Max Grossman’s case dismissed by judge

KVIA on December 3, 2025

KVIA-Newsroom

Editor’s note: this story has been updated to reflect new court paperwork obtained by ABC-7 that shows Max Grossman’s case was dismissed by an El Paso judge today, December 3.

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — A misdemeanor case involving well-known watchdog and University of Texas at El Paso associate professor Max Grossman was dismissed by an El Paso judge after Grossman completed the conditions of a pretrial diversion program, according to records obtained by ABC-7.

Grossman, 58, was arrested September 4 on a family violence charge in connection to an August 27 incident involving his former girlfriend, court records show.  

The El Paso District Attorney’s Office filed a motion on December 3 to dismiss the case on the grounds that Grossman had completed the program, and El Paso County Court Judge Carlos Carrasco signed an order granting the dismissal.

In a written response to ABC-7’s request for information, Stephanie Valle, Special Projects Administrator with the El Paso District Attorney’s Office, said in part: “The decision to refer the Defendant to pre-trial diversion was made after a comprehensive review of the facts and circumstances of the case, the strength of the evidence, and the Defendant’s lack of criminal history.” 

Court records show that Grossman was required to pay a $60 fee and complete a Victim Impact Panel, which the Texas Department of Criminal Justice describes as an educational program.  

Court documents explain that Grossman’s case would be dismissed once he completed the program’s conditions, but any violation of those conditions would jeopardize the dismissal. 

Records show the case will be partially expunged—meaning, it will be visible only to the District Attorney’s Office and not the public.  

Grossman’s criminal defense attorney Brian Kennedy told ABC-7 Grossman has completed all his pre-trial diversion requirements. He also referred us back to his earlier comment, saying, ‘As I initially said, we look forward to clearing Mr. Grossman’s name and with this dismissal his name has been cleared.”  

Grossman has two civil suits against his former partner, and one against her former attorney.  

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St. Joseph to host international tour operators and writers

News-Press NOW on December 3, 2025

Leah Rainwater

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (KQTV) — The St. Joseph Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB) is hosting 12 international tour operators and journalists as they look to explore all the city has to offer.

The visit comes as part of the Travel South USA International Showcase, which is currently being held in Kansas City, Missouri.

Those visiting are representing the United States, France, Germany, Canada, Italy, Brazil, the United Kingdom and the Netherlands.

Tour operators specialize in selling travel experiences to independent travelers and are always seeking new ideas and destinations to offer clients. The visiting journalists are travel writers who specialize in stories to inspire individuals to travel.

The opportunity is part of a familiarization experience aimed at educating the tour operators and journalists on travel and tourism opportunities. Specifically, their visit to the region signals growth in international interest and is an opportunity for communities to leave a strong impression.

“It’s not every day we get to welcome a dozen people whose job is to plan or write about international experiences,” said Christian Mengel, director of communications and marketing at the CVB. “Maybe not all of them have previously heard of St. Joseph, but they have all heard of something related to our story. So, it’s an incredible opportunity for them to spend time in the region exploring St. Joseph and putting names with places for their audiences to visit someday.”

During their time in St. Joseph, guests will explore unique places known to attract a strong amount of international attention, such as the Pony Express Museum, the Patee House and Jesse James Home and the Glore Psychiatric Museum.

Travel South’s International Showcase is the top marketplace event for the South, which is the region international travelers widely recognize Missouri in, according to a news release.

Over 400 tourism professionals gather for three days of intensive meetings with the goal of delivering more visitors, spending more time and more money in the southern region of the United States.

For more information on Travel South USA or the Travel South International Showcase, visit its website.

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The Festive Force: St. Joe Police to host families for holiday event with Santa

News-Press NOW on December 3, 2025

Cameron Montemayor

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — Families and children are invited to spend an upcoming holiday Sunday with Santa Claus and the men and women in blue as they protect and serve up Christmas cookies this time around.

St. Joseph PD’s Night Shift B is hosting a special holiday gathering at the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge No. 3 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 14.

Families and kids will have the opportunity to join St. Joseph Police and St. Nick for free cookies, coloring and arts/crafts activities.

Free photos will Santa will also be available at the event for interested families. Photos will be provided digitally.

The Fraternal Order of Police Lodge No. 3 is located at 621 S. 36th Street in St. Joseph.

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Local Detectives honored by the Idaho Attorney General for their work keeping kids safe from internet predators

KIFI on December 3, 2025

Linda Larsen

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) — Two dedicated law enforcement officers from the Idaho Falls area received awards from the Idaho Attorney General for their work protecting children from online exploitation. Detective Jared Mendenhall of the Idaho Falls Police Department and Detective Korey Payne of the Bonneville County Sheriff’s Office were honored for their outstanding work with the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force. (ICAC)

During the ceremony, Attorney General Raúl Labrador spoke about the collaborative and tireless efforts of the two detectives and how their work is saving children from abuse and exploitation.

Mendenhall and Payne have solved over 100 cases, leading to the identification, arrest, and prosecution of online predators.

“It’s not an easy job to do, for sure. But, I think having the support of everybody and having a dog with us, and having the backing of our agency, really does help our mental health aspect of it, because that’s a huge portion and it’s been really helpful. It’s honestly the best job I ever had,” Payne said.

While representing different departments–IFPD and Bonneville County Sheriff’s Office–their joint commitment to the ICAC mission has led to a significant number of arrests and the protection of vulnerable youth across the state, nation, and even globally.

“I have to thank the Idaho Falls Police Department and Bonneville County Sheriff’s Office, like my desk where I sit, where I work, where the environment that that these agencies have put me in. If I have an ICAC question, all I have to do is spin around,” Mendenhall said.

The awards serve as recognition for their profound impact in making the internet a safer place for our children.

“You can see their commitment to this cause I think they feel like this is their mission. And I think when when you have a good person who feels inspired that there’s their mission in life, that they’re saving children, they’re saving society, they’re protecting our community. You see it in the work that they do actions, and you can hear it in the words and their enthusiasm for it,” Labrador said.

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Is your heater ready for winter? Experts say you should make sure it is

KESQ on December 3, 2025

Gavin Nguyen

THOUSAND PALMS, Calif. (KESQ) – With winter nearly upon us, more valley residents are starting up their heating units for the first time in months.

In the long period between uses, though, some systems may be in need of some maintenance.

News Channel 3 is speaking with local experts on what dangers could be sparked if your heating system isn’t kept in good shape – and what you could do to avoid any problems this winter. Stay with us for the latest.

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Palm Springs PD in need of more officers amid crime reduction reports

KESQ on December 3, 2025

Kendall Flynn

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – At the Palm Springs “State of the City,” Mayor Ron deHarte announced the Palm Springs Police Department is making significant strides in crime rates.

deHarte attributed new technology, with Flock cameras and drones, to the departments success in crime-solving rates. He said that technology will continue to expand in the future, and how they have the numbers to back up their success.

Some of the significant reductions are a 32% for burglary, 20% larceny theft and 50% vehicular homicide.

While these categories and more are down, PSPD reports sex offenses are up by four from last year which is an 8% increase. Additionally, the department is handing out more hazardous traffic violations, at an increase of 400 to 1,500.

Stay with News Channel 3 to hear what the main concerns are for the department in the next year and their plans to maintain reduced rates.

All crime rates from PSPD:

Homicide decrease 25%

Vehicular Homicide decrease 50%

Sex Offenses increase 8%

Robbery decrease 3%

Assault decrease 8%

Burglary decrease 32%

Larceny Theft decrease 20%

Motor Vehicle Theft decrease 12%

Arson decrease 40%

Total Part 1 Offenses decrease 17%

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Boone County judge seeks more information as Riley Strain’s wrongful death lawsuit remains at a standstill

News-Press NOW on December 3, 2025

News-Press NOW

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) — Lawyers for the family of Riley Strain, a University of Missouri student who died on a trip with his fraternity brothers, and for the Delta Chi fraternity, Barrister Capital Corporation, and 39 of Strain’s former fraternity brothers have until Dec. 10 to provide backing for their claims to Boone County Judge Josh Devine.

The Strain family filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the fraternity chapter, Barrister Capital and the 39 others in March. They say the fraternity did not follow safety protocols during a fraternity “formal” event in Nashville that led to Strain’s death. The lawsuit also claimed Strain’s fraternity brothers “abandoned him” by not accompanying him back to the hotel when he was kicked out of a bar, and didn’t check on him until later.

This undated photo provided by Chris Whiteid show Riley Strain on Jan. 2.

Strain went missing on March 8, 2024, after being kicked out of Luke’s Bridge 32 bar at Broadway and Third Avenue just before 10 p.m. Police found his body in the Cumberland River on March 22, 2024. Strain’s death was ruled a drowning, with a toxicology report also finding alcohol and other substances in his system.

The hearing revisited the defense’s request to dismiss the lawsuit. The defense argued that Strain’s fraternity had no legal duty to protect him from harm because they did not have a “special relationship” under Missouri Law. Examples of a special relationship include a bus or train company and its passenger or a school and its student.

Strains lawyers argued that while the brothers may not have had a contractual agreement, the special relationship began when they took their oath to be initiated in the organization. By taking that oath, all the brothers undertook responsibility for one another as members of the institution.

Strains lawyers also claimed procedural errors by the defense, arguing that it was premature to file a motion to dismiss the case because there had not been ample time for discovery on either side.

The defense cited previous court cases to defend their requests for dismissal and said nothing in Missouri law prevents Strain’s lawyers from conducting discovery on their own and refiling their case.

The judge noted a lack of supportive case law to define the relationship between fraternity brothers as a “special relationship.” On Dec. 10, both sides will submit any further amended documents, new motions, and further case law examples to support their claims for the judge to take under advisement.

Devine said in the courtroom on Tuesday that he wants clarity from both parties by Dec. 30 on whether the lawsuit will continue.

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Don’t Let Your Christmas Tree Go Up In Smoke: IFFD’s essential tips for a safe Holiday Season

KIFI on December 3, 2025

Maile Sipraseuth

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) — As holiday decorations go up across the country, fire officials are urging families to take extra precautions with Christmas trees, warning that a dry tree combined with faulty lights can turn a living room into a dangerous blaze in minutes.

According to the National Fire Protection Association, “Between 2018 and 2022, fire departments in the United States responded to an annual average of 155 home structure fires caused by Christmas trees. On average, these fires resulted in four civilian deaths, seven civilian injuries, and $15 million in direct property damage each year.”

Christmas tree fires happen due to lighting and electrical equipment, and according to the NFPA’s research:

Electrical distribution or lighting equipment was involved in more than two in five (41 percent) home Christmas tree fires.

One in five (20 percent) home Christmas tree fires were started by lamps or bulbs. 

More than one in 10 (11 percent) home Christmas tree fires were started by candles.

Two in five (40 percent) home Christmas tree fires started in the living room.

Local firefighters are urging Idahoans to make safety central to their holiday traditions. The Idaho Falls Fire Department has provided the following helpful tips and guidelines for keeping your Christmas from becoming too warm and bright.

Placement and Setup

Keep trees at least 3 feet away from heat sources, including fireplaces, radiators, space heaters, candles, and heat vents.

Place the tree in a sturdy stand on a non-flammable surface and keep it clear of exits, stairs and high-traffic areas.

“The biggest mistakes they make when setting up a tree, they put a too close to a [fire source] So again, they put it next to a fireplace. they put it next to a heater vent, they put it next to a radiator, electric heater, something that can then, dry out the tree and cause it to become more flammable. They put it in an exit path,” Jim Newton, Idaho Falls Fire Marshall, said.

Watering and Maintenance

Water your tree daily and use a stand with a water reservoir. Many trees consume up to a gallon of water per day.

Before placing the tree in the stand, trim 1 to 2 inches off the trunk base to improve water absorption.

Never drill holes in the trunk.

“You have a dry Christmas tree fire which can take over in about 30 seconds. And a wet Christmas tree can take substantially longer, up to five minutes before it becomes fully engulfed,” Newton said.

Lighting and Decorations

Only use lights certified by a nationally recognized testing laboratory such as Underwriters Laboratories (UL).

Inspect lights for frayed wires, cracked insulation or broken bulbs, and replace damaged sets immediately.

Avoid overloading circuits by connecting no more than three strands of lights per extension cord and plug lights directly into wall outlets whenever possible.

Keep decorations at least 12 inches from the tree to avoid contact with lights or branches.

Turn off tree lights before leaving home or going to bed.

In the event where your Christmas tree does catch fire, Newton recommends to evacuate the area immediately and call 911 immediately.

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Circle K murder suspect back in court

KYMA on December 3, 2025

Skylar Heisey

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – The man accused of fatally stabbing a Yuma man at a convenience store was back in court Wednesday.

27-year-old Angel Witrado is charged with first degree murder. Police say Witrado killed 37-year-old Justin Arviso outside of a Circle K in Yuma last October.

In court, the victim’s brother spoke out, saying he believes Witrado is coherent despite Witrado claiming insanity.

Witrado has already been seen by a doctor who deemed him coherent, but will now be seeing a different doctor, paid for by the Public Defender’s Office, to be re-evaluated before returning to court early next year.

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WATCH: Drinkwitz talks about Mizzou football’s National Signing Day class

KMIZ on December 3, 2025

Matthew Sanders

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Wednesday is National Signing Day for high school football players to select which school they will attend.

Mizzou football’s Eli Drinkwitz held a news conference at noon to talk about Missouri’s signings. Watch it in the video player.

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