Wednesday, May 13, 2026
SEARCH
Home Blog

Guest Columnist Brian Almon: Legislative Battles Heat Up

By
Observer Staff
-
0
(Image Credit: Gem State Chronicle)

May 8, 2026 (Cover Image Credit: Gem State Chronicle)

Legislative Battles Heat Up

By: Brian Almon

Brian Almon

Two months ago I wrote about the paradox of our republican system of government:

At the most basic level, lawmakers represent their constituents. At another level, they must work together to form majority coalitions to implement policy. Sometimes those two things conflict. Conservative activist from the Treasure Valley like me, for example, might look at the way eastern Idaho legislators vote and decide it’s time for a change and donate money to challengers running against incumbents. However, all the money in the world won’t make a difference if those challengers can’t win over the voters in their own district.

A style or argument that works in District 2 might not work in District 12, probably won’t in District 22, and surely won’t in District 32. Yet representatives from each of those districts, and all the rest in between, have equal standing in the Idaho Legislature. Those of us taking the long view face the difficult task of building a coalition from representatives and senators across 35 very distinct districts. It requires hard work, patience, and the wisdom to know when to compromise and when to hold the line.

This paradox gains another wrinkle when you consider that executive branch officers, including Gov. Brad Little, as well as other legislators, each have their own priorities that require building a Legislature capable of achieving them. It’s perfectly rational to expect legislators and executive officers to put their thumbs on the scales of legislative campaigns in hopes of building a coalition that suits them. Back in 2023, I wrote about how a PAC connected to the governor was spending big money against three senators in Canyon County—Tammy Nichols, Brian Lenney, and Chris Trakel:

So let’s connect some dots. Big corporations donated hundreds of thousands of dollars to the Idaho Inaugural Committee, also known as the Friends of Brad Little PAC. This PAC shares the same treasurer as Governor Little’s campaign, and received donations from members of his family. After the inauguration, the PAC delivered half a million dollars to the Idaho Victory Fund, which over the last year and a half has donated $340,000 to the Idaho Liberty PAC, which is spending money attacking Senators Trakel, Nichols, and Lenney.

This is clearly a well-established practice in Idaho politics, so I was surprised to see several political figures take to the pages of the Idaho Statesman this week to complain that Rep. Jordan Redman was funding legislative challengers:

Redman’s approach to the primary isn’t sitting well with those incumbents the committee has opposed. Guthrie told the Statesman that he called House Speaker Mike Moyle, R-Star, to express his “frustration and dismay” over the move.

“I guess it’d be great to have that kind of money to just try to buy elections that way,” Guthrie said. “I think it’s bad enough when it’s out-of-state money coming in to try to influence an election. But this is a sitting legislator that’s meddling in races in the other body against an incumbent.

“I am just pretty disappointed in that.

According to Idaho Sunshine, Sen. Jim Guthrie has received more than $60,000 in contributions this year, less than one-third of which came from individuals. He also received $1,000 apiece from the campaign committees of Sens. Van Burtenshaw, Treg Bernt, and Gov. Little. In yesterday’s Daily Digest on Substack, I wrote about how many of us on the right see things through an ideological lens, which can make it difficult to understand the actions of those with different motivations:

Yesterday, five of the seven statewide constitutional officers—Gov. Brad Little, Lt. Gov. Scott Bedke, Secretary of State Phil McGrane, Controller Brandon Woolf, and Superintendent Debbie Critchfield—expressed support for Sen. Jim Guthrie. To me, and presumably to many of you as well, that is mind-boggling. Guthrie voted with Democrats on numerous important issues, including keeping men out of women’s restrooms and protecting children from being socially transitioned without parental notification. He also boasted on the Senate floor this year that he voted against hundreds of millions of dollars in tax cuts. Yet Republicans in the executive branch still want to see him reelected.

Why?

It doesn’t make sense from an ideological perspective. But if you take ideology out of the equation, there is a certain logic to it. Guthrie has been around a long time and has surely built relationships with many of these figures. They probably know they can count on him to do what they believe needs to be done—even taking the blame for holding bills they would rather not see reach the Senate floor. How many favors have been traded over the past decade?

I believe that blind spot works both ways. Sen. Guthrie has taken very public stands against many conservative priorities, yet he’s outraged that fellow legislators would want him replaced. In his world, longevity, favors, and political access matter more than trifles like ideology. Indeed, he issued a not-so-veiled threat against Redman in the Statesman:

“If I’m reelected, it doesn’t mean I’ll be vindictive or anything, but it certainly — you would probably hold that individual at arm’s length and be a little bit more cautious on legislation going forward, because the trust factor has been compromised,” he said.

Rep. Stephanie Mickelsen took the pearl-clutching hypocrisy to a new level, however:

Based on the candidates the committee supported and opposed, Mickelsen assessed that Redman was working to move the Republican-dominated Legislature further to the right — in a way that would send a “bad message” to lawmakers.

“I think what it says is, ‘If you don’t vote exactly the way we want you to, then the next election, the next go-round, we’re going to come after you,’ ” she said. “I think voters across the state ought to be really concerned.”

Mickelsen’s complaint might carry more weight if her family farm had not donated the maximum $1,000 contribution to Christa Hazel, a proud Biden/Harris supporter running against conservative Rep. Elaine Price.

image 19

Consider a relatively new PAC, Hometown Heroes. Its donors include other groups, such as the Way Back PAC, registered in Wyoming, as well as the Healthcare Matters PAC and the International Association of Firefighters. Sen. Burtenshaw donated $2,500 to the PAC last month. Hometown Heroes has run ads supporting both incumbent candidates and challengers, such as Michael Collins, who is running against Rep. Kyle Harris in District 7. Yet I don’t see Guthrie or Mickelsen complaining that Burtenshaw is targeting incumbent legislators.

The fact that Rep. Redman contributed $350,000 of his own money to his PAC has seriously rankled moderate Republicans and even Democrats. Lauren Necochea, chairwoman of the Idaho Democratic Party, complained on X that Redman was supporting “far-right extremists.”

What does it mean when Jim Guthrie, Stephanie Mickelsen, and Lauren Necochea are all pushing the exact same narrative?

On the contrary, Redman’s contribution brings welcome balance to the world of Idaho politics, which has long been dominated by big money on the left. Over the past two years, left-leaning PACs including Defend and Protect Idaho, Take Back Idaho, and the PAC for Public Lands have received hundreds of thousands of dollars from Democrats, progressive organizations, and even moderate Republicans. Moderates in the GOP are further boosted by wealthy groups like Idaho Victory Fund and Idaho Liberty PAC, which are adjacent to Gov. Little, and the Idaho Majority Club, which alone has received nearly a quarter of a million dollars.

There are big-money PACs on the right as well, but many of them, such as the American Federation for Children, are much more narrowly focused. Many of the PACs and organizations in the political machine pass money back and forth among themselves, as well as through LLCs, obscuring exactly where the money originated. Perhaps that is Jordan Redman’s biggest sin in the eyes of rattled Republicans: rather than hiding his money behind LLCs and various PACs, he simply came right out and put his name on it.

I’ve been saying for years that conservatives need to build a machine capable of rivaling the one that produced Gov. Little. Has that day finally come?

The governor’s machine has been playing this game for a long time, and now its beneficiaries are angry that conservatives are learning to play too. The days of operating with unbalanced scales are over. If conservatives want to build a Legislature that will protect our values, keep government limited, and preserve liberty for our posterity, then this is how we do it.

About Brian Almon

Brian Almon is the Editor of the Gem State Chronicle. He also serves as Chairman of the District 14 Republican Party and is a trustee of the Eagle Public Library Board. He lives with his wife and five children in Eagle.

Editor’s note:  This article originally appeared in the Gem State Chronicle.  I encourage our readers to visit their website and consider subscribing.  Find this and other informative articles at the Gem State Chronicle here: About – Gem State Chronicle

Guest Columnist Heather Disselkoen: Idaho Gov’t Agencies Stayed Quiet on 2023 Simplot Slurry Spill in Caribou-Targhee National Forest

By
Observer Staff
-
0

May 8, 2026

Idaho Gov’t Agencies Stayed Quiet on 2023 Simplot Slurry Spill in Caribou-Targhee National Forest

By: Pocatello for Accountable Government Entities Co-Founder Heather Disselkoen

In 2023, the J.R. Simplot Company (Simplot) estimated 1,000 – 1,500 cubic yards (201,974 – 302,961 gallons) of phosphate ore slurry (powdered ore mixed with water and transported by pipeline) leaked into the Caribou-Targhee National Forest (CTNF). Idaho government agencies remained largely silent, limiting public awareness.

Google searches produce no mainstream media accounts of the spill and only minimal special-interest coverage of the now-closed federal lawsuit, which resulted from the spill, leaving most Idaho citizens completely unaware.

The 2023-2025 events came to light through a $280M lawsuit filed by the Rasmussens, a ranching family, against: Simplot; the Idaho State Department of Agriculture (ISDA); Idaho Department of Environmental Quality (IDEQ); and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). This now-closed federal lawsuit (voluntarily dismissed by the parties) sought damages for alleged toxic contamination of Rasmussen cattle characterized in a 212-page complaint as “nothing short of an ecological disaster” in the Caribou-Targhee National Forest (CTNF). The following is information gathered from the 05/02/25 court complaint, exhibit documents, and related IDEQ public record documents. See Pocatello for the Accountable Government Entities’ webpage for the full court document and pictures at: http://www.pagefiles.org/spill.

In southeast Idaho, near the Wyoming border, Simplot operates the Smoky Canyon Mine (established in the mid-1980s). This mine refines phosphate ore, supplying approximately 1.7 million tons of phosphate ore slurry annually to the Pocatello Don Plant. The plant produces phosphate fertilizer, feed phosphates and industrial products. The slurry is transported 86 miles via an 8-inch underground pipeline, which crosses through the CTNF.

The historic Rasmussen Ranch has raised cattle and been in continuous operation in Idaho for over 154 years, spanning seven generations with one of the oldest brands recorded in Idaho (before Idaho statehood in 1890). It utilizes approximately 4,000 acres of CTNF on four grazing allotments plus the Rasmussens’ 700 private acres and 640 state-leased acres.

In May 2023, Simplot discovered an approximate “5-gallon” pipeline leak of phosphate ore slurry in the Caribou-Targhee National Forest and reported it to the U.S. Forest Service (USFS/CTNF). Later that summer, that spill volume was revised to an estimated 1,000 to 1,500 cubic yards.

A second leak occurred and was immediately repaired when Simplot workers accidentally breached the pipeline during excavation in July 2023 to replace 4,000 feet of pipe.

On 09/11/23, Rasmussen Ranch workers encountered a large quantity of dark substance in a dry creek bed while moving cattle. According to the court complaint, phosphate ore slurry had leaked and flowed 2.4 miles down the Hornet Canyon Creek drainage, aided by spring runoff, thereby contaminating both natural forage and water sources. The area of concern was in Unit 2 of the four (4) Rasmussen grazing allotments in the CTNF and is an area that “… includes a mountain stream ‘Hornet Creek’ which drops down a canyon from a high mountain ridge and feeds into a year-round waterway, Diamond Creek and its associated wetlands and riparian areas.” The Rasmussens reported their discovery only to learn that the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) had been aware of the May 2023 spill as reported by Simplot. An exhibit document indicates the Rasmussens expressed frustration with not being notified, since they asserted their cattle could have been redirected to avoid the leaked slurry.

Court filings indicate in October 2023, five months after the spill, Simplot and the USFS “…issued public notices about the slurry line leak with information about the incident as well as the current status of the ongoing issue.” Through a public record request I submitted, CTNF was unable to confirm the 10/04/23 USFS notice was posted on their website’s public information page. Public record requests to IDEQ, CTNF and the Governor’s Office for press releases about the slurry line leak yielded no records.

That same month, Simplot conducted cleanup and removal of slurry material on the lower half mile of Hornet Canyon and deployed sediment controls into Hornet Canyon Creek just above the confluence with Diamond Creek.”

From the information available, Simplot worked with the various Idaho agencies to try to clean up the spill to the extent possible. The spill ultimately resulted in two Notices of Non-Compliance (NONC) being issued to Simplot. One by CTNF dated 09/01/23 and the second by IDEQ, dated 03/26/24, for “illegal unpermitted discharge to waters of the US under the CWA section 301.” (Exhibit 26). Neither of these notices were publicly posted. And, when the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) issued a Facebook notice on 04/15/24 stating Simplot was approved to conduct replacement and maintenance operations to a slurry line within the forest, resulting in temporary road closures, the public notice made no mention of the spill contributing to this maintenance.

After two years of ongoing efforts to reach a resolution, the Rasmussens filed a formal $280M complaint/lawsuit on 05/02/25 against Simplot and the ISDA (which is over the CTNF), IDEQ and the federal EPA, seeking damages for alleged toxic contamination of their cattle caused by this major phosphate ore slurry spill. According to the court filing, “… virtually all the Rasmussen’s cattle exposed to the Slurry and the calves born to these cattle which were tested demonstrated high levels of metal contaminants particularly in the kidneys, as well as signs of distress from the effects of the toxicity.” It also highlights that these tests “conducted under the direction of ISDA’s animal health and safety division were provided to Simplot, the USFS, and the IDEQ, but were never referenced or included in any reports prepared and submitted in relation to the spill.” Plaintiffs included in their lawsuit their estimated 15-year revenue loss of $29.5M plus $250M in punitive damages from alleged willful disregard by Simplot in their response and management of a substantial toxic slurry leak.

Soon after, the plaintiffs filed a motion for emergency injunctive relief to order 740 cattle (alleged to be contaminated) to be condemned/disposed of by Simplot, but on 06/30/25, the judge denied the motion. The judge’s reasoning for the denial, in part, sought to preserve the cattle as evidence for potential retesting. The Rasmussens asserted they could not risk putting contaminated/affected cattle into the open market for consumption or breeding. The judge ruled that for the duration of the litigation, Simplot must (financially) maintain/care for the cattle.

Weeks later, on 07/29/25, a “Notice of Voluntary Dismissal” was filed by the plaintiffs, preceded by a defendant-filed “Stipulation of Dismissal with Prejudice”, quietly ending the entire case on 07/30/25.

The lawsuit raises legitimate questions.

-What happened with these alleged contaminated cattle?

-Why was the slurry spill kept largely quiet from public awareness by Idaho agencies? Why were there no press releases?

-Why did the regulatory agencies rely almost entirely upon Simplot to conduct its own investigation and report their findings? Isn’t independent verification the responsibility of regulatory agencies?

-Despite snowpack and remoteness of the canyon, upon notification of the slurry spill, did USFS/CTNF fail to verify the quantity of the spill using available inputs (i.e. diameter of pipe, 1500 psi, the quarter sized hole, slurry density, etc.) and to take timely action to mitigate/slow the spread of the phosphate ore slurry, ultimately allowing material to travel approximately 2.4 miles into public forest land and waterways?

The public is not served when information about public land/water is kept from them. We deserve honest, timely reports of incidents and answers to these questions.

Monday Afternoon Crash in Blackfoot Injures One

By
Observer Staff
-
0

(Idaho State Police Press Release, May 11, 2026)

BLACKFOOT, IDAHO – Idaho State Police is investigating a two-vehicle crash that occurred at 12:30 p.m. on May 11, 2026, at 450 West and State Highway 39.

A 65-year-old female from Blackfoot was traveling southbound on State Highway 39 in a Dodge van. The female drove left of center and collided with a Peterbilt semi pulling a Western Trailers trailer that was traveling northbound on State Highway 39.

The driver of the van was transported by ground ambulance to a local hospital. The driver of the Peterbilt semi, a 65-year-old male, was not injured.

The driver of the van was not wearing a seatbelt. The driver of the semi was wearing a seatbelt.

The roadway was blocked for approximately 5 hours.

The crash remains under investigation by the Idaho State Police.

Marshall Public Library’s “Garden to Give” Program Returns to Support The Idaho Foodbank

By
Observer Staff
-
0

(City of Pocatello Press Release, May 11, 2026)

As the growing season gets underway, Marshall Public Library (MPL) is once again partnering with The Idaho Foodbank for its annual “Garden to Give” program, helping connect excess garden produce with families in need.

The program encourages community members to donate surplus fruits, vegetables, and herbs from their gardens. Donations can be dropped off at the library, where they will be collected and transported to The Idaho Foodbank.

Since launching in 2019, the program has provided several hundred pounds of fresh, locally grown produce each year, helping reduce waste while supporting those in need throughout the community.

“People’s gardens often produce more than they and their neighbors can use, and it’s easy to drop off the extra when they’re visiting the library,” said MPL Public Services Supervisor Amy Azzouzat. “It saves an extra trip and helps get fresh produce to community members who need it most.”

As summer approaches and gardens begin to flourish, residents are encouraged to share their extra harvest. MPL will accept donations from June through October.

For more information about the “Garden to Give” program, please contact MPL at 208-232-1263, visit marshallpl.org, or stop by the Library at 113 South Garfield Avenue.

In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, it is the policy of the City of Pocatello to offer its public programs, services, and meetings in a manner that is readily accessible to everyone, including those with disabilities.  If you are disabled and require an accommodation, please contact Skyler Beebe with two (2) business days’ advance notice at sbeebe@pocatello.gov; 208.234.6248; or 5815 South 5th Avenue, Pocatello, Idaho.  Advance notification within this guideline will enable the City to make reasonable arrangements to ensure accessibility.

The United States Rejects International Migration Review Forum

By
Observer Staff
-
0

(U.S. State Department Press Release, May 11, 2026; Cover image credit: White House FB)

The United States did not participate in the International Migration Review Forum and will not support the May 8 “progress” declaration.

The United States has persistently objected to the United Nations’ efforts to advocate and facilitate replacement immigration in the United States and across the broader West.  In 2017, President Trump rejected the Global Compact on Migration.  The intervening years have confirmed the wisdom of that opposition.

As Secretary Rubio said, opening our doors to mass migration was a grave mistake that threatens the cohesion of our societies and the future of our peoples.  In recent years, Americans witnessed first-hand how mass immigration laid waste to our communities: crime and chaos at the border, states of emergency in major cities, and billions of taxpayer dollars funneled towards hotels, plane tickets, cell phones and cash cards for migrants.  Much of this was driven by UN agencies and their partners, which did not just facilitate the invasion of our country, but proceeded to redistribute our own people’s wealth and resources to millions of foreigners from the worst corners of the world.

There was nothing “safe,” “orderly,” or “regular” about any of this.  And the costs were borne primarily by working Americans forced to compete for scarce jobs, housing, and social services.  The UN has little to say about them.

President Trump is focused on the interests of Americans, not foreigners or globalist bureaucrats.  The United States will not support a process that imposes, overtly or by stealth, guidelines, standards, or commitments that constrain the American people’s sovereign, democratic right to make decisions in the best interests of our country.

Our goal is not to “manage” migration, but to foster remigration.

Goggles On, Futures Bright: INL Gives Students a Hands-On Look at STEM Careers

By
Observer Staff
-
0

(Idaho National Laboratory Press Release, May 11, 2026)

By Mckenzie Duncan, INL Communications

Eighth grade students pulled on safety goggles and protective gear before slipping their arms into a model glove box. A ripple of excitement moved through the room.

“I didn’t even know there were jobs like this!” a student said, glancing up from the equipment.

Around them, laughter and curiosity filled Idaho National Laboratory’s Energy Innovation Laboratory on April 10 as small groups moved from station to station, testing, experimenting and asking questions. It was the first time many of them had seen science come to life.

For nearly two decades, INL’s My Amazing Future event has introduced Idaho students to the possibilities within science, technology, engineering and math. What began in 2007 with a small group has grown into a signature program that has expanded each year, with a goal to reach 300 students annually from communities including Idaho Falls, Blackfoot, Firth, Fort Hall and Pocatello.

The program was designed to help students from a wide range of backgrounds and experiences see themselves in STEM. Today the annual event continues to focus on turning curiosity into confidence and showing that these careers are not distant impossibilities, but possible and attainable.

“At INL, we do work every day that drives our nation’s energy future and security,” said INL Director John Wagner. “Programs like My Amazing Future matter because our mission needs people, now and in the future. We want the students to see the opportunities that exist to make a difference in STEM and to know that a path is available for them to be the Lab’s next generation of scientists and engineers.”

Throughout the day, students rotated through hands-on sessions led by INL professionals. Each activity connected classroom learning to real-world applications, whether handling specialized equipment, exploring energy systems or working through problem-solving scenarios alongside scientists and engineers.

“It’s not just science, it’s identity,” said INL education outreach specialist and coordinator Cait McGraw. “We wanted students to leave thinking, ‘I can do this. I belong here.’”

Access to advanced STEM opportunities vary across Idaho’s communities. My Amazing Future helps bridge that gap by partnering with schools and reaching students from many different walks of life. Teachers nominated participants based on their interest in math and science, and INL provided transportation and resources to ensure students could attend.

“This event showed students that STEM wasn’t out of reach,” said Sunshine Shepherd, INL education outreach lead. “It was about opening doors and giving students the chance to imagine themselves in these roles, and to realize those paths were real and within reach.”

By reaching students early, the program helps spark interest that could carry into internships, higher education and careers supporting the nation’s energy and security missions.

For many students, it was a glimpse into a future they may not have considered, and a reminder that they had a place in it.

About Idaho National Laboratory
Battelle Energy Alliance manages INL for the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Nuclear Energy. INL is the nation’s center for nuclear energy research and development, and also performs research in each of DOE’s strategic goal areas: energy, national security, science and the environment. For more information, visit www.inl.gov. Follow us on social media: Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and X.

FORGING THE DIGITAL BATTLESPACE: Five Eyes Allies Accelerate ‘Project Arcadia’ at the Combined Digital Leadership Summit

By
Observer Staff
-
0

(Department of War Press Release, May 11, 2026)

The Department of War (DoW), last Friday, announced the successful conclusion of the biannual Combined Digital Leadership Summit (CDLS 26.1), marking a pivotal acceleration in joint digital war fighting capabilities and the operationalization of Project Arcadia among the Five Eyes (FVEY) alliance: the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, and New Zealand.

The summit’s mandate aligns directly with the strategic imperatives set by Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, who has continually emphasized that technological and operational unity with our partners is the bedrock of global stability. “The United States is committed to achieving peace through strength,” Secretary Hegseth previously declared, framing the Department’s focus on maintaining a decisive technological overmatch to deter global aggression. Executing on this vision of strength and deterrence, the Honorable Kirsten Davies, the DoW’s Chief Information Officer, closed the multi-day summit by challenging the coalition to achieve “peace through technical strength” by commending the “fierce dedication” and “unequivocal consensus” of the international delegation.

“The spirit of the Combined Digital Leadership Summit (CDLS 26.1) has affirmed a fundamental truth that will define our future success: we can only achieve our goals when we walk together, not independently,” said the Hon. Davies during her closing address. “The strategic imperative that has galvanized this remarkable unity is Project Arcadia. It is not merely an IT project, but the operational imperative for our time—the digital backbone that will empower our warfighters with the information dominance they need to win.”

By uniting the Defense Chief Information Officer Forum (DCIOF), the Defense Chief Data Officer Forum (DCDOF), and the Combined Communications Electronics Board (CCEB), the FVEY nations have solidified a binding commitment to utilize the Arcadia platform as the critical infrastructure for operationalizing Artificial Intelligence and mastering Command and Control data flow. The goal is to turn vast amounts of information into a unified Common Operating Picture (COP) at a pace legacy, hardware-bound networks could never achieve.

The summit concluded with a ceremony rich in symbolism as the United States officially transitioned hosting duties to Australia. The Hon. Davies passed the ceremonial taonga—Māui’s hook—to Australia’s Defence CIO, Chris Crozier, signifying the handover for the next CDLS cycle.

As the host country and in commemoration of the upcoming 250th anniversary of the American Declaration of Independence, Davies also presented the Australian delegation with a sculpted Eagle. “The American flag in its talons is a reminder that wherever this mission flies next, the United States will be right there with you,” she noted.

Joint development on Project Arcadia and rapid-prototyping initiatives will continue at a sprint pace as Australia carries this mission forward to the next summit, scheduled to convene in Sydney, Australia, in November 2026.

AG Labrador Secures Prison Sentences for Five Individuals for Crimes Against Children

By
Observer Staff
-
0

(Attorney General’s Office Press Release, May 11, 2026)

BOISE, ID — Attorney General Raúl Labrador has announced that his office has secured prison sentences for five individuals convicted of crimes against children. Benjamin Roach (28), Nathan Selig (43), Zachary Gilbert (40), Jason Malone (39), and James Mansfield (65) were sentenced as part of the enforcement efforts by the Attorney General’s .

“Protecting Idaho families from child predators is a top priority for my team and I,” said Attorney General Labrador. “These sentences reflect the relentless work of our investigators, prosecutors, and the growing network of law enforcement partners across Idaho who share the goal of protecting kids from those who would exploit them.”

Zachary Gilbert (Bannock County)

Gilbert was sentenced on April 27, 2026, by District Judge Rick Carnaroli on eleven counts of Sexual Exploitation of a Child by Possession of Sexually Exploitative Material (Child Pornography). The ICAC Unit was led to Gilbert after receiving a CyberTip indicating that CSAM had been downloaded from an online platform. Gilbert was on probation at the time for a 2003 rape offense and was prohibited from accessing the internet. Investigators learned he had been using his neighbor’s internet and a fake email account to attempt to hide his online activity. Child sexual abuse materials were identified on Gilbert’s accounts, along with images depicting Gilbert. Judge Carnaroli sentenced Gilbert to a total unified sentence of 70 years with 30 years fixed and 40 years indeterminate. He will also be required to register as a sex offender pursuant to Idaho law.

Jason Malone (Bannock County)

Jason Malone was sentenced on April 20, 2026, by District Judge Robert C. Naftz, on two counts of Sexual Exploitation of a Child by Possession of Sexually Exploitative Material (Child Pornography). The ICAC Unit found Malone after receiving a CyberTip from an electronic service provider containing 138 images of CSAM. Malone admitted to viewing CSAM approximately 15 to 20 times. Judge Naftz sentenced Malone to a total unified sentence of 10 years, with two years fixed and eight years indeterminate. He will also be required to register as a sex offender pursuant to Idaho law.

Nathan Selig (Bonneville County)

Selig was sentenced on April 22, 2026, by District Judge Brendon Taylor on three counts of Sexual Exploitation of a Child by Possession of Sexually Exploitative Material (Child Pornography). Following a CyberTip indicating that child sexual abuse material had been uploaded to an online platform, officers obtained a search warrant for Selig’s person and residence. A forensic examination found videos of CSAM. Selig admitted to investigators that he searched for, viewed, and downloaded CSAM online. Judge Taylor sentenced Selig to a total unified sentence of 30 years in prison with five years fixed and 25 years indeterminate. He will also be required to register as a sex offender pursuant to Idaho law.

Benjamin Roach (Bonneville County)

Roach was sentenced on April 20, 2026, by District Judge Michael J. Whyte on two counts of Distribution of Sexual Exploitation by Distribution of Sexually Exploitative Material (Child Pornography). Law enforcement obtained a warrant for Roach’s residence after receiving eight CyberTips from various electronic service providers. CSAM was located on multiple devices. Judge Whyte sentenced Roach to a total unified sentence of 18 years, with three years fixed and 15 years indeterminate. He will also be required to register as a sex offender pursuant to Idaho law.

James Mansfield (Oneida County)

James Mansfield was sentenced on April 24, 2026, by District Judge Cody L. Brower on two counts of Sexual Exploitation of a Child by Possession of Sexually Exploitative Material (Child Pornography). Investigators uncovered approximately 1,300 images of CSAM on Mansfield’s cloud account. Judge Brower sentenced Mansfield to a total unified sentence of 10 years, with two years fixed and eight years indeterminate. He will also be required to register as a sex offender pursuant to Idaho law.

Ski Ingram’s “A Veteran’s Thoughts:” You Can’t Make This Stuff Up

By
Observer Staff
-
0

May 11, 2026

You Can’t Make This Stuff Up

By: Ski Ingram

Ski Ingram

I was hoping to write about something uplifting and positive this month. However, with the news of the disgusting practices of Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC), and then the shooting at the White House Correspondent’s dinner on April 25th, I found it necessary to address how the Left’s hateful rhetoric has played into the third attempt on President Trump’s life.

The hateful language on the Left towards President Trump and those on the Right is bad enough but with the SPLC paying hate groups like the KKK to cause trouble, while at the same time soliciting funds to fight those same hate groups proves to me that some on the Left have uncontrolled hate for patriotic Americans. This confirms to me that Trump Derangement Syndrome (TDS) is destroying our way of life.

Those on the Left continue to state that the hate and the vitriol is on both sides, the Right and the Left. Yes, there are a few misguided people on the Right, but these people are not condoned by those on the Right. It’s the Left who spew their hatred of President Trump and his supporters. They openly state during speeches, during interviews, and on social media how they will punish those on the Right when they gain power. Most of the hateful people on the Right would not have a platform if the Left did not report on the crazy things they say. The Left reports on the outrageous things on the Right in order for them to say, “it happens on both sides.”

It’s bad enough that the media, Democratic congressmen, and people on Left-leaning social media sites lie to us daily, but then it is reported that the SPLC has been paying hate groups to spew their hatred while purporting to oppose those groups and organizations, using this tactic to increase the divide and the SPLC’s own relevance. I’ll be interested to hear how the Left leaning media will address the SPLC’s criminal activities. I do not expect that they will condemn the SPLC. This organization is very powerful and supports the Democrats and the Progressives as they work to destroy America as we know it. The SPLC and the Left want us to believe that America was founded on slavery, and that the Republican party is trying to destroy democracy, when in fact they are the ones destroying it.

Thomas Sowell has said, “Some things are believed because they are demonstrably true, but many other things are believed simply because they have been asserted repeatedly and repetition has been accepted as a substitute for evidence.”

The Left will stand outside an event with signs promoting political agitation, hysterically scream about impending fascism, do podcast interviews explaining why political murder is justified, and explain why assassination victims had it coming. They also confidently declare that when one of their own takes them literally and attempts an assassination, that it must have been staged. I find it very troubling that so many people fall for their lies.

Samuel Adams said many years ago, “It’s in the interest of tyrants to reduce the people to ignorance and vice. For they cannot live in any country where virtue and knowledge prevail.”

How do we, true patriots and lovers of freedom, counter the lies and half-truths the Left tells us every day? We must educate ourselves to what the Left is trying to do to our country. We must express our opinions about the greatness of America without being afraid of opposing voices. The Left wants us to remain quiet because their ideas cannot thrive in the light of truth and knowledge.

America is in a fight for its survival. If those on the Left win this war, they will eliminate free speech and freedom of religion like they did during the Covid Pandemic, and they will abolish our right to bear arms. We cannot let this happen; our very welfare depends on it.

Ski Ingram is a combat veteran and a patriot who can be reached at: Ski@Skiingram.com Or www.Skiingram.com.

 

Guest Columnist Greg Pruett – The Rise of the Trans‑Conservative: When Politicians Self‑Identify as “Right” While Voting Left

By
Observer Staff
-
0

May 5, 2026

The Rise of the Trans‑Conservative:
When Politicians Self‑Identify as “Right” While Voting Left

By: Honor Idaho President Greg Pruett

How can all of these people running for office be conservative?

It’s a question I, and many others, ask every single election cycle. There isn’t a Republican in Idaho running for office who doesn’t slap the “conservative” label on themselves.

It’s used so often that the word barely means anything anymore. If everyone across the entire Republican spectrum claims to be conservative, then someone is either lying or completely delusional about what being a conservative actually is.

Ultimately, Idaho voters have to decide for themselves who they believe is a real conservative, and who’s just playing one on campaign mailers and billboards.

In Idaho, calling yourself “conservative” is practically mandatory, especially in legislative races and every statewide contest. These pandering candidates use the word because they assume you’ll picture what most people think of when they hear it:

  • Someone who takes their oath of office seriously and won’t trade principles for money, power, fame, or access.
  • Someone who understands the proper role of government, which means government stays out of your way.
  • Someone who works to limit spending and reduce how much of your tax dollars they take.
  • Someone who believes in traditional American and family values.
  • Someone willing to stand up to the radical left and defend our way of life.

This list isn’t exhaustive, and sure, you could fine‑tune the wording. But broadly speaking, this is what Idaho Republicans mean when they say “conservative.”

So what do you do when you see images like these?

You’ve got six candidates running for re‑election. So… are they conservative or not?

This is exactly where scorecards matter, because lawmakers, by and large, hate accountability. They’d much rather you trust their campaign slogans than look at their actual voting records.

According to multiple scorecard metrics, none of these six incumbents is conservative. In fact, most of them are closer to Democrats than to anything resembling a real conservative.

In the top image, Cook, Bingham, and Mickelsen all receive an F from the Idaho Freedom Foundation Index, widely considered the gold standard of scorecards and the group that has exposed fraudulent conservatives for over a decade. Mickelsen and Cook also score an F on the Idaho GOP Platform Scorecard, while Bingham manages a D‑. That scorecard measures how closely lawmakers vote with the Idaho GOP platform, the very platform they all claim to support.

Then there’s the new scorecard that really seems to have rattled these phonies: the “Votes with Dems” scorecard. It tracks how often a Republican votes with Democrats on non‑unanimous votes. Every session has a chunk of votes where both parties agree in lockstep; those don’t count here. This scorecard considers votes in which someone deviates from their party’s majority, and in this case, doing that over 50% of the time should make a voter concerned.

All three of these candidates vote with Democrats over 70% of the time. Real conservatives are down in the mid‑20% range.

Now look at the bottom image. You’ll see three more liberals masquerading as conservatives. And once again, their scorecards tell the truth, and the truth is not kind to them.

Raymond: IFF Score (F); Idaho GOP Platform Score (F); Votes with Dems (69.8%)
Furniss: IFF Score (D); Idaho GOP Platform Score (D); Votes with Dems (64.5%)
Burtenshaw: IFF Score (F); Idaho GOP Platform Score (F); Votes with Dems (72%)

On the opposite end of the spectrum, these same scorecards show multiple lawmakers with A ratings from the Idaho Freedom Foundation, upper‑B ratings on the GOP Platform scorecard, and very low percentages of votes cast with Democrats. In other words, the contrast is obvious and measurable.

So, who’s lying? Or has the word “conservative” become so watered down that it means nothing because everyone claims it?

Maybe the term RINO (Republican In Name Only) isn’t even accurate anymore. Maybe it’s time to call them “trans‑conservatives”, people who think they’re conservative, but only through self‑delusion. And now they’re trying to convince you to buy into that same delusion.

Either way, it’s election season, and that means you have to do your homework. Don’t believe a single flier in your mailbox, any digital ad that pops up on your screen, or any billboard or bus‑stop bench plastered with buzzwords.

Very few true conservatives exist in the Statehouse. And the trans‑conservatives are counting on you not paying attention long enough for them to slip back into office.

Editor’s Note: This article originally appeared on HonorIdaho.com, and is republished here with the author’s permission.

123...736Page 1 of 736
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

POPULAR POSTS

POPULAR CATEGORY

© Newspaper Theme | All rights reserved