The Desert Trumpet

Protest organized by Democrats of the Morongo Basin, February 7, 2026, on Highway 62 in Yucca Valley

OPINION: No Kings Protest Spotlights Democracy Marchers brave summer heat in downtown Joshua Tree to make good trouble

Protesters brave summer heat to make good trouble in Joshua Tree

Morongo Basin residents gather at the intersection of Hwy 62 and Park in Joshua Tree for the No Kings protest on June 14, 2025. The crowd, estimated at exceeding 300 at 9:30am, covered all four corners and extended to the east and west along the highway.

RECAP: Twentynine Palms' Strategic Planning: Many Needs, Little Revenue, Part 3 City departments outline wish lists—Finance Director promptly squashes them

We continue our long-running recap of last month’s strategic planning meeting. Old news? Maybe. But the April 4 meeting has been an important way to find out what the city of Twentynine Palms does—and what it aspires to do. In this post, we look at the finance and fire departments.

Self-Build Housing Initiative Comes to a Boil And CVHC responds — the final installment of our April 22, 2025, Twentynine Palms City Council meeting recap

The CVHC has been constructing affordable & self-build housing for more years then 29 Palms has been a City. Yet a few Councilmembers led by the City Attorney and City Manager spent the April 22 Council meeting publicly nitpicking a potential partner.

Three Minutes That Could Have Led to Tragedy, Averted Part 2 of our April 22, 2025 City Council meeting recap

San Bernardino County Sheriff Deputies respond to a reported masked subject with a knife at a park in 29 Palms which turned out to be a 13-year-old autistic boy. It could have ended tragically, but didn’t. We cover accounts of witnesses, review the call and bodycam video. @jonathan6.bsky.social

Flora Fridays: Mast Blast Musings on the covert operations of Joshua trees

We are delighted to present you with Flora Fridays, a new monthly column about the California high desert's wonderful desert plant life! Enjoy garden designer Miriam Seger's deep dive into the mysteries of Joshua tree blooms. You'll have a new appreciation for our local icon!

Morongo Basin Residents Join Nationwide "Hands Off" Protests Our video and photo album of the April 5 rally

Our photo and video album from Morongo Basin's contribution to nationwide dissent on Saturday, April 5.

Voices of Concern, Calls for Action Representative Obernolte's Mobile Office Hours in Twentynine Palms, March 20, 2025

In moving and emotional testimony at 29 Palms' City Hall, nearly 50 local constituents told Rep. Obernolte’s aide they worry about veterans benefits, social security, immigration challenges, and DOGE tearing apart the federal government.

No one mentioned the price of eggs.

Twentynine Palms' Nonprofit Partners Should there be a standardized proposal and vetting process for the City's nonprofit relationships?

Deep dive into the 17 nonprofit organizations that have interacted with the City of Twentynine Palms in the last two years. These nonprofits are valued for the services they provide! However should the City consider a transparent selection process and consistent vetting as proposed at City Council?

S4E6: The Desert Speaks Out Episode Summary: In this episode of "90 Miles from Needles," host Chris Clarke delves into two pivotal events illuminating the current challenges and triumphs in de…

In our latest episode, we visit a public meeting in Amargosa Valley, NV and a demonstration in Joshua Tree, CA. Desert protectors in both towns are sending the administration a strong message. www.90milesfromneedles.com/s4e6-the-des... Podcast episode photo courtesy @deserttrumpet.bsky.social

Chris Clarke @90mfn.bsky.social and Letters From the Desert substack supporting Joshua Tree National Park at Hwy 62 and Park Blvd, March 1, 2025

The flag of distress unfurled today at Joshua Tree National Park, part of nationwide protests organized by @resistancerangers.bsky.social

Q. …How do you feel about an unconfirmed billionaire…you’re one of the checks and balances?
A. I’m very glad that someone is looking at all the waste…

Morongo Basin residents tell District 23 Rep. Jay Obernolte to “Do your job.”

Town Holler: Rep. Obernolte Meets Resistance In a fractious community meeting, more than 200 Morongo Basin residents insist that their representative tell the truth and do his job

The Morongo Basin joined the nationwide wave of raucous town hall meetings on Saturday. Residents let Rep. Obernolte know their feelings about federal funding cuts breaking into chants such as “Do Your Job” and “No Kings.” We have details including photos and video.

Paper signs reserving chairs for z107.7 and the Desert Trail at 29 Palms City Council meeting

We’re thrilled to share that Desert Trumpet has passed 1,000 subscribers!

That said, we’ve clearly hit a nerve.

Photo: The press table at the January 28, 2025 Twentynine Palms City Council meeting. (Photo by Natalie Zuk)

Fed Workers Say: Fork Off Will the Morongo Basin Suffer When Trump’s Administration Slashes Jobs and Services at Joshua Tree National Park?

Will the Morongo Basin suffer when Trump's administration slashes jobs and services at Joshua Tree National Park? We dig into the "Fork in the Road" email demanding "deferred resignation" of federal employees and what it means for our community.

www.deserttrumpet.org/p/fed-worker...

RECAP: Morongo Basin Conservation Association Annual Meeting 2025 Rooftop solar, storage batteries, and wildlife advocacy among the topics discussed

Good presentations and discussion on rooftop solar, energy storage, wildlife crossings and advocacy at the Morongo Basin Conservation Association annual meeting. We have the details!

Update 12:20 PST 2/2 In other words, the immediate freeze is lifted, but the intent behind the freeze remains and will still be implemented as agencies are reviewed.

Update 12:20 PST 1/2 : The OMB memo is rescinded but the executive orders regarding DEI, “woke” ideology, transgender people and green energy remain in place. What that means is that funding will continue to flow while the different agencies are reviewed for compliance with the executive orders.

Will Trump's Spending Freeze Affect the Morongo Basin? Court places a hold on the order until February 3

How did local city and county officials and non profit representatives respond to the sudden freeze on federal grants and assistance? Was the chaos reported in the national press happening on the ground in the Morongo Basin? We made a few calls to find out…

Two New Planning Commissioners Wanted—Apply by January 6 Change is needed — we update our February 2023 editorial with a fresh opinion

The deadline has passed, the apps are in, the subcommittee selected. But selection by district was blasted by our Mayor on Tuesday. Should Planning Commissioners be selected by district?

Our Top Stories of 2024, Updated! Part One Updates on stories #5 - endangered tortoises and #4 - mixing church and state, as we count down to our #1 story of the year

We're counting down our top 5 stories of 2024 - and adding updates! Part One incudes #4 and #5 on our list: Twentynine Palms' Mixing of Religion with City Business and Our Disappearing Tortoises. Also we link to our survey for our subscribers. Let us know how we're doing!

AGENDA PREVIEW: Twentynine Palms Planning Commission, December 17, 2024 Three more derelict properties face demolition, a new recycling center on the horizon and Reset Hotel utilities undergrounding redux

Should the Reset Hotel be obligated to bury its power lines? Is that just about aesthetics or should the impact on the endangered desert tortoise also be a consideration? Ravens roosting on power poles target young desert tortoises and the Reset property holdings extend to the National Park border.

ON THE AGENDA: Twentynine Palms City Council, December 10, 2024 City surveillance and who wants to be Mayor?

A rare popcorn 29 Palms City Council meeting on 12/10 as a new member prompts a change in how the Mayor is selected, and the City considers FLOCK surveillance. @jonathan6.bsky.social

2024 Development Recap Residents push back against resort, residential and solar projects in Twentynine Palms, Joshua Tree, Flamingo Heights and Landers

Our year-end Development Recap updates reporting on five projects receiving resident pushback: the Ofland resort and 29Palms Solar project in Twentynine Palms, LoveMore Ranch in Joshua Tree, Flamingo Blossom in Flamingo Heights and The Landing in Landers.