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Friday, April 24 | ☀️ 84°/58°
Welcome to Friday, everyone.
There’s a phrase I’ve repeated since launching The Post, especially in moments when other outlets saw us as a threat: “Competition happens at the bottom. Collaboration happens at the top.”
Below is the result of that belief — an abbreviated version of our first joint investigation (read all 5,000 words here). Funded by the Coachella Valley Journalism Foundation and reviewed by attorneys at Lawyers for Reporters, this work wouldn’t exist without an independent outlet that said yes — the Coachella Valley Independent.
We’re grateful to the Independent’s publisher, Jimmy Boegle, for seeing what we saw: At a time when local news is shrinking across the country, communities are better served when newsrooms work together instead of against each other.
— Mark
Leading Off
The entrance to one part of the Guide Dogs of the Desert campus north of Palm Springs.
Special report: Safety failures, financial red flags, retaliation claims at Guide Dogs of the Desert
A six-month joint investigation by The Palm Springs Post and Coachella Valley Independent has found widespread concerns about safety, financial management and leadership at Guide Dogs of the Desert, a nonprofit guide dog training organization on a campus just north of Palm Springs.
Driving the news: The investigation, which included interviews with more than 15 current and former employees and volunteers, and a review of internal documents and court records, was prompted by a violent sexual assault at the campus on Aug. 16, 2025, in which a female employee was attacked by an armed intruder.
The attacker, Bryan Vines Burge, pleaded guilty to attempted rape and on March 19 was sentenced to 25 years to life in prison.
What employees said: Current and former staff told The Post and the Independent that safety concerns — including broken locks, malfunctioning security cameras and the absence of a workplace violence prevention plan — had been raised with leadership before the attack and were not adequately addressed.
Employees said broader concerns about executive director Robert Maher's leadership, board oversight and the organization's finances had also been brought to the board at least three times without what they considered a meaningful response.
The finances: The organization reported a net loss of $476,790 in 2024, following a net income of more than $1 million in 2023. A forensic accounting expert who reviewed public filings said the financial patterns — including recurring fundraising event losses and staff turnover in development leadership — were the types of issues that typically draw IRS scrutiny.
The other side: Maher and board chair Richard Clapp broadly disputed the characterization of events described by former employees, frequently citing personnel matters.
“There is nothing to say to you, because those are all private staff matters, and they don't have anything to do with you, the public or anyone else,” Maher told reporter Maggie Miles in a phone interview Tuesday evening in response to questions. “… And I’m really surprised at this whole position here, because you know better.”
What's next: A lawsuit filed in February by a current employee, and still active in the county court system, alleges whistleblower retaliation, discrimination and failure to implement required workplace violence prevention measures.
Briefly
Becki Robinson helps voters — and future voters — during a prior registration event at Mary Pickford Theater.
🗳️ Voter registration drive kicks off this weekend
A nonpartisan voter registration drive begins Saturday at Mary Pickford Theater, 36850 Pickfair St., Cathedral City, ahead of the June 2 Primary Election.
The drive, hosted by the Courageous Resistance of the Desert, runs every Saturday, Sunday, and Tuesday from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. through May 12. No movie ticket is required to participate.
Zoom in: The Courageous Resistance of the Desert is a grassroots activist group formed in 2016 focused on social justice and civic engagement. The group has registered thousands of voters in Riverside County over the past seven years.
A MESSAGE FROM
THE PLAZA THEATRE
Imagine Liberace and Liza Minnelli sharing the stage. This dazzling tribute blends virtuosic piano, powerhouse vocals, sparkling sequins, and playful improv. The setlist swings from Cabaret and Gershwin to hilarious takes on Britney Spears and Lady Gaga—what the San Francisco Chronicle called “surreal, yet oddly perfect.”
📆 Your Weekend
Multiple Days
Big Gay Barbecue in The Arenas District Saturday and Sunday (Free)
"Cockroaches" at Revolution Stage Company all weekend ($38–$75)
Into Wonderland: The Films of Mary Blair at Palm Springs Cultural Center all weekend ($8–$15)
Kiss of the Spider Woman at Palm Canyon Theatre all weekend ($20–$46)
Palm Springs Gay Men's Chorus: Rhinestones & Rainbows at The Plaza Theatre all weekend ($30–$85)
Psychic / Healing Arts Fair at Crystal Fantasy all weekend
Today
Jack Sollecito at The Thompson Hotel at 4 p.m.
Foodie Fridays at Palm Springs Cultural Center at 5 p.m.
Dusty Strings Collective at Palm Springs Cultural Center at 5:30 p.m. ($20–$22)
In the Still of the Night: The Secret Life of Cole Porter at Palm Springs Cultural Center at 7 p.m. ($35)
Barbra: The Birthday Concert at Palm Springs Art Museum at 7 p.m. ($65–$110)
Saturday
Palm Springs Certified Farmers' Market at Palm Springs Cultural Center at 8 a.m.
Caturday Breakfast and Bingo at Kimpton Rowan Palm Springs at 9 a.m. ($40)
Earth and Arbor Day Festival at Ruth Hardy Park at 8 a.m.
Jason Webber's Piano Riot at Revolution Stage Company at 5 p.m. ($10–$15)
Comedy Night at Hotel Zoso at Hotel Zoso at 9 p.m. ($10–$18)
Sunday
Dance Together: Immigrant Family Relief at 2323 Madrona Drive at 2 p.m.
The Bridges I'm Manically Counting at Palm Springs Cultural Center at 7 p.m. ($38)
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🚠 And Finally …
Photo illustration: Shutterstock
If you're looking for a reason to get outside this weekend — and maybe even do something good for the planet while you're at it — Palm Springs has you covered.
Driving the news: The Palm Springs Department of Sustainability is hosting a free "Let's Plant & Play" Earth and Arbor Day celebration Saturday at Ruth Hardy Park, 700 Tamarisk Rd.
The event runs from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., with a dedicated tree planting session from 9 to 10 a.m.
What to expect: The family-friendly gathering will feature yard games, live music, and complimentary food and drinks — so even those who'd rather cheer from the sidelines than dig in the dirt are welcome.
Why it matters: City officials said the event reflects the city's ongoing commitment to sustainability and environmental stewardship, offering residents a hands-on way to mark both Earth Day and Arbor Day.
More information is available here.
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In Case You Missed It
Recently published stories
📰 Kendall is grateful she doesn’t have to worry about formatting for a physical paper!
🗞️ Mark kinda misses the excitement of watching a newspaper roll off the printing press.
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