behind by detained individuals, the mayor said.

What to know: Soto detailed specific legal protections during federal immigration operations, including that agents cannot enter private business areas without a signed judicial order containing the person’s name, and cannot enter homes without a signed judicial warrant.

The latest: Residents have the right to document and record federal officers during detainments without interfering with operations, Soto said, noting such videos help rapid responders and immigration organizations assist separated families.

Resources: The mayor directed affected families to organizations including Todec and Inland Coalition for Immigrant Justice for help navigating the immigration system.

• “It’s the bare minimum we can do to make sure that people are treated with dignity and respect,” Soto said.

Dive deeper with our complete story

BRIEFLY

👶 Valley’s first baby of 2026 arrives in Palm Springs early on New Year’s Day

• Emilio Ibarra was born at 12:34 a.m. Jan. 1 at Desert Regional Medical Center in Palm Springs, making him the Coachella Valley’s first baby of 2026. He weighed 7 pounds, 15 1/2 ounces and measured 19 inches long.
  
• Other valley hospitals also welcomed New Year’s babies. John F. Kennedy Memorial Hospital in Indio delivered Darian Rafael Ceballos Zendejas at 1:23 a.m. on Jan. 1 to parents Daisy Zendejas-Medel and David Ceballos, while Eisenhower Health in Rancho Mirage welcomed baby Alison later that day at 6:19 a.m.
  
• Details: Emilio’s parents are Monica Ayala Estrada and Miguel Ibarra. He joins sister Amelia, who was born on Halloween two years ago. Alison’s parents, Patrick and Liberty, received a baby onesie and miniature Fuego mascot from the Coachella Valley Firebirds.

✈️ Airport operations normalizing after FAA ground stop

• Palm Springs International Airport resumed normal operations Sunday following Saturday’s FAA air traffic control issue that halted flights across Southern California due to staffing issues at LAX, though delays and cancellations are expected to continue through Tuesday.
  
• The ground stoppage lasted several hours Saturday during a busy New Year’s travel weekend and the second day of the Palm Springs International Film Festival. A ground stop was issued at 6:50 p.m. and later updated to a ground delay.
  
• Bottom line: Travelers should monitor flight status directly with their airline and via the airport’s flight status page located here.

TODAY’S FEATURED EVENTS

Palm Springs International Film Festival
All day | Multiple locations
The festival will screen 169 films from 72 countries and territories, including 53 premieres, from Jan. 2-12. The lineup includes 44 of the International Feature Film Oscar submissions.

Open Play Bridge
9 a.m. | The Center
Come have some fun and enjoy playing Bridge in a casual and safe environment! 

Twin Palms Estate Walking Tour
9:30 a.m. | South Navajo Dr and Apache Rd
Join the Palm Springs Historical Society with a tour of the Twin Palms Estates. ($40)

Monday Night Dance Party with Leanna and Miguel
5 p.m. | V Wine Lounge and Martini Bar
Join Leanna and Miguel for a night of dancing to jazz, Latin, pop, disco, and more. ($5)

Audition for Modern Men Chorus
6:30 p.m. | United Methodist Church
Whether you’ve sung your whole life or are just discovering your voice, this is your chance to be part of a joyful, powerful, and meaningful season honoring our beloved Artistic Director Dr. Stan Hill’s incredible musical legacy.

Adult Tap Dance Class
6:30 p.m. | Leisure Center
Adult intermediate tap starts at 6:30 p.m., and “absolute beginners” adult tap is at 7:30 p.m. (“Two left feet are optional.”) ($20)

See all events here

SAVE THE DATE

• Rock the Park with Bee Gees Forever on Wednesday
  
• Auditions for Modern Men Chorus (celebrating Dr. Stan Hill’s final concert) on Saturday
  
• Wishing Well Benefit Concert for Well in the Desert on Jan. 12
  
• American Legion Youth Baseball Fundraiser with Robin Wilson of Gin Blossoms on Jan. 17
  
• 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 …

Palm Springs residents will need to adjust their recreation plans as the city closes one facility for renovations while celebrating the completion of another.

Driving the news: The Pavilion — one part of the Pavilion/Leisure Center complex at 401 South Pavilion Way in Sunrise Park — will be closed starting today through April for interior and exterior upgrades, with all programs and reservations relocated to other Parks & Recreation facilities.

• Improvements include fresh paint, new interior ceilings, cleaned ducts with upgraded acoustic panels, and new exterior doors and windows.

The bright side: Ruth Hardy Park’s brand-new playground is now open to the public, offering families a refreshed space for climbing, playing, and memory-making in one of the city’s most beloved parks.

• A formal ribbon-cutting celebration is scheduled for Tuesday, Jan. 13 at 3:30 p.m.

More information: Contact the Department of Parks & Recreation at RecInfo@PalmSpringsCA.gov or 760-323-8272 for questions about program relocations or the new playground.