By Christina Lords | Editor-in-Chief
“We followed every available path of redress (grievenances) within our system. Our fears and concerns, and frankly, our begging and pleading, went unheard and unanswered.” — the Rev. Sara LaWall tells an Idaho judge before she is sentenced on a misdemeanor trespassing
Trans advocate Nikson Mathews, center, listens to an Idaho State Police trooper moments before he and the Rev. Sara LaWall, right, were arrested in Idaho Gov. Brad Little’s office on Wednesday, April 1, 2026. (Photo by Kyle Pfannenstiel/Idaho Capital Sun)
COURTS + POLICING
Idaho minister found guilty of trespassing at a protest of anti-trans bills to serve no jail time
By Kyle Pfannenstiel
An Idaho judge on Thursday ordered a Boise minister who was found guilty of misdemeanor trespass during a political protest to pay $357 in fines — but not serve more jail time.
The Rev. Sara LaWall, the minister for the Boise Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, and eight others who were protesting bills restricting transgender rights were arrested this spring after refusing to leave the lobby to the office of Idaho Gov. Brad Little, whom the protestors said they were hoping to meet with. LaWall’s defense attorney cast her actions during the protest as an act of civil disobedience, an act that involves intentionally breaking laws for moral reasons.
The Ada County Courthouse in Boise on March 21, 2021. (Otto Kitsinger for Idaho Capital Sun)
ELECTION 2026
Idaho congressional candidate pleads guilty to possession of child sex abuse material
By Laura Guido
The Constitution Party candidate in Idaho’s 1st Congressional District election has pleaded guilty to possessing “child sexually exploitative material.” He is still eligible for office under the U.S. Constitution.
A Salt Lake City Police surveillance camera cart is stationed at Taufer Park on Tuesday, Aug. 25, 2026. (Photo by Spenser Heaps for Utah News Dispatch))
GOVERNMENT + POLITICS
Utah lawmakers are eyeing new Flock camera regulations amid misuse controversies
By Alixel Cabrera
As Flock cameras’ makers aim to surf a wave of controversy, Utah lawmakers are preparing a bill proposal to strengthen privacy guardrails on automated license plate readers months ahead of the legislative session.
MORE FROM US
MORE REGIONAL AND NATIONAL NEWS FROM US
ICYMI
Shining a light on other Idaho politics reporting
Note: Some links may lead to stories behind a news organization's paywall
Boise State Public Radio: New Saint Andrews College sues Moscow over religious discrimination
Channel 2 Idaho News: Schweitzer Engineering Labs to invest $150M in new Nampa manufacturing facility
Idaho State Journal: ISU, NuCube Energy announce site for new campus nuclear reactor
Bonner County Daily Bee: Moody’s revises North Idaho College outlook
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