Idaho
Idaho Legislature Adopts Free Speech Protections Of The Uniform Public Expression Protection Act
Idaho State Capitol in Boise
By stunningly lopsided votes (Senate 32-1-2, House 70-0-0), the Idaho legislature has approved the passage of the Idaho Uniform Public Expression Protection Act, known as “UPEPA”, into law. The Idaho UPEPA now goes to Governor Brad Little for signing but will not go into effect until January 1, 2026.
This now makes ten states that have adopted the UPEPA as their Anti-SLAPP statute (or 11 if one counts Oregon as some do). Thus, the UPEPA now represents almost one-third of all the Anti-SLAPP statutes in the United States.
Looking at the text of the legislation, which is found as Idaho SB1001 here, it appears to be a very clean enactment of the UPEPA, which means that it is without any major non-uniform provisions. There are some minor procedural references to local Idaho statutes, but this is normal and to be expected.
Prior to the passage of the UPEPA, Idaho had no Anti-SLAPP law at all to protect free speech and expression. As I discussed in connection with the Ohio UPEPA that was enacted in January of this year, this demonstrates the power of the UPEPA as a Uniform Laws Committee legislation to bring quality Anti-SLAPP laws to those states which had no Anti-SLAPP statutes before.
For those who are unfamiliar, the purpose of Anti-SLAPP laws ― including the UPEPA ― are to nip in the bud frivolous lawsuits that infringe upon free speech by, essentially, moving the summary judgment procedure up from the end of a case to the outset of the case. Thus, lawsuits that are designed to harass folks into shutting up about something, or to retaliate against them for exercising their free speech rights, are thrown out of court very quickly. This keeps abusive litigants from using the litigation itself to harass folks.
So it is a good day for the citizens of Idaho. Congratulations!
MOUNTAIN HOME, Idaho (CBS2) — A joint investigation by the Elmore County Sheriff’s Office and the Mountain Home Police Department has led to the arrest of a man accused of multiple sexual offenses in Elmore County and the city of Mountain Home.
An arrest warrant was issued on June 10, 2026, for Dillon Thorpe following an investigation conducted by Elmore County Sheriff’s Office detectives. Thorpe was taken into custody on June 11, 2026, on a warrant by the Idaho State Police.
Thorpe is charged with rape, child enticement, lewd conduct with a minor, and sexual abuse of a child under the age of 16.
Authorities said additional details about the investigation will not be released at this time because of the nature of the crimes and to protect the privacy of victims and witnesses.
Law enforcement believes there may be additional suspected victims and/or witnesses who have not yet been identified. Anyone with information or evidence relevant to the investigation is encouraged to contact the Elmore County Sheriff’s Office or the Mountain Home Police Department to make a report.
DENVER (KDVR) — Three Colorado motorcyclists died on Tuesday in northern Idaho after a pickup truck driver, also from Colorado, hit all three while trying to pass another vehicle, according to the Idaho State Police.
The crash happened at about 4 p.m. Tuesday outside the town of Kooskia on U.S. 12, police said. The pickup truck driver, identified as a 60-year-old Colorado Springs woman, was headed west on the highway when she crossed the double yellow line in a no-passing zone while trying to pass another vehicle.
She then collided head-on with the three motorcycles that were headed east on the highway.
The three motorcyclists died at the scene. The Idaho County Coroner identified the motorcyclists as: Ethan Powers, 35, of Timnath, Jeremy Coleman, 45 of Berthoud, and Nathan McCormick, 26, of Loveland.
The Colorado Fraternal Order of Police later identified Coleman and Powers as a sergeant and deputy with the Larimer County Sheriff’s Office and McCormick as Coleman’s son-in-law.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with their families, friends, coworkers, and the members of FOP Lodge 4 as they face the difficult days ahead,” the union said. “The law enforcement profession is built on service, sacrifice, and commitment to others. Sgt. Coleman and Deputy Powers dedicated their lives to protecting their community, and their impact will continue to be felt by those who had the privilege of serving alongside them.”
The truck driver was taken to a hospital for medical evaluation before being released then arrested. She was booked into the Idaho County Jail on probable cause for three counts of vehicular manslaughter, police said.
The following is a press release from the Idaho State Police:
The Idaho State Police (ISP) is investigating a three-fatality crash that occurred at approximately 4 p.m. on Tuesday, June 16, 2026, on U.S. Highway 12 near milepost 113 east of Kooskia.
The preliminary investigation indicates a 2019 Ford F-150 was traveling westbound on U.S. Highway 12 when the driver attempted to pass another vehicle in a marked no-passing zone. The pickup crossed the double yellow centerline and collided with three motorcycles traveling eastbound.
The three motorcyclists sustained fatal injuries and died at the scene.
The 60-year-old female driver of the Ford, from Colorado Springs, Colorado, was transported to a local hospital for medical evaluation. Following her release, she was arrested and booked into the Idaho County Jail on probable cause for three counts of vehicular manslaughter.
The Idaho County Coroner’s Office will identify the deceased and determine the cause and manner of death.
U.S. Highway 12 was closed for approximately six and one-half hours while emergency responders assisted at the scene and investigators processed evidence.
ISP was assisted by the Idaho County Sheriff’s Office, the Idaho County Coroner’s Office, the Idaho Transportation Department, and local fire and EMS personnel.
The crash remains under investigation.
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