Idaho
Learning how to be an Idaho Lawmaker
BOISE, Idaho — How do you become an Idaho legislator? First, you win your election in November. Then before the gavel is dropped in January you’re asked to attend a three-day orientation here at the Statehouse.
- A three-day orientation session this taking place this week at Idaho’s Statehouse.
- 2025 freshmen legislators have a lot to take in before the upcoming session.
(Below is the transcript from the broadcast story)
The 2025 Idaho Legislature will welcome the 68th Idaho Legislature that includes two dozen freshman. According to official numbers, it’s 7 new Senators and 18 new House members, including retired businessman Kent Marmon from District 11A in Caldwell. I asked Mr. Marmon what the challenges are of a crash course.
“A lot of information,” Marmon said. “We’re busy visiting all of these departments finding out what they do how they serve the legislature and the people of Idaho and it’s a lot of information to take. Thankfully we have a nice notebook with power points and people we can call on for help.”
There is a lot of important information coming at the freshmen class — things like how bills are drafted, the Idaho Code, session laws, and constitutional laws. There’s a lot to learn before January.
Representative John Shirts from House District 9A is Air Force J.A.G. officer and still lives on his family farm in Weiser.
“Agriculture was a big issue for me,” Shirts said. “I wanted to have an impact on our farmers and ranchers. Water rights, fentanyl is something that inspired me, as you guys know, it’s killing so many people across our state.”
Representative Rob Beiswender agrees that you have to think fast on your feet.
“There are a lot of pieces to put together working on your issues,” Beiswender said. “You have to be on a committee and take up their issues you’re trying to mish-mash it all together who can trust, who can you team up with, not team up with. There’s a lot of things playing out.”
The 2025 Idaho Legislature will officially kick off with the Governor’s State of the State Address in January, and we will be there.
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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