Idaho

Idaho Drag Performer Wins $1.1 Million in Defamation Suit Over False Exposure Claims

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COEUR D’ALENE, Idaho — In a compelling legal victory, an Idaho drag performer was awarded over $1.1 million after a jury found that false accusations had been made against him by a far-right blogger. The blogger had claimed that the performer exposed himself to minors during a 2022 Pride celebration, an allegation that was later disproven. The Kootenai County District Court concluded on Friday that Summer Bushnell, the blogger, had defamed Eric Posey, a resident of Post Falls, by circulating a manipulated video of his performance at the event. Posey was depicted in the video … Read more

Idaho Lawyer Known as ‘Christmas Lawyer’ Eyes Supreme Court Appeal in Ongoing Religious Discrimination Dispute Over Elaborate Holiday Display

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Hayden, Idaho — A local attorney, known locally as the ‘Christmas lawyer’ for his extravagant holiday light displays, may find his ongoing legal dispute reaching the steps of the U.S. Supreme Court. The case, which has stirred significant attention, centers around Jeremy Morris and his homeowners’ association (HOA) in Hayden, a small community just east of Spokane, Washington. Morris first drew national attention in 2015 after he showcased a Christmas display involving over 200,000 lights, live music, a nativity scene with a camel, and events benefiting children’s charities. This spectacle did not sit well with … Read more

Idaho Man Wins $250,000 Settlement, Prioritizes Police Accountability Over Monetary Gain After Unlawful Arrest Incident

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KUNA, Idaho — Mick Heikkola, a longtime resident of Kuna, Idaho, experienced a distressing encounter with local law enforcement that led to a significant legal settlement and institutional changes within the Ada County Sheriff’s Office. After a misunderstanding escalated during what began as a routine task of disposing of outdated prescriptions, Heikkola found himself under arrest and his perceptions of police drastically altered. On a January afternoon in 2023, Heikkola decided to drop off old prescriptions at his local police station. Curious about the technology inside a police SUV parked outside, he peered into the … Read more

Idaho Supreme Court Upholds Voter ID Laws Amid Lawsuit by Babe Vote and League of Women Voters

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BOISE, Idaho — The Idaho Supreme Court has ruled against two voter advocacy groups, Babe Vote and the League of Women Voters, in their legal challenge of certain voter identification laws in the state. The groups had filed a lawsuit against Idaho Secretary of State Phil McGrane regarding laws passed in 2023 that imposed restrictions on the use of student IDs for voter registration and as proof of identification at the polls, as well as additional requirements for proving residency to register to vote. They argued that these laws disproportionately affected certain groups of people … Read more