Month: April 2026

KIVI Staff

Photo by: KIVI

By: KIVI Staff Posted 5:14 PM, Apr 01, 2026

BOISE, Idaho — A group of roughly 30 protesters formed in and around Governor Brad Little’s office at the Idaho Statehouse on Wednesday afternoon, to protest against the passage of House Bill 752, also known as the ‘bathroom bill,’ along with several other pieces of legislation the group says target the transgender community.

The measure, which Little signed into law on Tuesday, makes it a crime to enter a bathroom that doesn’t align with an individual’s biological sex. Many opponents have spoken up, claiming that the bill targets transgender individuals, while supporters say it’s meant to ensure public safety.

The new law outlines that someone who commits multiple violations can be subject to a felony charge and up to 5 years in prison, making it one of the strictest regulations in the country.

Maxine Durand, a Democratic gubernatorial candidate for Idaho, says she saw the protest on social media and immediately drove to the Statehouse to take part.

“The bills that Governor Brad Little keeps deciding to sign are draconian, they’re evil, they are meant to punish transgender people and erase us from public life,” Durand said. “We’re here to say enough is enough.”

Durand added that protesters were hoping to have a conversation with Little and encourage him to veto House Bill 822, which would prohibit healthcare providers, educational institutions, and childcare providers from “facilitating a minor’s medical sex transition or ‘social transition’ in any capacity without informing a child’s parent or guardian.

Idaho News 6 reporter Riley Shoemaker was at the statehouse on Wednesday afternoon and says she has seen nine protesters being detained and zip-tied. Shoemaker said that those detained were escorted out of the statehouse by Idaho State Police.

Less than an hour after the arrests, a GoFundMe has been set up to cover “bail, bond and legal fees” for those detained, which has since surpassed its goal of $20,000.

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Danielle Mullenix

Idaho Falls, ID (KIFI) – What makes a monster and what makes a man? A powerful story of acceptance, courage, and compassion is coming to life on stage this weekend in eastern Idaho.

The Sounds Choir is set to perform a concert-style production of The Hunchback of Notre Dame at 7 p.m. on Thursday and again on April 3 at the Thunder Ridge Performing Arts Center.

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The musical is inspired by Victor Hugo’s classic novel and incorporates music from the Walt Disney Company’s 1996 animated adaptation. Fans of Wicked might recognize the show’s lyricist, Stephen Schwartz, as he teams up with Disney Legend Alan Menken to bring this story to life through a sweeping score. The production blends dramatic storytelling with a rich choral sound, highlighting the emotional depth of the well-known tale. The Sounds Choir will feature a 39-piece orchestra and a 70-person choir.

Choir director Niesah Drain and actor April Jensen express that the music is one of the most transformative elements of the show. The orchestra, composed entirely of talented local musicians, weaves a tapestry of rich sounds. The main characters, alongside the powerful choir, deliver vocals filled with passion and emotion. Each song in this production invites the audience to experience a moment of pure magic.

“If you are a devotee of the Disney movie, you’re going to love it,” said Drain. “You’re going to recall a bunch of the songs. There are new songs, but you will probably recognize the music you’re hearing, even if you’ve never heard it before, if you watched the movie, because all those themes just flow together so well.”

“This production is super spectacular because we’re kind of doing a mix between a concert and a full production,” Jensen, who is playing Esmeralda in the production, said. “We are doing all the lines and all the songs for the whole show, but kind of in a pared-down, really cool concert style.”

Audiences can expect a moving performance that showcases the vocal talent of local singers, along with themes that remain relevant today—belonging, empathy, and seeing beyond outward appearances. Director Drain is grateful to showcase the talent of Eastern Idaho residents.

“All of our soloists are amazing. The guy who’s playing Quasimodo is the choir teacher at Hillcrest, actually,” recalls Drain. “I think there are some really beautiful songs about community and acceptance – and that message to me really hits hard. I hope people walk away with the desire to spread empathy to those around them.”

For those in Idaho Falls looking for a night of live entertainment, this production offers a chance to experience a timeless story brought to life by the community. Don’t miss your chance to experience the magic of Disney live and witness the talent stirring with the Eastern Idaho community.

Tickets for the performances are available online through The Sounds Choir website.For those interested in purchasing tickets, the link is here.

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Idaho Capital Sun

by Laura Guido, Idaho Capital Sun Originally Published: April 1, 2026

BOISE, Idaho (Idaho Capital Sun) — Idaho House lawmakers, who said negotiations stalled on one immigration issue, opted to do a late-session “hostile” take-over of another bill in another attempt to mandate all local law enforcement agencies enter formal agreements with federal immigration authorities.

During an evening floor session, Reps. Jordan Redman, R-Coeur d’Alene, and Dale Hawkins, R-Fernwood, brought an amendment that essentially re-wrote an existing bill. The process is known as “radiator capping,” or completely rebuilding the “engine” of a bill except the radiator cap. 

during the House Education Committee on Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2026, at the State Capitol Building in Boise. Photo by Pat Sutphin for the Idaho Capitol Sun.

In this case, the engine was Senate Bill 1247, which as originally written would’ve created requirements that state and local governments and large government contractors use the work-authorization program E-Verify to ensure their workers are in the country legally. 

However, Redman and Hawkins’ amendment brought Wednesday evening removed all of SB 1247’s existing language and replaced it with the contents of House Bill 659, which would require all local and county law enforcement to enter what are called 287(g) agreements with federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement. A Senate committee in mid March rejected that bill after hearing testimony from law enforcement who opposed it. 

House members voted to approve the amendments and replace the bill in what became a combative process. The House will later take up the amended bill in a new vote, and it would have to go to the Senate for consideration of concurrence with the amendments. 

Redman and Hawkins said that negotiations on bills to require E-Verify stalled, so they decided to try again on the 287(g) issue. 

State Reps. Jordan Redman, R-Coeur d’Alene, (left) and James Petzke, R-Meridian, chat with one another on the Idaho House of Representatives floor on March 16, 2026, at the Idaho Capitol Building in Boise. (Photo by Pat Sutphin for the Idaho Capital Sun)

“Because we could get nowhere on that, we thought it was best that we take a bill that we know has passed this House, and we know that the people on this floor are in agreement with and send it back over the Senate to do business,” Hawkins said. 

House Minority Leader Ilana Rubel, a Boise Democrat, called the process “extremely inappropriate” and noted the law enforcement had deep concerns about House Bill 659. 

Idaho House Minority Leader Ilana Rubel, D-Boise, addresses reporters at a press conference on Jan. 12, 2026, at the State Capitol Building in Boise. (Photo by Pat Sutphin for the Idaho Capital Sun)

“This is just not the way to do business on something of the significance that is of this much deep concern to our law enforcement community and business community at large,” Rubel said. 

Rexburg Republican Rep. Britt Raybould said that the bill sponsors on the original bill were not consulted, making it a “hostile amendment.” 

The voice vote on the amendment was too close to call. House Assistant Majority Leader Doug Pickett, R-Oakley, who presides over the amending procedure, was in doubt. 

House Assistant Minority Leader Rep. Steve Berch, a Boise Democrat, said there wasn’t enough time for members to stand — which is how votes are counted for amendments on the floor.

“I would just correct that right now. Instead of creating a really hostile situation,” Berch said. 

Eventually, the amendments were adopted in a narrow vote. 

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Idaho Capital Sun is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Idaho Capital Sun maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Christina Lords for questions: info@idahocapitalsun.com.

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Seth Ratliff

BOISE, Idaho (KIFI) – A new legal battle is brewing between the federal government and the state of Idaho. On Wednesday, the U.S. Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division announced a federal lawsuit against the Gem State, claiming Idaho didn’t hand over full voter registration lists when asked.

Idaho is allegedly among 30 states and the District of Columbia that failed to turn over voter records.

The lawsuit hinges on the Civil Rights Act of 1960. In a DOJ news release Federal prosecutors argued that this legislation grants the U.S. Attorney General broad authority to inspect and analyze election records to ensure compliance with federal law.

“The Justice Department will continue to fulfill its oversight role dutifully, neutrally, and transparently wherever Americans vote in federal elections,” said Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “Many state election officials, however, are choosing to fight us in court rather than show their work. We will continue to verify that all States are carrying out critical election integrity legal duties.”

While the federal government points to the Civil Rights Act, the U.S. Constitution states that it’s the state’s role, not the federal government’s, to conduct and oversee elections. 

Voter records can include sensitive information like driver’s license numbers and partial social security numbers.

In a statement to Idaho News 6 in Boise, the Idaho Secretary of State’s office expressed confidence in their efforts to ensure secure and accessible elections.

“This includes our extensive voter roll maintenance efforts leading into the 2024 Presidential Election with Governor Little’s Only Citizens Can Vote Act. We have worked closely with the Department of Homeland Security to review all registered voters in Idaho to guarantee that only citizens vote in our elections. As previously reported, out of over 1 million registered voters, this work led to the identification of 11 non-citizens who have been investigated and referred to the Department of Justice for prosecution. Idahoans have confidence in how we run our elections. The county clerks and I are committed to ensuring that confidence continues into this year’s mid-term elections. We encourage Idahoans to visit VoteIdaho.gov to learn more about our efforts on security, to update their registration, and find their voting information. With everything going on, it is a great reminder of the importance of voting.”

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Kaeden Lincoln

Originally posted on IdahoEdNews.org on April 1, 2026

By: Kaeden Lincoln

IDAHO FALLS — The College of Eastern Idaho and the Idaho National Laboratory are launching a summer dual-credit program to steer local high schoolers toward careers in STEM.

The Summer STEM Bridge Program aims to connect students with the region’s most in-demand fields, like energy, cybersecurity and engineering, according to a CEI press release.

Enrollees will take Fundamentals of Network Security, a college math class and go on two field trips at INL facilities. The program offers five to six free credits, but seats are limited.

High school sophomores, juniors and graduating seniors can enroll.

The in-person program will run from June 2 to July 23 at CEI’s campus in Idaho Falls.

The program is the first for CEI’s new campus-based Battelle Energy Alliance Applied STEM Institute building.

The program is part of a broader push to help Idaho high schoolers earn free college credits through programs like Advanced Opportunities, which provides scholarships to pay for students’ dual-credit classes.

The college will host an information session for students and parents at 7 p.m., April 13, on the CEI campus.

Students can sign up on CEI’s website.

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