July 28 Daily Briefing: Housing market update, tobacco cleanup, honoring local custodian, and more

Welcome to Monday and a week that will end with us in August! But first, a heads up on a traffic project: If you’re planning to head over the Dinah Shore Bridge, you’ll want to note the city is performing some pavement rehabilitation work at the Lawrence Crossley intersection starting today and lasting through tomorrow (Tuesday). While nobody likes construction delays, it’s always nice to see our infrastructure getting some TLC.

🎶 Setting the mood: “Run Run Run” by Phoenix

LEADING OFF

Palm Springs housing market slightly favoring buyers per analysis

The latest Desert Housing Report for June 2025 shows the Palm Springs housing market experiencing some changes, with sales declining while inventory reaches multi-year highs, creating new dynamics for buyers and sellers.

Driving the news: Palm Springs recorded 135 home sales during the three-month average ending in June, representing a decrease from 149 sales during the same period last year. Despite fewer transactions, the city maintained its position as the second-highest sales volume in the Coachella Valley, trailing only Palm Desert.

By the numbers: The average detached home price declined 3.1% year-over-year to about $1,247,000, while attached homes saw a 1.9% increase to about $450,000.

• Inventory in Palm Springs reached 754 units, a significant increase from 625 units last year, representing the highest inventory level among all Coachella Valley cities.

Market dynamics: Palm Springs is experiencing a supply-heavy market with a “months of sales” ratio of 5.6 months, the highest in the region and well above the 4.2 months recorded last year. This ratio measures how long it would take to sell all available inventory at current sales rates.

• The median days in market increased to 52 days from 46 days last year, indicating homes are taking longer to sell.

Local insight: Homes in Palm Springs selling at an average discount of 4.1% below list price, an increase from the 3.1% discount recorded last year.

• The report indicates that 11% of homes valley-wide sold above list price in June, compared to 15% last year, suggesting reduced buyer competition.

What to watch For: Home sales are down nationwide, and realtor.com blames the high mortgage rate, writing, “The revised forecast predicts 30-year mortgage rates will remain higher than originally projected, averaging 6.7% across 2025 and ending the year at around 6.4%.”

BRIEFLY

🧹 Blue Zones Palm Springs to hold first of four tobacco waste cleanup events

Blue Zones Project Palm Springs will host four tobacco waste cleanup days at community parks as part of an effort to qualify the city for Blue Zone designation, which recognizes regions where people live longer, healthier lives.

• The cleanup events are scheduled for this Saturday, Aug. 2 at Demuth Park, 4365 E. Mesquite Ave.; Saturday, Aug. 23 at Downtown Park, Museum Way/Belardo Road; Saturday, Sept. 6 at Sunrise Park, 480 S. Sunrise Way; and Saturday, Sept. 13 at Demuth Park. All events begin at 6:30 a.m.
  
• Blue Zones are designated regions where residents experience longer, healthier lives, and Palm Springs is working toward earning this recognition through community improvement initiatives.
  
• Why it matters: City officials encourage residents to participate in the cleanup efforts to maintain public spaces and support the city’s mission to improve overall well-being in the community.

🛒 Union authorizes strike against Stater Bros. Markets

A Southern California union representing 12,000 grocery store employees voted Friday to authorize a strike against supermarket chain Stater Bros. Markets, though bargaining negotiations are scheduled for this week before any work stoppage would begin.

• The United Food and Commercial Workers Local 135 accused Stater Bros. of breaking “the law by surveilling, interrogating and discriminating against union members.” The vote comes months after the company laid off 63 clerks at four stores in February, the first layoffs in the company’s 89-year history.
  
• Bottom line: The union has begun holding “Customer Engagement Actions” in front of selected stores to rally support. Stater Bros. operates 167 locations and employs about 18,000 workers total, having opened its first store in Yucaipa, California in 1936.

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TODAY’S FEATURED EVENTS

Free Student Health Clinic
1 p.m. – 5 p.m. | DMPG Health Clinic
Open to ALL PSUSD students. All services are free. If insured, please bring your insurance info. Click the link above to find registration information.

Mahjong Mondays
1 p.m. | Social Cafe & Play Lounge
Come play the American version of Mahjong at Social Cafe & Play Lounge in Palm Springs at 1 p.m. every Monday.

Tap Class
4 p.m. | Mizell Center
Join the fine folks at the Mizell Center for a fun time learning to dance.($10)

California Community of Men’s Monday Coffee
4:30 p.m. | Social Cafe & Play Lounge
Join the group for coffee, chat, and chew! No RSVPs necessary.

Parks and Recreation Commission
5:30 p.m. | City Hall
The commission advises City Council on everything related to the planning and monitoring of the city’s 11 parks and rec services and facilities. Check out this evening’s agenda.

See all events here

SAVE THE DATE

• CVRep’s summer series with Lee Roy Reams on July Tuesday
  
• Palm Springs Tobacco Cleanup at Demuth Park Saturday at 6:30 a.m.
  
• Dive-In Movie “Moana 2” rescheduled for Saturday at Palm Springs Swim Center
  
• Decriminalize Nature Palm Springs event at Mizell Center on Aug. 9.
  
• Retreat to the Heat presented by The Palm Springs Writers’ Guild Aug. 10 through 13
  
• Pool Party for a Cause benefiting Palm Springs Animal Shelter on Aug. 15 

Submit your event here

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AND FINALLY …

After 28 years of greeting everyone with a smile and the occasional joke, Palm Springs Unified School District’s beloved custodian Luis Canas has officially hung up his cleaning supplies and embraced retirement.

Driving the news: The district office said farewell to Canas last Friday, celebrating nearly three decades of service that began in 1996 when he started as a substitute custodian before becoming a fixture at the District Office.

• Board members, Superintendent Dr. Marcus Funchess, district leaders, coworkers, friends, and family gathered to honor his lasting impact on the school community.

The response: Colleagues and community members flooded online tributes with a consistent theme — Canas was the embodiment of positivity, always ready with a welcoming smile and kind words for everyone who walked through the doors.

Why it matters: In an era where workplace morale often makes headlines for the wrong reasons, Canas served as a daily reminder that a positive attitude and genuine care for others can make any workplace feel like home.