Month: April 2026

Par Kermani

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) — Concerns about student hunger and unpaid lunch balances are raising questions for families in eastern Idaho, but school officials say no child in District 91 is turned away from a meal.

District leaders say every student is served a full meal, regardless of their account balance, pushing back on concerns circulating online about students being denied food or given alternative meals.

“We never turn our child away,” said Vanna Merrill, assistant child nutrition supervisor for District 91. “No matter if they owe money or whatever, we always feed the child.”

Merrill said meals must meet strict federal nutrition guidelines, meaning all students receive the same planned menu rather than a substitute option.

Even as unpaid balances accumulate, the district continues to provide meals. Merrill said District 91 currently carries about $38,000 in negative lunch balances.

At the end of the school year, those costs are covered by the district’s general fund, which supports operations across the district.

Inside school kitchens, staff say their priority is making sure students have access to food every day.

Terri Thieme, kitchen manager at Eagle Rock Middle School says some students are aware of their account balances and may hesitate to get lunch, but staff encourage them to continue coming through the line.

“There’s a good group of kids that come up and ask how much is on their balance and are worried that they shouldn’t get lunch,” Thieme said. “We always encourage they come through.”

District officials say families can apply for free or reduced-price meals at any time during the school year. Eligibility is based on household income, with some students qualifying for fully covered meals and others paying a reduced cost.

The district also offers additional programs to support students, including a fresh fruit and vegetable program at several elementary schools and a free summer meal program open to anyone under 18.

Community members can also donate to help offset unpaid meal balances through the district’s website or by contacting the child nutrition office.

School officials say their goal is to ensure every student has consistent access to meals, regardless of financial circumstances.

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KIVI Staff

Originally Published: 02 APR 26 12:59 ET

By Allie Triepke

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    NAMPA, Idaho (KIVI) — “It shouldn’t be a crime to use the restroom.”

This concern from a Nampa resident, who identifies as a transgender woman, is now a reality after Gov. Brad Little signed House Bill 752 into law.

The woman, who asked to remain anonymous for fear of backlash, said she is a born-and-raised Idahoan who transitioned to become female-presenting about 10 years ago. She said she has not had issues using women’s restrooms since she transitioned.

“[To] risk going to jail for using a restroom— that’s like a law of the past,” she said.

The new law requires people in Idaho to use public bathrooms and locker rooms that align with their biological sex rather than their gender identity.

It makes it a misdemeanor offense to knowingly enter a bathroom designated for the opposite biological sex. A second offense could result in a felony charge punishable by up to five years in prison.

Supporters of the bill say it is intended to protect privacy, safety, and dignity in sex-separated spaces.

“House Bill 752 provides a clear proactive tool to secure sex-separated private spaces in our state, while accommodating common sense realities,” said Ben Toews, the bill’s sponsor.

Opponents, including transgender advocates, say the law creates confusion and raises concerns about how it will be enforced.

The Nampa resident said she now worries the law could force her to use men’s restrooms, potentially putting her in unsafe situations. She described a recent incident at a restaurant where she and another woman attempted to use a stall in a men’s restroom because of a long line for the women’s restroom.

“Security came in and grabbed us both by the arm, and was like, ‘You guys cannot be in here.’ Totally understandable, we shouldn’t be in there. [But] it’s kind of ironic because that’s where lawmakers want me,” she said.

She said the situation escalated after others in the restroom realized she was transgender.

“Two different men tried getting me to go into a stall with them and ‘have fun,’ and I’m just like, no,” she said.

The woman said she plans to follow the law but remains concerned about safety. “If it occurs where I have to keep using the men’s restroom, who knows how far things can go,” she said.

Local law enforcement agencies would investigate alleged violations, but would not actively patrol for them.

The law includes exemptions for individuals in “dire need” of a restroom, as well as for custodial staff and law enforcement.

The ACLU of Idaho has criticized the legislation, saying it “puts all Idahoans in danger” and raises constitutional concerns.

The law is set to take effect on July 1.

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Fox13

Originally Published: 02 APR 26 14:32 ET

By Averie Klonowski

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    SALT LAKE CITY (KSTU) — A Utah family is among the plaintiffs in a lawsuit challenging an executive order from President Donald Trump on birthright citizenship as the Supreme Court weighs the case.

One of the plaintiffs, a woman from Taiwan residing in Utah, is identified by the pseudonym “Susan” in the lawsuit documents. She gave birth to a child in Utah last April.

According to the lawsuit, “Susan” is a Taiwanese citizen who has been living in the United States for 12 years on a student visa and is currently applying for permanent residence through a work visa. While Susan’s other three children are U.S. citizens, neither she nor her husband is.

The documents state she is concerned her youngest child could be subject to immigration enforcement if birthright citizenship is not upheld.

The American Civil Liberties Union of Utah released a statement on the case.

“For more than a century, the U.S. Supreme Court has affirmed the 14th Amendment guarantee that children born in the United States are citizens,” said Ellie Menlove, Director of Policy for the ACLU of Utah. “This case was brought, in part, by a Utah plaintiff, to defend the core American promise of birthright citizenship. We await the Supreme Court’s decision while applauding the bravery of the plaintiffs and resolve of attorneys defending this essential right.”

During arguments Wednesday in front of the Supreme Court, several justices, including both liberals and some conservatives, questioned the interpretation of the 14th Amendment offered by Solicitor General D. John Sauer, who claimed undocumented migrants are not automatically entitled to citizenship.

Please note: This story was provided to CNN Wire by an affiliate and does not contain original CNN reporting. This content carries a strict local market embargo. If you share the same market as the contributor of this article, you may not use it on any platform.

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