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Woke Boise Mayor Forced to Remove LGBT Flag From City Hall in Light of New Flag Law

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Rainbow flag waving against a blue sky with clouds, symbolizing LGBTQ+ pride and diversity.Rainbow flag waving against a blue sky with clouds, symbolizing LGBTQ+ pride and diversity.Image: Wikicommons/Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International license.

The woke Mayor of Boise, Idaho, Lauren McLean (D), was finally forced to remove the rainbow LGBT “pride” flag from its City Hall following implementation of a new flag law.

McLean tried to circumvent a prior law by formally designating the flag as the “official flag of our city” through a resolution.

In 2025, Idaho passed House Bill 96, which limited the flags that state and local governments (cities, counties, schools, etc.) could display on government property.

It generally restricted flying to the U.S. flag, the Idaho state flag, and a narrow list of approved flags (such as POW/MIA flags, official military flags, or certain historical flags).

Following efforts by some cities, like Boise, to attempt workarounds, HB 561 was introduced as a follow-up “cleanup” bill to close those loopholes and add real penalties.

On March 31, 2026. Idaho Republican Gov. Brad Little (R) ended efforts to play games with the language by signing House Bill 561 into law.

HB 561:

  • Expands the definition of “governmental entity” and “government property” to include not just buildings but also adjoining land, parks, roads, boulevards, etc.
  • Limits local flags: Cities and counties can only fly their own “official” flags if those were formally designated before January 1, 2023.
  • Adds enforcement teeth: Imposes a civil penalty of $2,000 per day, per offending flag.
  • Gives the Idaho Attorney General (Raúl Labrador) the authority to enforce the law, including issuing warnings and filing lawsuits.
  • Requires a 10-day “cure” period (warning) before fines kick in.
  • Removes or tightens some previous exceptions for other flags.
  • Includes some carve-outs added during the legislative process (e.g., allowances for certain historic international/cross-border flags or the Basque flag in specific contexts).

KTVB reports that the new rules have forced Boise to back down.

“Today, Governor Little signed HB 561 into law—a bill written with one purpose in mind: to prevent Boise from expressing our values by flying our official Pride flag, something we have done with the support of our community for more than a decade,” she wrote.

The mayor explained that the financial penalties would fall on taxpayers, which led the city to remove the flags from city property. According to the new law, a governmental entity that does not comply with the law will be asked to pay $2,000 per flag for each day the flag is displayed.

“Because the law includes a substantial penalty – one that would ultimately fall on the taxpayers of Boise to shoulder—I decided to take down the city’s official Pride flag,” McLean stated. “But let me be clear: Boise’s values have not changed, and they are not defined by any single action taken at the Statehouse.”

Governor Little signed the bill privately on Tuesday, March 31, 2026, at 11:44 a.m. Shortly after (around noon), the City of Boise removed the Pride flag from City Hall.

A video was shared of the flag removal while a subdued crowd gathered, like it was a solemn changing of the guard at Arlington, while crooning a self-soothing pride ballad.

Watch here.

The post Woke Boise Mayor Forced to Remove LGBT Flag From City Hall in Light of New Flag Law appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.

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Supreme Court Rules 8-1 Against Colorado’s Ban on ‘Conversion Therapy’ for Minors – Justice Jackson Dissents

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April 7, 2026

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The US Supreme Court on Tuesday ruled 8-1 against Colorado’s ‘conversion therapy’ ban for LGBTQ minors.

Liberal Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson dissented.

The lawsuit was filed by Christian talk therapist Kaley Chiles.

Kaley Chiles argued that Colorado’s ban on her talk therapy methods violated her First Amendment rights.

Chiles counsels children and minor teens struggling with gender identity issues.

Justice Gorsuch agreed and said Colorado’s ban on certain talk therapy methods “censors speech based on viewpoint.”

“Under our precedents, bedrock First Amendment principles have far less salience when the speakers are medical professionals,” Justice Jackson wrote, according to NBC News.

NBC News reported:

In a blow to LGBTQ rights, the Supreme Court on Tuesday ruled that Colorado’s ban on conversion therapy aimed at youths struggling with their sexual orientation or gender identity violates the free speech rights of a conservative Christian therapist.

The 8-1 decision in favor of therapist Kaley Chiles on her claim brought under the Constitution’s First Amendment is likely to have national implications — more than 20 states have similar laws. It could also have an impact on other forms of medical treatment that involve speech.

Writing for the majority, Justice Neil Gorsuch said that “the First Amendment stands as a shield against any effort to enforce orthodoxy in thought or speech in this country.”

Colorado’s law “does not just ban physical interventions,” Gorsuch wrote. It also “censors speech based on viewpoint.”

In deciding the case, the court embraced Chiles’ argument that the Colorado law banning conversion therapy regulates speech, not conduct, as Colorado had argued.

As such, the measure is not like other health care regulations that focus on conduct, the court concluded. The case, decided on the global Transgender Day of Visibility, will now return to the lower courts.

The post Supreme Court Rules 8-1 Against Colorado’s Ban on ‘Conversion Therapy’ for Minors – Justice Jackson Dissents appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.

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Seat to Watch: Connecticut’s 5th District Erupts in Firestorm Over GOP Ben Proto’s Embattled Leadership

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April 7, 2026

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Two men in suits, one smiling with a red tie and the other speaking, against a colorful background, showcasing a conversation or interview context.

Two men in suits, one smiling with a red tie and the other speaking, against a colorful background, showcasing a conversation or interview context.

Seat to Watch: Connecticut’s 5th District Erupts in Firestorm Over GOP Ben Proto’s Embattled Leadership A Friday night clash inside Connecticut’s Republican Party has erupted into a story with national … Read more

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BREAKING: American Journalist Kidnapped by Iranian-Backed Militias in Central Baghdad (VIDEO)

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April 7, 2026

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Surveillance footage shows a busy street in Baghdad where armed individuals reportedly kidnapped an American journalist.

An American journalist has reportedly been kidnapped in central Baghdad.

American freelance journalist Shelly Kittleson was kidnapped by armed men in Baghdad on Tuesday.

Iraq’s Interior Ministry confirmed the kidnapping.

Video shows a group of armed men surrounding a vehicle, opening the doors of the car, and driving off.

WATCH:

Shelly Kittleson was reportedly kidnapped by Iranian-backed militias.

Per Al Jazeera:

“Security forces said they managed to arrest one of the suspects and seize one of the vehicles used in the kidnapping.”

“The Ministry of Interior announces that this evening, a foreign journalist was kidnapped by unknown individuals. Security forces immediately launched an operation to apprehend the perpetrators, acting on precise intelligence and through intensive field operations, tracking the kidnappers’ movements.”

“The pursuit resulted in the interception of a vehicle belonging to the kidnappers, which overturned as they attempted to flee. Security forces were able to arrest one of the suspects and seize one of the vehicles used in the crime.”

“The Ministry affirms that efforts are ongoing to track down the remaining individuals involved, secure the release of the kidnapped journalist, and take all necessary legal measures against all those involved in this criminal act, in accordance with the law.”

Photos posted to social media show the vehicle belonging to the kidnappers damaged after crashing amid a pursuit.

Shelly Kittleson’s whereabouts are not known at this time.

Update: The US State Department released a statement on the kidnapping:

•The Trump Administration has no higher priority than the safety and security of Americans.
•We are closing tracking these reports.
•Due to privacy and other considerations, we have nothing further to share at this time.

Alex Plitsas, Shelly Kittleson’s US point of contact confirmed she has been kidnapped.

“I can confirm that my friend Shelly Kittleson was abducted and may have taken hostage in Baghdad by Khatib Hezbollah. Whereabouts and condition unknown. I am her designated U.S. point of contact. If you have information please provide to law enforcement and send me a DM,” he said.

DEVELOPING…

The post BREAKING: American Journalist Kidnapped by Iranian-Backed Militias in Central Baghdad (VIDEO) appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.

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