May 6 Daily Briefing: Daring maneuvers explained, town hall tonight, and more

Welcome to Tuesday, everyone, where we’re sorry to report that we did not win a Pulitzer yesterday. While our entry for our reporting on the issues surrounding the Queer Works situation was accepted, we did not know that the “local” news reporting category would have us up against media outlets that got assistance from such powerhouses as The New York Times and San Francisco Chronicle. You can read about all the winners and finalists for the awards here. And maybe one day we’ll have a better shot if they create a “two-person newsroom” category 😊

🎶 Setting the mood: “Bring Me Some Water” by Melissa Etheridge

LEADING OFF

Firefighting aircraft turning heads with mountain maneuvers over city

Locals are used to the regular flight pattern of planes taking off and landing from the Palm Springs International Airport, but when large aircraft started making sharp turns near the mountains and approaching from unusual angles, residents and plane enthusiasts alike had questions.

Zoom in: The planes are a part of a program to help firefighters prepare for another dry and dangerous fire season. The Readiness and Alignment for Deployment Safety Training (RADS 2025) is run by Coulson Aviation, a global firefighting company that has used the desert for its training for the past two years.

Dive deeper: The training and certification program is run out of  Atlantic Aviation off North Gene Autry. Training started last week with approximately 30 pilots, and it’s expected to wrap up by either today or Wednesday.

• The company’s fleet in Palm Springs includes a Boeing 737-300, a C-130 Hercules, and a Citation jet that serves as an airspace management platform during firefighting operations.

What they’re doing: Part of the training is practicing water drops in areas east of Hemet. This helps pilots practice the technique for the correct altitudes and air speeds in the complex mountain terrain.

What they’re saying: “The airport’s got good support here,” said Michael Hayes, with Coulson’s Australian operation. “We’ve got the fuel trucks here whenever we need them. We’ve got the water facilities to reload the water. We’ve got a nice long runway, and we’re super close to the hills just out to the west.

Bottom line: The training represents the final preparations for Coulson Aviation’s teams before they deploy to fight wildfires across the country in what experts predict could be another challenging fire season.

Dive deeper with our complete story

BRIEFLY

🏠 Nonprofit to host forum on homelessness this evening

The Well In the Desert will host a town hall forum on homelessness this evening at 6 p.m. at Palm Springs Cultural Center, bringing together organization leaders to discuss challenges facing the homeless population and those at risk.

• “The Well has been in the trenches for 30 years feeding not only the homeless population, but many families that have that one foot in one foot out of homeless with issues with rising prices and inflation,” said Matthew Naylor, board president of The Well, adding that the organization has “great insight into those that receive our services, and what is happening on the street.”
  
• During the event, playwright Dayna Steele will interview Naylor along with Well board members Michael Weiner and Erick Frankson. 
  
• Details: The event is free to attend and the public is encouraged to attend.

⚠️ Animal shelter issues scam alert

Officials at the Palm Springs Animal Shelter are warning the community to be on the lookout for some fraudsters.

• The shelter posted a warning on its social media accounts Monday, letting the community know that someone is pretending to represent the shelter, claiming they have people’s lost pets, and threatening to euthanize the pet unless a fee is paid.
  
• “It’s a scam,” shelter staff wrote. “We are a no kill shelter.”
  
• Bottom line: If you receive such a call, and are unsure if it’s actually somebody from the shelter, you’re encouraged to call 760-416-5718 to verify the authenticity of the call.

---

TODAY’S FEATURED EVENTS

Queer Colon Care Collective
5 p.m. | Virtual
This support group is open to LGBTQ+ colorectal cancer patients, survivors, or caregivers. Organizers will offer resources and a sense of community in a safe place to share experiences. 

Historic Site Preservation Board Meeting
5:30 p.m. | City Hall
This seven-member board meets once a month to identify buildings, structures, or areas that are considered to be of historical value and how to best preserve them. These meetings are held at City Hall and are accessible online.

Melba Miller’s Jazz Oasis
5:30 p.m. | Cultural Center
Join songstress Melba Miller and special guests for an evening dedicated to serious listeners and lovers of Jazz. ($22)

Sunset Yoga
6 p.m. | Ace Hotel & Swim Club
Enjoy the famous Palm Springs sunset in a relaxing environment with this free to the public yoga session. Bring your own mat and RSVP online. 

Homelessness Town Hall Meeting
6 p.m. | Palm Springs Cultural Center
Join Well in the Desert and your Palm Springs neighbors for a discussion about homelessness, including its causes, how the community can help, and what’s happening on our streets.

Trivia Night
6:30 p.m. | Play Lounge PS
Come alone or bring a group to participate in this popular trivia night. Win bagging rights and other prizes.

See all events here

SAVE THE DATE

• 2025 Arthur Lyons Film Noir Festival starting Thursday. ($17)
  
• Desert X Art Club Student Exhibition at Melissa Morgan Fine Art on Thursday.
  
• Desert Images photography exhibition at Impell Gallery starting Saturday. 
  
• CommUNITY in Recovery – Sunny Dunes Clubhouse 3rd Annual Spring Gala at the Palm Springs Convention Center on Sunday. ($150).
  
• Movies in the Downtown Park: “The Fifth Element” at Downtown Park on May 13.
  
• Joint Valley Chamber Mixer at the Palm Springs Air Museum on May 14.
  
• Blue Zones Community Kickoff at Festival Theaters on May 15.
  
• “Star Wars: Episode IV: A New Hope” at the Cultural Center on May 15.
  
• Movie Night in the Park: “Wicked” at Victoria Park on May 16.
  
• Celebrate the eighth anniversary of Janssen Artspace on May 17.
  
• “Veils: A Requiem For Trayvon” film screening at the Cultural Center on May 23. ($18)
  
• Memorial Day Air Fair and Flower Drop at the Palm Springs Air Museum on May 26.
  
• 2025 Greater Palm Springs Restaurant Week starts May 30.

Submit your event here

---

AND FINALLY …

“All the world’s a stage, And all the men and women merely players;” or so the famous Shakespeare phrase goes, and this year, two plays will be taking the stage at the Palm Springs Cultural Center on June 8, written by budding bards from right here in Southern California.

Driving the news: It’s all part of the Palm Springs Young Playwrights Festival (PSYPF) 2025 season. The two winners are Kayla McCarty of Ramona High School for her play “Seven,” and Peyton Taylor of Valley View High School for “The Kellogg Murders.”

• “Seven” explores the haunting stillness of purgatory, where seven souls must confront the weight of their sins. Only one can rise toward grace; the others descend into darkness.
  
• “The Kellogg Murders” follows jealous cereal mascots Corn Flakes and Wheaties who embark on a revenge-fueled spree against their sugary competitors — until a determined investigator begins connecting the crumbs.

More details: Each winner receives a $500 scholarship to support their artistic education, as well as professional mentorship from Palm Springs writer and director, Jack Kenny.

What they’re saying: “These two young writers embody the fearless creativity and insight that define PSYPF,” said David Youse, founder and executive director of the Festival.

Bottom line: The 2025 Palm Springs Young Playwrights Festival takes place Sunday, June 8, at 12 p.m. at the Palm Springs Cultural Center. Tickets are available here.