May 7 Daily Briefing: Nonprofit takes aim at city, In-N-Out plans are in, and more

Happy Wednesday, everyone! If you know us, you know we’re big fans of technology. You may have even seen Mark around town at one of the many talks he’s given about AI and how we’re using it at The Post. Now, Palm Springs officials have launched a brief tech community survey seeking resident input on AI and emerging technologies, with responses shaping how the city will balance innovation with community values in its digital future. Want to share your thoughts? You’ve got a couple weeks to take the survey here. 

🎶 Setting the mood: “Cheeseburger in Paradise” by Jimmy Buffett

LEADING OFF

Documents detail In-N-Out’s plans for access points, drive-thru at Palm Springs location

We’re getting new glimpses at the details of the In-N-Out Burger planned for the corner of East Palm Canyon Drive and Smoke Tree Lane, and learning more about how it plans to manage traffic. 

Driving the news: Plans to build the city’s first In-N-Out were first reported by The Post in January. The new documents submitted to the city last week show the restaurant will feature multiple access points designed to manage traffic flow effectively. 

Zoom in: Among other proposed changes shown in the plans, vehicles would be able to enter and exit off East Palm Canyon Drive. 

• Those entry and exit points will be made possible by eliminating portions of an existing frontage road. 

Details: The 2.34-acre site at Smoke Tree Village Shopping Center, which previously contained a Bank of America building, will feature a two-into-one drive-thru lane with capacity for approximately 42 vehicles and on-site parking for 82 cars. 

Behind the scenes: Before submitting formal plans, In-N-Out representatives participated in a pre-application meeting with city staff and a subcommittee meeting with members from the Planning Commission and Architectural Review Committee.

• Following feedback from those meetings, the company modified its plans to enhance several aspects of the project.

What to watch for: The restaurant owners hope to operate the facility seven days a week, closing at 1 a.m. Sunday through Thursday and at 1:30 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.

• The plans did not specify a timeline for construction or an anticipated opening date for the restaurant.

Dive deeper and see the site plan in our complete story online.

BRIEFLY

🎤 Homelessness town hall highlights divide between nonprofit, city

Palm Springs Mayor Ron deHarte and leaders from Well in the Desert shared contrasting views on how best to support the nonprofit’s efforts both during and after a community town hall on homelessness Tuesday evening, with the nonprofit accusing the city of neglect while the mayor calling for more strategic planning and collaboration.

• Well in the Desert representatives, including President Matthew Naylor, said the organization receives no city funding despite serving over 81,000 meals last year and maintaining continuous service throughout the pandemic at various church locations.
  
• Board member Michael Weiner criticized city officials for promising collaboration but failing to follow through, stating: “I’m trying to make partnerships with the city council, meet with them and meet with Martha’s [Village and Kitchen]. Have I heard anything back? No.”
  
• Yes, but: In response after the event, deHarte defended the city’s position, saying he heard “a lot of finger pointing” but “no plan” from the nonprofit, while noting the city faces financial constraints as it evaluates support for hundreds of local organizations amid uncertain federal funding.

Dive deeper with our complete story

🏛️ Former mayor’s corruption trial begins

Former Palm Springs Mayor Steve Pougnet and real estate developer John Wessman appeared in court Tuesday for pretrial motions ahead of jury selection in their corruption case. They face multiple felony charges stemming from an alleged scheme where Pougnet received nearly $400,000 between 2012 and 2014 in exchange for supporting Wessman’s development projects.

• City News Service reported that Superior Court Judge Samuel Diaz ruled on motions concerning jury selection Tuesday, with both sides crafting questionnaires for a potential pool of 400 jurors. Final screening is tentatively set for May 15, with opening statements expected before Memorial Day weekend.
  
• Bottom line: If convicted, Pougnet could face up to 19 years in state prison and Wessman could face 12 years, though both may qualify for reduced sentences as first-time felony offenders. A third defendant, Richard Hugh Meaney, had felony charges dismissed but pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor count.

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TODAY’S FEATURED EVENTS

Friends & Family CPR
2 p.m. | The Center
Learn what to do in the precious few minutes waiting for 911 when a friend or family member has either a cardiac or pulmonary event causing loss of consciousness, or a choking event. ($5)

First Wednesday Art Walk
5 p.m. | Backstreet Art District
Tour galleries and meet artists at this monthly event that happens rain or shine. Check with galleries’ individual websites to find out about their hours of operation and special events.

OutBook Book Club
6 p.m. | Palm Springs Public Library
This month, the group will discuss “Pageboy” by Elliot Page. Next month they’ll tackle “I Will Greet the Sun Again” by Khashayar J. Khabushani.” Join the club’s email list here.

Palm Springs Library Board Meeting
5:30 p.m. | City Hall
The Board reviews and amends library policy, reviews progress reports, discusses immediate and long-range library planning, and prepares an annual budget. Check out the agenda here.

The OUT Directors Series: “Carol”
7 p.m. | Palm Springs Cultural Center
The OUT Directors Film Series celebrates the work of filmmakers who are out and proud members of the LGBTQ+ community. This week focuses on director Todd Haynes and his film “CAROL”. ($14)

Rock The Park: L.A. Vation
7 p.m. | Downtown Park
Weather permitting, the fourth season of Rock The Park, a free concert series, ends tonight with a performance by “L.A.Vation” a U2 cover band. The concert is free and open to the public.

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 on 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 screeningat 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

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AND FINALLY …

🐾 Each week, The Post partners with a local animal shelter to feature one or more of the many animal companions ready for a new home in our community. 

Today, we invite you to meet the mysterious and chic Vindaloo,  a one-year-old domestic shorthair. Staff at the shelter say he has loads of charisma and loves to play (we also think he’s hiding some secrets behind that adorable smile.)

• Staff said Vindaloo can be quite cuddly when he wants to be and loves to pop out of surprising places.

If you’re interested: You can visit the shelter at 4575 E. Mesquite Ave. Hours are 11 a.m. until 5 p.m. on all days except for Mondays (open for intake only) and Thursdays (1 p.m. until 7 p.m.). You can always call the shelter at (760) 416-5718.

• Make sure to check out all the other pets at the shelter here.