Idaho
Concerns regarding the Idaho Republican Party’s censuring of elected officials
In a time where the principles of freedom, diversity of opinion, and individual rights are upheld as the cornerstones of our nation, it is disheartening to witness the Idaho Republican Party resorting to censuring elected officials who do not adhere strictly to the party platform.
As active members and elected representatives of the Idaho Republican Party, we find ourselves at a crossroads where dissenting voices are stifled, and conformity is demanded more than anything else. This trend contradicts the very essence of democracy upon which our Republic is built.
Throughout history, we’ve seen the perilous consequences of consolidating power in the hands of a select few, where dissent is punished and loyalty to the party line is prioritized over the well-being of constituents. True leadership is not about enforcing blind allegiance but about fostering an environment where diverse perspectives are respected and considered.
While party politics may inherently involve differing philosophies, it is imperative to prioritize the responsibilities of governance as dictated by our laws, regulations, and constitutional obligations. Our governmental system has evolved over time, and any desired changes must be approached with careful consideration of the regional differences.
The recent trend of utilizing censure as a tool to enforce conformity undermines the fundamental values of our party and our democracy. It is concerning to witness elected officials being penalized for representing the voices of their constituents rather than adhering to the dictates of centralized county committees.
Furthermore, the influence of external organizations like the Idaho Freedom Foundation (IFF) in shaping party policies raises questions about the true priorities of our representatives. The IFF’s very narrow approval ratings of state budgets skew political discourse and undermine the integrity of the legislative process. Unlike many states that pass one comprehensive budget, Idaho operates with over 115 individual budget appropriation bills, which allows unfavorable ratings on most any budget, empowering IFF followers to reject nearly all budgets.
Considering Representatives and Senators represent individual districts with varied demographics, economies, and geographic challenges, strict adherence to the Idaho State Platform or the libertarian philosophy of the Idaho Freedom Foundation may not serve the needs of many constituents. These ideologies are do not consider the local district needs and expectations.
It is important to acknowledge that the Idaho Republican Platform, like any document, is not perfect. As an active member, I have identified several platform planks that I cannot fully support. Additionally, there are planks that are either too vague or too complex to serve as a measure of loyalty. However, the platform generally reflects what a majority of Idahoans would support. It is crucial to recognize that the platform, like leadership, was not adopted unanimously. Therefore, to discount dissenting views with censure is inappropriate. If a position cannot withstand critique and must have unanimous support, what fear is there that strong minds on a minority of platform items would be detrimental to the party as a whole?
As we approach the upcoming Primary Election on May 21, 2024, we urge fellow party members to pay attention to the grassroots level of our political system. The race for individual Precinct Committeemen or Captains, who comprise the County Central Committee, holds significant importance in shaping the direction of our party.
It is crucial to elect leaders who prioritize the interests of their constituents and communities over rigid adherence to party dogma. From the grassroots up, we must strive for a more inclusive and civil approach to political discourse, one that fosters constructive dialogue and respects the diversity of opinions within our party.
In conclusion, we call upon all members of the Idaho Republican Party to uphold the principles of democracy, individual rights, and representative governance. Let us work together to build a party that embraces diversity of thought and prioritizes the well-being of all Idahoans.
Idaho
Idaho resolution opposing same-sex marriage advances
For the second year in a row, House lawmakers will consider urging the U.S. Supreme Court to overturn its ruling legalizing same-sex marriage.
The nonbinding resolution, which carries no legal weight, says the decision in Obergefel v. Hodges violates the longstanding religious definition of marriage between one man and one woman.
“The current definition of marriage that allows for same-sex marriages is a defilement of the word marriage,” said Rep. Tony Wisniewski (R-Post Falls), who sponsors the measure.
The resolution further states that the Obergefel decision “arbitrarily and unjustly” rejects the historical definition of marriage.
Idaho voters passed a constitution amendment in 2006 that defines marriage as between one man and one woman, which was invalidated by the Obergefel ruling.
Wisniewski said regulating marriages should be a power left to the states.
Rep. Brent Crane (R-Nampa) agrees.
“If you want to get things … closer to the people with respect to some of these more complex social issues, I think the best place for those things to happen is in the states,” Crane said.
Doing so is a risk, he said.
“You may have states that choose to acknowledge [polyamorous relationships]. You may have states that choose to have relationships between adults and younger children,” Crane said.
Cities in neighboring Oregon and Washington, for example, are considering giving those in polyamorous relationships legal recognition.
But he said that risk is worth it to allow other states that choose to only recognize traditional marriages.
Four lawmakers on the House State Affairs Committee opposed the resolution.
Rep. Erin Bingham (R-Idaho Falls) said she’s tried to balance her own religious beliefs with those of others while considering the measure.
“I do feel like that it is important for us to work together, to find ways to compromise and to live together in peace and mutual respect,” Bingham said.
The resolution now goes to the House floor for consideration.
House lawmakers last year passed a similar measure, but it never received a hearing in a Senate committee.
Copyright 2026 Boise State Public Radio
Idaho
University of Idaho professor awarded $10M after TikTok tarot influencer claimed she ‘ordered’ quadruple murders
A University of Idaho professor won a $10 million judgment after a tarot TikTok influencer publicly pushed false claims that she was behind the savage quadruple slayings of four college students.
A Boise jury in US District Court ordered fortune-telling Texas TikToker Ashley Guillard on Friday to pay $10 million after concluding she falsely accused professor Rebecca Scofield of having a secret romance with one of the four victims and orchestrating their killings, the Idaho Statesman reported.
Following the verdict, Scofield thanked the jury and said she hopes the case sends a clear warning that making “false statements online have consequences in the real world.”
“The murders of the four students on November 13, 2022, were the darkest chapter in our university’s history,” Scofield told Fox News.
“Today’s decision shows that respect and care should always be granted to victims during these tragedies. I am hopeful that this difficult chapter in my life is over, and I can return to a more normal life with my family and the wonderful Moscow community.”
Scofield, the university’s history department chair, filed the lawsuit in December 2022 — just weeks after Kaylee Goncalves, Madison Mogen, Xana Kernodle and Ethan Chapin were brutally stabbed to death at an off-campus rental home in Moscow, Idaho, on Nov. 13, 2022.
Guillard began uploading videos to her more than 100,000 TikTok followers in late November 2022, accusing Scofield of a secret relationship with one of the students and claiming she had “ordered” the killings, garnering millions of views across the social media platform.
The complaint states that Scofield had never met the victims and was out of state when the murders occurred.
Even after being served with cease-and-desist letters and after police publicly confirmed Scofield had no connection to the murders, the Houston-based tarot reader continued posting videos, the history professor’s legal team argued.
Guillard doubled down on her accusations against Scofield after being sued, posting a defiant video saying, “I am not stopping,” and challenging why Scofield needed three lawyers to sue her “if she’s so innocent.”
The professor’s legal team argued the defamatory accusations painted her as a criminal and accused her of professional misconduct that could derail her career.
Bryan Kohberger, then studying criminology at Washington State University, pleaded guilty in July 2025 to the quadruple murders in a deal that took the death penalty off the table. He is currently serving four consecutive life sentences in Idaho.
In June 2024, Chief US Magistrate Judge Raymond Patricco found Guillard’s statements legally defamatory, leaving damages to be decided by a jury.
During the damages trial, Scofield described the anguish of seeing her name tied to the murders online, the Idaho Statesman reported.
However, Guillard, acting as her own attorney, insisted her comments were simply beliefs based on tarot card readings.
She claimed to have psychic powers and testified that she relied on tarot cards to try to solve the shocking homicides that shook the rural college town and sparked global attention.
It took jurors less than two hours to return their verdict, the outlet reported.
The jury awarded Scofield $7.5 million in punitive damages in addition to $2.5 million in compensatory damages.
With Post wires
Idaho
Gas prices expected to exceed $3 as the Iran conflict prompts supply shortages
BOISE, Idaho — AAA is warning Idaho gas consumers that pump prices will likely rise as the conflict in Iran disrupts oil and gas supply chains worldwide.
The ongoing turmoil in the Middle East will likely push the price for a gallon of regular gasoline past the $3 mark over the coming days.
“On one hand, the crude oil market had time to account for some financial risk in the Middle East as forces mobilized, but a supply shortage somewhere affects the global picture,” says AAA Idaho public affairs director Matthew Conde. “If tankers can’t move products through the region, there could be ripple effects.”
On Monday, March 2, the average price for a gallon of regular gasoline is $2.97, reports AAA, which is 12 cents more expensive than it was a month ago but 20 cents less than this time last year.
State / Price: 1 gallon of regular gasoline
- Washington / $4.37
- Oregon / $3.92
- Nevada / $3.70
- Idaho / $2.97
- Colorado / $2.89
- Montana / $2.82
- Utah / $2.74
- Wyoming / $2.73
In terms of the most expensive fuel in the nation, Idaho currently ranks #14. However, buying a gallon of regular gas in neighboring states such as Oregon and Washington could cost a whole dollar more. In contrast, gas prices in Utah, Montana, and Wyoming are anywhere between 15 to 24 cents cheaper than fuel in the Gem State.
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