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Idaho mom who killed 2 of her kids goes on trial over death of her husband

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Idaho mom who killed 2 of her kids goes on trial over death of her husband


PHOENIX — Lori Vallow Daybell, the Idaho mother with doomsday religious beliefs who was convicted of killing her two youngest children and conspiring to murder a romantic rival, is on trial again. This time, she’s accused in Arizona of conspiring to murder her estranged husband.

The case has drawn public attention in part because Vallow Daybell, 51, has doomsday-focused religious beliefs. She isn’t a lawyer but has chosen to represent herself in the six-week trial. Opening statements are scheduled Monday in a Phoenix courtroom.

Prosecutors say she conspired with her brother to kill Charles Vallow, so she could collect money from his life insurance policy and marry her then-boyfriend Chad Daybell, an Idaho author who wrote several religious novels about prophecies and the end of the world.

Vallow Daybell has pleaded not guilty and has not spoken publicly about the details of Vallow’s death. Here’s what to know about the case.

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Vallow was fatally shot in July 2019. Vallow Daybell then moved to Idaho with her children, Joshua “JJ” Vallow and Tylee Ryan. She married Daybell just two weeks after the death of his wife, Tammy Daybell. The children went missing for several months before their bodies were found buried in rural Idaho on Chad Daybell’s property. JJ was 7 and Tylee was 16.

Vallow Daybell is already serving three life sentences in Idaho for the children’s deaths and for conspiring to kill Tammy Daybell. Chad Daybell was sentenced to death in the three killings.

Four months before he died, Charles Vallow filed for divorce from Vallow Daybell, saying she had become infatuated with near-death experiences and had claimed to have lived numerous lives on other planets.

He alleged she threatened to ruin him financially and kill him. He sought a voluntary mental health evaluation of his wife.

Police say Vallow was fatally shot by Vallow Daybell’s brother, Alex Cox, when Vallow went to pick up his son at Vallow Daybell’s home in Chandler, a Phoenix suburb. Vallow Daybell’s daughter, Tylee, told police that she confronted Vallow with a baseball bat after she was awakened by yelling in the house.

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Tylee said she was trying to defend her mother, but Vallow took away the bat, according to police records. Cox told police that he fired after Vallow refused to drop the bat and came after him.

Cox told investigators that Vallow Daybell and the children left the house shortly before the shooting. Investigators say she went to get fast food for her son and bought flip-flops at a pharmacy before returning home.

Cox, who claimed he acted in self-defense and wasn’t arrested in Vallow’s death, died five months later from what medical examiners said was a blood clot in his lungs. Cox’s account was later called into question.

Vallow Daybell was a beautician by trade, a mother of three and a wife — five times over.

Her first marriage, to a high school sweetheart when she was 19, ended quickly. She married again in her early 20s and had a son. Then, in 2001, she married Joseph Ryan, and they had Tylee. They divorced a few years later, and Ryan died in 2018 at his home of a suspected heart attack.

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Charles Vallow entered the picture several months later. Vallow and Vallow Daybell married in 2006 and later adopted JJ, but by 2019 their marriage had soured. The two were estranged but still married when Cox fatally shot Vallow.

Public interest from around the world only grew as the investigation into the missing children took several unexpected turns, each new revelation seemingly stranger than the last.

Daybell, who was once a contestant on “Wheel of Fortune,” has been the subject of a Netflix documentary and Lifetime movie.

While representing herself, Vallow Daybell has complained about news coverage of her criminal cases, invoked her right to a speedy trial, questioned whether a government witness was truly an expert and engaged in disputes over the pre-trial exchange of evidence.

At a hearing last week, she lost a bid to strike three people from the prosecution’s witness list, including the grandmother of her adopted son. Another witness says Vallow Daybell spoke about Vallow as being “possessed” in the months before his death. When the judge asked her to argue her point, Vallow Daybell lowered her head, sighed and paused a few seconds. “Their information is not firsthand,” Vallow Daybell said. “These witnesses are all coming together. They are watching everything that goes on on TV regarding this.”

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If convicted in Arizona of conspiring to kill Vallow, she would face a life sentence.

Vallow Daybell will wear civilian clothing during her trial and will not be handcuffed or shackled when jurors are in the courtroom. She, however, is expected to be wearing a belt-like device under her clothes that will let a jail officer deliver an electric shock by remote control if there’s a disturbance.

The Idaho investigation began at the end of 2019 when Vallow Daybell’s adopted son’s grandmother, worried about his welfare, reached out to police. Vallow Daybell had been evasive when asked about her two youngest children.

Chad Daybell called 911 in October 2019 to report that his wife Tammy Daybell was battling an illness and died in her sleep. Her body was later exhumed, and an autopsy determined she died of asphyxiation.

Idaho police did a welfare check on the kids in November 2019 and discovered they were missing and hadn’t been seen since early September. Vallow Daybell and Chad Daybell left town a short time later, eventually turning up in Hawaii without the kids. She was arrested in Hawaii in February 2020 on a warrant out of Idaho.

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Defense attorneys told jurors that she was a “kind and loving mother” who happened to be interested in religion and biblical prophesies.

A witness at the Idaho trial said Vallow Daybell believes evil spirits have taken over people in her life and turned them into “zombies.”

The trial over Charles Vallow’s death will mark the first of two criminal trials in Arizona for Vallow Daybell.

She’s scheduled to go on trial again in late May on a charge of conspiring to murder Brandon Boudreaux, the ex-husband of Vallow Daybell’s niece, Melani Pawlowski.

Someone in a Jeep fired a gunshot at Boudreaux in 2019 outside his home in a Phoenix suburb, missing him but striking his car. The Jeep matched the description of one registered to Charles Vallow, who was killed nearly three months prior to the shooting outside Boudreaux’s home.

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Vallow Daybell has pleaded not guilty. If convicted, she would face a life sentence. ____ Associated Press writer Rebecca Boone in Boise, Idaho, contributed to this report.



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2 Idaho Lottery players will be millionaires in the new year – East Idaho News

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2 Idaho Lottery players will be millionaires in the new year – East Idaho News


BOISE – Two lucky Idaho Lottery players who participated in the 2025 Idaho $1,000,000 Raffle will begin the New Year as Idaho’s newest millionaires!

All 500,000 tickets in the Idaho Lottery’s traditional holiday game, the Idaho $1,000,000 Raffle, have been sold and the game has officially ended. The last ticket was sold Thursday, December 11.

This year’s game was one of the fastest-selling in the 19-year history of the Idaho $1,000,000 Raffle. After last year’s very successful game, the Idaho Lottery continued the game with two top prizes of $1,000,000. They also added a $100,000 prize and a $50,000 prize.

It is the 18th sellout and the 11th time the game has sold out before Christmas.

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“We want to remind everyone this game features two, one-million-dollar top prizes. Last year, unfortunately, one of those $1,000,000 prizes was never claimed,” said Andrew Arulanandam, Idaho Lottery Director. “Keep your tickets in a safe place and remember to go online and check them after the drawing.”

The winning numbers will be announced at 5:59 p.m. Mountain Time on Monday, December 29.

“Idaho Raffle tickets are popular holiday gifts. So, this year, two lucky Idahoans could be instant millionaires because of their stocking stuffers!” added Arulanandam.

Players can check their tickets for winning numbers online, at all Idaho Lottery retail locations, on the Idaho Lottery winning numbers hotline at (208) 334-4656, or by using the Idaho Lottery Check-a-Ticket app for their iPhone or Android phone.

Besides the guaranteed top prizes of $1,000,000, there are over 21,500 additional prizes ranging from $15 up to $100,000. This year’s game also featured twenty, $1,000 prizes mid-game for players who purchased one of the 25,000th tickets. There were 15 daily, $1,000 winners during the first 15 days of sales. All players are encouraged to check their tickets for these promotion winners manually by visiting idaholottery.com.

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All winning tickets of $1,000 and higher in this game must be claimed at Lottery offices in Boise. Players will have 180 days after the draw announcement on December 29, to claim their prizes.

This year’s Idaho $1,000,000 Raffle generated over $1.7 million for the Idaho Lottery’s beneficiaries, Idaho public schools and buildings.

During this gift giving season, the Idaho Lottery would like to remind everyone to gift Lottery tickets responsibly. You must be 18 years old to buy, sell, or redeem Lottery products in Idaho.

The following is a current list of $1,000 promotional winning tickets that remain unclaimed from this year’s Raffle:

  • 035429
  • 099040
  • 122908
  • 149710
  • 158289
  • 173160
  • 192289
  • 350000
  • 425000
  • 450000
  • 475000
  • 500000

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Idaho dance group preserves Mexican traditions through holiday Posada performances

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Idaho dance group preserves Mexican traditions through holiday Posada performances


NAMPA, Idaho — Families across Idaho celebrate traditions this season, and Ballet Folklorico Yareth de Idaho is bringing those stories to life with every step and every song, sharing the magic of a Posada with the community.

“Folklorico is very much our culture. It shows the whole story of Mexico,” said Marifer Avila, Ballet Folklorico Yareth de Idaho Instructor.

WATCH | What it takes to get students prepared + learn what a Posada is—

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Idaho dance group preserves mexican posada traditions through folklorico

Walk into the Idaho Hispanic Community Center, and you’ll hear music bursting through the halls and see dancers from Ballet Folklorico Yareth de Idaho preparing for the most meaningful season in their culture.

“We as a group try our best to represent the most accurate when it comes to songs, steps, storytelling, vestuario; everything involved has a purpose, and from head to toe has to mean a purpose at all times,” Avila said.

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With each step and every verse, they reveal what a posada truly is, full of life, color, and community. Their ballet folklorico performances don’t just celebrate the season; they help preserve rich traditions from regions across Mexico.

“It’s a big party traditionally in Mexico. It’s a Catholic holiday. It’s with a procession which is called birino posada— going to a door, getting rejected, going to another door, getting rejected again, and then finally having the host be like, ‘Fine, you can come in.’ And then there’s this party with piñatas and music and dancing and food and then prayers and a baby rocking,” Avila said.

For Avila, guiding her 30 students through every step and lyric isn’t just teaching — it’s ensuring each tradition is represented with heart and authenticity.

Avila and Students

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“They’ve learned that it’s a discipline, you know — wanting to go or not wanting to go, they’re here. You know, they’re learning that it’s a responsibility. It’s so beautiful that we can, as a group, represent that the best of our abilities on a stage where people can be entertained and understand our culture,” she said

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Their holiday posada is sold out, and the group says plans are already in place to bring more dances to life in the new year.

Students practice steps

Idaho News 6

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This story was initially reported by a journalist and has been, in part, converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. Our editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.





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Handmade Idaho brings local artisans together under one roof at Boise Towne Square

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Handmade Idaho brings local artisans together under one roof at Boise Towne Square


BOISE, Idaho — What started as a holiday pop-up has transformed into a year-round celebration of Idaho creativity, bringing together the best local makers all in one convenient location.

Handmade Idaho, located at 350 N Milwaukee St Ste 1141 on the lower level of Boise Towne Square Mall, showcases goods from small artisans across the Gem State.

Handmade Idaho brings the best of local artisans to you.

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Handmade Idaho brings local artisans together under one roof at Boise Towne Square

Owner Angela Stewart says the business grew out of a need to support local creators.

“We started as an organization to provide more opportunities for local artisans to sell their goods. So we had a holiday show for several years, and then COVID hit, and we had to cancel,” Stewart said.

After the pandemic forced cancellation of their holiday show, Stewart opened pop-up shops at The Village and later at Boise Towne Square Mall. The mall convinced her to return full-time, and she’s been operating there since 2022.

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The permanent location allows customers to shop from local artisans seven days a week. Stewart accepts new makers through an online application at HandmadeIdaho.com.

“We still feature like local artisans from all over Idaho, but now, you know, people can shop them 7 days a week instead of just during the holidays,” Stewart said.

Inside the store, huckleberry items are particularly popular since it’s the state fruit.

Greenlee Clark / Idaho News 6

“We have everything Idaho huckleberry you can imagine, from soap to edible things, to tea towels,” Stewart said.

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The store also features potato-themed products, including chips, soup mix, and bread mix, along with sweet treats, unique jewelry, apparel for all ages, hats, candles, glassware, and mugs. Some items are printed right in the shop, and apparel goes up to 3XL on many designs.

HandmadeIdaho

Greenlee Clark / Idaho News 6

The store’s most popular offering is custom and ready-to-go gift boxes available in three different sizes. Pre-made options include huckleberry-themed boxes, spud boxes, kitchen boxes, and spa boxes.

“You can pick all the goods you want, we’ll make it fit in a box, and we can ship it, or you can take it with you, but this is like a really ideal fun gift,” Stewart said.

For uncertain shoppers, Stewart offers guidance.

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“If you’re buying a gift for somebody and you don’t know what they like, food is always a hit,” Stewart said.

About 90% of the inventory is available online, but the remaining 10% consists of one-of-a-kind items made by different artisans. The business also specializes in corporate gifting and helps customers with Secret Santa and white elephant gifts.

HandmadeIdaho

Greenlee Clark / Idaho News 6

“People come in here all the time. I don’t know what to get, and they just give us a budget, we’ll figure it out for you,” Stewart said.

Stewart, who also owns Ladybug Press and features those products in the store, emphasizes the community impact of supporting small businesses.

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“When you shop our store, you’re helping your neighbors, you’re helping people in our actual community, and I think that, you know, that’s a really huge thing to be able to like vote with your dollars,” Stewart said.

Handmade Idaho is open seven days a week at 350 N Milwaukee St Ste 1141 on the lower level of Boise Towne Square Mall, with online shopping available at HandmadeIdaho.com.





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