June 16 Daily Briefing: Section 14 exhibit, huge rally, palm tree problems, and more

Welcome to Monday! ‘Tis the season for road construction, and two of the major projects in the city have updates this morning, while there’s also news for anyone traveling on a section of sidewalk downtown. Along State Route 111, bus pad work continues, bringing short-term traffic control efforts in some sections (more information is here). The South Palm Canyon Bridge project reached a milestone last week, with demolition of the western bridge span complete after a short work stoppage due to equipment issues (read more here). Finally, be aware that starting today, demolition of the Kalura Trattoria patio at 124 South Palm Canyon Dr. begins, clearing the way for a shared courtyard with the Plaza Theatre. That work is expected to last a week, and a new 60-seat patio — from Ben & Jerry’s to Kalura — should be finished by early August. Stay safe out there! 

🎶 Setting the mood: “Hot Fun in the Summertime” by Sly & The Family Stone

LEADING OFF

Tribe tells story of discrimination, resilience in new exhibit on Section 14

The Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians opened a new exhibition Saturday at its cultural museum documenting their untold history of government discrimination and survival on reservation land in downtown Palm Springs. 

Driving the news: The exhibition, titled “Section 14 The Untold Story,” uses government documents, tribal elder interviews and archival footage to expose how federal and local authorities systematically denied basic services to tribal members while attempting to terminate the tribe through corrupt programs.

The big picture: Section 14 is a one square mile of reservation land that sits in the center of Downtown Palm Springs. It includes the ancient hot mineral springs that remain the spiritual heart of the Agua Caliente people.

Zoom in: The exhibition documents the federal conservatorship program that assigned guardians to oversee tribal members’ daily affairs, which Tribal Chairman Reid D. Milanovich called “a corrupt system that was essentially a legal robbery of Indians.”

• It also shows how the city of Palm Springs prevented essential services from being provided on Section 14 for decades, forcing tribal members and others to, at times, live without running water, electricity or sewer systems.

Yes, but: The exhibition tells how an all-women Tribal Council traveled to Washington D.C. to lobby for extended lease terms, increasing maximum lease periods from five years to 99 years and enabling major business development including the Spa Hotel built in 1962.

What’s next: The exhibition will remain open for one year at the museum, located at 140 North Indian Canyon Drive.

Dive deeper with our complete story

BRIEFLY

📣 Thousands gather for ‘No Kings’ protest; arrest made in shooting threat

An estimated 5,000 people gathered at Downtown Park Saturday evening for a “No Kings” protest against what organizers called escalating authoritarianism, joining more than 2,000 similar events nationwide. 

• The crowd extended from the park to the Palm Springs Art Museum and into downtown to South Belardo Road. Protesters carried signs and wore “No Kings” crowns while expressing their opposition to what many are saying are authoritarian policies of the Trump Administration.
  
• Palm Springs Police Chief Andy Mills addressed the crowd, saying “There’s some people who want to oppress. We choose to empower. There are some trying to instill fear based use of police tactics. We choose to bring hope and compassion.”
  
• Arrest made: On Friday, PSPD said they arrested a 28-year-old La Quinta man after becoming aware of an online threat. Working with the FBI, detectives served search warrants at residences in Riverside and San Bernardino counties and seized one firearm. The man was taken into custody without incident.

🏠 Council approves of slight changes to co-owned housing rules

The Palm Springs City Council gave initial approval last week to amendments strengthening regulations on fractional ownership properties.

• The changes come nearly a year after the original co-owned managed housing ordinance was adopted following a 3-2 council vote in July 2024. The most significant change made at the council’s June 11 meeting removes the automatic three-year termination provision for the 30-home limit, with the council now intending to review the citywide cap before July 25, 2027.
  
• The amendments also add daytime guest occupancy limits mirroring vacation rental regulations and clarify that median housing price calculations for permit eligibility refer specifically to single-family residences, not condominiums.
  
• Bottom line: If approved on second reading at a later date, the amended ordinance would take effect 30 days after adoption.

Dive deeper with our complete story

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TODAY’S FEATURED EVENTS

G-Force Workout
7:30 a.m. | Ruth Hardy Park
Join the crew Monday through Friday mornings for fun, frolic, and fitness. There’s no charge, but tips are always appreciated

The Palm Springs Guys Happy Hour
4 p.m. | Boozehounds
Join other like-minded gay guys for a monthly Happy Hour in Palm Springs – where locals and visitors can connect with each other!

PALS Circle
6 p.m. | Virtual
Planning Ahead for LGBTQ+ Seniors (PALS) Circle is an informal weekly Zoom drop-in for connection and support. There is no agenda, no topic – like getting together with friends every week.

Bible Study
6 p.m. | Mizell Center
What did Jesus do & what did He say? Come and see and hear as we go through the Gospel according to Mark chapter by chapter on Monday nights.

Monday Night Bingo
7 p.m. | Ace Hotel
Lovely Bella da Ball calls numbers, quizzes players and gives away prizes. Bingo is first come first served so reservations are strongly recommended. ($35 minimum spend)

See all events here

SAVE THE DATE

• Juneteenth Freedom Weekend from June 19 through 21. 
  
• Palm Springs AI & Creativity Expo on June 23 at the convention center.
  
• 2025 All American 4th of July Weekend July 3-5 in Palm Springs.
  
• Glenn Soukesian (aka Colton Ford) Celebration of Life on July 5. 

Submit your event here

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AND FINALLY …

In a move that might make residents and visitors do a double-take, the city could start discouraging residents from planting new palm trees — the same iconic symbols that have defined the city’s landscape for decades.

Driving the news: At its last meeting on June 11, the city’s Sustainability Climate Action Subcommittee reviewed an approved tree species list that specifically highlights palm trees as discouraged plantings, prioritizing water-efficient species over the resource-intensive palms.

• The shift comes as part of a comprehensive urban forestry program focused on water conservation and sustainability goals.

The reasoning: Beyond their thirsty nature, palm trees are expensive to maintain and require significant resources for upkeep, city staff noted during the meeting.

What’s next: A new tree ordinance currently under development will require residents to select replacement trees from the approved species list, which focuses exclusively on low to moderate water-use options.

• Residents seeking trees not on the approved list will need special approval from planning or public works directors.

Why it matters: The policy represents a notable shift for a city whose very identity has been intertwined with palm-lined streets, reflecting broader regional efforts to adapt to water scarcity and climate challenges.

The details: The city is developing an interactive website to track urban tree canopy and help residents make informed planting decisions that align with sustainability objectives, with the full ordinance expected to be presented to commissioners at a later date.