The Argonaut | May 7, 2026

Fall to bring tuition hikes

Budget cuts tighten belts

Students will pay $425 more to attend the University of Idaho starting in the fall, marking the largest increase in tuition in three years. The Idaho State Board of Education approved total tuition and fee adjustments for the state’s public colleges and universities during a special board meeting on April 28.

Full-time undergraduates who are Idaho residents will pay an extra $425 for the 2026-27 school year, while nonresident tuition will increase by $664. UI estimates $4.3 million in net new revenue from the increases, according to Brian Foisy, vice president for the Division of Finance and Administration.

“These are not simple decisions, and they are not made lightly,” Board of Education President Kurt

Liebich said. “Our goal is to ensure students have access to high-quality opportunities while maintaining the strength and stability of our institutions.”

“Idaho continues to rank among the top 10 states for college affordability, with tuition increases that have remained below national averages and competitive with surrounding states,” the Board of Education wrote in a news release.

The consolidated mandatory fee, included in the total tuition calculation, increased by $24 for a total of $2,396 per year. The consolidated mandatory fee covers Student Enrollment, Engagement and Success; Institutional Operations, Services and Support; Student Health and Wellness; and Student Government.

In an open forum presentation on March 26, the university initially proposed a tuition increase of $448 per year. UI then requested an increase of $470 in materials submitted to the Board of Education on April 9.

TPUSA visits Moscow

Michael Knowles, Matt Walsh share conservative views for U.S.

Dale Fussell ARGONAUT

Turning Point USA spoke to students and community members about a conservative path forward for the U.S. on April 28 in the ICCU Arena, with speakers including Laine Schoneberger, CEO of Yrefy, Jobob Taeleifi, a comedian and commentator, and Matt Walsh and Michael Knowles, two commentators affiliated with the Daily Wire.

Schoneberger attributed rising student debt to government loans, advocating for the privatization of all student debt and removing the government entirely.

Taeleifi mentioned an excerpt from The Daily Californian following a visit to the University of California, Berkeley, which claimed he had shared “a number of racist and homophobic jokes.” He called it “a wild misrepresentation of my humor. My jokes are also misogynistic, xenopho-

bic and transphobic.”

Knowles and Walsh headlined the event, starting with remarks about former FBI Director James Comey’s recent indictment, saying it was a “very good start” and that Democrats have continuously called for violence against conservatives. The two repeatedly called leftists and liberals demonic throughout the event. Knowles also claimed that 56% of Democrats said they would justify violence against President Donald Trump, although Knowles did not cite where this research was from.

One audience member asked about a falsified graph used on Walsh’s show claiming transgender people had the highest rate of mass shooting violence perpetrators. Walsh agreed with the graph, calling both transgender people and the audience member “mentally deranged.”

The event concluded with a 10-year-old boy who asked what advice they would have for someone wanting to become a priest. Knowles responded, “Don’t be a Jesuit,” but then encouraged the ten-year-old to continue on that path.

Finals Fest will feature

UI will see off second-largest graduating class

Joshua Reisenfeld ARGONAUT

The 131st spring commencement ceremonies for the University of Idaho main campus will be held at 9:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. Saturday, May 16, at the P1FCU Kibbie Dome. Each ceremony is expected to last 2 hours and 30 minutes. Although graduation services said they were not yet able to release graduation statistics as the numbers

continue to change daily, UI President Scott Green said at the University Faculty Meeting that this will be the second largest graduating class in UI history. The 9:30 a.m. ceremony includes the College of Art and Architecture, College of Education, Health and Human Sciences, College of Letters, Arts and Social Sciences, College of Law and College of Graduate Studies. The 2 p.m. ceremony includes the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, College of Business and Economics, College of Engineering, College of Natural Resources and Col-

lege of Science.

Students will line up along University Avenue near the Administration Building Lawn one hour and 15 minutes before the ceremony, which is 8:15 a.m. for the morning ceremony and 12:45 p.m. for the afternoon ceremony. Students must be dressed in full regalia.

The ceremonies, including the processionals, will stream live online from 9 a.m. to noon for the morning ceremony and 1:305:30 p.m. for the afternoon ceremony at uidaho.edu/ live. Professional photography will be provided by

GradImages of each candidate as they shake their college dean’s hand and receive their diploma cover. GradImages will contact graduating students shortly after commencement with purchasing options. Students can donate regalia after graduation to help future graduates. Drop-off locations include the Kibbie Dome entrances Saturday, May 16, the ISUB third floor outside the ASUI Office, May 16-18 and the Bruce M. Pitman Center main entrance May 16-18.

ASUI hits goal of club funding clarity

An increase in student participation and interest in ASUI in 2025-26 is among major accomplishments

cited by the outgoing ASUI president. Seyi Arogundade, during the April 22 ASUI Senate meeting, said, “Coming from a place with ASUI, where we barely had any people come to our meeting all at last year, this is really heartwarming to see how much students care and are involved in our community. Thank you for being here, thank you for advocating for yourselves.”

This highlighted the growth in ASUI during her campaign. Arogundade has also made history as the first African-American to be elected as student body president in UI’s existence.

The Argonaut sat with Arogundade, current president of ASUI, asking about original campaign promises, the most important accomplishments of her administration and what she

hopes her legacy will be for the future growth of ASUI.

Arogundade and ASUI

Vice President Bryant Sitts’s biggest goal during their campaign was to improve the club funding system to be more transparent, which was achieved in their administration, as reported by The Argonaut.

“Really being able to give clubs a lot of money, especially the clubs that were shut down due to the multicultural and DEI offices being closed, and I really think we accomplished that,” said Arogundade.

These changes allowed ASUI senators to vote on club funding amounts, and for UI clubs and organizations to speak directly to ASUI, explaining the purpose and goal of their funding. This led to the creation of the director of

finance position, currently held by Zac Knapp, and previously held by ASUI president-elect Lance Butikofer. Another effect of publicizing the club funding process was an increase of meeting attendance by club members explaining and supporting their club.

“We’ve definitely given clubs more money this year than we ever have, and being able to support clubs and organizations in that way was a big goal for us.”

When asked about a goal not reached by the administration, Arogundade said they ran with the goal of creating “an Idaho Student Association” where Idaho universities’ student governments could come together and approach the state with united concerns or solutions.

Read more online.

John Keegan | Argonaut

UI freshmen Eric Grimes and Rio Garland, volunteer firefighters in training, watch smoke emerge from the live training grounds before a training simulation. Read more on page 3

Dakota Steffen ARGONAUT

Colton Moore | Argonaut Seyi Arogundade

ASUI hopes to extend student outreach

New senators sworn in, those leaving are congratulated

Josie Adjanohoun ARGONAUT

Senator Sonny Cobinah introduced resolution S26-R09, to expand student peer mentor services and access to student success resources through ASUI and other campus programs, during the final ASUI meeting of the year on May 6, 2026. Due to S26-R09 being

passed during the final meeting of the year, it will not be fully implemented until next semester.

Director of Finance, Zac Knapp sponsored the bill, working in close proximity to Cobinah.

“We both felt very strongly about advocating for deeper integration between ASUI and first-year student organizations. Him [Cobinah] and I have both discussed our hope that more facetime can be provided between student government and first year students going forward,” said Knapp during debate on the resolution.

This resolution was passed

unanimously by the full senate in attendance.

President Seyi Arogundade spoke about how proud she was of the senate, and how she was able to achieve her goals this year. She stated that her campaign promises to improve the club funding process and create connection between Idaho institutions were fulfilled.

“You have inspired me, motivated me to be better, and have truly embodied that it means to be an advocate for every single student here on this campus,” said Arogundade during presidential communications. “In this role, I hope that I have inspired both

people who look like me, and people who don’t that they can do crazy and scary things, and that they belong here.”

Vice President Bryant Sitts overseeing his last meeting with the senate, also thanked the senate. “I won’t talk too much or I will start crying, but I do appreciate all of your hard work, and we have truly fostered a really cool community within ASUI and getting to watch each of you grow in your role as a senator, or which role those may be, outside of ASUI is truly amazing,” Sitts said during vice presidential communications.

New senators were also sworn into the ASUI Senate during the meeting, and will start functioning in their positions next semester, including Isaias VeraRamirez, Shirlyn Ngure, Miguel Albor, Rainey Roecker, Scarlett Cromwell, Charlie Peacock and KJ Parsons.

The incumbent ASUI Vice President, Alma Azocar Agurto, was also sworn in, and towards the end of the meeting held a small round of senate.

“After various last meetings and goodbyes, I hope that today we can send our minds into the future, and what we will do tomorrow,” said Azocar-Agurto.

UI concludes third faculty wide meeting, discussing funding, opportunites and AI

Conversations sparked around resources open for faculty

Paige Wilton ARGONAUT

On Tuesday, May 5, the University of Idaho faculty held their third meeting of the academic year. Many resolutions passed, and conversation around campus culture and faculty experience were held.

In advocacy of transgender students who’ve expressed concerns for their safety, professor of history Alyson Roy asked UI President Scott Green if there are plans to issue a statement in wake of the statewide bathroom bill being recently introduced.

Green stated, “the law is the law and it is what it is,” though

he specified his hopes to make all students feel comfortable to attend UI.

Vice Provost and Dean of Student Affairs Blaine Eckles, as well as Chief Compliance Officer Kim Rytter, echoed the same message.

Eckles also provided a link to a map of single use bathrooms on campus that are open for all.

Another person who spoke up was Daniel Robertson, a professor in the College of Engineering.

Since joining the university eight years ago, Robertson stated his salary has gone down 12% when adjusted to inflation, and questioned Green on what opportunities may be available to further support faculty funding amongst budget cuts.

“A lot of the investments that we are looking to do should free up more money,” Green said, briefly mentioning some solutions

the university is working on.

One of these is an AI driven university-wide software system update that Green noted will free up millions of dollars when implemented.

He also mentioned the budget cuts to higher education are being met with raised tuition rates and the capping of certain programs.

The meeting, which was held virtually over Zoom, had 145 voters present.

In total, 12 amendments to the Faculty-Staff Handbook were voted upon. All passed with majority vote and little-to-no questions, though a few struck up conversation.

FSH 3720 Sabbatical Leave, which states, “Members of the UI faculty having completed six years of full-time employment at UI may be granted sabbatical,” was one change that sparked discussion.

Jerry Long, a professor of law, said he “wanted to speak out in favor of extending sabbatical out to our non-tenure track faculty.”

Prior to the meeting, sabbatical leave as described by the FSH was only available for tenuretrack faculty. This amendment will open the door for more faculty members to be eligible for sabbatical periods.

“It’s a small thing the university can do to prove that this is a really great place to work,” Long mentioned, in favor of the changes.

Another voting item that prompted questions from faculty was FSH 3780 Dependent Educational Tuition and Fee Reduction, which clarifies language surrounding tuition discounts for the dependents of faculty members.

The updated policy states each faculty member may have two

dependents eligible for discount at the university. Formerly, it was written that two dependents per household were eligible.

This change will be relevant to multi-faculty households with several dependents. It will allow for faculty-dependents to get up to 50% off their tuition.

Ten other policy business and administrative procedures were covered by faculty senate chair, Tim Murphy.

While they were not items to be voted upon, nearly all policy updates were shared without questions or clarifications from faculty.

The meeting concluded in just under two hours.

Green gave concluding statements and adjourned the meeting with, “Thank you. Continue all the great work, and go Vandals.”

Reagan Jones | Argonaut ASUI President Seyi Arogundade receives compliments from Senate in closing remarks

Reagan Jones | Argonaut

New ASUI Vice President Alma Azocar-Agurto runs test meeting

Reagan Jones | Argonaut

From left to right: Rainey Roecker, Miquel Albor, KJ Parsons, Shirlyn Ngure, Isaias Vera-Ramirez, Scarlett Cromwell and Charlie Peacock

Vandals volunteer with EMS

Students put in multi-year commitment to city fire stations

For over 130 years, Moscow has been supported and protected by volunteer work in for the city’s emergency services. Twenty-five of the 96 firefighters and emergency medical technicians are students at the University of Idaho who balance academics with their volunteer work. Across the state, 70% of all EMS and fire services consist of volunteer work.

Luciano Pegoraro is part of the student residency program with the Moscow Volunteer Fire Department, and is on a team with other UI students, called “Charlie shift.” They are on duty, meaning they are not always working, but they are available and ready the second a call comes in.

“We are full time students at UI, but we also live and work at one of the fire stations in Moscow,” Pegoraro said.

From 4 p.m. one day to 7:30 a.m. the next, a “Charlie shift” includes responding to medical calls, fire calls and everything in between. Each shift begins with full tank of gas in the truck and gear checks. They must also restock medical equipment if necessary.

“We are supported primarily by the fact that we have so many UI students, UI employees and regular community members that are willing to provide that

level of service. All 911 response in Moscow is [the MVFD],” said Pam Rogers, the volunteer coordinator with the MVFD.

The 25 UI students are live-in volunteers with the station counting as their housing for the academic year. The students are separated into three different fire stations spread across the city, all balancing both schoolwork with the duties required to be a firefighter. According to Rogers, many of the students who sign up for the volunteer work are either pre-med or want to get some type of resumebuilding opportunity.

“Volunteer work like this is such a strong resume builder in their respective fields, and that passion for community and the work is a must. This type of work isn’t a box to fill under a required internship,” Rogers said.

To volunteer, a person must have earned a national EMT registry. A class is offered by the MVFD once a year in the fall for candidates who are residing in Moscow for at least three years.

The “Charlie shift” consists of a wide array of students, with some in their first year with the MVFD, others being their fourth.

“I just stumbled onto this program, and it was probably the best thing for me. I decided in high school to become a firefighter, and I’m going to UI with that same goal in mind.

During COVID-19, a lot of programs in my area were shut down, so heading up here I was able to apply and got in, and get all of this experience,” said Noah Morehouse, one of the resident students.

Shelby Hobbs connected it with her family.

“My brother was in the resident program when he was in college,” she said. “I joined when I got up here, and I just always grew up around firefighters and EMS.”

The most common thing brought up by the firefighters during their interview with The Argonaut was the community and collaborative nature of the volunteer force. “We do community events a lot, we do standbys and we do calls all

over town. We get to know people so quickly, and it’s such a fun aspect to see and support, and benefit all people. It’s cool to see people from all walks of life,” Hobbs said.

They also must participate in frequent and intense training simulations of hypothetical crisis situations where each volunteer must think on their feet during controlled burns.

Fire Station 2, located next to the Latah County Fairgrounds, has a specially designed obstacle course for these simulations. Fire Station 2 is also where the “Charlie shift” volunteers live and work.

“A lot of people think that this work is super intense. Where you’d see all this blood and action and house fires when so much of it is holding the hand of a 90-year-old that needs help. Sometimes it is as crazy as the movies, where you perform CPR on sight, but it’s about the balance of those moments,” Rogers said.

While the “Charlie shift” was on duty, Arielle Bennet, who has volunteered for EMS for two years, was training in simulations. She works as an EMT while attending graduate school at UI.

“I wanted to be a firefighter since I was a little kid. I had the opportunity during high school to work with my local department, and then go to EMT school, and being here I’ve loved the medical side of it,” Bennet said. “It’s just the feeling of knowing you made a difference in someone’s life. Even if it’s just helping someone off the floor, or just talking to them for a few minutes.

You know you made their day better.”

Trans Idahoans challenge recent restroom bans in new state law

Plaintiffs claim law violates 14th Amendment

Sam Walsh

Six transgender Idahoans filed a lawsuit in federal court that challenges the new House Bill 752, a state law barring them from using restrooms that align with their gender identity in both government buildings and private businesses.

House Bill 752 was signed by Governor Brad Little on March 30 and was part of an effort to restrict what facilities a transgender person can use.

The lawsuit brought forward challenges to bathroom access, while Idaho’s law also applies to locker

Joshua Reisenfeld ARGONAUT

Remembrance ceremony for Vandals to be held this Friday

ASUI and the Division of Student Affairs are hosting the annual Vandal Remembrance Ceremony Friday, May 8, at noon. The ceremony is dedicated to students who have passed away while enrolled at the University of Idaho.

This year’s ceremony will be held at the Vandal Healing Garden and Memorial next to the Physical Education Building on the Moscow campus. Event organizers will read aloud the names of those who have been lost, remembering them as Forever Vandals. The event is open to students, employees, alumni and the public.

“Let’s gather to honor their legacy and to remind one another that, while life is fragile, the Vandal Family is strong and memories endure,” wrote Lance Butikofer, ASUI President-Elect in an email sent to students and employees.

Open forums for interim provost candidates ending this week

The University of Idaho is currently searching for a new interim provost, with four candidates selected who spoke at open forums last week and this week.

The first session was on Friday, May 1, with Brian Small, a professor of fish physiology and director of the Aquaculture Research Institute.

The session on Monday, May 4, was with Ben Hunter, Dean of University Libraries.

On Thursday, May 7, from 10-11 a.m., Sean Quinlan, Dean of the College of Letters, Arts and Social Sciences, will have a session.

The last session will be on Friday, May 8, from 10-11 a.m. with Brooke Blevins, Dean of the College of Education, Health and Human Sciences, and a professor of curriculum and instruction.

Requests can be made to participate in the open forums held through Zoom.

UI president Scott Green will announce the decision for interim provost in mid-May. Feedback from the open forums will be considered in the president’s decision.

Plant sales Friday and Saturday to support UI botanical programs

There will be two plants sales this Friday and Saturday, May 8 and 9. An all-day plant sale will be held at the University of Idaho’s Pitkin Nursery May 8, 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. The sale will feature individual and bulk seedling plugs of a variety of conifer trees, deciduous trees and shrubs. There will also be huckleberry plants in pots.

Proceeds support training students working at the nursery, nursery outreach and research. Species potentially available, as well as driving directions and plug sizes, can be found in the Pitkin Seedling Catalog available on the Pitkin webpage.

From 10 a.m. to noon on May 9, the Arboretum Associates Plant Sale will be held at the Facilities Greenhouse across from the Kibbie Dome parking lot on the west side of campus

There will be over 150 different annuals, hardy perennials, grasses, and woody plants available for sale. All proceeds support the UI Arboretum and Botanical Garden. A sales list can be found on the corresponding UI events page.

UI employee Melynda Willis and

husband

die in car accident on I-90

Melynda Willis, 38, the creative content project manager for creative services at the University of Idaho and her husband, Shane Willis, 34, died in a car accident on April 29 on I-90 in South Dakota.

“Melynda met every interaction with a smile and kindness. She brought organization to chaos and her patience cannot be overstated,” wrote President Scott Green in an email sent to UI employees.

rooms and showers. It bars anyone from “knowingly and willfully” entering a restroom or changing room designated for use by the opposite biological sex.

“Using the men’s restrooms haven’t been a big deal. But this law would force me to use the women’s facilities, and doing so would only invite suspicion, questions and raised eyebrows,” plaintiff and transgender man and plaintiff Diego Fable said.

Another plaintiff in the lawsuit, lifelong Idahoan Amilia Milette, emphasized the law’s impact on her daily life and safety.

“As a transgender woman, my job requires me to be out in the community through the normal course of my work, and as a result of this law, I no longer can assume I’ll have access to a bathroom facility that

matches my gender.”

Attorneys representing the plaintiffs argue the law is unconstitutional. In statements reported by Lambda Legal councilman and Jr. Strategist legal respectively, Kell Olson and F. Curt Kirschner said the measure targets transgender individuals directly.

“There can be no doubt that this law was intended to erase the very existence of Idaho’s transgender community,” they said.

The lawsuit was filed by American Civil Liberties Union of Idaho and Lambda Legal, an American civil rights organization that focuses on defending of civil rights of LGBTQ+ communities.

The law has several exceptions for entering a bathroom of the opposite sex, including the performance of custodial duties,

rendering medical aid and being the only available facility when a person is in “dire need of urinating or defecating.” The suit asserts these exemptions fail to clearly specify when “it exempts otherwise prohibited conduct,” leading to a violation of the Due Process Clause of the 14th Amendment, because its exceptions are too vague.

Attorneys also argue that the law forces transgender individuals to disclose their identity in order to avoid penalties, which violates their right to privacy and increases the risk of confrontation or harassment.

Of the three states with criminal penalties applied to the bans, Idaho’s are the “steepest,” charges, with associated prison sentences for repeat violations.

Willis studied art at UI and started her career at the university as a sales associate at the VandalStore in 2007. In 2014, she began working in university communications and marketing as a copy and print center assistant. She moved into the position of project coordinator in creative services in 2019 and assumed her most current role as project manager in 2022.

Willis leaves two children, Hudson, 3, and Hadley, 16 months. According to the Mitchell Daily Republic, both children were in the car during the crash but only suffered minor injuries.

SCC to collect furniture donations for next year’s students next week

Josie Adjanohoun

ARGONAUT

Between May 11 and 16, the Student Sustainability Cooperative is planning to have a donation drive, with six drop-off locations around the resident halls, called Repurpose the Purge. Items able to be donated are dorm furniture, hangers, storage containers, fans, reusable water bottles, cleaning products, unopened personal items, dorm décor and small kitchen appliances.

Last year, RTP was able to divert 7,000 pounds of items from the landfill and to students during Palousafest.

The drop-off locations are the corner of Paradise Creek and Rayburn Street, the westside of Silver Lot 50, on the Theophilus Tower lawn, behind Teophilus Tower next to Paradise Creek Street, behind Living Learning Community Building #4 and one in the common area of the LLCs.

John Keegan | Argonaut

Training captain Scott Williams lays out the plan for the live training at Fire Station 2

John Keegan | Argonaut

UI senior Austin Weisse listens to feedback about a previous round of training

Provost Torrey Lawrence returns to faculty

From a tuba instructor to UI VP, Lawrence says he wants to teach again

Paige Wilton

ARGONAUT

Since joining the University of Idaho in 1998, Provost Torrey Lawrence has worn many hats. From being involved with the school of music to his current role as provost, he’s learned a lot in his time at UI.

However, as the spring semester ends, Lawrence has chosen to step down from the position of provost to rejoin the faculty.

Lawrence officially took the role as provost in 2020, which he said lent itself to a rocky start when he was left to navigate the unexpected challenges brought on by COVID-19. Though “there’s no great playbook” for events of that caliber, as Lawrence put it, he noted that the team of leaders he was working alongside provided guidance and help.

In fact, part of what has kept him so engaged and excited about the work he’s done at the university has been driven by the people surrounding him.

“I get to work with great people, and I’m really thankful and appreciate that our leadership team right now is an incredible group of people,” Lawerence said.

While there are many aspects about the job that he loves, such as getting to know all sides of the university, helping people and learning new things at all times, his favorite part of the role consistently goes back to the community.

This, in part, is why Lawerence has chosen to return to a faculty position within the school of music. Lawrence said he has a

deep appreciation for the role of provost and all of his current coworkers, but he looks forward to the opportunity of working with students one-on-one again.

“In my current role, I interact with students a lot,” Lawrence continued. “That’s different than teaching throughout a semester and seeing them grow and trying to help them be successful in whatever we’re doing.”

When he joined the university nearly 30 years ago, Lawrence began as an instructor of tuba and euphonium at the school of music. There, he was able to follow his passion of teaching and engaging in art every day.

Since then, he’s found himself in several different positions. In 2012, he took on an administrative role as associate director and then Director of the Lionel Hampton School of Music.

He served as Associate Dean for Undergraduate Studies and Faculty Affairs in the College of Letters, Arts and Social Sciences from 2017 to 2018. He then transitioned to serve as Vice Provost for Faculty at UI for two years before becoming the provost in 2020.

Lawerence said that while no two days look alike, often the work he does will involve coordination efforts and communicating with all the university colleges, three UI centers around the state and five vice provosts. On top of that, Lawrence is very involved with the Idaho State Board of Education.

The demanding schedule and umbrella of responsibilities paired with his passion for music and teaching is ultimately what led Lawrence to seek out this new faculty opportunity.

His next steps are not finalized—his focus now is dedicated to concluding his position as provost—but Lawrence confirmed that he’ll be assuming a new role in the school of music during the Fall 2026 semester, which he’s looking forward to greatly.

Though he does not play a part in the selection of the new provost, he said the university has chosen its contenders and the final interviews are being held in early May.

“Chances are, they [the candidates] are people I work with very regularly, so that will be interesting to see and watch,”

Lawrence continued. “I’m very confident that they’re going to be really strong candidates.”

While the role of provost has taught him a lot over the last six years, Lawrence recognizes that this new role within the university will only provide for more open doors and learning opportunities.

“I’ve been at the institution for 28 years. Almost every day I learn something new about something that the University of Idaho does, and it’s fascinating,” Lawerence said.

Definition of “dead week” is blurred

Students hear many different explanations from professors

Paige Wilton ARGONAUT

At the end of each semester, there is a period of time before finals week known as “dead week,” which many understand to be a week meant to provide space for students to finish projects and prepare for exams without the worry of new materials or assignments.

But what actually is dead week? Some students drown in homework while others are busy taking multiple exams.

The University of Idaho has officially labeled this week as “no-exam week” under

the university catalog. Point H-1-a states that there will be no quizzes or exams given in lecture-recitation periods during the week before finals week.

However, exams in lab periods and in physical education activity classes, final inclass essays in English composition classes and final oral presentations in speech classes are permitted.

Historically, many university courses were lecture-based and relied on cumulative exams to test student knowledge, which often called for dutiful studying in the final days of each semester.

As the education system has evolved, professors have developed new ways to monitor student progress aside from exclusively utilizing exam-based instruction.

UI Provost Torrey Lawrence said that he

recognized that the definition of no-exam week has been affected over the years by how much the education system has changed.

In a survey conducted of 30 UI students, 93.3% (28) of people claimed to understand the meaning of the term “dead week,” while the other 6.6% (2) said they were aware of it, but unsure of the true definition.

After understanding UI’s official no-exam week policy, only 20% (6) of students surveyed agreed that their professors abide by the standards. The other 80% (24) disagreed, noting their previous experiences did not align with the set expectations.

Vanessa Villelli, a second-year civil engineering student, believes there has been a lack of enforcement amongst many of her courses. For her, this has resulted in frustration.

“Pretty much everyone in the engineering department calls it ‘dead week,’ because you’re actually dying when all of your professors assign so much homework during that week,” Villelli said. “You’re supposed to be studying during that week, supposedly, but that’s not what always happens.”

Freshman Emily Shafer shares a similar attitude with regard to the way no-exam week is enforced. Though her experience is limited to her first semester, she believes there is potential in improving the structure.

“I think dead week could be beneficial to students so they can prepare for finals week, but professors typically still are presenting materials and lecturing during this week,”

Shafer said. “I believe students should either get the week off or have optional study sessions during this week.”

When discussing student point-of-view, in his six years as provost, Lawrence noted that he has only received two student-driven complaints about the handling of no-exam week. The lack of negative feedback—considering that 5,109 courses are currently offered in the UI catalog—is something he believes reflects well on the university.

“If we only have a couple complaints— one complaint every couple years—I think we’re doing a good job,” Lawrence continued. “That doesn’t mean we’re in 100% compliance, but obviously it hasn’t created a problem with the students. It’s not something we can really check or actively monitor, nor would that probably be a great use of time.”

As provost, Lawrence said he recognizes that while the university has final say over policies, much of the practice and enforcement is left to the professor’s discretion. To combat any misunderstandings of the week, he urges students to look over course syllabi in advance.

In a final comment, he noted that should any student or staff member be unsatisfied with university policy, there is space for them to address their grievances.

“I encourage students, if they want to see something change, they have the ability to work with the university to try to accomplish them,” Lawrence said.

Courtesy | University of Idaho

UI Provost Torrey Lawernce will return to a faculty position at the beginning of Fall 2026

Rebekah Brown | Argonaut Dead week graphic

Former Idaho governor Dirk Kempthorne dies

Was known to be a “steward of natural resources”

Gene Johnson ASSOCIATED PRESS

Former Idaho Gov. and U.S. Interior Secretary Dirk Kempthorne has died at age 74, his family said in a written statement Saturday.

Kempthorne died Friday evening in Boise, the statement said.

No cause was given. He had been diagnosed with colon cancer last year.

“Beyond his public service, he was a devoted husband, father and grandfather whose greatest joy came from time spent with family and the people he met along the way,” his family said. “He had a

rare gift for truly seeing others— remembering names, stories and the small details that made each person feel known and valued.”

Kempthorne, a moderate Republican, was elected mayor of Boise in 1985 at age 34, and he was credited with revitalizing the downtown by securing an agreement to build a convention center and promoting other development.

He served seven years before winning the U.S. Senate seat vacated by Sen. Steve Symms in 1992.

During his time in Washington, he authored legislation—signed by Democratic President Bill Clinton—to end unfunded federal mandates on state and local governments.

Rather than run for reelection in 1998, he entered an open

election for governor, trouncing his Democratic opponent by garnering more than two-thirds of the vote.

President George W. Bush appointed him Interior secretary in 2006, a position he held until the end of Bush’s presidency— and during which he lived on a houseboat docked in the Potomac River.

“Dirk was one of the finest public servants I ever knew because he was one of the finest men,” former President George W. Bush said in a written statement Saturday.

“He was considerate, smart and capable. Dirk loved our lands and waters, and as Secretary of the Interior, he was an effective steward of our natural resources.”

Founder of CNN, Ted Turner, dies at 87

Turner created the 24-hour news cycle

David Bauder and John Seewer ASSOCIATED PRESS

Ted Turner could never be defined by just one role. He was a media mogul, philanthropist and conservationist. A yachtsman who won boating’s most famous race and owner of a baseball team that captured the World Series trophy.

The brash television pioneer who died Wednesday made his greatest mark on the news business when he launched CNN nearly a half-century ago and with it, the 24-

hour cable news cycle—a revolutionary moment that transformed the industry.

His media empire grew to include CNN International, the Cartoon Network, TNT and Turner Classic Movies. Then he used his riches to become one of America’s most extensive landowners, dedicating his final years to preserving natural habitats, saving endangered species.

Turner died at age 87 while surrounded by his family, according to Turner Enterprises. A cause was not released. He was diagnosed in 2018 with Lewy body dementia, a progressive neurological disorder.

Turner was a celebrity

in his own right when he married actor Jane Fonda in 1991, just before being named Time magazine’s Man of the Year.

“He swept into my life, a gloriously handsome, deeply romantic, swashbuckling pirate and I’ve never been the same,” Fonda wrote Wednesday on Instagram.

Slowed late in life by his illness and long out of the television business, Turner concentrated on philanthropy—donating a stunning $1 billion to United Nations charities —and his more than 2 million acres (800,000 hectares) of property.

Hantavirus patients on cruise arrive to Europe

Three died while onboard cruise line

Bridget Brown, Drew Callister and Nell Clark

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Three cruise ship passengers with suspected hantavirus infections were flown to the Netherlands on Wednesday for treatment.Three people have died and one body is still on the Dutch ship at

the center of the outbreak, the MV Hondius, which is now heading for Spain’s Canary Islands. The patients were evacuated via the Cape Verde islands off West Africa.

About 150 passengers are isolating in their cabins, and officials say those on board show no symptoms.

The World Health Organization says the outbreak’s global risk is low, with the organization’s top epidemic expert telling The Associated Press, “This is not the next COVID.” There have been eight cases, five of them confirmed by laboratory testing, the WHO says. Hantavirus is a rare, rodent-borne illness that usually spreads when people inhale contaminated residue of rodent droppings. The Argentine government’s leading hypothesis is that a Dutch couple contracted the virus during a bird-watching tour at a garbage dump before boarding the cruise, according to two officials.

Manuel Balce Ceneta | Associated Press Dirk Kempthorne attending a meeting at Capitol Hill in 2010

Al Behrman | Associated Press Ted Turner owned the Atlanta Braves for 30 years

Peter Dejong | Associated Press

Medical personell wait for evacuated patients at Schiphol airport in Amsterdam, Netherlands

Finals Fest will feature Young the Giant

The yearly event hosted by Vandal Entertainment will conclude the spring semester with a bang

Brooklynn Jolley ARGONAUT

The annual event hosted by Vandal Entertainment will return to the ICCU Arena on Thursday, May 7.

Finals Fest will be headlined by Young the Giant this year, and the doors will open at 6 p.m.

Young the Giant is a Southern California-based, multi-platinum band who brings their music from their newest album, Victory Garden.

Their new album has been praised for its heartfelt songwriting. Young the Giant has

Review

been heralded as one of the most influential rock bands of the 21st century.

Performing along with Young the Giant will be Rec Hall, which is an emerging indie trio band known for their beachy, genre-bending style and high-energy stage presence during their performances.

Also based in Southern California, Rec Hall fuses funky rhythms and post-punk tones to create a unique sound.

A student band called LH Factor will open for Finals Fest. The band consists of seven members, who play a variety of instruments.

On drums, there will be Soren Hatch; on keyboard will be Lucas Bastros; Evan Mulroy will be on bass and Elias Caballero will be on guitar; Bailey Maya and Alex Lardie will be on the saxophone; and Daniel Garcia will play the trumpet.

Finals Fest is an annual event that concludes the spring semester with live music and good vibes.

Tickets are on sale still and can be purchased at www. uitickets.com.

Student tickets are $20, and general admission tickets range from $57 to $80 depending on seat selection.

Tomodachi Life: Lovable but fans want more

A compare and contrast between the new game, to the original 2013 release “Tomodachi Life”

Josie Adjanohoun ARGONAUT

The long-awaited sequel to the cultfollowed Nintendo DS game, “Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream,” released on April 16, 2026, on the Nintendo Switch. Though this new release has a lot to love, it leaves something to be desired for original fans.

The original game in the franchise was the Japanese exclusive “Tomodachi Collection,” released in 2009.

The global release for the Nintendo DS was created in 2013, known as “Tomodachi Life,” and allowed for different language options and a global release.

This original game was something that I purchased back in 2017 and really enjoyed when I was younger. When the announcement was made that a sequel would be released, I immediately purchased the new game.

The franchise is a social simulator game, allowing players to create and customize Mii characters, have them interact with each other and play minigames.

The game itself has no concrete end condition, and the goal of the game is to maintain the happiness of the Mii through making friends, solving problems and giving them items.

You can customize your Mii by giving them personality traits, text to speech style voices and silly costumes.

In “Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream,” there are many more customization options, including custom hair, eye and skin colors, new hair, mouth, eyes, eyebrows and head shapes.

There are now new POC hairstyles, which makes me—a person with an afro— very excited to finally have a hair texture in the game that somewhat matches mine.

There is also a new function called “face paint” in the game, allowing players to draw a character onto the Mii, allowing for lots of detailed face designs, or creating Mii characters out of inanimate objects.

Once face paint is applied, there is a chance that traditional face shapes won’t be able to show through it, preventing some facial expressions.

I personally don’t enjoy the new face paint function, since it takes a lot of effort to apply, not to mention the fact that it is very tedious work.

The biggest announcement with the creation of “Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream” is the ability to have same-sex relationships, or have a non-binary Mii characters, in contrast to the original 2013 release.

The addition of same-sex relationships and non-binary characters is one of the best parts of this game, creating accessibility and the ability to create real life relationships seen in today’s world.

The 2013 “Tomodachi Life” release led to players having to work around the rigid gender settings to create same-sex relationships and being non-binary was not an option.

This addition is really wonderful and

makes the new version much better for 2026.

There are also “small quirks” that can be given to characters, making them walk, talk or make movements that were not traditionally customizable in the 2013 release.

Though these items are fun, the player has to unlock these quirks and can only give them to a character after they have leveled up, meaning that you have to play more to give them their base character traits.

Though this may increase player engagement, it is slow to fully develop your characters.

For the island itself, you can terraform, purchase small decorations to place around the island anddecorate the interior or exterior of the Mii’s home.

In the 2013 release, you were only allowed to customize the interior of the Mii’s apartment, making this new addition a lot of fun. You are also able to create your own interiors and exteriors using the Palate House function.

Though these customization increases make Mii character creation more of a simplistic and fun process, the actual gameplay leaves something to be desired in contrast to the original 2013 “Tomodachi Life.”

In “Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream” there is a large lack of activities that you can do with your Miis on the island.

Original features such as the Music Hall, where players can generate songs for their Mii’s to sing; Tomodachi Quest, an RPG style mini game where Mii’s fight inanimate objects; and Quirky Questions/Judgement Bay are no longer included in the game, leaving the main objective to just be creating characters and making friendships.

Though this is fun, the game has built in pacing that prevents relationship development from occurring too fast, making lulls in the game longer and more frustrating. This leads me, as a player, to put down

the game and wait until tomorrow or later for more things to do.

Though this was originally an issue in “Tomodachi Life,” these smaller, playerinitiated games helped pass time.

An unforeseen benefit to “Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream” is that there isn’t an in-game content filter, allowing the user to make the Miis talk about things that are outside the “E for everyone” game rating.

This very fun addition to the game itself expands its target audience and allows for the player to adjust the humor of the game to their own personal preferences.

An unintended consequence of the removal of the filter is that players can’t file share screen shots taken from the game.

Overall, if you are looking for a casual game that you can easily pick up and put down and want to have more character control than other games in its category, “Tomodachi Life Living the Dream” might the game for you.

Though there are some downsides in contrast to the original release, I personally believe that this game is a fun, relaxing game that never fails to make me laugh.

But I will also say, if you have not played the original “Tomodachi Life,” it would be worth your time.

As of right now, there has been a large price increase on the original game, but hopefully as the trend dies down, you should be able to find original

copies of “Tomodachi Life” on the DS in a $30-$40 price range, and there is easy access to emulators to capture the joy of the original if you do not have a Nintendo DS. The “Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream” game can be purchased for about $60 plus tax, directly from the Nintendo Switch Shop, and physical copies are available on Amazon, Target, Walmart and more.

Courtesy | University of Idaho

The Southern-California based band, Young the Giant will perform at UI

Jae C. Hong | Associated Press

honey chipotle chicken tacos

1/4 c. honey

1/2 tbsp. chili powder

1/2 tbsp. cumin

For the sauce:

1/2 c. mayo

1/2 c. sour cream

This recipe is a delicious and unique way to make tacos that’s different from traditional recipes. The rich and savory flavor in these tacos is paired well with some Spanish rice and tangy salsa.

Ingredients:

6-inch corn tortillas*

Monterey jack cheese (shredded)

Optional: Cabbage or lettuce, avocado

For the chicken marinade:

2 chicken breasts (chopped)

1/2 a bushel of cilantro

3/4 can of chipotle peppers in adobo

1/2 c. oil

1 tbsp. paprika

4 cloves garlic

1/2 tbsp. salt and pepper

1 tbsp. onion powder

1 tbsp. oregano

1 tbsp. chicken bouillon Juice from 1 lime

Aries (March 21 – April 19)

The month of May will be full of new experiences for you. You may have recently begun something new, whether that’s a career or a hobby. You might have been feeling nervous about this and uncertain if it’s right for you, but you should stick with it.

Taurus (April 20 – May 20)

May will be a nice and relaxing month for you. Your recently busy schedule will start to slow down, and you’ll feel less weight on you. Take this as an opportunity to kick back and relax and focus on the things that you’ve had to neglect due to your busy life.

Gemini (May 21 – June 20)

Remaining can of chipotle peppers (1/4 can)

1 tbsp. garlic powder

1 tbsp. smoked paprika

1/2 tbsp. chili powder

1/4 c. honey

Salt to taste

For the salsa:

1 white onion (diced)

Juice of 1 lime

1/2 bushel of cilantro (finely chopped)

Salt to taste

Directions:

Chop your chicken into bite-sized pieces. Put the marinade ingredients into a blender and blend until it’s a smooth liquid.

Combine the chicken and the marinade into a bag or a bowl and put it in the fridge for at least two hours.

Once the chicken has finished marinading, cook it in a pan. The chicken should

This month may hold something new. You may have been expecting it or hoping for it, but it may also be very unexpected. Keep your eyes open for this opportunity, and don’t be afraid to jump on it when it shows up.

Cancer (June 21 – July 22)

You may have been feeling very clear about where you want your future to go. You might have a plan set in your head, but perhaps some people have expressed doubt about it. Don’t let people steer you away from chasing your dreams and what you truly want.

Leo (July 23 – Aug. 22)

You have accomplished many things recently, and May will be just as successful. Keep up the hard work, but don’t push yourself too hard. Don’t let yourself get consumed by work. Maintaining a healthy balance between work and leisure is very important.

Virgo (Aug. 23 – Sept. 22)

have an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit when it’s fully cooked. Put all of the sauce ingredients into a blender and blend until it’s a smooth and creamy liquid.

Chop your onion and cilantro. Put in a bowl together and juice the lime into the bowl. Season with salt.

Oil a pan that’s large enough to fit the tortillas in. Put the tortilla down flat in the pan and add cheese and a portion of the chicken.

you desire.

Fold the tortilla in half and fry until both sides are crispy.

Once done, open the taco and add a portion of the salsa and drizzle some sauce inside. Add any additional ingredients that

You may have been feeling defeated lately. Perhaps you’ve been chasing something that feels like it’s miles away, and you might feel like you’ll never catch up. Don’t give up on the things that you want.

Libra (Sept. 23 – Oct. 22)

A big event will happen this month. Maybe it’s something you’ve been planning, or it may be a surprise for you. Don’t let the prep stress you out and just be open to whatever happens. You might feel nervous about things like this, but it’ll prove to be a good experience.

Scorpio (Oct. 23 – Nov. 21)

May might be a stressful month, but there is a light at the end of the tunnel. Keep pushing forward, and you may be pleasantly surprised at the result. Any problems will be resolved by the end of the month, and you’ll go into June feeling more secure.

Sagittarius (Nov. 22 – Dec. 21)

May will be a slow and chill month. You may begin to feel bored with the lack of

action happening, but it can become an opportunity for you to recharge. June may hold different things for you, so don’t be afraid to take time to sit back and relax.

Capricorn (Dec. 22 – Jan. 19) May is going to feel overwhelming at first while you transition your routine to a new one. You may dislike change, but this change is brief. You’ll feel more comfortable and secure once you get used to the new routine.

Aquarius (Jan. 20 – Feb. 18) Keep an eye out for opportunities this month. They might sneak up on you or be plain and obvious. Don’t be afraid to jump on new things that pop up in your life. Pisces (Feb. 19 – March 20)

You may have been feeling like the universe is against you recently. Perhaps little things have been going wrong, or things have been feeling off. May will bring a new and refreshing change to these feelings.

Chef Notes:

*Flour tortillas can be used, but they tend to puff up, which makes them difficult to use. White or yellow corn tortillas are both fine to use.

Brooklynn Jolley | Argonaut

Crispy chicken tacos paired with a side of cheesy Mexican rice

“Beat the Heat” By Dakota Steffen

Lionel Hampton Jazz Fest draws musicians from across the country

John Keegan | Argonaut

Tito Puente Jr. furiously plays the timbales during his performance at the World Music Celebration on April 23

John Keegan | Argonaut

Madeline Alvia, from Garfield High School in Seattle, sings her sweepstakes-winning vocal performance

John Keegan Argonaut Jazzmeia Horn sings during her set on April 24

John Keegan Argonaut

Summer Camargo is a member of NBC’s Saturday Night Live band

John Keegan | Argonaut

The World Beat Ensemble laughs together during their performance as part of the World Music Celebration

John Keegan | Argonaut

Hamps Jazz Ambassadors, a premiere group of college musicians from across the country, perform together

John Keegan | Argonaut

UI professor Mano Alexandre plays a conga drum

John Keegan | Argonaut Kris Funn, bassist for Jazzmeia Horn, waits to start playing

John Keegan | Argonaut Warren Wolf plays the vibraphone during the concert on April 24

Your guide to the primary election 2026 Idaho Primaries

Who’s on the May 19 ballot?

In 2026, Idaho, along with the rest of the nation, will participate in midterm elections. Major state offices are up for election, including U.S. Senate, U.S. House of Representatives, governor and more. Primary elections will take place on Tuesday, May 19, and the general election will be on Tuesday, Nov. 3.

How to vote

To vote in Idaho, you must be 18 or older, a U.S. citizen and a resident of Idaho for at least 30 days before the election. To register, you need a current photo ID and proof of residence.

Early voting opens April 27 and runs through May 15. Hours and locations vary by county. In Latah County, early voting will be held at the Latah County Fairgrounds from May 4-15, Monday-Friday from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. The deadline to request an absentee, or mailin, ballot is 5 p.m. on May 8. Return the completed ballot by mail, to an official election drop box or your county elections office by 8 p.m. on Election Day for your vote to be counted. For more information on Idaho elections, visit voteidaho.gov. Enter your address, whether you are voting in Idaho or not, and see what’s on your ballot at www.vote411.org/ballot.

How do primary elections work?

Primary elections, usually held six months before a general election, determine who will compete in the general election. In Idaho, primaries are held by each of the major political parties to determine who will earn that party’s nomination. This year, Idaho’s primary election will take place on Tuesday, May 19. The general election will be on Tuesday, Nov. 3. Polls are open on Election Day from 8 a.m.-8 p.m. The Republican, Democratic, Constitution and Libertarian parties of Idaho all intend to hold primaries in 2026. Independent candidates only appear on the ballot at the general election. In Idaho, parties are allowed to decide which voters can participate in primary elections. For example, only registered Republicans can vote in the Republican primary, while registered Democrats and unaffiliated voters can participate in the Democratic primary. The Constitution Party also allows unaffiliated voters to participate in its primary. The winner of each party’s primary election will earn that party’s nomination.

U.S. Senate

U.S. senators are not tied to a specific district, meaning all Idaho voters can vote in each Senate election. This November, one of Idaho’s two U.S. Senate seats is on the ballot, currently held by Sen. Jim Risch, who has held the position since 2008. The second seat will be up for election in 2028, currently held by Sen. Mike Crapo. Idaho has been represented in the U.S. Senate exclusively by Republicans since 1981.

Candidates

Todd Achilles City: Boise Party: Independent Web: www.achillesforidaho. com

Nickolas 007 Bonds City: Post Falls Party: Democratic Web: 007bonds.vote

Joe Evans City: Boise Party: Republican Web: joeevansforidaho.com

Natalie M. Fleming City: Meridian Party: Independent Web: nataliefleming.info

Denny LaVé City: Post Falls Party: Republican Web: www.dennyforsenate. com

Matt Loesby City: Eagle Party: Libertarian Web: www.loesby.us

Brad Moore City: Boise Party: Democratic Web: bradmooreforidaho.org

Jim Risch City: Boise Party: Republican Web: senatorrisch.com

David Roth City: Idaho Falls Party: Democratic Web: rothforidaho.org

Josh Roy City: Lewiston Party: Republican Web: joshroyforidaho.com

U.S. House

Idaho’s First Congressional District covers the western side of the state and the panhandle and has been represented by Rep. Russ Fulcher since 2018. Idaho’s Second Congressional District covers the eastern and southeastern side of the state, represented by Rep. Mike Simpson since 1998.

Candidates—District One (West and North Idaho)

Andy Briner City: Parma Party: Republican Web: brinerforcongress.com

Kenneth Brungardt City: Meridian Party: Democratic Web: www.kenbrungardt.com

Russ Fulcher City: Meridian Party: Republican

The governor of Idaho is up for election this year. Elected every four years. Incumbent Republican Brad Little has announced his bid for reelection.

Candidates

Jacob Burnett City: Nampa Party: Independent Web: N/A

Sean Calvert Crystal City: Ammon Party: Republican Web: www.facebook.com/ ElectSeanCrystal

Web: www.russfulcher.com

Brendan J. Gomez City: Boise Party: Constitution Web: N/A

Joseph P. Morrison

City: Boise Party: Republican Web: morrison4id.com

Kaylee Peterson City: Eagle Party: Democratic Web: kayleeforcongress.com

Sarah Zabel City: Athol Party: Independent Web: www.zabelforcongress. com

Candidates—District One (East Idaho)

Ellie Gilbreath City: Ketchum Party: Democratic Web: ellieforidaho.com

Emre Houser

City: Boise Party: Independent Web: www.houserforidaho. com

Tripp Charles Hutchinson City: Ketchum Party: Independent Web: N/A

Will Johanson City: Boise Party: Libertarian Web: N/A

Brian Keene City: Twin Falls Party: Republican Web: www.keeneforidaho.com

Perry Shumway City: Rexburg Party: Republican Web: www.shumwayforcongress.com

Idaho Law/Carta Sierra City: Pocatello Party: Constitution Web: https://www.facebook. com/Idaho.Lorax/

Mike Simpson City: Boise Party: Republican Web: simpsonforcongress.com

Julie Wiley City: Boise Party: Democratic Web: julieforcongress.org

Governor

Maxine Durand City: Twin Falls Party: Democratic Web: durandforidaho.com

Mark Fitzpatrick City: Eagle Party: Republican Web: www.markfitzidaho.com

Daniel C. Fowler City: Nampa Party: Republican Web: www.dancf.info

Ethan Giles City: Boise Party: Republican Web: 9b.news/2026/03/24/foridaho-governor-ethan-giles

Ron James City: Driggs Party: Republican Web: adagop.org/candidate/ ron-james

Jill C. Kirkham City: Pocatello Party: Democratic Web: www.jillforidaho.com

Brad Little City: Boise Party: Republican Web: www.bradlittleforidaho. com

Lisa Marie City: Eagle Party: Republican Web: N/A

Terri Pickens City: Boise Party: Democratic Web: www.terriforidaho.com

Justin R. Plante City: Kimberly Party: Republican Web: www.idahoansfirst.com

Pro-Life City: Emmett Party: Constitution Web: prolife-idaho.com

Melissa-Sue Robinson City: Nampa Party: Libertarian Web: melissasuerobinsonforgovernoro.godaddysites. com

Paul Sand City: White Bird Party: Libertarian Web: paulsand.org

John R. Stegner City: Boise Party: Independent

Web: stegnerforidaho.com

Chanelle Torrez City: Nampa Party: Democratic Web: www.facebook.com/ people/Torrez-For-ID-Governor-26/61580155771433

Lieutenant Governor Eric Myricks City: Nampa Party: Democratic Web: ericforidaho.com

Scott Bedke City: Oakley Party: Republican Web: bedkeforidaho.com

Secretary of State Shawn Keenan City: Coeur d’Alene Party: Democratic Web: www.linkedin.com/in/ shawn-keenan

Phil McGrane City: Boise Party: Republican Web: www.mcgraneforidaho.com

State Controller Rakesh Mohan City: Boise Party: Democratic Web: www.mohan4statecontroller.com

Brandon D. Woolf City: Boise Party: Republican Web: www.BrandonWoolf. com

State Treasurer Kevin A. Jones City: Boise Party: Democratic Web: www.facebook.com/profile. php?id=61575321687585

Julie A. Ellsworth City: Boise Party: Republican Web: www.ellsworthfortreasurer.com

Attorney General

Lori Hickman City: Boise Party: Democratic Web: loriforidaho.com

Raúl R. Labrador City: Boise Party: Republican Web: www.raullabrador.com

Superintendent of

Public Instruction

Debbie Critchfield City: Oakley Party: Republican Web: debbie4idaho.com

Becky Sundin Mitchell City: Nampa Party: Democratic Web: www.facebook.com/ becky.for.idaho

Teresa Roundy City: Garden City Party: Constitution Web: www.facebook.com/ people/Teresa-Roundy-forIdaho/61581561518305

District 6—State Senate

Moscow and greater Latah County are part of Idaho’s District 6, one of 35 districts that sends one senator and two representatives to the Idaho Legislature in Boise. District 6 also includes Lewis County and the northernmost half of Nez Perce County. District 6 is currently represented by Sen. Dan Foreman, R-Viola, Reps. Lori McCann, RLewiston, and Brandon Mitchell, R-Moscow.

Candidates Dan Foreman City: Viola Party: Republican Web: www.facebook.com/profile. php?id=100063756525686

Richard Gayler City: Moscow Party: Democratic Web: gowithgayler.com

Lori McCann City: Lewiston Party: Republican Web: lorimccannforidaho.com

Robin Weldy City: Lewiston Party: Democratic Web: WeldyForIdaho.com

District 6—State House District 6 is currently represented by Reps. Lori McCann, R-Lewiston, and Brandon Mitchell, R-Moscow.

Candidates—Seat A

Cindy Agidius City: Moscow Party: Republican Web: www.cindyforidaho.com

Ryan Wayne Augusta City: Moscow Party: Democratic Web: www.facebook.com/ ryanwayneaugusta

Colton Bennett City: Troy Party: Republican Web: bennettforidaho.com

Bryce Blankenship City: Moscow Party: Democratic Web: blankenshipforidaho.com

Trish Carter-Goodheart City: Lapwai Party: Democratic Web: www.trishforidaho.com

Candidates—Seat B

Kathy Dawes

City: Moscow Party: Democratic Web: www.kathydawesforidaho.com

Brandon Mitchell City: Moscow Party: Republican Web: mitchellforidaho.com

Kenneth D. Williams City: Moscow Party: Democratic Web: idahovoters.com/ person/kenneth-williams

Dakota Steffen ARGONAUT

John Keegan | Argonaut

Voting by mail is a popular option for college students living away from their home town

Republican candidate voting guide

All positions and candidates to be featured on the ballot

Paige Wilton ARGONAUT

Appearing on this year’s Republican primary ballot are a total of 38 individuals running for 25 available positions. Only five roles are contested, leaving the other 20 with a single candidate.

Two positions are available for United States offices, which are the U.S. Senator and U.S. Representative for District 1.

U.S. Senator

For the role of U.S. Senator, four candidates are in the running: Joe Evans, a U.S. Army veteran running to “restore constitutional government, rein in federal overreach, protect individual liberty and make sure Idaho’s voice is heard—not overridden;” Denny LaVe, an entrepreneur and family man interested in policies on immigration, affordability and foreign policy among other areas; Jim Risch, former Idaho Senator and Governor currently in his third term in the U.S. Senate who is running to defend public lands and ensure energy independence; and Josh Roy, who, despite his lack of career politician experience, has 20 years of heavy industrial experience and is campaigning because, “we [Idahoans] need someone who is still grounded in the struggles of everyday citizens.”

District 1

U.S. Representative

Three candidates are running to be the

U.S. Representative for District 1: Andy Briner, who is, “standing firm on the Constitution, limited government, and individual liberty;” Russ Fulcher, who served in the Idaho Senate for a decade and has been a part of the U.S. House of Representatives since 2019; and Joseph P. Morrison, a U.S. Marine veteran running to, “put power back where it belongs: with the people, the Constitution, and the communities of Idaho.”

For state offices, seven positions will appear on the ballot. The race for governor has the largest number of applicants out of any role, with a total of eight names listed.

Idaho State Governor

Running for governor are the following: Sean Calvert Crystal, a man with a background in business management pursuing fiscal accountability, economic growth and healthcare stability; Mark Fitzpatrick, a former law enforcement officer and entrepreneur driven by his faith who is running to secure the border and lower taxes; Daniel C. Fowler, originally from Texas, who aims to “keep Idaho great” by strengthening public school systems amongst other areas; Ethan Giles, who is running to reverse tax cuts, clean state debt and invest in special education; Ron James, current Teton County Commissioner who hopes to prioritize public service; Lisa Marie, who has previously ran for governor; Justin R. Plante, a journeyman mechanic who is running to enforce audits, transparency and a citizen task force; and Brad Little, who is running for reelection since being sworn-in in 2019.

Additional State Offices

The following state offices are represent-

ed by a single applicant, all of which have served in the positions prior.

Lieutenant Governor will be represented by Scott Bedke, who has served in the role since 2023. Phil McGrane, who has held the position since 2023, is on the ballot for Secretary of State. Running for State Controller is Brandon D. Woolf, who has been in the position since 2012. Julie A. Ellsworth is running for reelection as State Treasurer, as she has held the role since 2018. Since 2023, Raul R. Labrador has acted as Attorney General, and is now running for reelection. Debbie Critchfield is on the ballot for Superintendent of Public Instruction, and she has been in the role since 2023.

Three positions on the ballot for legislative offices: State Senator for District 6 and State Representative for District 6 seats A and B.

State Senator District 6

Running for State Senator District 6 are Dan Foreman, who has filled the role since 2022, and Lori McCann, who has stood for District 6A in the House of Representatives since 2021.

State Representatives District 6

Running for State Representative District 6 seat A are former Idaho House member Cindy Agidius, who’s been working in state government for years, and U.S. Army veteran Colton Bennett, who serves as a medical assistant and a Precinct Committeeman for the Latah County Republican Party. Brandon Mitchell, who has been serving in the House of Representatives since 2020, is running unopposed for seat B.

County Office Positions

There are five available county office positions, all running unopposed.

County Commissioner for District 1 is represented by Tony Johnson, who has held the role since 2018. Dan Schoenberg, a Latah County local who has experience in business operations, University of Idaho administrative work and local government, is running for District 2.

Julie Fry is running for Clerk of the District Court, a position she has held since 2022, and Peggy Gottschalk is running for County Treasurer. Last on the county offices is the role of County Assessor, which is being represented by David Sutherland, who has filled the role since 2023.

For the role of Precinct Committeeman, there is no name listed. Rather, the ballot directs voters to “see the ‘Official Specific Committeeman List of Candidates’” for their own precincts.

Judicial Non-Partisan Positions

The following positions are judicial non-partisan positions that will appear on the back side of the ballot: Justice of the Supreme Court Seat C and Seat E; Judge of the Court of Appeals Seat D; and four Second Judicial District Judge Positions for Idaho Country Seat A, Latah County Seat A, and Nez Perce County Seats A and B. More information about the candidates can be found on the Non-Partisan Voting Guide. All names and positions can be found on Latah County Officials’s Voter Pamphlet. Early voting will open May 4, with voting occurring through May 19.

Democratic candidate voting guide

Latah County offices open for primary election this year

Josie Adjanohoun ARGONAUT

State Senator District 6

Richard Gayler and Robin Weldy are both running for state senator seat for Legislative District 6.

Richard Gayler has lived on the Palouse since 1995 and has served as a federal law enforcement officer in north central Idaho for 25 years. According to his campaign site, Gayler states that working in Benewah, Latah, Clearwater, Nez Perce, Lewis and Idaho counties as a probation officer brought him closer to the concerns of people living in these areas, as well as giving him experience in helping people find employment, education and transportation. His campaign is wanting to invest in public education, affordable healthcare and pushing voter initiative two-term limit for public office. More information can be found at the campaign website.

Robin Weldy was born and raised in Lewiston, Idaho, and is currently the captain of the Nez Perce County Precinct 19 and works on the Nez Perce County communications committee. She also has 25 years of experience in real estate and asset management. According to her website, she believes that government should be efficient, solvent and accountable, similarly to a business. Her campaign focuses on housing and community development, fiscal stability, agriculture, education and more stable infrastructure across District 6. She also wants to make medical decisions between doctor and patient, as well as protecting public lands. More information can be found at the campaign website.

State Representatives District 6

For state representative seat A, Ryan Wayne Augusta, Bryce Blankenship and Trish Carter-Goodheart are running to fill the seat remaining from current state representative Lori McMannon.

Ryan Wayne Augusta is an Army Reserve Veteran and has been caregiver for seniors and vulnerable adults since 2017. Augusta was born in Kalispell, Montana, and currently lives in Genesee. Augusta

graduated with an associate degree from Spokane Community College, founded Reminiscence Theater and is a co-founder of Boise Hempfest. He states that his commitment to families, seniors, workers, caregivers and rural communities should reflect the stewardship necessary of a public office holder. His campaign would like to achieve priorities in healthcare access, disability services and senior support. For more information about his campaign, see his Facebook page.

Bryce Blankenship is wanting to put people first and politics second and has served on the Moscow City Council for three years, after being first elected in 2023. Blankenship has taught at the University of Idaho for 15 years, serving as a professor of philosophy in the College of Letters, Arts and Social Sciences, as well as 15 years of bartending and restaurant experience. His campaign is focused on fighting for public education, healthcare access and public lands protections. According to his website, Blankenship wants to respect local control of government, stating that one size fits all approach to government doesn’t allow for decisions that reflect the values of small communities. For information about Blankenship’s campaign, see his website.

Trish Carter-Goodheart was born, raised and educated in Lapwai, as well as being a member of the Nez Perce Tribe. She has served on the National Indian Child Welfare Association since 2008, after being a youth member, then being asked to stay. Carter-Goodheart is currently a small business owner, and a non-profit grant writer. Her campaign seeks to invest in rural Idaho early childhood education, public lands protections and sustainable agriculture. Another point to her campaign is the importance placed on Idahoans having to travel long distances or even leave the state to receive good health care, and if elected, she would focus on improving this. For more information on her campaign, go to Carter-Goodheart’s website.

Running for state representative seat B for the Democratic party, against Republican incumbent Brandon Mitchell, are Kenneth D. Williams and Kathy Dawes. Williams wants to strengthen public education, support working families and strong communities. Williams grew up on a farm in Plummer, Idaho, and his wife and

daughters grew up in Moscow. Williams has worked at the University of Idaho since 1993, and serves as a custodial training manager. He has also worked as substitute teacher in the Genessee School District for 16 years. His campaign focuses on funding public education, Idaho Medicare for all, taxing the rich and housing improvements. Williams’ campaign also wants to support community organizing, making the process easier and safer for workers, as he is an organizer with the American Federation of Teachers. For more information on his campaign, see his Linktree.

Dawes is a retired teacher wanting to “depolarize” Idaho politics and foster collaboration and creative problem-solving. Dawes has a bachelor’s degree in zoology and has over 20 years of teaching experience, mostly in junior high science classes. She also is a founding board member of the Moscow Arts Commission and has served for 13 years on the Latah County Parks Board. Dawes’ campaign hopes to support the individual liberty of all Idahoans, public land access, healthcare affordability, and voting rights. She also believes that citizens should not have to vote in school bonds and levies as the legislature reduces the state’s general fund or takes away money from public schools, to give to private schools. For more information on Dawe’s campaign, see her website.

County Office Positions

Debby Carscallen is running for re-election for Latah County coroner. She has been working a deputy coroner for 13 years, serving under Cathy Mabbutt. Carscallen has been a part of pre-hospital emergency medicine with the Moscow Volunteer Fire Department since 2002, becoming a paramedic in 2009 and then becoming the division chief of EMS Operations in 2017. She has a master’s degree in sport science from UI and enjoys spending her time exploring the outdoors with her friends, family and golden retriever. She is currently running uncontested.

Carole Wells is running for commissioner for District 1 and attended UI law school in 2000. She has also served as a Latah County public defender and in drug court and has retired from the position of Director of Admissions at the UI College of Law. Since she has retired, Wells has been working as a real-estate agent, and as

Latah County commissioner, she is wanting to focus on what residents find important, clean and accessible water, a new jail, taxes, assessments, noxious weeds and improving access to county information.

Laura Heinse is running for commissioner for District 2 and wants to focus on transparency, local control, and community centered growth. Heinse has a PhD in Environmental Natural Resource Sciences from Washington State University, has worked for the Office of Drinking Water, and serves as the treasurer and fundraiser for Palouse Prairie Charter School. If elected, Heinse wants to support reliable infrastructure, expand high speed internet and strength wildfire preparations in the county.

Shannon May is running for County Clerk, also known as Clerk of the District Court. May has served as the deputy clerk to the Latah County Commissioners office in the auditor’s office. She has also worked as a county employee and volunteer on local elections and has served as an elections judge in both rural and city precincts. If elected, she would like to run organized efficient elections, reduce long lines and make Latah County residents voting experience “smooth and reliable.”

BJ Swanson is running for re-election for Latah County Treasurer, a position she has held for seven years. Swanson also has over 30 years of being a commercial bank vice president, and states that her previous administrations have modernized the Latah County tax system and has grown investment income. She hopes to maintain an effective and responsive office if re-elected to the position.

Judicial Non-Partisan Positions

The following positions are judicial non-partisan positions that will appear on the back side of the ballot: Justice of the Supreme Court Seat C and Seat E; Judge of the Court of Appeals Seat D; and four Second Judicial District Judge Positions for Idaho Country Seat A, Latah County Seat A, and Nez Perce County Seats A and B. More information about the candidates can be found in the Non-Partisan Voting Guide. All names and positions can be found on Latah County Officials’s Voter Pamphlet. Early voting will open May 4, with voting occurring through May 19.

Daniel Ramirez | Argonaut A person casts their vote at the Latah County Event Center during a previous election

John Keegan | Argonaut UI student Peter Voller votes by mail for his home state election

Non-partisan and Libertarian voting guide

Candidates running for election in alternative parties

Joshua

Reisenfeld ARGONAUT

Non–Partisan Voter Guide

All registered voters, regardless of party affiliation, will be able to vote for the nonpartisan positions of Second Judicial District Court positions, Supreme Court and Court of Appeals.

Democratic ballots, Republicans ballots and Libertarian ballots will include nonpartisan candidates.

There is also a non-partisan ballot that only contains judge candidates and ballot questions.

Second Judicial District

The Second Judicial District includes Clearwater, Idaho, Latah, Lewis and Nez Perce Counties.

Adam H. Green is running uncontested for Idaho Second Judicial District Court Idaho seat A. Green was elected to the position in 2022. Prior to his election, Green was a deputy prosecutor with the Idaho County Prosecutor’s Office. He received a bachelor’s degree from the University of Idaho and completed a J.D. at the UI College of Law in 2004.

Megan E. Marshall is running uncontested for Idaho Second Judicial District Court Latah seat A. Marshall has served as a district judge since 2018. She earned her bachelor’s degree in English and her Juris Doctorate degree from the University of Idaho. Marshall started her career as a Kootenai County Deputy Public Defender and later joined Winston & Cashatt, Lawyers, where she represented clients in Idaho and Washington, and served as a member of the Criminal Justice Act panel.

Mark T. Monson is running uncontested for Idaho Second Judicial District Court

Nez Perce seat A. He was appointed by Gov. Brad Little in 2021, filling the vacancy created by the retirement of Jeff Brudie. Prior to his appointment, he was in private practice for twenty years, including as a partner at Mosman & Monson in Moscow. Monson received a B.S. in accounting from Arizona State University in 1997 and

completed a J.D. at the UI College of Law in 2000.

Michelle M. Evans is running uncontested for Idaho Second Judicial District Court Nez Perce seat B. She was elected to the position in 2022. She began her judicial career as a magistrate with the Second Judicial District Magistrate Division in Nez Perce County in 2014 before which she worked for 20 years as a prosecutor in Latah County and Lewis County. Evans received a B.S. in psychology from UI in 1989 and completed a J.D. at the UI College of Law in 1993.

Idaho Supreme Court

The Idaho Supreme Court is the highest court in the state and is composed of five justices; a chief justice and four justices. Justices are selected in nonpartisan elections and serve six-year terms.

Gregory W. Moeller is running uncontested for Justice of the Idaho Supreme Court seat C. Moeller has served one term on the supreme court, being appointed by Gov. Butch Otter to serve on the Idaho Supreme Court in 2018.

He graduated magna cum laude from Brigham Young University in 1987 with a B.S. in political science and received his J.D. for Reuben Clark Law School at BYU in 1990. Moeller worked in private practices for 19 years and was appointed as district judge by Otter in 2009.

Moeller chairs three Idaho Supreme Court committees: the Felony Sentencing, Treatment Court and Media & the Courts committees. He also serves as a member of the faculty for training new judges, teaching courses on jury trial management and media relations for the new judges.

Cynthia K.C. Meyer is running uncontested for Justice of the Idaho Supreme Court seat E. Meyer was appointed by Little to serve as an associate supreme court justice in 2023 to fill out the remainder of retired Justice John R. Stegner’s term. She received a bachelor’s degree in political science from the College of Idaho in 1982 and her law degree from the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law in 1987. She previously served as a judge of the Idaho First Judicial District Court from 2015 to 2023.

Along with her supreme court duties, Meyer served as a statewide mentor judge

for new district judges during their first 18 months on the bench. She also presided over the Kootenai County Drug Court and participated in the Idaho Supreme Court’s Treatment Court Committee.

Idaho Court of Appeals

The Idaho Court of Appeals reviews decisions made by the trial courts when one or more parties appeal. The court of appeals has four judges who hear cases in panels of three.

Michael P. Tribe is running uncontested for Judge of the Court of Appeals seat D. The Court of Tribe was appointed to the Idaho Court of Appeals by Little in 2024 and previously serves as a district judge of the Fifth Judicial District since 2017. He has served as the Chief Judge of the court of appeals since Jan. 1, 2026. Tribe received a bachelor’s degree from Southern Utah University in 1999 and graduated from the UI College of Law in 2003.

Libertarian Party Voter Guide

One libertarian candidate is running for United States Senator in Idaho’s first congressional district.

Matt Leosby is the current Chair of the Libertarian Party of Idaho. He was born in Glenwood Springs, Colorado and earned a bachelor’s degree from Chapman University in 2010. His career experience includes working as a software engineer

Two libertarian candidates are running for Idaho Governor.

Melissa-Sue Robinson, a longtime Idaho activist, is campaigning on what she calls “a real alternative” to the states’ dominant twoparty political system. The campaign also

plans to highlight issues such as healthcare access, economic opportunity and civil liberties. Robinson earned a bachelor’s degree from Michigan State University in 1994 and has previously run for mayor of Nampa.

Paul Sand was the Libertarian Party’s nominee for governor in the 2022 primaries. Before that, he served 10 years on the White Bird City Council. Originally from Minnesota, he is camping Libertarian with the belief that the current political system is one of government versus citizens rather than right versus left.

The following positions are judicial non-partisan positions that will appear on the back side of the ballot: Justice of the Supreme Court seat C and seat E; Judge of the Court of Appeals seat D; and four Second Judicial District Judge Positions for Idaho Country seat A, Latah County seat A, and Nez Perce County seats A and B.

More information about the candidates can be found on the Non-Partisan Voting Guide.

All names and positions can be found on Latah County Officials’s Voter Pamphlet. Early voting will open May 4, with voting occurring through May 19.

Constitution Party Ballot Voters registered with the Constitution party can vote for the Democratic ballot or non-partisan ballot.

Unaffiliated Voters Unaffiliated voters can affiliate on Election Day and can select the Democratic ballot, Libertarian ballot, Republican ballot or non-partisan ballot.

Richard Pathomsiri | Argonaut Voters fill out their ballots in the Student Recreation Center during the 2020 election

Standout Vandal Spotlight

Tyler Graff: A distance star quickly rising

Graff explodes for a personal best at the 3,000m steeplechase

Gage McElroy

ARGONAUT

With the 2026 outdoor track and field season nearing its end, one Vandal distance runner has steadily carved out a reputation as one of the program’s most reliable and determined competitors. Senior Tyler Graff has emerged as a key figure for Idaho, showcasing consistency, growth and resilience, especially in the demanding 3,000meter steeplechase.

With years of development behind him and momentum building in his final season, he is proving to be a crucial piece of the Vandals’ distance squad.

Coming from Seattle, and a graduate of Bishop Blanchet High School, the senior civil engineering major has been building toward this moment since his early running days. Even in high school, he showed promise on the track, finishing no.5 in the 1,600 meters at the 2022 Seattle Metro Championships after placing no.4 the year prior.

Those performances laid the groundwork for a collegiate career defined by steady improvement and a willingness to take on new challenges.

As a freshman during the 2022–2023 season, he wasted little time making his presence known, competing in the 3,000meter steeplechase, a grueling event that combines distance running with barriers and water jumps.

Graff secured a second-place finish at the 2023 Whitworth Twilight and Alumni Meet. That early podium finish signaled his potential and hinted at the success that would follow in later seasons.

Building on that momentum, his sophomore season in 2023–2024 saw him take another step forward. He recorded two third- place finishes in the 3,000-meter steeplechase at both the Buc Scoring Invite

Jayden

The 2025-26 spring sports are coming to an end for the Idaho Vandals, with a lot of teams and players ending their respected seasons strong.

Men’s Golf

The Idaho Vandals men’s golf team had been playing great all season and were ready to compete at the Big Sky Championships on April 27–29. Idaho went stroke for stroke with the competition and finished second place with a score of 850.

Senior Sam Johnson led Idaho finishing no.5 with -5, capping off his tremendous All-Big Sky First Team season. He was joined by teammates senior Josh McCartain, Joe Sykes and graduate student Dalton Dean.

Sykes was the second Vandal to finish in the top 10 with a sixth-place finish, ending his season at -5.

McCartain, who won Big Sky Player of the Year, rounded out the Vandals’ top 10 finishes with a ninth-place finish at -2.

Sophomore Charley Simpson was the final Vandal in the scoring lineup, finishing in 27th place.

Head coach David Nuhn was proud of the team and their runner-up performance.

“I am proud of the battle today. I knew we had to apply some pressure at the start of the round, and I felt like we did that, but sometimes it doesn’t materialize in the end,” Nuhn said in an Idaho Athletics press release. “I am grateful to our four seniors and the effort that they have given to our program. I am going to miss the time I’ve spent with them.”

Women’s Golf

The Vandals women’s golf team also traveled to the Big Sky Tournament on April 20–22. Idaho fought hard and shot a total

and the Beach Invitational, continuing to establish himself as a consistent competitor in the event.

His performance throughout the season earned him a spot representing Idaho at the 2024 Big Sky Conference Outdoor Track and Field Championship, an important milestone that reflected his growing role within the program.

By his junior year, Graff began to expand his skill set while continuing to improve in his signature event. During the 2024–2025 season, he earned a second-place finish in the 3,000-meter steeplechase at the Washington State University Cougar Classic, one of his strongest performances to date.

Beyond that, he set multiple personal records across several distances, demonstrating both versatility and a commitment to development. Notably, he also took on the mile for the first time in his collegiate career, showing a willingness to push beyond his comfort zone and contribute in new ways for the team.

His progression is evident when looking at his collegiate personal records. From an 800-meter time of 2:13.10 to a 1,500-meter mark of 4:09.23 and a mile time of 4:37.58, his range as a distance athlete is clear. In longer events, he has posted an 8:57.54 in the 3,000 meters, but it is in the 3,000-meter steeplechase where he truly stands out.

His personal best of 9:22.35 not only represents a significant achievement but also stands as the team’s best mark, underscoring his importance to the Vandals’ distance program.

Now, as a senior, he enters the 2026 season with experience, confidence and a clear sense of purpose.

Having steadily climbed the ranks over the past three years, he is now in a position to lead, both through his performances and his example.

On a more recent note, Graff ran an insane personal record in the 3,000-meter steeplechase, finishing in 9:22.35 seconds. His journey has not been defined by sudden

breakthroughs, but rather by consistent effort, incremental progress and a determination to improve each time he steps on the track.

As the season unfolds, expectations will continue to rise. With his proven ability to compete at a high level in the steeplechase and his expanding range across distance events, he has the tools to make a significant impact in the Big Sky Conference.

Whether it’s chasing a conference podium, setting new personal records or helping lead the Vandals in key meets, his presence will be felt.

More than anything, his story reflects the essence of collegiate athletics growth, dedication to craft and the pursuit of excellence.

As he closes out his career at Idaho, Tyler Graff isn’t just competing for results, he’s cementing a legacy built on perseverance and steady progression.

And as each race passes, it becomes increasingly clear that his best moments may still lie ahead.

score of 885 but finished in sixth place.

Redshirt senior Boram Jung led the Vandals as she tied for no.12 with a score of +5. After shooting +3 in the first two rounds, she capped her season with her best round of the tournament, going -1 to finish strong.

Sophomore Laura Caamano finished tied for no.16 with a score of +7. The first round was her best when she shot +1 before shooting +3 in each of her last two rounds.

Sophomore Ella Kozak ended her tournament with a 28th-place finish and a +14 score. She started strong in the first two rounds with a score of +2 heading into the third round, where she struggled and finished with a +10.

Freshman Diya Brar capped the Vandals’ scoring with a 30th-place finish at +16.

The Vandals showed flashes of their great talent throughout the season and fought hard until the very end.

Men’s Tennis

The Idaho Vandals men’s tennis team headed to Arizona for the Big Sky Tournament on April 21–23.

The fifth-seeded Vandals’ stay in Arizona would be short lived, as they fell to the fourth-seeded Montana State Bobcats on the first day 4-2, ending their season at 8-18 and losing seven of their last eight matches.

First-time All-Big Sky duo senior Chetanna Amadike and sophomore Gabriel Moroder got the Vandals going early with a victory over Bobcats sophomore Eddie Biss and junior Andre Stewart 6-2.

The Vandals’ second doubles pairing of junior Mikolaj Lis and sophomore Noe De Col defeated sophomore Camille Chantron and freshman David Ismanescu 6-3 to claim the point and put the Vandals up 1-0.

The Bobcats, however, started to piece things together during singles, winning four in a row to put the Vandals down 4-1 entering the final match.

Freshman Valentin Glasl didn’t let the Vandals go down without a fight, pulling a match back with a 6-2, 6-3 defeat of Chantron, but the effort wasn’t enough and the Vandals were eliminated.

Tennis

Women’s

The Vandals women’s tennis team had a season of ups and downs, and coming into the Big Sky Tournament, they had lost their last three matches, including a 6-1 defeat to the Eastern Washington Eagles, who happened to be their first-round opponent.

The Vandals clipped the Eagles’ wings, knocking them out of the tournament with a 4-0 win and advancing to the semifinals.

Idaho started off the match with their top doubles duo of juniors Naomi Schraeder and Jessica Matthews back on the court together.

The pair picked up where they left off, defeating Eastern Washington’s sophomores Olivia Marais and Zoe Pradel 6-2.

The Vandals followed that up with doubles partners junior Ida Johansson and sophomore Hanna Koprowska, the team’s second doubles pair all season.

They defeated seniors Anait Arutiunian

and Sara Vasic 6-3 giving Idaho the point. Sophomore Chenyue Xu started singles off right with a 6-4, 6-0 victory over senior Leandra Nizetic. Johansson gave the Vandals a commanding 3-0 lead with a 6-2, 6-2 win over freshman Veronika Gayevyk. Sophomore Soha Singh closed it out with a 6-1, 6-2 win over freshman Aneliss Zamfirescu, setting up a matchup with powerhouse Sacramento State.

The Vandals fought until the last point but were outmatched, falling 4-1 to the Hornets. Johansson earned the lone singles win for Idaho in a hard-fought 6-0, 6-4 battle.

With the spring season now behind them, the Vandals can look back with pride on what they accomplished both individually and collectively and set their sights on an even stronger year to come.

Aubrey Sharp | Argonaut

UI junior Ida Johansson stares at the fast moving tennis ball in their match versus LCSC

Courtesy | Idaho Athletics

UI senior long distance runner Tyler Graff sprints by pack of Washington State atheletes at the Cougar Classic in Pullman

Unfinished business: Idaho ready for title run

Vandals sport a new look and hunger for the 2026-27 season

Jayden Barfuss ARGONAUT

As the Idaho Vandals women’s soccer team walked off the field last fall after losing to the Montana Grizzlies in the Big Sky semifinals on penalty kicks, the 6-5-9 record told only part of the story. The goal of a championship had slipped away, but this spring the Vandals set out to change the narrative, reestablish their standard and rebuild the excitement in Moscow.

The spring season delivered exactly what they were hoping for. Idaho finished 4-0-1, with wins over Spokane Community College (11-0), the University of Seattle (2-1), Gonzaga University (4-1) and Central Washington University (2-0), before drawing border rivals Washington State 1-1 in the P1FCU Kibbie Dome. In five games, the Vandals scored 20 goals and conceded just three.

Beyond the results, Idaho featured a revamped roster with players stepping into new roles and staking their claims ahead of the fall.

“Great spring for us, really, really positive,” head coach Jeremy Clevenger said. “I thought we got better every day and played some really good teams. It was a great opportunity for a lot of players to step up in different roles, in different situations and against different styles. Not one team was the same, and I thought we did really well. Overall, I’m super happy.”

Attacking brilliance

The Vandals lost forwards Naomi Alvarez and Karli Yoshida-Williams in the offseason, leaving questions in a forward room that had already struggled with consistency last season. But the players who remain have answered loudly.

Redshirt junior Calli Chiarelli and senior Georgia Whitehead lead the line. Their speed and explosiveness are immediately apparent on film, and their movement near goal is dynamic. What stands out on closer inspection is their soccer IQ and chemistry. The duo combined for six goals last fall, and that connection has only grown stronger this

spring.

“We worked very hard and showed up every day, determined to get better as a team,” Chiarelli said. “This spring, a lot of people really stepped up and filled roles we lost when some seniors left. We bonded really well, and the work paid off.”

Alongside them, freshman Makenna Stuart, redshirt junior Payton Oelkers, and junior Karina da Silva have all flashed their ability while proving they can be impactful depth pieces come fall. Stuart has been particularly impressive. Her hold-up play, ability to connect with teammates, and pace on and off the ball have her poised for a strong sopho more season.

As a unit, the forward line has focused on finishing chances and staying composed in the final third.

“We have that hunger for the net,” Chiarelli said. “Everyone’s doing their part. We’ve been a lot better at crashing the box and putting the ball in the back of the net.”

The Midfield engine

Under Clevenger, the midfield has long been the pulse of the Vandals, and this year looks no different. After losing team captain Annika Farley, the group’s other leaders have stepped up.

Junior Sara Rodgers anchors the line. She led the team in goals last season and is a steady presence who connects the backline to the attack, controls tempo, and is a constant threat on set pieces. Coming off a career year, Rodgers has grown into a leadership role on and off the field that will be central to Idaho’s success.

Alongside her, sophomore Hallie Pri nos-Grumbach and junior Tori Peters bring creativity and experience and have been re sponsible for much of the Vandals’ success over the past two seasons.

Freshman Alyssa Hamilton has also emerged as a dynamic fourth option. Her willingness to take defenders on and her high work rate make her a player to watch.

Adding depth is senior Deanna Montero, who tore her ACL in the first game of last season. Her creativity and experience will be a welcome addition when she returns.

The backline is the foundation of the Vandals, and it returns a lot of its pieces from a year ago. Junior center back Izzy Thoma has quickly become one of the best defenders in the Big Sky. Her athleticism, instincts and ability to read the game have

ing scheme. Goldner may be the most dynamic player in the group. Her speed, IQ and attacking instincts give Idaho an outlet to stretch the field and create in the final third. Her ability to defend one-on-one and instantly flip the Amid all the change, redshirt sophomore

The Defensive backbone

the game, but her set-piece delivery is what separates her. Her accuracy and placement make her a key part of the Vandals’ attack-

Vandals end spring with black and gold game

Physical defense steals the show for the Vandals

Liam Bradford ARGONAUT

The P1FCU Kibbie Dome hosted the final checkpoint of a productive spring for Idaho football on May 1, as the Vandals wrapped up 14 practices with their annual Black-Gold Spring Game. While the black team took a 21-3 win, the bigger takeaway was the progress made over the past month as Idaho continues building toward a pivotal 2026 season under head coach Thomas Ford Jr.

“We got what we needed,” Ford said afterward. “It was a successful day.”

On the very first play from scrimmage, junior college transfer running back Damonte Bias made his presence felt, ripping off a 41-yard run that set the tone for the evening. Bias capped the opening drive with 57 rushing yards, helping set up a play-action 11-yard touchdown pass from junior quarterback Joshua Wood to sophomore wide receiver Noah West-Baranco.

Wood, who remains firmly entrenched as the team’s starting quarterback, showed flashes of his sky-high potential throughout his four drives. While the defense generated pressure at times, he looked comfortable in the pocket, delivering clean throws and managing the offense efficiently.

That balance extended to the run game as well. Senior running back Hayden Kincheloe did what he does best, bringing a physical, downhill presence that culminated in a one-yard touchdown run late in the first half.

But if there was one clear theme that defined both the spring game and the broader spring period, it was the defense.

Idaho’s starting defensive unit controlled the line of scrimmage for much of the night, consistently limiting running lanes and forcing difficult situations for the gold team offense. Linebackers Darrell Gipson Jr. and Cruz Hepburn each recorded impactful sacks, while the defensive front repeatedly disrupted plays before they could develop.

The secondary was equally impressive. Graduate transfer from North Texas, Tyrane Stewart, stood out with tight coverage throughout the game.

“I think our guys are playing faster,” Ford said, attributing the improvement to a better understanding of responsibilities

and scheme. With new systems installed on all three phases of the ball this spring, that growth was a major point of emphasis.

The Vandals’ defensive front, in particular, showed stark improvement in two key areas: pass rush and stopping the run. Both were areas of focus after last season, and both appeared significantly improved during the spring.

Offensively, the development wasn’t limited to the starting unit.

Redshirt freshman quarterback Sawyer Teeney emerged as the clear No. 2 option behind Wood for the second straight year, putting together multiple strong drives. His most notable moment came just before halftime, when he moved the offense into field goal range in under a minute. Although the drive ended in a botched snap on the

field goal attempt, Teeney’s command of the offense stood out.

He continued that momentum in the second half, delivering an impressive cross-body throw to sophomore receiver Marquawn McCraney. Teeney later capped a scoring drive with a touchdown pass to junior wideout Tony Harste, extending the lead to 21-3.

Further down the depth chart, freshman quarterback Blitz McCarty provided a glimpse of the future. The Denver native showcased his athleticism on the final drives of the game, using his legs to create plays and extend drives.

The Gold team’s lone points came on a 52-yard field goal from Cameron Pope, finishing off a drive led by sophomore quarterback Holden Bea. Though oppor-

tunities were limited, the drive highlighted the competitive depth Idaho has built across multiple position groups.

“It’s about development,” Ford said. “Getting those guys on film, getting them opportunities to improve.”

Beyond individual performances, the broader takeaway from the spring was the team’s growing understanding of its identity.

After an up-and-down 2025 season, Idaho entered the spring with clear goals: improve physicality, adapt to new schemes and build a more complete team. By Ford’s assessment, the Vandals made meaningful progress in all three areas.

The combination of a strong returning run game and improved defensive playmaking, Idaho appears to be trending toward a more balanced and dynamic roster.

“We just want to score goals, this spring, the Vandals believe they have the pieces to chase

UI redshirt junior forward Georgia Whitehead tries to save the ball from going out of bounds

John Keegan Argonaut

UI running back, Hayden Kincheloe, dances down the sideline, evading a tackle from defensive backs Ishaan Daniels and Tsiyown Lowery

Doug Wilson’s view is short-sighted

Christian nationalists are pushing antiAmerican ideas

Christopher Sprague ARGONAUT

On April 9, Douglas Wilson, senior pastor of local Christ Church, held a Q&A session at the University of Idaho about what to expect from a Christian nationalist church. During this Q&A session, Wilson talked about his vision for what an America with a state-sponsored religion would look like.

While it is common for modern Christians to claim that the United States is a “Christian nation,” this is not backed up by the statements and actions of the founding fathers and other early American political figures.

The most prominent argument against the inherent Christianity of America is the First Amendment, which states, “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.” There is no mention of how the U.S. is Christian. The 1796 Treaty of Tripoli, which was ratified by the Senate and signed by President John Adams, states, “As the government of the United States of America is not in any sense founded on the Christian Religion, as it has in itself no character of enmity against the laws, religious or tranquility of Musselmen [Muslims].” This document explicitly states how early Americans felt about state religion.

In opposition to the freedom built into the Bill of Rights and supported by founding documents, Wilson said, “The United States is a Christian nation and should have laws and regulations that abide by Christian theology.” Along with that, his panel, composed of himself and two other Christian nationalists, responded to a question about the First Amendment by talking about how their ideal state would not allow for religious institutes and buildings outside of the mandated state religion, Christianity.

But don’t worry. While the state would not endorse or allow other religions to promote or convert people within a Christian state, they would be free to

practice the religion privately. It is very telling that they want to forbid other religions from proselytizing and converting Americans, something which American Christians are famous for doing.

Wilson assured a questioner that “I’m not trying to reverse the 19th Amendment right this minute.” The 19th Amendment gave women the right to vote. Wilson is a famous supporter of the idea that votes are cast by the household with one vote per adult controlled by the man of the house. Another panelist, Jared Longshore, said, “The idea is basically recovering the family as a fundamental unit of society.

Wilson’s other big point was bringing back the anti-sodomy

laws of the early-mid 20th century. These laws allowed the shutting down of gay bars and other LGBTQ+ spaces and the prevention of public gay partnerships.

Wilson did say “I would not want a sexual Gestapo,” he just wants them persecuted and hidden, not rounded up into camps and murdered.

It is worth noting that, from Wilson’s Nazi comparison, some of the first people the Nazis targeted was the LGBTQ+ community. And they didn’t start by killing them in the street; they started their persecution by closing gay/lesbian bars and other LGBTQ+ spaces, strikingly similar to what Wilson proposes.

At the end of the day, it is fundamentally anti-American to restrict the freedoms of other people, whether it is their freedom to practice their religion in mosques or synagogues, their freedom to vote independently of their husbands, or their freedom to gather in spaces they feel safe in.

An America where you must hide your partnership, hide your worship and cannot vote independently is not America at all. The fact that public figures such as Wilson are pushing for this should raise alarm bells.

After all, if these Christian nationalists don’t like America or her values, they can leave.

Dead week isn’t “dead” anymore

Dead week should go back to its orginal purpose as it overworks students

Christopher Sprague ARGONAUT

It is almost the end of the semester, which means it is time for dead week, officially known as no-exams week, a time for students to get a break from constant assignments and have a break from the constant stress to study for finals.

However, here at the University of Idaho, dead week is a time that has instead become

a major stressor for students. Students who are in a rush to complete projects, assignments and essays, even tests, are also studying for finals.

UI policy states that professors cannot give quizzes or exams during dead week, however this doesn’t stop many of them from giving tests in some way. Either they change the name of the test so it is not technically an exam, or professors will give projects instead to test their students.

On top of this, lab courses are exempt from the no-exam policy, which seems like it disregards the whole point of having a no-exam week for students.

These lab exams often function as cumulative final exams for a whole semester of coursework because lab courses don’t give tests during finals week.

On top of that, all the projects and essays are due during this time, each carry significant weight grade-wise and eat up time that could be used to study for finals. Students have more than just one class to deal with at a time, which means their week is completely full.

Brent McClanahan, a sophomore studying business, said, “I think that dead week is very busy because there are professors still giving out essays and classwork, my ideal dead week would look

like having less homework and more time to study for finals, with professors providing more resources to help students during finals week.”

Ultimately, UI is at a crossroads where they can go in two different ways. On one hand, the university can continue this current trajectory of piling more and more on students during dead week, letting teachers get away with subverting the policy and allowing labs to be exempt, which isn’t helping students succeed and only increasing their stress and workload.

Or UI can go a different way. They could review the dead week policy and hope-

fully add some changes that can bring dead week back to what it was intended to be, a time for students. The university can start enforcing the policy better and expand the non-test rule to include lab courses. On top of that, they could place restrictions on what assignments can be given during this time.

The students of UI deserve to have a successful education, one that supports them during the end of the semester, instead of punishing them with a work overload.

Students deserve to have time to study for their finals or complete projects and essays.

Reagan Jones | Argonaut

Doug Wilson, speaking at the Great Debate on March 26, 2026, in the ICCU Arena, whose topics sparked controversy on the UI campus

As the national convention group tours the country, students face a choice between meaningful debate and political spectacle

AJ Pearman

ARGONAUT

Turning Point USA brought its national campus tour to the University of Idaho in April. The event drew more than just a crowd—it sparked a conversation the university community shouldn’t avoid.

The event took place on Tuesday, April 28. “This Is the Turning Point Tour” stop in Moscow featured conservative commentators Matt Walsh and Michael Knowles, along with an open-mic format encouraging students to challenge speakers directly, according to Local News 8.

The event, organized by the university’s TPUSA chapter, is part of a broader national effort to bring conservative voices to college campuses and promote what the group describes as open dialogue. That goal sounds straightforward; in practice, it rarely is.

College campuses—especially public ones like UI—are supposed to be marketplaces of ideas. The First Amendment protects even the most controversial speech, and universities have a responsibility to uphold that principle.

Whether students agree with TPUSA or not, the organization has every right to host a panel, invite speakers and challenge prevailing viewpoints.

But free speech is only part of the equation. The real question is whether events like this foster meaningful dialogue—or simply deepen ideological divides.

Turning Point USA has built its national presence on the idea that conservative students are marginalized in higher education.

With hundreds of campus chapters across the country, the organization frames its events as a corrective to what it sees as a dominant liberal culture in academia. Its tours often emphasize confrontation, debate and viral moments, encouraging students to publicly challenge opposing views.

That approach can be productive when it leads to thoughtful discussion. The inclu-

students to digest TPUSA

sion of open-mic participation at the Idaho event suggests an attempt to engage students directly rather than simply lecture them.

In theory, that’s exactly what universities should encourage—students asking hard questions and testing ideas in real time.

Yet there’s a difference between dialogue and spectacle.

TPUSA events nationwide have sometimes attracted protests, viral clashes and heightened tensions, reflecting the broader polarization of American politics. Even when protests remain peaceful, the environment can shift from intellectual exchange to ideological standoff.

That dynamic risks turning campus events into performances for national audiences rather than conversations rooted in the campus community.

For UI, the challenge is not whether the event should happen—it should—but how the campus responds to it.

Students who oppose TPUSA’s message have every right to protest, organize counter-events or simply choose not to attend. But attempts to shut down the event or silence speakers would undermine the very principles many students claim to defend. At the same time, supporters of the event should be prepared for criticism and recognize that free speech includes dissent, not just agreement.

The responsibility also falls on the university itself. Administrators must ensure the event remains safe and accessible while reaffirming a commitment to viewpoint diversity. That means protecting the speakers’ right to present their ideas while also creat-

ing space for opposing voices to be heard.

Ultimately, the significance of Turning Point USA’s visit is not about who is speaking on stage. It’s about what happens off it.

If students engage thoughtfully, ask questions, listen critically and respond with substance rather than slogans—the event could serve as a valuable exercise in civic discourse. If it devolves into shouting matches or social media fodder, it will only reinforce the divisions it claims to challenge.

UI does not need more noise. It needs better conversations.

Turning Point USA’s panel offers an opportunity. Whether it becomes a productive dialogue or just another flashpoint depends less on the organization—and more on how students choose to respond.

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John Keegan | Argonaut

An American flag flies next to the Administration Building on a nice, spring afternoon on the UI campus

Reagan Jones | Argonaut

Duke Solinus, played by Jeremiah Price, presides over the trial of Egeon of Syracuse at the start of the play

Reagan Jones Argonaut

Antipholus of Ephesus, one of the actor twins played by Riley Duvall, speaks with another twin, Dromo of Ephesus Kai Campbell

Reagan Jones Argonaut

Egeon, played by Maysen Beall, explains the story of how he got separated from the twins during his trial

Reagan Jones | Argonaut Dromio of Syracuse, played by Rylan Love, has a box on his head after arguing with one of the twins, Antipholus of Syracuse

Reagan Jones | Argonaut

Adriana, played played by Cambree Miller, is comforted by Luciana, played by Rio Dubin

Reagan Jones | Argonaut

Antipholus of Syracuse, played by Devony Hunter, locks rapiers in a sword fight