The Coachella Valley Journalism Foundation (CVJF) will celebrate four distinguished leaders in local media when it inducts the 2027 class of honorees into the Coachella Valley Media Hall of Fame on Monday, January 25, 2027, at the Omni Rancho Las Palmas Resort & Spa. The luncheon, running from 11:30 am–1:30 pm, will highlight careers defined by service, storytelling, and deep commitment to the communities of the Coachella Valley.
This year’s ceremony will feature keynote remarks from legendary investigative journalist Carl Bernstein, whose Watergate reporting with Bob Woodward reshaped American journalism and earned The Washington Post the Pulitzer Prize for Public Service. Bernstein will also appear the evening prior at the Palm Springs Cultural Center for a special screening of All the President’s Men, part of CVJF’s “Bylines, Broadcasts and the Big Screen” film series.
The 2027 Hall of Fame inductees represent a wide spectrum of media leadership—print, broadcast, community journalism, and LGBTQ+ media. Among them is Brad Fuhr, proprietor of Gay Desert Guide, making this recognition especially meaningful for us!
Joan Behrmann (Posthumous Inductee)
A pioneering editor whose career spanned more than four decades, Joan Behrmann broke barriers as the first female executive editor of The Desert Sun and a founding editor of USA TODAY. Her tenure at The Desert Sun oversaw major transformations, including the paper’s shift to morning publication, the launch of its Sunday edition, and its merger with the Indio Daily News. Behrmann championed community engagement, helped launch the Palm Springs International Film Festival, and earned the Athena Award as corporate businesswoman of the year. She passed away in March 2026, four days before her 90th birthday, leaving a legacy of leadership and journalistic excellence.
Héctor Félix Sr.
Founder and publisher of El Informador del Valle, Héctor Félix Sr. has spent nearly four decades providing free, accessible Spanish‑language news to eastern Riverside County. Beginning with a single offset printing machine purchased in 1988, Félix built a publication that remains a vital source of information for Latino communities—offering public notices, local reporting, and essential communication for residents who rely on independent community journalism.
Brad Fuhr
As founder of Gay Desert Guide and owner of radio stations KGAY 103.1, 92.1 MeTV FM, and Sunny 106.5, Brad Fuhr has become one of the region’s most influential voices in LGBTQ+ media and entertainment. Fuhr began his broadcasting career at age 15 in Michigan before moving through major-market radio roles, including work with Sirius Satellite Radio’s OutQ and Clear Channel/iHeart Radio. In 2013, he launched GayDesertGuide.com, now a leading resource for events, culture, and community connection in Greater Palm Springs. Fuhr later helped launch KGAY 106.5 as a nonprofit station and purchased it in 2021. His digital agency, OMGPSP, continues to expand his impact through marketing, media, and AI‑driven outreach. His induction honors a career dedicated to visibility, representation, and service to the LGBTQ+ community.
Thalia Hayden
A familiar face on NBC Palm Springs since 2012, Thalia Hayden has anchored newscasts, produced community‑focused reporting, and hosted the weekly segment Talking with Thalia. Her work extends beyond the newsroom: Hayden authored LOCAL CELEB: Addict to Anchor, chronicling her journey through addiction and recovery, and has served as a public information officer for Riverside County. She remains active in local nonprofits, teaches communications, and uses her platform to spotlight health, safety, and youth initiatives across the valley.
Keynote Speaker: Carl Bernstein
Bernstein’s keynote will explore the legacy of investigative journalism and its role in today’s media landscape. His career includes broadcast work with ABC News, CNN, and CBS; teaching at USC’s Annenberg School; and authoring several acclaimed books, including A Woman in Charge and Chasing History. Attendees of the Hall of Fame luncheon will receive a complimentary copy of his memoir.
Event Details & Tickets
The Hall of Fame luncheon will also honor local journalists with Journalist of the Year and Rising Star awards. Tickets are available at CVJF.org:
- Individual: $250
- Table of 10: $2,250
All proceeds support local newsrooms through CVJF’s grantmaking and training programs.
For more information, contact CVJF Board President Randy Lovely at info@cvjf.org or 480‑231‑8379.
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