TGIF, folks, and happy first day of summer. We’ll see everyone back outside in November 😭. But first, a heads up — literally — about some work being done downtown starting today. The annual trimming of the palm trees begins today along Palm Canyon and Indian Canyon drives between Ramon Road and Amado Road. Work will take place from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. today and Saturday (tentatively), and on Monday and Tuesday. While the crews generally work pretty fast, lane closures are expected and you’re advised to avoid spots where trees are being trimmed.
🎶 Setting the mood: “Keep Moving” by Jungle
LEADING OFF
Palm Springs aims to position itself as hub for tech innovation with citywide educational expo
In a desert community long known for reinventing itself, Palm Springs is betting that artificial intelligence represents its next evolution. City leaders see a perfect convergence of tech talent seeking second careers, students needing cutting-edge skills, and a community progressive enough to embrace emerging technology.
Driving the news: The Palm Springs AI & Creativity Expo 2025 on Monday (June 23) represents the city’s broader vision to build a “Silicon Desert” and diversify its economy beyond tourism. The event runs from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Palm Springs Convention Center, expecting 350 to 400 attendees.
- Emmy-nominated tech host Baratunde Thurston and Disney’s “The Lion King” director Rob Minkoff will deliver keynote presentations.
Why it matters: City Councilmember Jeffrey Bernstein said 97% of the district’s students qualify for federal poverty assistance, making technology education particularly important for creating economic opportunities beyond the hospitality industry.
- “The whole world is at day one of AI,” City Councilmember Jeffrey Bernstein said Wednesday. “Our kids who are severely socioeconomically disadvantaged are no more disadvantaged in the new tech area.”
By the numbers: General admission costs $50 per person, while students aged 16 and older receive free admission with valid student identification. The expo grew from networking events that drew 80 people in September and 130 people in December.
Looking ahead: The event connects with the city’s plans to build a College of the Desert campus downtown, expected to open in two years, with curriculum additions needing to begin now.
- The expo will conclude with a panel discussion titled “AI & The Coachella Valley: Synthesizing Today, Shaping Tomorrow.”
The bottom line: Sponsorship opportunities range from $500 to $10,000, with proceeds supporting community access to AI education. Registration and the opportunity to purchase gift admission is available through pschamber.org/AIExpo.
Dive deeper with our complete story
BRIEFLY
⚖️ Reparations recipients still await payments six months after settlement
Black and Latino families forcibly removed from their Palm Springs homes more than 60 years ago are still waiting for reparations payments nearly six months after the city approved a $5.9 million settlement in November, according to KQED.
- The delay stems from an ongoing vetting process to verify eligible recipients for the historic agreement covering former residents of the Section 14 neighborhood, said attorney Areva Martin, an attorney who represents the group Section 14 Survivors.
- Martin said the team received about 350 claims and is prioritizing fairness over speed in the verification process. A retired California Supreme Court justice is reviewing each application without charge. Martin said her team hopes to complete the process within 60 to 90 days.
- Bottom line: Applicants must submit three documents proving they lived in Section 14 during the years the city cleared the neighborhood, which has proved difficult for many survivors in their late 70s and 80s. Records that have been submitted include school and marriage records and even old phone books.
Dive deeper with our complete story
YOUR WEEKEND
MULTIPLE DAYS
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AND FINALLY …
After several years of setbacks with the original contractor, Palm Springs’ Downtown Park “spray ground” appears ready to move forward with a comprehensive renovation.
Driving the news: The Palm Springs City Council will consider a $520,500 contract with California Waters Development Inc. on its June 25 consent agenda to renovate the spray ground’s filtration, pumping, and chemical systems – essentially giving the water feature a complete mechanical overhaul.
- The proposed 90-day project includes replacing pumps, filters, chemical feed systems, and control panels, plus startup and commissioning.
Zoom in: The current spray ground system is non-functional, stemming from issues with the original 2019 construction contract. City officials declared Fast Track Construction Corporation in default in 2022 after the company failed to complete work and abandoned the site.
- The City ultimately initiated bond enforcement procedures to recover costs and ensure project completion.
Bottom line: Only two contractors submitted bids for the renovation, with one disqualified for incomplete paperwork. California Waters’ winning bid came in slightly below the city’s independent cost estimate of $569,200.
- Its placement on the consent agenda suggests the item is expected to receive routine approval.