Courts + Policing
Idaho attorney general candidates talk pandemic, lawsuits and the Legislature
The three Republican candidates vying to be the nominee for Idaho attorney general debated each other over pandemic restrictions, state and federal lawsuits and the attorney general’s relationship with the Legislature on Tuesday night, with less than a month to go before the May 17 primary election. Incumbent Attorney General Lawrence Wasden defended his record […]
Judge denies request to delay trial for former Idaho representative accused of rape
Fourth District Judge Michael Reardon denied a request to postpone the trial date for former state Rep. Aaron von Ehlinger, who is charged with felony rape and forcible penetration of a foreign object, and the trial will still go forward on April 26. Von Ehlinger, 39, is accused of raping a 19-year-old legislative intern in […]
UPDATE: Idaho attorney general disputes false claim that he ‘cut a deal’ with Planned Parenthood in abortion lawsuit
Editor’s note: This story was updated at 11:22 a.m. April 14 with additional comments from Blaine Conzatti and the Idaho Attorney General’s Office, and at 11:15 a.m. April 15 with comments from Planned Parenthood Alliance Advocates. Idaho Attorney General Lawrence Wasden on Wednesday issued a press release to publicly dispute a claim by Idaho Family […]
DOJ rule cracks down untraceable firearms known as ‘ghost guns’
WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden on Monday unveiled the Department of Justice’s plan to regulate untraceable firearms known as ghost guns, as well as announced his nominee to lead the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. The Department of Justice’s final rule bans the business of manufacturing ghost guns, such as “buy build shoot” […]
Idaho Supreme Court temporarily blocks implementation of new abortion law
The Idaho Supreme Court issued an order Friday temporarily blocking the implementation of a new Texas-style abortion law, as the court prepares to review a legal challenge to Idaho’s law. Idaho Supreme Court Chief Justice G. Richard Bevan signed the order that stayed implementation of Senate Bill 1309, which would allow relatives to sue a […]
At the White House, an emotional Ketanji Brown Jackson says, ‘We’ve made it, all of us’
Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson accepted her dual roles Friday as the next U.S. Supreme Court justice and as a symbol of racial progress. Speaking outside the White House with President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris looking on, and her voice at times trembling with emotion, Jackson acknowledged the historic milestone her confirmation as […]
Idaho gubernatorial candidate Ammon Bundy convicted of contempt, sentenced to 10 days jail
This story was originally published on April 7, 2022, on Idaho Reports. Ada County Magistrate Judge Annie McDevitt heard arguments Thursday from Independent gubernatorial candidate Ammon Bundy, accused of violating a court order. Bundy faced a contempt charge stemming from an initial conviction when he refused to leave the Lincoln Auditorium at the Idaho Statehouse during a 2020 special […]
U.S. Senate confirms Ketanji Brown Jackson to Supreme Court; Idaho Sens. Risch, Crapo vote no
WASHINGTON — Ketanji Brown Jackson will make history by becoming the first Black woman to sit on the U.S. Supreme Court, after Democratic and Republican senators voted Thursday to confirm her to the lifetime appointment. The 53-47 vote comes just six weeks after President Joe Biden announced his nomination of Jackson from the White House, […]
No charges filed against Minnesota police officer who shot and killed Amir Locke
The Minnesota attorney general and Hennepin County attorney will not charge the Minneapolis police officer who shot and killed 22-year-old Amir Locke during a botched no-knock raid in February. “Amir Locke’s life mattered … Amir Locke is a victim,” reads a joint statement released on Wednesday. “However, there is insufficient admissible evidence to file criminal […]
U.S. Senate heads toward final vote this week on Ketanji Brown Jackson confirmation
The U.S. Senate approved a procedural measure Tuesday to advance Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson’s nomination to the Supreme Court, setting up a final vote on confirmation as early as Thursday. The roll call Tuesday was identical to the tally on another procedural vote Monday. Republicans Susan Collins of Maine, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Mitt […]
Jackson wins 3 GOP votes as U.S. Senate advances her Supreme Court nomination
The U.S. Senate advanced Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson’s historic Supreme Court nomination in a 53-47 procedural vote Monday evening, hours after the Judiciary Committee deadlocked along party lines. Republican Sens. Susan Collins of Maine, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Mitt Romney of Utah voted with all 50 Senate Democrats on the procedural vote Monday. The […]
Idaho governor vetoes judicial council bill
Gov. Brad Little issued a veto letter for House Bill 782 on Wednesday afternoon, a bill that would make sweeping changes to the Idaho Judicial Council and give the governor more authority over the judicial appointment process. “I agree with the legislative sponsors of this bill that there is a need to modernize the Judicial […]