Idaho
Kohberger trial moved back to start in August 2025
Bryan Kohberger, the man charged with murdering four University of Idaho students, now has a new trial date.
The jury trial will now begin on August 11, 2025 and run through November 7, 2025. It was previously scheduled to begin in June 2025 and last three months.
The trial will start at 8:30 a.m. and end around 3:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, with a 45 minute lunch break. Some trial weeks may be shortened, depending on court obligations outside of the trial.
A final pre-trial conference is scheduled for May 15, 2025 and will continue into the next day if necessary. Status conferences may be requested or initiated by the court before that date.
Proposed jury questionnaires will be filed under seal by March 24, 2025 and objections are due March 31. A closed hearing on those will be held in April.
Proposed jury instructions and trial briefs will be filed by April 14 and objections to those are due by April 21. Proposed exhibit lists are to be filed and exchanged by April 21.
Voir dire, or the process where a judge or lawyers question potential jurors and witnesses to determine suitability for trial, is scheduled for July 30.
The state must respond to the defense motions challenging the death penalty by Oct. 10, 2024 and the defense’s replies are due on Oct. 24. A hearing on those motions is currently scheduled for Nov. 7 at 9 a.m.
For discovery motions, the last day to file to compel about any known unresolved issues is Nov. 14, 2024. Several dates are set for responses and replies, and a hearing is scheduled for Jan. 23, 2025. All motions governed by I.C.R. 12, including motions to suppress evidence, are also due on Nov. 14 and a hearing on those will happen on Jan. 23 as well.
For discovery and expert disclosures, the following dates and deadlines are ordered:
- State’s guilt phase experts: Dec. 18, 2024
- Defendant’s guilt phase experts: Jan. 23, 2025
- Rebuttal guilt phase experts: Feb. 13, 2025
- State’s penalty phase experts: Jan. 27, 2025
- Defendant’s penalty phase experts: March 31, 2025
- Rebuttal penalty phase experts: April 28, 2025
Kohberger’s trial was moved to Ada County and he was booked into the Ada County Jail in September. District Judge Steven Hippler was assigned to the case then, replacing Judge John Judge out of Latah County.
Four University of Idaho students, Kaylee Goncalvez, Ethan Chapin, Madison Mogen and Xana Kernodle were found dead in their home near campus in November 2022. Kohberger was arrested and charged with four counts of murder in the first degree and one count of burglary in December 2022.
Idaho
Idaho State Police sergeant honored with MVP award – East Idaho News
Idaho State Police Sergeant Amanda Ward was named the Idaho State Police MVP during the Greater Idaho Falls Police Foundation award ceremony. | Daniel V. Ramirez, EastIdahoNews.com
IDAHO FALLS — Sgt. Amanda Ward with Idaho State Police was recognized with an MVP award Thursday at the Greater Idaho Falls Police Foundation luncheon.
Ward was nominated for her exceptional performance, commitment to training new officers, and dedication to public safety. Colleagues described her as a model of professionalism whose influence is felt across every level of the agency.
RELATED | Local law enforcement officers honored during awards ceremony
Over the past year, Ward has taken on multiple roles, serving as a TAC officer at the Idaho State Police Training Academy, a TAC for the ILEADS Youth Training program, and a member of the ISP Honor Guard. In each position, she has helped set the standard for new recruits while representing the agency at public ceremonies and major events.
Ward has also been recognized for her outstanding field performance. While assigned to a temporary duty post, Captain Mike Mooney said she approached each shift with energy and enthusiasm.
“She had such a great attitude, always smiling and upbeat regardless of the circumstance,” Mooney said. “She was exceptionally productive—staying busy with traffic, drug cases, and even handling a very dangerous ATL for a suicidal subject. I wish we had 20 more just like her!”
In addition to her operational and training duties, Ward serves as a Peer Support Representative for District Six and has completed the FBI’s LEEDA leadership training. She also leads District Six in both DUI and drug arrests—an achievement highlighting her effectiveness in the field.
Ward accepted the MVP Award alongside four other honorees recognized by the Greater Idaho Falls Police Foundation for their contributions to law enforcement and public safety. EastIdahoNews.com will share a story and video about each recipient this coming week.
Watch Ward’s video in the player above.
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Bonneville County Jail deputy honored with MVP award from police foundation
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Idaho
Idaho Senate sends tax conformity bill back to House
BOISE, Idaho (CBS2) — House Bill 559, which conforms to all tax provisions within the One Big Beautiful Bill of 2025, was discussed by the Idaho Senate on Friday. Earlier this week, the bill was sent to the House floor with a “do pass” recommendation.
The places this bill differs from federal tax policy are in bonus depreciation, a provision allowing businesses to take a large deduction on qualifying property within the property’s first year of service. Idaho has historically decoupled from this provision and will continue to do so in this bill.
House Bill 559 follows a plan implemented by Delaware requiring businesses under a current amortization agreement to finish that agreement in full to spread the fiscal impact into future years.
The bill’s sponsor, Rep. Jeff Ehlers, R-Meridian, said in his opening remarks that the decision to make the taxes retroactive is to “capture the full benefit for individuals.” He said he believes the fiscal impact of a $155 million reduction in revenues for fiscal year 2026 and $175 million for fiscal year 2027 is “reasonable.”
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The Senate voted to return it to the House with a 28-7 pass vote. It now heads to the governor’s desk.
Idaho
Idaho SNAP recipients face new candy and soda restrictions starting Feb. 15
Starting February 15, Idahoans using SNAP benefits will no longer be able to purchase candy and soda with their food assistance cards, following a statewide ban signed into law by Governor Brad Little last year. But the new rules are creating confusion among shoppers who are struggling to understand which items will be restricted.
“It’s gonna be a mess,” said Amanda Chester, a former SNAP recipient.
The restrictions aren’t as straightforward as they might seem. While gummy bears will be denied at checkout, Kit Kat bars will still be approved for purchase with SNAP benefits.
“Like we don’t even know what’s gonna get denied and what’s not once we go to the store,” Chester said.
WATCH: A Guide to identifying SNAP-eligible items
What you can still buy under Idaho’s new SNAP candy, soda ban
The Idaho Department of Health and Welfare has created candy and soda guidance sheets to help shoppers navigate the new rules, which reveal that not all candy is treated equally under the law.
A Kit Kat bar, which contains sugar and comes in bar form, remains SNAP-eligible because it contains flour. Gummy bears, however, contain sugar and come in small pieces but have no flour and require no refrigeration, making them ineligible for SNAP benefits.
RELATED | Idaho Health & Welfare clarifies eligible SNAP purchases after junk food ban
The drink restrictions also have nuances. Bottled Gatorade no longer qualifies for SNAP benefits, but the powdered version does.
“There are ways to go around it. You can make your own candy, your own cupcakes, you can do all of that on your own. It’s just very time consuming,” said Emina Sadiki, a SNAP recipient.
Sadiki said she understands the push for healthier choices but doesn’t understand why small indulgences for her children are now completely restricted.
Her 12-year-old son has expressed frustration with the limitations. “He says, ‘that just sucks. I can’t wait to get a job that way we don’t need food stamps anymore.’ He’s 12 years old. He shouldn’t be thinking about that,” Sadiki said.
The Department of Health and Welfare said the definitions for candy come directly from the state legislature, House Bill 109.
Idaho grocery stores are already posting signs about the new restrictions.
Sahana Patel, Idaho News 6
When a SNAP card is used for a restricted item, the purchase will be denied, but customers can still pay with cash, debit, or credit cards.
Some families worry the restrictions will create chaos at checkout lines.
“I can’t imagine how bad it’s gonna be and how people are gonna be so confused and so unsure,” Chester said. “I feel bad for the people that work at the grocery stores, like it’s gonna be a mess.”
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