The midweek edition of the show featured several local and international topics. Locally, Fred discussed the Neighborhoods of Distinction Awards ceremony in Palm Springs, highlighting community efforts like the Baristo neighborhood's safety improvements and individual initiatives in trade education and community revitalization. A humorous, yet serious, discussion focused on the financial troubles facing Coachella Valley cities (like Palm Springs' $10 million deficit) and a unique, nude calendar fundraising effort by a small Oregon town as a potential, albeit controversial, solution.

The program also touched on broader issues, including Canada's billion-dollar effort to attract high-skilled American scientists, leveraging restrictive U.S. policies. Additionally, concerns were raised about a "five-virus cocktail" (including an aggressive H3N2 flu strain, RSV, and Norovirus) causing hospital surges, leading doctors to recommend wearing masks again. Finally, the show covered a local drama at John Kelly Elementary regarding mold and asbestos, where the school district is controversially requiring teachers to sign a Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) to view environmental reports. The segment also promoted the newly renovated Plaza Theater's upcoming screening of Camille and the Spanish-language news site, NoticiasPalmSprings.com.

Key Takeaways

Palm Springs Community Recognition: The inaugural Neighborhoods of Distinction Awards honored individuals and neighborhoods for significant community work, such as the Baristo neighborhood's success in implementing new crosswalks and speed limits.
City Financial Woes & Nude Calendar Fundraiser: Coachella Valley cities, including Palm Springs, Cathedral City, Indio, and Coachella, face financial difficulties. The discussion featured a tongue-in-cheek debate over whether local leaders should adopt a small Oregon town's tactic of posing nude for a calendar to raise emergency funds.
"Brain Drain" to Canada: Canada is spending over $1billion to attract American scientists and H-1B visa holders, capitalizing on what some see as an anti-science and restrictive immigration climate in the U.S.
Theft at Self-Checkout: A statistic that over one in four people admit to stealing at self-checkout was discussed, noting that many who steal are high-earners, indicating a moral issue beyond just economic necessity.
"Five-Virus Cocktail" Health Warning: Doctors are urging the return of masking in crowded public spaces due to a surge in a combination of five viruses: flu (including H3N2), COVID, RSV, and Norovirus, which is overwhelming the healthcare system.
School District Scandal: Controversy surrounds the Coachella Valley Unified School District at John Kelly Elementary due to mold and an alleged cover-up of an asbestos problem, with the district requiring teachers to sign an NDA to view health-related environmental reports.
Local Cultural Events: The newly renovated Plaza Theater is hosting a screening of the 1936 film Camille, and the McCallum Theatre is featuring Moulin Rouge! The Musical.

Wednesday, December 10th, 2025