Month: April 2026

Kevin Richert

By: Kevin Richert and Ryan Suppe

Originally posted on IdahoEdNews.org on April 2, 2026

BOISE, Idaho — A last-minute bill restricting teachers’ unions passed the House Thursday afternoon, after surviving two procedural challenges Thursday morning.

Representatives convene on the House floor Thursday. (Sean Dolan/Idaho EdNews)

The 43-24 House vote sends the heavily amended House Bill 516 to Gov. Brad Little’s desk, as lawmakers look to adjourn for the year. Thursday is the 81st day of the 2026 session — and the final day of the session. The Senate formally adjourned for the year at 6:19 p.m.; the House followed suit at 6:29 p.m..

 

At issue is a controversial proposal that would make it illegal for schools to “use or authorize the use of taxpayer funds to support teachers unions.” Among other things, schools could no longer use their payroll systems to collect union dues, increase teacher pay to cover the cost of union activities, or provide a teacher paid time off for union activities.

These proposals aren’t new — lawmakers have debated them in past sessions, and earlier this session — but the issue came back to life in the waning days of the 2026 session.

On Monday, the Senate transformed a three-page bill on LGBTQ+ instruction into a 10-page union bill. The total rewrite is known in Statehouse parlance as “radiator capping” — taking one part from a car, and building a new vehicle around it. The Senate passed the overhauled bill Wednesday.

During debate over the bill, Rep. Judy Boyle, R-Midvale, downplayed the impact on teachers’ unions, which represent educators in 83 Idaho school districts. The bill would simply prevent taxpayer support of teachers union.

Rep. Soñia Galaviz, an elementary school teacher, took a much more dim view of the situation. She cited language that broadly defines “teachers union activities,” a definition that includes promoting the union or soliciting membership.

“This will kill the teachers’ association,” said Galaviz, D-Boise. “It will not let us utter a word about it.”

Galaviz attempted to move the bill to the House’s amending order — saying it should be extended to cover law enforcement and fire department unions that actively lobby the Legislature. She withdrew her motion after Republicans objected.

Earlier in the day, the eleventh-hour amendment process came under scrutiny in a pair of procedural votes.

First, the House had to vote to accept the Senate’s amendments to HB 516.

House Education Committee Chairman Dale Hawkins, the author of the original LGBTQ+ instruction bill, defended the overhaul.

“Nothing was done sneakily,” said Hawkins, R-Fernwood. “This is a good measure. It does not stop one educator from being involved in unions.”

Boyle also debated in favor of the rewrite. Earlier this year, Boyle sponsored a similar union bill, House Bill 745, which passed the House last month. Sen. Dan Foreman, R-Moscow, refused to bring the bill before the Senate Commerce and Human Resources Committee, prompting the HB 516 makeover.

“The Senate doesn’t do that very often,” she said. “That tells you how upset they were.”

House Minority Leader Ilana Rubel said the entire process has “smacked of shenanigans,” cutting the public out of the process.

“At no point has the substance of this bill … been heard by an education committee,” said Rubel, D-Boise.

Galaviz said the union bill reflects a “continual and steady erosion of trust, of respect,” for what educators do. Every legislative session, she said, “public school teachers hold their breath across the entire state.”

The House voted to accept the amendments on a 41-23 vote, over bipartisan opposition.

Minutes later, the House rejected an attempt to ship the bill back to House Education for a hearing.

Rep. Lori McCann, R-Lewiston, pushed for the move, noting that House Education has “never had the opportunity” to hear the issue.

House Majority Leader Jason Monks said the issue received a full public hearing, when the House Commerce and Human Resources Committee considered Boyle’s HB 745. “Let’s just move along with the process,” said Monks, R-Meridian.

McCann’s motion failed on a 20-45 vote.

Thursday afternoon’s vote turns the focus to Little.

The amended HB 516 fell short of two-thirds support in both the House and the Senate — meaning Little would have the support to sustain a veto. However, Little has not vetoed a single bill so far this session.

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Danielle Mullenix

Get ready for an egg-citing Easter weekend! Local News 8 has gathered an amazing lineup of Easter egg hunts happening throughout the region. Bring your family out for a fun-filled adventure as you search for colorful eggs and create lasting memories before the holiday festivities begin! Don’t miss out on the fun!

April 3rd:

The Sounds Choir Presents “The Hunchback of Notre Dame” – Thunder Ridge Performing Arts Center (7:00 pm)

Jurassic Park Film Screening with Expert Commentary – ISU Idaho Falls Campus (7:00 pm)

Community Easter Egg Hunt – Life Care Center of Idaho Falls (4:00 pm)

Easter Egg Hunt – The Gables of Shelley Memory Care (3:00 pm)

Easter Egg Hunt – Monte Vista Hills Healthcare Center (6:00 pm)

“He is Risen” Concert Easter Celebration – Blackfoot Performing Arts Center (7:00 pm)

“Now & Then” Live Theatre Event – The Heart, Idaho Falls (7:00 pm)

Ammon Parks Spring Scavenger Hunt – City of Ammon (April 1-20)

Latin Dance Social -Dynasty Ballroom, Idaho Falls (7:00 pm)

Artist Series: Expressive Ink – Artitorium on Broadway (11:30-12:30 am)

Idaho Falls Symphony Presents “The Four Seasons: Vivaldi and Piazzolla” – The Downtown Event Center (7 pm)

April 4th:

Camp Hayden Easter Adventure – Taylor Crossing on the River (11:45 am)

Menan Hoppening Annual Community Egg Hunt – Menan City Park (10 am)

Ammon Easter Egg Hunt – City of Ammon (10 am)

Shelley Easter Egg Hunt – Shelley City Park (11 am)

EGGcessible Easter Egg Hunt – Portneuf District Library (11 am)

Find the Easter Bunny – Downtown Idaho Falls (12 pm)

Easter Egg Hunt – Rigby City Park (10 am)

Special Needs Easter Egg Hunt – Snake River Homestead, Shelley (10 am)

Annual Easter Egg Hunt – Porter Park, Rexburg (9 am)

Hairball: Balls to the Walls 2026 Tour – Mountain America Center (7 pm)

Boogie with Bluey Dance Camp – Eagle Rock Dance (9:30 am)

Easter Egg Hunt – Jensen Grove, Blackfoot (10 am)

Easter Egg Hunt – Peterson Park (3 pm)

Idaho Falls Bloom & Grow Farmers Market – Idaho Farmers Market (9 am)

Afternoon Paint and Drink – The House on Park (12 pm)

Adult Egg Hunt – Downtown Idaho Falls (7 pm)

From the Local News 8 team, we wish you a wonderful Easter weekend!

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Bailee Shaw

BOISE, Idaho (KIFI) — The “Doomsday Mom” at the center of one of the nation’s most high-profile murder cases is now trying to overturn her conviction.

Attorneys for Lori Vallow Daybell have officially filed an appeal, asking a higher court to either throw out her convictions or give her a new trial.

Daybell was convicted in May 2023 of killing her two children, Tylee Ryan and J.J. Vallow, and conspiring to kill her husband’s first wife, Tammy Daybell. The case gained national attention due to the Daybells’ bizarre religious beliefs that prosecutors say motivated the killings.

The defense argues that the high-profile proceedings were flawed from the start, citing what they describe as serious legal errors and violations of Daybell’s constitutional rights.

In the filing, Daybell’s defense team argues the judge wrongfully removed her chosen attorney—even though there was no real conflict of interest. They say that the decision undermined her defense strategy and violated her Sixth Amendment right to counsel.

“The right protects the defendant’s autonomy – her ability to choose the advocate she trusts and to control the strategy of her defense when confronted with the power of the State,” states the filing. “This remains true even when outsiders view the defendant’s choice about representation as unwise or perhaps foolhardy.”

The appeal also claims Daybell’s due process rights were violated, saying the court made key decisions about her legal representation while her competency was still under review. The defense contends this prevented Daybell from fully participating in her own defense.

The case now heads to the Idaho Supreme Court, a process that could take months—possibly years—before there’s a final decision.

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KIVI Staff

By: Allie Triepke

Originally Posted 11:11 PM, Apr 02, 2026

MERIDIAN, Idaho (KIVI) — Leaders with Idaho State Police say they are struggling to recruit and retain troopers after years of funding that has not kept pace with competitive wages.

A bill aimed at boosting funding for the agency is now awaiting the governor’s signature, as law enforcement leaders warn staffing shortages could impact public safety.

“These are the things that keep me up at night — is that phone call that I get at night and something terrible that happens,” Idaho State Police Col. Bill Gardiner said. “And then we go back and research it and we think, could this have been stopped by having a police force that’s fully staffed?”

Idaho State Police lost access to gas tax funding five years ago and now rely primarily on the state’s general fund. Just $3 from each vehicle registration is also allocated toward trooper pay — a level leaders say is not enough to maintain staffing.

“I have about 40 openings in those ranks,” Gardiner said. “And so, you know, you do the math… that’s a lot of vacancy for those that are responsible to ensure public safety is out there.”

Officials say the agency is also losing troopers to city and county departments that offer higher pay.

“In fact, in Moscow there’s normally four troopers that live in that town… I have zero troopers in Moscow right now, none,” Gardiner said. “So, I have to supplement troopers from either Coeur d’Alene or from Lewiston to make their way up to Moscow to work.”

Leaders say those staffing shortages can affect response times and support for local agencies. In Meridian this week, troopers assisted local police by shutting down Interstate 84 during a pursuit in an effort to keep the public safe.

“I think we need to do something to address the critical trooper shortage that we’re facing,” said Sen. Daniel Foreman, R-Viola. “I know in my neck of the woods the shortage is absolutely hypercritical.”

Earlier this year, Gardiner requested $18 million through Senate Bill 1379 to help close the pay gap, proposing an increase of about $5 in vehicle registration fees to fund the plan.

That proposal was later scaled back and ultimately stalled, making way for a new measure, House Bill 967, which would provide about $4 million in funding instead.

“So when you ask, am I happy with it… I would be tempted to call it a band-aid,” Gardiner said.

Lawmakers acknowledged the compromise as they advanced the bill.

“This is not my preferred approach, but it’s a compromise,” said Sen. Todd Lakey, R-Nampa. “We need to stop the bleeding and help retain our quality troopers.”

Others said broader funding solutions are needed for state employees.

“And if we value all of our state employees, we need to do better and we need to fund all of them and give them raises and pay their healthcare,” said Sen. Melissa Wintrow, D-Boise.

Idaho State Police leaders say a long-term funding solution is needs to be addressed in future legislative sessions.

As for this bill, Sen. Todd Lakey detailed where the funding would come from.

“The total impact of this bill is about $4 million going into the law enforcement account. It includes $2 million from state liquor funds that would typically go to the general fund, along with just under $2 million that would normally be shared with cities and counties. Overall, that amounts to about an $870,000 impact to counties and roughly $1.2 million to cities statewide,” said Sen. Lakey in the Senate Chambers Wednesday.

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