Oct. 21 Daily Briefing: Funds could lead to more international flights, Equality Walk canceled, and more

Welcome to Tuesday, where we hope this email goes out on time and all the links work! Why? Because yesterday we were caught up in the mess that was created when Amazon Web Services (AWS) went down. Like many media outlets, we depend on third-party tools to deliver this email each day. And the companies that provide those tools depend on AWS to be up and running. When it’s not, we have a situation like yesterday, when not only did our daily email go out hours late, but when it did go out, many of our links weren’t working. Thankfully, widespread outages like yesterday’s are few and far between. 

🎶 Setting the mood: “Prism” by Say She She

LEADING OFF

City OKs funding for playgrounds, animal shelter, airport upgrades

The Measure J Commission approved additional funding last week for five city projects. One could eventually bring more international flights to Palm Springs.

Driving the news: At its Oct. 16 meeting, the commission approved up to $1.5 million for Palm Springs International Airport capital improvements, including a federal inspection station that could allow flights to destinations beyond Canada and updated terminal seating.

• The inspection station wouldn’t be completed until fiscal year 2027 or 2028, meaning additional international flights remain at least a few years away.

The big picture: The funding comes from airport-specific funds generated from aviation fuel sales, which FAA regulations require be used for airport projects.

What else: The commission approved $200,000 in additional funding for an $800,000 playground replacement at Desert Highland Park, which will feature the city’s first ADA transfer slide with a tramway theme.

• If the City Council approves the funding in November, construction would begin early next year.

Also approved: $110,000 in additional funding was approved for Ruth Hardy Park’s playground replacement, already underway with an estimated completion date of Dec. 23, and $17,274 for the Palm Springs Animal Shelter’s shade structure project.

What’s next: All funding recommendations require City Council approval.

Dive deeper with our complete story

BRIEFLY

🚶 Equality Walk postponed after sponsor’s CEO arrested

• Palm Springs Pride confirmed Monday that its inaugural Pride Equality Walk, originally scheduled for Saturday, has been postponed due in part to the loss of presenting sponsor Silvercrest Advertising following the arrest of its CEO, William Rodriguez.
  
• Ron deHarte, president and CEO of Pride, said in a statement that the organization suspended promotional activities tied to Silvercrest and could not secure a replacement sponsor in time. “We stand by our decision,” deHarte wrote. “We fully understand actions have repercussions; postponing the Walk is the cost of our decision. The Walk will be stronger when it returns.”
  
• Details: The event, which organizers hope returns in 2026, was intended to replace DAP Health’s annual Equity Walk, which ended in October after nearly 40 years of fundraising for HIV/AIDS care and mental health services. Funds raised during the Pride Equality Walk would have helped keep Palm Springs Pride’s November festival free to attend.

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TODAY’S FEATURED EVENTS

DWA Board of Directors
8 a.m. | DWA Office
Meetings are held the first and third Tuesday of every month. A link to their agenda page can be found here. 

Yoga with Mariana
10 a.m. / 2 p.m. | Leisure Center
Our affordable community yoga classes are the perfect way to recharge your body, mind, and spirit for much less than the big studios. ($12)

Leads Lunch
12 p.m. | Kaiser Grille
You’re invited to join the Palm Springs Chamber of Commerce at October Leads Lunch. no admission fee—just cover the cost of your lunch

Celebration of Life for Harold Matzner
5 p.m. | McCallum Theatre
The program will include tributes from family, friends, and community leaders, followed by a reception. The service will begin promptly at 5 p.m. Guests are encouraged to arrive early, as all attendees will go through security screening and bag checks.

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. 

Sustainability Commission
5:30 p.m. | City Hall
The commission reviews and makes recommendations to the City Council on issues relating to energy and natural resources conservation, including water conservation, air pollution, waste management and recycling. A link to access the commission’s agendas is here.

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)

See all events here

SAVE THE DATE

• Wet + Wild Party benefiting Palm Springs police and fire at Desert Hand Car Wash on Thursday
  
• Reel Women’s Film Festival supporting Planned Parenthood on Sunday
  
• “Be a Hero For Kids” Halloween Bash on Sunday supporting Palm Springs Boys & Girls Club
  
• Rocky Horror Picture Show Sing Along at Quadz on Oct. 28
  
• Pride on the Page, an LGBTQ book festival, on Nov. 1
  
• Palm Springs Pride Nov. 6 through 9
  
• Palm Springs Pride 5K Run & Walk on Nov. 8
  
• West Side Story in Concert benefit for Dezart Performs Nov. 13-15
  
• Palm Springs Hospitality Golf Tournament on Nov. 14

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 Franz! This sophisticated lady is a 5-year-old shorthair tabby who has been with the shelter for a little bit now. Staff at the shelter say she loves to ask for attention with her chirpy meow. 

• Staff also said she also enjoys lounging around in the sun and snacking on treats.

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.