Author

Mia Maldonado joined the Idaho Capital Sun after working as a breaking news reporter at the Idaho Statesman covering stories related to crime, education, growth and politics. She previously interned at the Idaho Capital Sun through the Voces Internship of Idaho, an equity-driven program for young Latinos to work in Idaho news. Born and raised in Coeur d'Alene, Mia moved to the Treasure Valley for college where she graduated from the College of Idaho with a bachelor's degree in Spanish and international political economy.
Idaho governor signs bill to allow firing squad as an alternative form of execution
By: Mia Maldonado - March 25, 2023
Idaho will soon become the fifth state to authorize the execution of an inmate by firing squad. Gov. Brad Little on Friday afternoon signed House Bill 186, adding a firing squad as an alternative method of execution when lethal injection is unavailable. The new law would give the director of the Idaho Department of Correction […]
Some eligible Latino voters in Idaho navigate an unfamiliar space upon Election Day
By: Mia Maldonado - September 15, 2022
Editor’s note: This story is part of a project called Democracy Day, in which newsrooms across the country are shining a light on threats to democracy. Para leer esta historia en español, haga clic aquí. Raquel Reyes started her new position with the Idaho Democratic Party in the fall of 2021 – the first Hispanic outreach […]
Protecting the sanctity of life or violating religious freedom? Idaho faith leaders talk abortion.
By: Mia Maldonado - August 5, 2022
As the Idaho Legislature considered several laws restricting abortion in the past two years, leaders from at least one faith group have advocated for the passage of these laws. In a petition requesting to appear as an amicus curiae in the cases before the Idaho Supreme Court, the Diocese of Boise stated that they see […]
Canyon County hiring poll workers for Election Day on Nov. 8
By: Mia Maldonado - August 5, 2022
With the upcoming general election taking place on Nov. 8., the Canyon County Elections Office is looking to hire poll workers. “Poll workers are a critical component in ensuring that Election Day goes smoothly for voters,” wrote the Canyon County Elections Office in a press release. Poll workers must work from 7 a.m. to 9 […]
St. Luke’s launches not-for-profit health insurance plan in Idaho
By: Mia Maldonado - August 2, 2022
Idaho’s largest healthcare system is getting into the insurance business. St. Luke’s Health System has launched St. Luke’s Health Plan, a nonprofit health insurance plan offering coverage to individuals and families across 20 Idaho counties beginning in January. The new plan will cover health care from St. Luke’s and 4,000 independent physicians in Idaho. That […]
Boise nonprofit Jesse Tree finds illegal clauses written into leases of Treasure Valley tenants
By: Mia Maldonado - July 28, 2022
Case managers and legal interns at Jesse Tree have discovered questionable and illegal clauses written in the leases of Treasure Valley tenants. Jesse Tree is a Boise-based nonprofit whose mission is to prevent eviction and homelessness. It provides financial assistance and case management to households who are unable to pay rent. This summer, Jesse Tree’s […]
Campfire ban at Canyon County’s Celebration Park begins July 26
By: Mia Maldonado - July 26, 2022
The Canyon County Parks, Cultural and Natural Resources Department announced that a campfire ban at Celebration Park will begin today. As of July 26, all the park’s campfire pits will be closed. Campfires outside of the pits, including portable campfire pits, are also prohibited. However, this does not include propane camp stoves. Propane stoves are […]
In private-public partnership, local organizations bring affordable housing to Nampa
By: Mia Maldonado - July 19, 2022
In its grand opening, The Housing Company and its community partners opened new affordable housing developments for Nampa workers and families at Canyon Terrace Apartments. Community partners include the Idaho Housing and Finance Association, Saint Alphonsus, R4 Capital and the Nampa School District. Together, the organizations allocated $18.8 million for the construction of the project. […]
Boise’s LEAP Housing offers new model for affordable housing
By: Mia Maldonado - July 19, 2022
For years, Pastor Joseph Bankard from the Collister United Methodist Church hoped to put the extra land on his church’s property to good use. He and his colleagues had talked about turning the outgrown plot of land into a garden, parking spaces and possibly a picnic area. His goal was to create a space to […]
Idaho Department of Labor to host Nampa career fair in skilled trades
By: Mia Maldonado - July 19, 2022
To read this article in Spanish, click here. On Aug. 2, the Idaho Department of Labor will host a career fair for trade workers or those interested in following a career path in skilled trades. There are 25 local companies looking to hire and train carpenters, roofers, electricians, bridge workers, apprentices, machinists and other skilled […]
Summer cooling spaces available to Boise residents through Aug. 31
By: Mia Maldonado - July 8, 2022
To read this article in Spanish, click here. Our Path Home is partnering with the city of Boise and other community organizations to provide cooling spaces to Treasure Valley residents during the daytime in the hot summer months. Until Aug. 31, the organization and its partners will offer seven locations throughout Boise for people who […]
Acknowledging Boise’s past: Student research helped create law to allow removal of race covenants
By: Mia Maldonado - July 5, 2022
McKay Cunningham began the Redline Project after looking at an interactive map. The map showed all the cities where the federal government participated in redlining, a practice following the Great Depression that ensured residential segregation would be kept in place in cities and counties throughout the United States. The College of Idaho professor, who also […]