1 of 2 | Nicholas Umphenour, who was convicted of shooting two Idaho corrections officers while helping a prisoner make a daring escape in March, received a sentence of life in prison this week with no chance of parole for 40 years. Photo courtesy of the City of Boise
Oct. 5 (UPI) — A man convicted of shooting two Idaho corrections officers while helping a prisoner make a daring escape received a sentence of life in prison.
Nicholas Umphenour will also have no parole eligibility for 40 years, Ada County District Judge Nancy Baskin ruled Friday.
Umphenour previously pleaded guilty to three counts of assault or battery on law enforcement and one count each of unlawful possession of a firearm, and use of a firearm in a crime as well as one lesser charge.
The 29-year-old in March helped plan and carry out the escape of prisoner Skylar Meade on March 20.
Meade was being transferred to the Saint Alphonsus Regional Medical Center in Boise, Idaho for treatment when a then-unknown suspect began shooting at Idaho Department of Corrections officers.
Two officers were shot by the suspect, while a third was hit in the confusion by bullets fired by a responding police officer.
Authorities later identified Umphenour as the accomplice, leading to a manhunt.
Umphenour and Meade were captured a day later in Twin Falls, Idaho.
Meade, who officials say has affiliations with white supremacist gangs, had been incarcerated since October 2016 after convictions for aggravated battery on a law enforcement officer with a firearm enhancement.
Meade received a life sentence with parole eligibility after 35 years for his part in the escape.
In June, authorities charged Meade and Umphenour with murder in the death of an 83-year-old man whose body was found near Leland, Idaho. Officials believe Meade and Umphenour killed the elderly man while on the run.
They continue to investigate the death of a second 72-year-old man which they believe may have involved the two fugitives.
The judge on Friday cited Umphenour’s total disregard for human life in handing down the prison sentence.
During the proceedings, the court heard a recorded phone call made by Umphenour to his step-mother.
“It doesn’t bother me what kind of animal is that. It doesn’t bother me one bit and I know it should,” Umphenour said in reference to shooting the corrections officers.
“You are a persistent violator. You are a career criminal,” Baskin told the court, adding the 40-year-period of parole ineligibility was primarily to protect the public from Umphenour.
The results are in for the Idaho Lottery’s draw games on Saturday, April 18, 2026.
Here’s a look at winning numbers for each game on April 18.
24-25-39-46-61, Powerball: 01, Power Play: 5
Check Powerball payouts and previous drawings here.
Day: 9-5-1
Night: 0-2-4
Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.
Day: 4-6-0-4
Night: 9-9-8-2
Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here.
18-21-22-32-42, Star Ball: 10, ASB: 03
Check Lotto America payouts and previous drawings here.
08-19-22-31-44
Check Idaho Cash payouts and previous drawings here.
17-19-47-48-55, Bonus: 04
Check Millionaire for Life payouts and previous drawings here.
Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results
This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a USA Today editor. You can send feedback using this form.
The rotunda as seen on March 16, 2026, at the Idaho State Capitol Building in Boise. (Photo by Pat Sutphin for the Idaho Capital Sun)
Ahead of the 2026 primary elections, the League of Women Voters of Idaho is teaming up with several local groups to hold candidate forums and voter education events in the hopes of boosting voter turnout.
The groups invited all candidates for public office in Ada and Canyon County’s commissions, and in legislative district 11, which is in Canyon County.
The groups that are hosting include Mormon Women for Ethical Government, the Caldwell Chamber of Commerce, the American Association of University Women’s Boise branch and the College of Idaho’s Masters of Applied Public Policy Program.
Here’s when and where the forums are:
Learn more about candidates at the League of Women Voters’ online voter guide, VOTE411.ORG.
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BOISE (Idaho Statesman) — Idaho drivers wanting to celebrate America’s anniversary this year now have a unique way to do that. The Idaho Division of Motor Vehicles has released an America 250 license plate to mark the occasion.
The new license plate includes an American flag on a blue background with the words “America 250” and the dates “1776 – 2026.”
The plate requires an extra fee that will go toward supporting the Idaho Heritage Trust, according to an Idaho Transportation Department news release. The specific fee wasn’t listed.
“This plate gives Idahoans a chance to mark a historic milestone and show their pride on the road,” said Lisa McClellan, DMV administrator, in a statement. “We’re proud to offer a design that honors our country’s past while supporting Idaho’s efforts to preserve its own history.”
The new license plate may give Idaho’s favorite a run for its money.
The Idaho Transportation Department recently held a “Battle of the Plates” vote to find out which license plate Idahoans loved best.
The Forests Forever plate was crowned the champion on April 7. Funds generated from this plate go toward Idaho replanting and reforestation projects, as well as environmental education programs for Idaho students and teachers.
“One of Idaho’s newest plates, Forests Forever made a strong run and came out on top, highlighting just how much Idahoans value our forests and natural resources,” the transportation department said in a social media post.
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