July 30 Daily Briefing: Pesticide-free parks request, warehouse jobs decline, lip sync event returning, and more

Welcome to Wednesday! We know construction zones aren’t anyone’s favorite thing to navigate, but Desert Water Agency’s work to install new water utility service for the new Palm Springs College of the Desert campus is making solid progress — with the majority expected to wrap up by Aug. 5, even though the project has been extended through Aug. 14. The silver lining is that, despite some interruptions,  traffic will keep flowing in all directions along the affected streets (South Farrell Drive and East Baristo Road), and that the project is yet another indicator that the campus will eventually open.

🎶 Setting the mood: “Could Heaven Ever Be Like This” by Idris Muhammad

LEADING OFF

Animal advocates urge Palm Springs to go pesticide-free in city parks

Representatives from Greater Palm Springs Animal Allies asked the city’s Parks and Recreation Commission Monday to reduce pesticide and rodenticide use across 312 acres of parkland. The advocates said widespread poisoning is decimating local wildlife populations at catastrophic rates.

Driving the news: Laura Hedges and Linda Talley, both board members with the organization that operates the Palm Springs Animal Shelter, presented alarming data about wildlife decline and local animal poisoning to city commissioners.

• The group recently opened the Desert Wildlife Center in Indio, the Coachella Valley’s only licensed wildlife rehabilitation facility, where they’re treating increasing numbers of poisoned animals.

The big picture: The advocates cited World Wildlife Fund studies showing a 73% decrease in global wildlife populations over 50 years, with 600 million birds dying annually from poisoning.

• 88% of tested raptors and 83% of tested coyotes have poison in their systems, with toxins moving through the food chain to affect everything from songbirds to mountain lions and domestic pets.

Their solution: The organization proposed “RED” pest management strategies — repel, exclude and deter — using natural repellents like peppermint oil and cinnamon, sealing building entry points, and eliminating food sources.

• They also raised concerns about tree trimming during bird nesting season from February through September, saying they receive numerous calls about injured and displaced birds.

What’s next: Parks and Recreation Director Nicholas Gonzalez said the city’s environmentally preferable purchasing policy could be enhanced to reduce pesticide use.

• The commission took no formal action but received the information for future consideration. An ad hoc committee with the city’s Sustainability Commission is already working on a “poison free Palm Springs” initiative.

Dive deeper with our complete story

BRIEFLY

📦 Warehouse jobs decline for sixth straight month

As Palm Springs continues debating warehouse approvals, the broader Inland Empire recorded its sixth consecutive month of job losses in the warehouse industry in June, with 900 transportation and logistics positions eliminated as the region’s unemployment rate jumped to 5.3% from 4.7% in May. As reported by Community Forward Redlands, the sector has shed 26,000 jobs in 2025 alone, despite adding 47,000 positions over the past five years.

• Port traffic data shows mixed results, the outlet noted, with the Port of Los Angeles reporting a 7.8% increase while the Port of Long Beach saw a 16% decline compared to June 2024. Combined, the two ports handled 4.6% fewer goods than the same period last year, and warehouse vacancy rates rose 7% from the previous quarter.
  
• The Administrative and Support sector lost 2,100 jobs in June, nearly double the typical seasonal decline, while private education eliminated 900 positions. Nearly 25,000 more residents reported being unemployed while 24,000 fewer reported being employed, despite the labor force growing by 700 people.
  
• Why it matters: The city of Palm Springs has approved a trio of large warehouses, including a pair on a 96-acre site at the southeast corner of North Indian Canyon Drive and 18th Street that moved forward last week after a 5-1 Planning Commission vote.

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TODAY’S FEATURED EVENTS

Palm Springs Parent Support Group
10 a.m. | Leisure Center
Designed to foster relationships, this is a drop-in style group designed around parents of all stages.

Rotary Club of Palm Springs
12 p.m. | Hilton Palm Springs
During the last meeting until September, the Rotary Club will be hosting Alzheimer’s Coachella Valley with the topic centering around “Understanding and Supporting Brain Health in the Coachella Valley” ($25)

Poetry Club
4 p.m. | Welwood Murray Library
This group meets monthly to work on prompts, discuss selected works, and share their own creations.

Game Night
4 p.m. | Starbase 505
From party games to complex strategy games, the crew at Starbase 505 has you covered for a fun night for everyone.

An Evening of Music and Waves
6:30 p.m. | Palm Springs Surf Club
The Palm Springs Surf Club is hosting a sneak peak at the premier season of the Palm Springs Symphony. The season officially starts on Dec. 7 at the Plaza Theatre. ($135)

See all events here

SAVE THE DATE

• 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 …

If you’ve ever wondered whether your local nonprofit executive director has what it takes to channel their inner pop star, an event in early September will provide definitive answers. Nine teams representing area organizations are set to compete in the CV Lip Sync Battle, where community leaders will trade their usual business attire for stage lights and choreographed moves.

Driving the news: The competition returns Saturday, Sept. 6, at 6 p.m. at the Palm Springs Cultural Center, offering $1,000 and bragging rights to the winning team while raising funds for participating organizations.

• Teams include representatives from the American Cancer Society, Animal Samaritans, Cancer Support Community, Cathedral City LGBT+ Days, Desert Business Association, Friends of the Desert Mountains, L-FUND, Palm Springs Parks and Recreation, and Safe House PS.

The appeal: Producer and comedian Shann Carr, who has helmed the event since 2015, puts it perfectly: “The Lip Sync Battle proves that even desk nerds can whip up some ‘it factor.’ I get to help business leaders, overworked Executive Directors, and therapy dog handlers shine like pop stars!”

• Previous contestants will return as judges and coaches, ensuring this year’s participants receive proper guidance in their transformation from boardroom to stage.

Details: The competition takes place at the Palm Springs Cultural Center’s big theater at 2300 E. Baristo Road. Regular tickets are $50, VIP tickets are $80, and both are available at http://bit.ly/cvlipsync25.