Say her name: Renee Macklin Good. For the history books, I want to go down as raising my voice and using my platform to bring awareness — and someday maybe justice — to the senseless murder of a mother of three who was protesting ICE in Minneapolis.
Renee and her wife Becca Good had recently moved to the Twin Cities to start a new life with their three children. Perhaps the lesbian couple thought that a bigger city in a blue state would provide some sense of safety that a red state could not.
Becca’s statement is read by @janashortal, a local Minneapolis St. Paul KARE-TV anchor, who reads in its full form. The statement reads, “This kindness of strangers is the most fitting tribute because if you ever encountered my wife, Renee Nicole Macklin Good, you know that above all else, she was kind. In fact, kindness radiated out of her.”
“Renee sparkled. She literally sparkled. I mean, she didn’t wear glitter but I swear she had sparkles coming out of her pores. All the time. You might think it was just my love talking but her family said the same thing. Renee was made of sunshine.”
Becca went on to tell reporters that when she, Renee and their six-year-old son road-tripped to Minnesota for the chance to make a better life, the couple held hands the entire car ride. Their son made drawings on the windows as the miles stretched on toward Minneapolis.
When they arrived, they found a vibrant and welcoming community and a “strong shared sense here in Minneapolis that we were looking out for each other.” Becca said she finally found peace and safe harbor.
What hits close to home is that sense of peace and safe harbor that we find here in Palm Springs. Because of the leadership of our police chief, Andy Mills, we know that law enforcement has our backs and equally protects and serves our community. Every LGBTQIA+ letter is respected and our small town doesn’t tolerate hate.
But as ICE agents and Riverside County Sheriff’s deputies under Chad Bianco work to enforce draconian initiatives from the federal government, Mills and his force may find themselves at odds. Our sense of safety and protection wanes.
We’ve already had mostly peaceful protests in the valley, but Renee’s murder by an ICE agent certainly has a chilling effect on wanting to do so. That’s part of the strategy, of course, just like the FCC threatens broadcast licenses and mergers to silence opposition.
It’s a troubling time for our world. Renee’s death won’t be in vain, and will hopefully go down as a pivotal time in our history. We need a turning point and, of course, we need justice.
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MON: Best of the Fest
The Palm Springs International Film Festival wraps up on Monday, January 12, with the entire day devoted to Best of the Fest screenings — a final chance to catch the standout films that captured Jury Selections and Audience Favorites, all freshly announced on Sunday. Explore the full list and discover which titles rose to the top. Get tickets
MON: The Wishing Well Benefit Concert
The Wishing Well Benefit and Concert for Well in the Desert brings the community together on Monday, January 12 from 5–9 pm at Mission Hills Country Club for an evening supporting local efforts to fight food insecurity. The event honors Dan Gore of Oscar’s and features a champagne reception, live and silent auctions, dinner and an impressive lineup of entertainers including Frank DiSalvo, Kristi King, Lisa Lynn Morgan, Yve Evans, Chris Bennett, Tony Grandberry, Patrice Morris, Brian Scott, Bonnie G., Eve Holmes, Gregg Marx and Kevin Tokarz, with Bella da Ball serving as emcee. Get tickets
Opens WED: One Man, Two Guvnors
CVRep kicks off the new year with the riotous comedy One Man, Two Guvnors, opening Wednesday, January 14 and running through Sunday, February 1. Richard Bean’s award‑winning adaptation of Carlo Goldoni’s classic farce follows the endlessly hungry Francis Henshall, who takes on two jobs—while desperately trying to keep his bosses from discovering each other. With sharp wit, physical comedy and songs by Grant Olding, this fast‑paced production delivers a joyful tangle of mistaken identities, near‑misses and escalating chaos that keeps audiences laughing from start to finish. Get tickets
This Week at the McCallum
The McCallum Theatre offers a dynamic week of performances, beginning Tuesday, January 13 with internationally acclaimed pianist Dmitry Shishkin, celebrated for his electrifying artistry and award‑winning interpretations. On Wednesday, January 14, The Peking Acrobats bring three decades of gravity‑defying feats, dazzling balance and high‑energy spectacle. Saturday, January 17 features Jay Leno, the legendary late‑night host, and the week concludes Sunday, January 18 with Wild Cats Revealed, as National Geographic Explorer Sandesh Kadur showcases India’s extraordinary diversity of lesser‑known felines. More info
WED: Agua Caliente Cultural Museum Speaker Series
The Agua Caliente Cultural Museum continues its Speaker Series with Legacy: Law and Indian Land on Wednesday, January 14 at 6 pm, offering an illuminating look at the educational fellowship supported by the annual Richard M. Milanovich Legacy Hike. Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians Chairman Reid D. Milanovich and Secretary‑Treasurer Savana R. Saubel will be joined by current fellow W. Tanner Allread of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma to discuss how this program advances legal training and scholarship focused on Indian nations’ laws. More info
THU: Melissa Manchester w/The Desert Symphony
Melissa Manchester joins The Desert Symphony for a luminous evening of music at The Show at Agua Caliente Casino Resort Spa Rancho Mirage on Thursday, January 15 at 7:30 pm. A Grammy Award winner and Great American Songbook Hall of Fame inductee, Manchester brings her signature warmth and vocals to a program celebrating her remarkable career, from Academy Award–nominated classics to beloved hits like “Midnight Blue.” Get tickets
THU: Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! – The Musical
The Plaza Theatre welcomes young audiences for a lively performance of Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! – The Musical on Thursday, January 15 at 10 am, a joyful introduction to live theatre for students in Pre‑K through 2nd grade. Based on Mo Willems’ beloved picture books with music by Deborah Wicks La Puma, the show follows the Pigeon’s hilarious quest to get behind the wheel, blending humor, imagination and catchy songs. Presented as part of the ARTS TEACH KIDS program, this event reflects the Plaza Theatre’s renewed commitment to community engagement and arts education. Get tickets
Opens THU: Eureka Day
Dezart Performs opens its new season with Jonathan Spector’s award‑winning satire Eureka Day, launching Thursday, January 15 at the Dezart Playhouse, running through Sunday, January 25. Winner of the 2025 Tony Award for Best Revival of a Play, this sharply funny and strikingly relevant comedy follows a progressive school board whose ideals are pushed to the breaking point when a mumps outbreak ignites a battle over public health, personal freedom and digital‑age discourse. A mix of laugh‑out‑loud chaos and incisive social commentary. Get tickets
FRI: Patti LaBelle 8065 Tour
Patti LaBelle brings her legendary voice to The Show at Agua Caliente Casino Resort Spa Rancho Mirage on Friday, January 16 at 8 pm. As part of her 8065 Tour, the iconic performer delivers an evening of powerhouse vocals, timeless hits and soulful storytelling drawn from a remarkable career spanning more than six decades. From chart‑topping classics to inspiring new moments, LaBelle’s artistry, warmth and unmistakable style make this a must‑see night with one of music’s most enduring stars. Get tickets
FRI: Top of the World Carpenters Tribute
The Plaza Theatre hosts the timeless sound of Karen and Richard Carpenter with Top of the World – A Carpenters Tribute on Friday, January 16 at 7 pm. Led by vocalist Debbie Taylor, whose uncanny Karen Carpenter tone anchors the performance, this eight‑piece ensemble delivers every harmony and arrangement with remarkable authenticity, performing together as a full touring band with no tracks. Get tickets
OPENS FRI: Assassins
Revolution Stage Company presents Assassins, the Tony Award–winning musical by Stephen Sondheim and John Weidman, on running January 16–31. This bold and provocative production examines the motivations and mythology surrounding nine figures who attempted to alter American history, blending dark humor, sharp commentary, and unforgettable music. It’s a rare chance to experience one of Sondheim’s most daring works live onstage in Palm Springs. Get tickets
OPENS FRI: Camp Morning Wood at the new Prism Theater
Camp Morning Wood makes its West Coast premiere at the new Prism Theater on Friday, January 16, launching a run that continues through Sunday, March 22. Fresh from its Off‑Broadway success, this bold and irreverent musical follows a newly engaged couple who unexpectedly land at a gay nudist camp, setting the stage for cheeky comedy, lively songs and outrageous choreography. The show blends playful storytelling with cleverly placed props for a night of spirited, laugh‑out‑loud fun. Get tickets
OPENS FRI: I Do! I Do!
Palm Canyon Theatre opens its run of the beloved two‑person musical I Do! I Do! on Friday, January 16, running through Sunday, January 25, inviting audiences into a tender, humorous and deeply relatable portrait of 50 years of marriage. With a graceful score by Tom Jones and Harvey Schmidt, the show follows one couple through the milestones, missteps and moments of joy that shape a lifetime together. Get tickets
KGAY Wants to Hear From YOU!
As a KGAY 103.1 listener, you already know we’re always hustling to stay ahead of the fast‑moving world of radio and technology. We want to keep delivering the content you love in the ways you actually use, which is why we’re inviting you to take part in our annual tech survey. Tell us how radio fits into your day alongside social media, smartphones, tablets, streaming and the web—everything that keeps you connected to entertainment, news and updates from KGAY and beyond. You might even enjoy taking a moment to reflect on how your own listening habits have evolved as a KGAY fan! Take the survey
A Fresh New Glow on Sunny 106.5
Say hello to Sunny 106.5, the Coachella Valley’s fresh new radio station. Sunny 106.5 is your go-to for feel-good favorites from the ’90s, 2000s, and more—music so bright, you gotta wear shades. From Mariah Carey and Matchbox Twenty to Adele, Coldplay, Katy Perry, Maroon 5, and hundreds of other favorites, it’s the perfect soundtrack for your day. More than just great music, Sunny 106.5 keeps you connected to the community with local updates and weekday weather from Patrick Evans of News Channel 3, plus friendly, familiar voices throughout the day. Sunny 106.5 is bright music and good vibes for Greater Palm Springs! Learn more
