Entertainment Report

Lester Holt to Step Down from NBC Nightly News; New Epic Nature Series ‘The Americas’ Premieres

After leading NBC Nightly News for over a decade, Lester Holt is stepping down as anchor at the start of summer. Holt, who has been the principal anchor since 2011, will not be leaving NBC entirely—he plans to continue his full-time work on Dateline. NBC has not yet named his successor.

In other entertainment news, the Emmy-winning team behind Planet Earth II and The Green Planet is back with an ambitious new series: The Americas. Narrated by Tom Hanks, the 10-episode documentary explores Earth’s great supercontinent, spanning from the Arctic to the tip of South America.

Executive producer Mike Gunton described the project as a five-year journey featuring 180 expeditions, all filmed without CGI to capture the raw beauty and incredible wildlife behaviors never seen before. “Audiences want to see new things,” Gunton said. “Whether it’s a new animal or a fresh perspective, The Americas delivers both in stunning detail.”

The Americas aims to surprise viewers with hidden natural wonders beneath familiar landscapes, showcasing breathtaking footage that pushes the boundaries of wildlife filmmaking.

For more entertainment stories, visit the newsroom section at NBCPalmSprings.com.

By: NBC Palm Springs

February 24, 2025

Lester HoltNBC Nightly NewsDatelineNBC NewsThe AmericasTom Hankswildlife documentaryMike Guntonnew nature seriesAgua Caliente Entertainment Report
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Alice B. has announced its closing its doors. It’s cozy atmosphere and unique seasonal menu made it a must try and even landed it in the Michelin guide. @susanfeniger and @marysuemilliken left their mark on the desert over at Living Out and it will be missed. Here’s a clip from one of our last interviews with Susan.

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Cathedral City City Council votes to rename “LGBT+ Days” to “Cathedral City Pride”. The council approved the change in a 5-0 vote during its latest meeting, updating the official name of the city’s annual celebration. Stay tuned with NBC Palm Springs to see what this means to the Coachella Valley Community #CathedralCity #pride #CityCouncil #CoachellaValley #LocalNews

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Discover the Coachella Valley with the Everything Palm Springs app. From iconic attractions and hidden gems to local restaurants, shops, entertainment and even filming locations, the map-based app is designed to help both visitors and locals find more of what the desert has to offer. Creator Lindsay Kinkle is also expanding the app with video tours and narrated guides, giving users another way to explore Palm Springs and the surrounding communities. Local businesses like Buena Matcha are also getting a chance to connect with new customers through the platform. As Lindsay says, there’s so much to do and enjoy here — you just have to know where to look. #PalmSprings #CoachellaValley #EverythingPalmSprings #PalmSpringsApp #VisitPalmSprings DesertLife LocalBusiness CoachellaValleyBusiness NBCPalmSprings

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Social Time with Thalia & Jerry

What’s next for Palm Desert?
Join community leaders, local businesses and regional stakeholders for the 2026 State of the City Address.

Topics:
• Economic Development
• Infrastructure
• Public Safety
• Community Programs
• Palm Desert’s Future

CTA:
Friday, September 18 | 11:30 AM
JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort
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What’s next for Palm Desert? Join community leaders, local businesses and regional stakeholders for the 2026 State of the City Address. Topics: • Economic Development • Infrastructure • Public Safety • Community Programs • Palm Desert’s Future CTA: Friday, September 18 | 11:30 AM JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort

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Former Silvercrest CEO, William Rodriguez is expected back in court today in connection with the deadly 2024 Cathedral City hit and run that killed a woman. The murder charge was dismissed, but Rodriguez still faces felony hit and run and suspended license charges.

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Social Time with Thalia & Jerry

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Murder suspect Vicky Kim has once again not been cleared to appear in court. Kim is accused of killing her husband at their Palm Desert condominium complex. Her arraignment has now been delayed three times. Stay tuned with NBC Palm Springs as we track the latest developments in this case. #VickyKim #PalmDesert #CoachellaValley #BreakingNews #CourtUpdate NBCPalmSprings

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Palm Springs is mourning the loss of beloved entertainer James “Gypsy” Haake, who has died at 94. Haake began his entertainment career at just 19 years old as a Broadway chorus dancer. After retiring from the stage, he returned to performing at 82, becoming the host of Carnival Cabaret at Oscars in downtown Palm Springs. A longtime friend of our station, Haake was a familiar and beloved figure in the Palm Springs entertainment community — and his contributions were recognized with a star on the Palm Springs Walk of Stars. His career spanned more than seven decades, proving that the spotlight never truly left him. ❤️ Rest in peace, James “Gypsy” Haake. Your legacy will live on in Palm Springs. #JamesGypsyHaake #PalmSprings #PalmSpringsWalkOfStars #CarnivalCabaret #PalmSpringsEntertainment #OscarsPalmSprings #PalmSpringsHistory

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Social Time with Thalia & Jerry

Lester Holt to Step Down from NBC Nightly News; New Epic Nature Series ‘The Americas’ Premieres