West
Idaho Board of Education bans DEI offices and initiatives in all public universities
The Idaho Board of Education approved efforts to ban diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives in public universities on Wednesday.
After months of debating, the board unanimously agreed on a resolution that Idaho institutions cannot “require specific structures or activities related to DEI.”
In summary, institutions “shall establish and maintain equality of opportunity for all students regardless of personal identity characteristics,” “ensure that no central offices, policies, procedures, or initiatives are dedicated to DEI ideology” and “ensure that no employee or student is required to declare gender identity or preferred pronouns.”
The board defined DEI ideology as “any approach that prioritizes ‘personal identity characteristics’ (race, color, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, religion, or gender identity) over individual merit.”
The Idaho Board of Education unanimously approved the resolution to scale back on programs that discriminate based on race. (iStock)
FLORIDA PERMANENTLY BANS FUNDING FOR DEI IN STATE SCHOOLS
In addition to banning mandatory gender identification, the board also prohibited diversity statements in hiring practices or any decisions regarding employment or education based on “personal identity characteristics.”
The board also approved a resolution that mandated protections for free speech and expression on campuses.
“Institutions shall maintain political neutrality, protect speakers’ rights to free expression, protect the safety of those participating in constitutionally protected speech, introduce campus communities to diverse viewpoints, and establish programs designed to educate students and faculty about the institutions’ role as the marketplace of ideas,” it read.
The board acknowledged that the resolution would not prohibit universities from promoting non-discriminatory activities, offering scholarships or allowing student clubs based on “political or social issues.”
All changes are expected to be implemented by June 30, 2025.
In a press release given to Fox News Digital, the board reiterated its support for the resolution and optimism for the universities moving forward.
Public universities will be required to uphold freedom of expression on campuses. (Derek Shook for Fox News Digital)
“I believe our actions as a Board today are a strong signal to all Idaho students that our institutions are prepared to meet whatever needs they have when they walk through the door. I am looking forward to seeing our universities implement these resolutions while we continue working on the issue as a Board,” Board President Dr. Linda Clark said.
“I am proud of our institutions for stepping up and making meaningful changes to their institutions through these resolutions,” Joshua Whitworth, Director of the Office of the State Board of Education said. “By working closely with our institutions and the Governor’s Office, the Board has made a commitment that every student has the support that they need to succeed.”
The resolution was originally adopted in April 2023 and focused primarily on prohibiting diversity statements in hiring. The following year, the resolution was amended to codify the language and later included prohibiting diversity statements in admissions.
IOWA BOARD OF REGENTS APPROVES RECOMMENDATIONS TO SCALE BACK DEI INITIATIVES AT STATE UNIVERSITIES
In November, the Board introduced drafts of the new resolution and received feedback from both university leaders and students. Since that time, several universities have already begun scaling back on DEI initiatives.
Boise State University closed its Gender Equity and Student Equity centers in November. (Sarah A. Miller/Idaho Statesman/Tribune News Service via Getty Images)
On Tuesday, ahead of the resolution, Boise State University announced in an email that the Student Equity Center and the Gender Equity Center had been closed during Thanksgiving break.
“We all have heard the conversations taking place this year across the nation related to diversity, equity and inclusion and higher education,” BSU administrators said in the email. “The Idaho State Board of Education has developed resolutions for Idaho universities, and we have provided feedback. We remain steadfast in our commitment to serving all students while seeking to be responsive to our governing board’s expectations.”
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New Mexico
Two men arrested for deadly shooting outside Frontier Restaurant
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Police arrested two young men on murder charges after a deadly shooting outside the Frontier Restaurant near the University of New Mexico.
Police said 19-year-old Junior Lewis and 20-year-old Evan Rogers are in custody and both face murder charges.
Police said both men are set to face a judge Saturday.
Investigators said they found both suspects inside Rogers’ dorm room at UNM.
The shooting happened in the early morning hours Thursday just south of Central between Cornell and Stanford.
Police said the man who was shot died at the scene.
Oregon
Oregon health officials warn of measles exposure at Happy Valley clinic
HAPPY VALLEY, Ore. (KATU) — Health officials have identified a new measles exposure site in Happy Valley.
The Oregon Health Authority and Clackamas County public health officials said people may have been exposed at Providence Immediate Care – Happy Valley, 16180 S.E. Sunnyside Road, Suite 102, between 11:05 a.m. and 3:47 p.m. Tuesday, May 12.
Officials said anyone who was at the clinic during that time should notify a health care provider about the possible exposure. Providers can determine whether a person is immune to measles by reviewing vaccination records, age or laboratory evidence of a previous infection.
Health officials urged people to monitor for symptoms and seek medical advice if they believe they may have been exposed.
ABOUT MEASLES
Measles is a highly contagious respiratory virus that spreads through the air when an infected person breathes, speaks, coughs or sneezes. The virus can linger in the air for up to two hours and can infect up to 90% of unprotected close contacts. Complications can include pneumonia, brain inflammation and death.
Nationwide, measles cases have been rising since early 2025. Nearly 2,300 cases were reported last year, with most occurring among unvaccinated children.
Symptoms typically begin seven to 21 days after exposure and include cough, runny nose and conjunctivitis accompanied by a high fever. A rash usually follows, starting on the head or neck and spreading downward. People are contagious from four days before the rash appears until four days after.
A graphic from the Oregon Health Authority shows the symptoms of Measles.
HA advises health care providers to report suspected cases immediately and consider post-exposure treatment for exposed patients. The measles, mumps and rubella vaccine can be given within 72 hours of exposure. Immunoglobulin may be administered within six days.
For most people 6 months and older who are eligible for vaccination, receiving the MMR vaccine within 72 hours of exposure is recommended.
Anyone not protected against measles is at risk, according to OHA. The agency encourages residents to check their vaccination status and contact a health care provider with questions.
Utah
Utah Weather: Increasing wind and fire dangers this weekend with a colder and wetter pattern arriving Sunday
SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4) — Happy Friday, Utah! Our Friday afternoon will feature pleasant conditions across the area.
Today’s weather: Sunshine and pleasant temps
Daytime highs will warm into the upper 70s for our Friday afternoon. Southwest Utah will see daytime highs in the low to mid 90s Friday afternoon.
Tommorow’s weather: Stout cold front


An approaching cold front will bring some extra clouds and gusty southwest winds to the state for our Saturday. A Fire Weather Warning has been issued for Grand County along with most southern Utah south of I-70 Saturday.
West and southwesterly winds will be sustained between 15-25 MPH on Saturday with wind gusts between 35-50 MPH. The gusty winds and relative low humidity levels will lead to an elevated fire danger across southern parts of the state.
A few isolated showers will develop Saturday across portions of central and eastern Utah, with partly cloudy skies developing across northern Utah. Daytime highs on Saturday will warm into the lower 70s across the Wasatch Front. Highs will warm near 90° across southwest Utah.
Looking ahead: Frost and freeze concerns


The cold front moves through Saturday evening, bringing a deeper surge of cooler conditions to Utah late this weekend. Daytime highs will only be in the 50s on Sunday and Monday. The core of the storm arrives Sunday bringing widespread rain showers across northern Utah.
As colder air rotates into the state Sunday evening, rain showers will likely change over to snow showers for our mountain locations across the state through Monday morning. Snow levels look to drop as low as around 6,000 FT, including some mountain valleys.
Get the latest Salt Lake City weather forecasts. View live doppler radar, & closings from the ABC4 Utah weather team.
Some light to moderate snow accumulations looks possible for the mountain valleys and mountain areas, with a better shot of seeing 6″+ for places like the Upper Cottonwoods and the Western Uintas. The good news is that road temperatures will be quite warm, so no major travel impacts are expected for most areas. Still, could see the accumulations on elevated surfaces by early Monday morning.
We will likely have to deal with a few mornings of frost and freeze concerns for some of our valleys into early next week. Currently, looks like the period to watch will be Monday morning and again on Tuesday morning.
High pressure builds behind this system by the middle of next week bringing the return of sunshine and moderating temperatures to Utah.
Stay with us for the latest updates from our 4Warn Weather forecast team on News4Utah+ and on abc4.com/utah-weather. We are Good4Utah!
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