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Guest Columnist ID Senator Tammy Nichols: Flock Cameras and the Fourth Amendment Problem

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July 9, 2026

Flock Cameras and the Fourth Amendment Problem

By: ID Senator Tammy Nichols

Most Idahoans support law enforcement catching criminals, recovering stolen vehicles, and finding dangerous suspects. But public safety should never become an excuse for government surveillance of innocent citizens.

That is why people should be paying attention to Flock cameras and automatic license plate readers, known as ALPRs.

These cameras do more than take a picture of a license plate. They capture plate numbers, vehicle information, time, date, and location. That means a person’s movements can be searched later and pieced together into a pattern of life: where they worship, where they work, what doctor they visit, what political meeting they attend, and who they spend time with.

This is not a faraway issue. Right now, Caldwell, Nampa, and Meridian have ALPR/Flock-style cameras installed, and residents can verify locations through the public map at DeFlock.org, an open-source project mapping ALPR cameras across the country. Caldwell has installed a little over 40 cameras, and Meridian has been adding dozens of license plate reader cameras citywide.

The Fourth Amendment says the people have the right to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects against unreasonable searches and seizures. In plain English, government cannot just search you because it wants to. It generally needs probable cause, a warrant, and a specific reason.

That is where these camera networks violate the spirit, and potentially the protections, of the Fourth Amendment. One officer seeing your car drive down a public road is one thing. A government connected camera network quietly logging the movements of thousands of innocent people, storing that information, and allowing it to be searched later is something very different.

The U.S. Supreme Court’s recent ruling in Chatrie v. United States matters here. That case dealt with Google location history data, not Flock cameras. But the Court held that police conduct a Fourth Amendment search when they obtain a person’s digital location history through a geofence warrant. The Court recognized that people have a reasonable expectation of privacy in records of their physical movements.

That same principle should apply to mass license plate tracking. When government uses technology to build a searchable database of where citizens travel, it is not just watching the road. It is tracking the people.

Discussion and legislation ideas are now occurring to address this issue in Idaho. We should not wait for abuse before putting guardrails in place. These systems should require public notice, elected-body approval, strict data sharing limits, short retention periods, public audits, and warrant protections before historical movement data can be searched.

In places like Houston, Texas, people have already taken matters into their own hands. A few Flock license plate cameras were reportedly vandalized on July 4, including poles being cut and cameras painted over. Let me be clear: I am not suggesting anyone take that action. Destroying property is not the answer. But when government installs surveillance systems without enough transparency or accountability, people lose trust.

Other communities are already pushing back. Flagstaff, Arizona canceled its Flock contract and began removing the cameras. Cambridge, Massachusetts removed its cameras and terminated its contract. Austin, Texas ended its Flock contract after public concern over privacy and data sharing. Oshkosh, Wisconsin rescinded its approval less than 24 hours after serious concerns were raised. Idaho should pay attention before these systems become normalized here.

In Idaho, Wilder residents have already pushed back through a voter initiative aimed at banning Flock cameras in their city. DeFlock Idaho has also filed tort-claim notices against both Wilder and Caldwell over the use of these systems. While Idaho has passed some limits on automated license plate readers, these local fights show that many citizens believe the current protections do not go far enough.

That is why I encourage you to listen to this former police officer and whistleblower regarding these devices. This is not about being anti law enforcement. It is about being Pro Constitution.

Public safety matters. But freedom matters too.

In Liberty,

Sen. Tammy Nichols

Data Center Conditional Use Permit Appeal Scheduled for Pocatello City Council Review

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Observer Staff
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(City of Pocatello Facebook, July 10, 2026)

The appeal related to the Hearing Examiner’s decision on the proposed data center Conditional Use Permit at 1800 River Park Way has been scheduled for consideration by the Pocatello City Council July 16 at 6 p.m.

The meeting is open to the public and will be held at Pocatello City Hall, 911 North 7th Avenue. The meeting will also be livestreamed and recorded through Pocatello Community Media at: youtube.com/PocatelloCommunityMedia
The City would like to clarify that this is NOT a public hearing. The public hearing process has already been completed, and the record for the application has been closed.
Under Idaho law, the Mayor and City Council are acting as the appellate body and will review the appeal based on the record established during the original hearing process and the issues raised in the appeal. The Council will not be taking new testimony or considering new evidence that was not part of the original record.
As this is a land use matter before the City Council, the Mayor and City Council cannot engage in discussions about the appeal outside of a properly noticed public meeting. Idaho’s Local Land Use Planning Act establishes specific procedures for handling land use appeals, and elected officials must follow those requirements to preserve their ability to participate in the decision-making process.
In these cases, the Mayor and City Council serve in a quasi-judicial role. Similar to a judge reviewing a case, they cannot receive testimony or evidence outside of the official public process. This helps ensure fairness to all parties and protects the integrity of the appeal process.
The Council’s role is to determine whether the Hearing Examiner’s decision was consistent with applicable laws, regulations, and standards. Following its review, the Council may affirm, reverse, or modify the decision.
The agenda and meeting materials are now available at pocatello.gov/agendacenter.
The appeal submission is available as a public record and may be viewed or downloaded at cityofpocatelloid.nextrequest.com/requests/26-1050.

Because this matter remains part of an active appeal process, City staff cannot comment on the merits of the application or speculate on the outcome of the appeal.

AG Labrador Pushes Federal Government to Further Crackdown on Illegal Robocalls

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Observer Staff
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(Attorney General’s Office Press Release, July 9, 2026)

BOISE, ID — Attorney General Raúl Labrador and 48 other attorneys general today called on the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to strengthen rules that would cut off scammers’ access to legitimate telephone numbers. Without that access, scammers can’t use real numbers to deceive and scam Americans. The Anti-Robocall Multistate Litigation Task Force asked the FCC to work on this issue in 2021, and members of this coalition are now responding to the FCC’s proposed rules.

“Idahoans are tired of scammers swindling their families and flooding their phones with non-stop robocalls,” said Attorney General Labrador. “My Consumer Protection Division works daily to educate people on how to avoid scams, but we need to hold telecom providers accountable at the source for allowing that illegal traffic in the first place. I am urging the FCC strengthen it’s rules to cut off scammers before they can target Idaho families.”

Last year, Americans received approximately 29.6 billion scam robocalls and texts and lost nearly $2 billion to these scams. Scammers used to primarily illegally “spoof” other people’s phone numbers to make it look like a call was coming from a legitimate company or government agency. But scammers can’t easily do this anymore after the federal government and state attorneys general took action to cut down on illegal spoofing. Now, scammers often purchase legitimate phone numbers and use them to make robocalls.

While most legitimate businesses use the same phone number for many years, scammers cycle through millions of brand new phone numbers, which helps them avoid detection by spam filters. In one North Carolina case, scammers made more than 17.3 million calls on a single day through one phone company – but they generally didn’t use the same number more than twice to make those calls, which is a common tactic among scammers.

In addition to the steps the FCC is already taking, the bipartisan attorneys general are asking the federal government to do more, including:

  •  Require every company that is authorized to purchase and then resell phone numbers in North America to meet stronger certification rules and share how and to whom they are assigning numbers.
  • Require these companies to submit regular reports about the sale and use of numbers, so law enforcement can trace illegal robocalls back to the source. These reports will also help law enforcement hold all the companies in the call path accountable for selling or transmitting numbers used to conduct illegal robocalls.
  • Require people and entities that are applying to access phone numbers to confirm that they won’t use them to make illegal robocalls.
  • Block the sale of phone numbers to entities that aren’t tied to a calling or texting service. Robocallers often buy these numbers without linking them to a legitimate phone service, since they don’t plan on using the numbers for legitimate calling and texting purposes.
  • Prohibit number cycling, which is when an entity buys lots of numbers and then uses them on a rotating, sometimes single-use basis to avoid being detected by tools that flag numbers used to make illegal robocalls.
  • Restrict the offering of trial numbers to discourage scammers from taking advantage of them to harm consumers.

Attorney General Labrador encourages Idahoans to visit ReportScamsIdaho.com for more resources on reporting, identifying and avoiding scams, or to file a consumer protection complaint.

Idaho Fish and Game Announces 2027 Hard Card Art Contest

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Observer Staff
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(Idaho Fish and Game Press Release, July 8, 2026)

Idaho Fish and Game is now accepting art submissions for the 2027 durable hard card licenses — your chance to have your work featured on a collectible that hunters and anglers carry with them all year long.

Each year, these wallet-sized licenses showcase original artwork highlighting Idaho’s iconic species. For 2027, we are calling on artists to create artwork featuring specific Idaho wild animals: cutthroat trout, steelhead, pronghorn, and mule deer, along with a unique piece of our history, Geronimo the parachuting beaver.

Two artists will be selected — one for a fish species and one for a wildlife species — and each will receive $1,000 for the use of their artwork.

Submissions are due by Aug. 31, and winners will be selected and notified in September.

We can’t wait to see how you bring Idaho’s wildlife to life!

Requirements to enter your artwork:

  • Entries are due by midnight (MDT) Aug. 31, 2026, and should be submitted via email to idfgmarketing@idfg.idaho.gov. Submissions sent after the deadline will not be included in the review process.
  • Designs should include one of the following Idaho native species: cutthroat trout, steelhead, pronghorn, mule deer, and Geronimo the parachuting beaver.
  • There is no limit for the number of submissions.
  • Designs must be able to incorporate the Idaho Fish and Game “Go Outdoors Idaho” logo in the bottom, right-hand corner (see below)
  • Designs must be horizontal, meeting the following specs:
    • Size: 17” x 11” with a .125 inch bleed. Final designs will be placed on a durable hard card sized at 3.375 inches wide by 2.125 inches high.
    • Resolution: min of 300 dpi
    • Color Profile: CMYK
    • File formats accepted:
      • .psd, .eps, or .ai
      • .pdf – high print quality
  • Artist must be willing to sign a professional service agreement for use of the artwork on hard cards and in promotional materials.

Shoshone-Bannock Tribes Reaffirm Opposition to Proposed AI Data Center in Pocatello

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Observer Staff
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(Shoshone-Bannock Tribes Office of Public Affairs Press Release, July 7, 2026)

FORT HALL – After reviewing public records, project materials, and testimony presented during the city’s Conditional Use Permit (CUP) hearing, the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes reaffirm their opposition to a proposed artificial intelligence (AI) data center at the former Hoku site in Pocatello citing concerns over the developer’s failure to submit sufficient information for review to address concerns over likely increases to electricity rates, impacts to water resources, and environmental impacts.

Ahead of the Pocatello City Council’s July 16 appeal hearing, the following is an official statement from the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes:

“Since time immemorial, the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes (Tribes) have carried the responsibility to care for the land, waters, and environment. This commitment extends from the current Fort Hall Indian Reservation boundaries to the Tribes’ ceded lands and historical homelands where our people continue to live, exercise Treaty Rights, practice culture and traditions, and maintain spiritual connections to the land. The Tribes are deeply concerned about the potential impacts of an additional data center in Pocatello City and re-affirm its opposition to constructing a data center within its ceded lands.

The Tribes reviewed records received on June 15, 2026, via a public records request, available records online, and public testimony. After analysis, the Tribes wholeheartedly agree with Pocatello City’s Hearing Examiner’s determination that the developer, “…failed to provide sufficient information necessary for meaningful review…” to justify the approval of a CUP at the former Hoku site. The developer failed to adequately deliver project requirements that could have been identified using data from existing AI data centers or by developing assumptions based off the project’s conceptual size or scope to enable informed decisions. Therefore, insufficient information is available to assess how an AI data center project would address electricity rates, water, and the environment to justify a CUP.

Electricity Rates – The Tribes are deeply concerned that a data center would increase electricity rates for Tribal members. Yes, House Bill (HB) 395 passed in 2025 and HB 911 passed in 2026 require the developer to pay for all power infrastructure costs. Also, the resultant rise in power usage cannot increase the surrounding communities’ power bills. However, it is unlikely that HB 911 is enforceable.

Testimony during the May 14, 2026, public hearing implied that Idaho Power cannot provide sufficient electricity in the near term for the project. With limited supply and higher demand, electricity prices will likely increase despite the statute. To support this statement, Idaho Power’s 2025 General Rate Case cites various factors, including rapid growth, to justify requests to raise electricity rates. Additionally, its 2026 annual Power Cost Adjustment (PCA) considers how much it costs the utility to produce or purchase electricity. Increased power demand due to growth, combined with limited supply that necessitates purchasing additional electricity, likely will lead to unavoidable increased electricity rates for existing customers.

Water Resources – The Tribes acknowledge that HB 895 passed in 2026 prohibits new data centers from using water for cooling as a consumptive use unless available from a municipality. Additionally, AI Data center cooling requirements have rendered traditional cooling methods that use significant amounts of water obsolete. However, the developer failed to satisfactorily express projected water requirements for a liquid cooling system and did not address water consumption for on-site power generation. Defining water requirements using existing data centers or reasonable assumptions as models is imperative.Written information cites potential water savings, but when questioned by the Hearing Examiner about water needs, the developer simply responded, “…we are not going to use more than four to five houses worth of water…” His speculative response left the Tribes with more questions than answers.

Additionally, although materials identified water source options, they lacked details about what chemicals or additives are used in a liquid cooling system. With the Portneuf River immediately west of the property, a leak in the cooling system or malfunction could lead to further contamination of the river. To echo Tribal Land Use Commissioner Casper Appenay’s testimony at the hearing, “…nothing is guaranteed, you can’t hold the water back forever…”  Water requirements and chemical hazards must be clearly considered in decisions.

Environmental Concerns – In addition to potential adverse effects on the Portneuf River, a host of environmental concerns exist including the impacts from construction, pollution from gas-fueled generators and the associated water use, heat release and dissipation in the surrounding ecosystem, wastewater, runoff, etc. The project cannot move forward without the city deliberately ensuring that local, state, and federal environmental reviews are completed and standards are met.

Environmental impacts outside the area must also be considered. As stewards of the environment, the Tribes support decommissioning coal or other fossil fuel-fired power plants. The Power Plants and Neighboring Communities website maintained by the Environmental Protection Agency highlights that their impacts on the environment can be felt both locally and downwind. Further, as per a Yale Environment 360 article, plans to decommission coal-fired power plants are being delayed so that the grid can meet AI data center needs. Undoubtably, additional power would be purchased that would further justify extending the life of power plants that burn fossil fuels. These power plants also continue to use substantial quantities of water adding additional stress on water supplies.

Conclusion – The Shoshone-Bannock Tribes support responsible and sustainable economic development that respects the environment, protects cultural resources, and upholds Tribal sovereignty. Economic interests must never come at the expense of the people, lands and waters. The Tribes will always advocate for data-driven decision-making and environmental stewardship to protect current and future generations.

AG Labrador Files Closing Brief in Federal Lawsuit Defending Idaho’s Pro-Life Law

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Observer Staff
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(Attorney General’s Office Press Release, July 8, 2026)

BOISE, ID — Attorney General Raúl Labrador’s office filed its closing briefs in Seyb v. Members of the Idaho Board of Medicine, capping a trial in which a St. Luke’s physician asked a federal court to strike down Idaho’s Defense of Life Act.

Four years ago, the U.S. Supreme Court settled this issue for good. In Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, the Court held the Constitution says nothing about abortion and left the decision on how to regulate abortion to the states. Relying on that authority, Idaho enacted laws to defend unborn children while still allowing mothers to make difficult decisions when their own lives are at risk.

Dr. Stacy Seyb is now asking a federal judge to defy that ruling and hand doctors the power to decide when an unborn child’s life ends, based on nothing more than their own shifting, undefined standards. Seyb also asked the Court to allow abortions when a doctor diagnoses an unborn child with a significant disability. He told the court he sees no point in continuing a pregnancy under such circumstances, questioning at trial, “What is the point?” Attorney General Labrador’s filing calls this exactly what it is: an attempt to use the courts to grant legal cover for eugenics, a position that has no place in Idaho.

Seyb’s testimony at trial shows that he failed to learn what Idaho’s laws actually required, and that he operated on a fundamental misunderstanding of the requirements of the law. That failure to understand Idaho’s law is actively harming women. Idaho law already allows doctors acting in their good faith medical judgment to save a mother’s life, without requiring a physician to wait until her death is imminent before performing a life-saving abortion. The Idaho Supreme Court settled that standard more than three years before this trial began. But Seyb testified that he never read that ruling and remains confused about Idaho’s laws. That misunderstanding led Seyb to fly a patient to Utah for care he could—and should—have given her in Idaho, resulting in the patient being septic when she arrived in Utah. Unrebutted expert testimony at trial confirmed that Seyb’s decision to fly that patient to Utah, instead of legally performing the life-saving abortion in Idaho, increased her risk of complications and death.

“For years, pro-abortion advocates, the medical establishment, and the mainstream media have pointed to Dr. Seyb’s claims to allege that Idaho’s pro-life laws forced women out of state and put their lives at risk. The sworn testimony in this case tells a very different story. Dr. Seyb refused to understand the law and created the danger for his patients,” said Attorney General Labrador. “Idaho law allows physicians to make good faith medical judgments to perform abortions when necessary to save the life of the mother. It does not require death to be imminent as suggested by Dr. Seyb. We will continue to defend this truth against misinformation and deception.”

The brief also notes that Idaho’s law has coincided with a dramatic drop in maternal deaths since Dobbs. Idaho’s pregnancy-related mortality rate has plummeted from 18.7 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2018 to 4.29 in 2024, and Idaho’s combined rate over the past two years runs well below the national average.

Finally, the brief explains in depth that there is no historical support in the history and traditions of the United States to support Seyb’s arguments that Idaho’s laws are unconstitutional. Rather, the clear history in the U.S. prior to the now overturned Roe v. Wade decision is that states were always free to regulate abortion. Idaho’s laws protecting unborn life, while allowing for an abortion when necessary to save the life of the mother, are consistent with centuries of U.S. legal history and tradition.

Idaho Department of Lands Begins Negotiated Rulemaking for Idaho Forest Practices Act

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Observer Staff
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(Idaho Department of Lands Press Release, July 8, 2026)

BOISE, Idaho – The Idaho Department of Lands (IDL) has initiated negotiated rulemaking to implement the provisions of Idaho Code Section 38-1304(1)(f) of the Idaho Forest Practices Act.

The proposed rule addresses timely salvage harvesting on non-private forest lands consisting of a single contiguous ownership of 2,000 acres or more.

IDL encourages agencies, stakeholders, and members of the public to review the draft rule and participate in the negotiated rulemaking process by attending a public meeting or submitting written comments.

Additional information, including the draft rule, public meeting schedule, and instructions for submitting comments, is available on the IDL Rulemaking webpage.

Enter Idaho Power’s Summer-Cool Down Energy-Saver Pledge!

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Observer Staff
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(Idaho Power News Brief, July 8, 2026)

Looking for the perfect opportunity to reset routines and embrace small changes that can make a big impact on energy savings? Idaho Power invites you to stay cool and save energy with their Summer Cool-Down Energy‑Saver Pledge! Commit to one or more simple, energy‑saving habits for warm weather and you’ll be entered for a chance to win one of three Summer Cool‑Down bundles! Each prize pack includes summer‑ready essentials like a tower fan, cooling towels, and an outdoor bucket mister to help you beat the heat efficiently.

To enter, complete the pledge form by August 9, 2026. Three winners will be randomly selected mid-August.

News Briefs: Stay Cool & Save with Summer Energy Efficiency Tips

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Observer Staff
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(Idaho Power News Brief, July 8, 2026)

Summer is heating up, and a few simple changes around your home can help you cut down on energy use during the hot summer months. Check out these energy-saving tips from Idaho Power to help you beat the heat without breaking the bank.

  • Adjust your thermostat settings to align with your comfort and budget. In the warmer months, each degree you raise your thermostat can reduce cooling costs by 1 to 3%.
  • Replace your air filter. Dirty and clogged air filters prevent airflow, which can make your HVAC system work harder. Replacing your dirty filter can lower your A/C’s energy usage by 5 to 15%.
  • Use ceiling fans, floor fans, and box fans instead of reducing the A/C temperature. Fans can make you feel about 4 degrees cooler and help maintain comfort in occupied rooms. Remember — fans cool people, not rooms — so switch the fans off when the room is unoccupied.
  • Close windows and blinds during the day or when you’re away, especially on the east- and west-facing sides, to keep the hot sun out.  If outdoor temperatures are cool, and it’s safe to do so, open your windows at night or in the morning to let in cooler air.
  • Reduce your oven use. Using your oven can add extra heat to your house. Try cooking more of your meals with a microwave, crockpot, pressure cooker, or grilling outdoors!

For more energy-saving tips, visit idahopower.com/summertips.

Secretary Kennedy, Administrator Oz Launch ‘Make Hospital Food Healthier’ Pledge

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Observer Staff
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(Health and Human Services Press Release, July 8, 2026)

Washington, D.C.–The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) today launched the Make Hospital Food Healthier Pledge, a nationwide initiative inviting hospitals to serve healthier, more nutritious meals. The voluntary pledge encourages hospitals to reduce highly processed foods and prioritize nutrient-dense options that align with the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, reinforcing the critical role of nutrition in improving patient health, supporting recovery, and promoting long-term wellness.

“Patients recovering from serious medical conditions deserve better than ultra-processed and deep-fried junk foods,” said HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. “President Trump has directed HHS to put real food at the center of American health. Today, we’re challenging hospitals across the country to lead by example by serving nutritious, minimally processed meals that help patients heal, reduce chronic disease, and help Make America Healthy Again.”

“When it comes to managing chronic disease, reducing co-morbidities like obesity, and shortening recovery times, a healthy diet can make all the difference,” said CMS Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz. “I’m grateful to President Trump for his leadership in putting nutrition and prevention at the center of America’s health agenda. Hospitals should nourish patients with the same commitment they bring to every other aspect of care. That’s why we’re challenging hospitals to limit ultra-processed foods, feature nutritious meals that promote healing, and lead the way in delivering prevention-first, whole-person care.”

The Make Hospital Food Healthier Pledge includes commitments to:

  • Limit ultra-processed foods and sugar-sweetened beverages
  • Use baked, broiled, roasted, stir-fried, or grilled cooking methods instead of deep frying
  • Limit processed meats and foods high in added sugars, sodium, and artificial additives
  • Emphasize whole grains over refined grains
  • Prioritize minimally processed proteins, including plant-based options.

In March, CMS Administrator Dr. Oz reminded hospitals that Medicare requires them to meet each patient’s individual nutritional needs. Consistent with 42 CFR §482.28 and CMS guidance, hospitals should provide inpatient meals that align with the Dietary Guidelines for Americans.

The new nutrition page on HHS.gov serves as the central hub for Secretary Kennedy’s nutrition initiatives, featuring the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, resources to advance nutrition education in medical schools, the Make Hospital Food Healthier Pledge, and the upcoming The Real Food Show.

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The Pocatello Chubbuck Observer seeks to be a fair and objective portal, where readers can find the local, regional and national news, recent facts and entertainment.
Contact us: jcrowder@pocatellochubbuckobserver

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