Latest news with #TomWheeler
Yahoo
a day ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Canyon County celebrates 2nd Pride festival by tripling in size
Canyon County Pride's inaugural 2024 celebration proved more successful than its organizers dared hope, with thousands of attendees, long lines at the entrance and a packed event space. Organizers responded by tripling the size of the 2025 event at Lakeview Park in Nampa. The 2,000 feet of temporary fencing around the perimeter was about three times last year's size, the number of booths grew from about 40 to 100 and the event ran for eight hours compared to last year's three, according to organizer Tom Wheeler. 'I'll never forget seeing a line up and around the park with thousands of people who were shoulder to shoulder in a very small space,' Wheeler told the Idaho Statesman as he recalled the 2024 event. 'And that's when I realized…that it's not that this was some crazy idea. I think Nampa and Canyon County were waiting for the door to be open to celebrate Pride and celebrate the diversity of Canyon County.' Volunteers stationed at the entrance of Sunday's event counted more than 4,000 attendees, which was about the same as last year, according to an entrance count done by organizers. The event, which ran from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., included a stage with musical acts and a variety of speakers, food trucks and booths with vendors and community information. Kristen Thom, co-owner of Canary Books in downtown Nampa, said she set up a booth because she wanted to help others access LGBTQ stories, especially in light of recent book bans at schools and libraries across Idaho. 'Having another outlet to get those books to people in the community can be really important, so we're happy to be here to be a vehicle for that,' Thom said. '…We just want these books circulating in our community, because there are people who need them. They need to read stories and feel seen and know that they're not alone.' Other locals also expressed the need for LGBTQ spaces within Canyon County, a largely Republican county where 72% of voters cast their ballots for President Donald Trump. 'Out in Canyon County, places like Caldwell, they tend to be very traditional and conservative,' Rylyee Cameron, of Caldwell, said. 'I haven't really been able to express my full authentic self up there, for fear of how people will react, and just harmful things that people have said at school that make me feel not safe. So it's really nice to be able to come out here to Canyon County Pride, where everybody's so accepting and loving, and I know that I'm not going to get bullied here.' Nikki Greer, another attendee, noted how much more accessible a Pride celebration in Nampa is for Canyon County residents. 'Not everybody can go to Boise to go to pride festivals,' Greer, 18, of Caldwell, said. 'Having one more in the area is a good thing.' The lead-up to the 2024 event became tense after Nampa Mayor Debbie Kling released a statement saying Canyon County Pride did 'not reflect the personal beliefs and convictions of myself, Nampa City Council, and many living in Nampa.' Wheeler said there was less push back this year. About 20 protesters stood at the entrance wearing shirts and holding signs with Christian messaging. They remained peaceful, handing out cards and offering to talk to attendees about religion. 'Last year, there was a little bit more hype around the fact that we were gonna throw a Pride festival,' Wheeler said. 'I think folks have more or less accepted that Pride is here. So it's actually been so smooth in terms of the response we've had from counterprotesters. We have our usual super fans who are here day in, day out, and we plan and expect for them. But everyone's being respectful, and that's the idea. We couldn't have asked for a better day and experience.'
Yahoo
09-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Trump administration investigating foreign donations at University of Pennsylvania
The Department of Education opened a foreign funding investigation into the University of Pennsylvania on Thursday. The department's Office of the General Counsel is requesting records from the university after a review allegedly revealed 'inaccurate and incomplete disclosures.' The university has 30 days to produce documents such as tax information back through 2017, admission agreements with foreign entities for international students, information on those involved with admitting foreign students and those working with non-U.S. research institutions, and a list of grants or gifts that came from foreign sources. 'UPenn has a troubling Section 117 compliance history, having failed to disclose any foreign funding until February of 2019 despite a decades-long statutory obligation to do so. Although the previous Administration degraded the Department's enforcement of universities' legal obligations to disclose foreign gifts and contracts, the Trump Administration will vigorously uphold the law and ensure universities are transparent with their foreign gifts and investments,' Education Department acting General Counsel Tom Wheeler said. Universities have an obligation to disclose foreign gifts or contracts with a value of $250,000 or more annually to the federal agency. The Hill has reached out to the university for comment. Penn has already seen $175 million in funding pulled by the Trump administration for alleged violations in its transgender student athlete policies. The school contends it is in compliance with the NCAA, which does not allow transgender women to compete on the women's teams now. The Trump administration has also opened a foreign funding investigation into Harvard. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Epoch Times
09-05-2025
- Business
- Epoch Times
University of Pennsylvania Under Investigation for ‘Inaccurate' Foreign Funding Disclosure: ED
The Department of Education's (ED) Office of the General Counsel (OGC) is investigating the University of Pennsylvania (UPenn) over the receipt of foreign funds and has sent a request for records to the institution, the ED said in a May 8 The 'records request' was sent after a review of reports submitted by the university allegedly showed that foreign funding disclosures were 'inaccurate and incomplete,' the department said. Under Section 117 of the Higher Education Act of 1965, universities and colleges in the United States receiving financial aid from the federal government are obligated to disclose any gifts, contracts, or restricted agreements from foreign sources that are valued at $250,000 or more in a year. Colleges and universities should also report any foreign ownership or significant control in their institutions. These measures are in place to protect the country's higher education from foreign influence. Despite this obligation, 'UPenn has a troubling Section 117 compliance history, having failed to disclose any foreign funding until February of 2019 despite a decades-long statutory obligation to do so,' said Acting General Counsel Tom Wheeler. 'Although the previous Administration degraded the Department's enforcement of universities' legal obligations to disclose foreign gifts and contracts, the Trump Administration will vigorously uphold the law and ensure universities are transparent with their foreign gifts and investments.' Related Stories 5/6/2025 5/5/2025 The ED sent a letter to UPenn on May 8, informing the university about the investigation. The department asked the university to produce relevant records within 30 days, which include tax records from January 2017, copies of written agreements with foreign governments or entities detailing admission agreements for international students, and a full list of all foreign gifts, grants, and restricted contracts from January 2017. The institution must also submit a copy of its written procedures and administrative systems aimed at achieving compliance with the foreign funding disclosure requirements under Section 117. 'OGC will investigate this matter thoroughly, ensuring that universities cannot conceal the infiltration of our nation's campuses by foreign governments and other foreign interests,' Wheeler said. 'The American people and Congress have a right to know the impact of foreign funding on our universities, including some of our critically important research universities.' The Epoch Times reached out to the University of Pennsylvania for comment. This isn't the first time UPenn is facing scrutiny over foreign funding. A Investigating Universities The Education Department is investigating the foreign ties of multiple other universities. Previous to this announcement, multiple agencies had asked the university to adopt certain policies to continue receiving federal funding. This included eliminating DEI initiatives, prioritizing merit over race or gender in hiring and admission, and screening out applicants during the international admission process who are 'hostile to American values.' Harvard refused to conform to these requests. 'We are going to be taking away Harvard's Tax Exempt Status. It's what they deserve!' Trump said in a May 2 social media ED is also investigating the University of California–Berkeley, sending a records request for foreign funding disclosures, the department In a statement to The Epoch Times, the institution said that 'over the course of the last two years, UC Berkeley has been cooperating with federal inquiries regarding 117 reporting issues, and will continue to do so.' Aaron Gifford contributed to the report.
The Hill
09-05-2025
- Business
- The Hill
Trump administration investigating foreign donations at University of Pennsylvania
The Department of Education opened a foreign funding investigation into the University of Pennsylvania on Thursday. The department's Office of the General Counsel is requesting records from the university after a review allegedly revealed 'inaccurate and incomplete disclosures.' The university has 30 days to produce documents such as tax information back through 2017, admission agreements with foreign entities for international students, information on those involved with admitting foreign students and those working with non-U.S. research institutions and a list of grants or gifts that came from foreign sources. 'UPenn has a troubling Section 117 compliance history, having failed to disclose any foreign funding until February of 2019 despite a decades-long statutory obligation to do so. Although the previous Administration degraded the Department's enforcement of universities' legal obligations to disclose foreign gifts and contracts, the Trump Administration will vigorously uphold the law and ensure universities are transparent with their foreign gifts and investments,' said acting General Counsel Tom Wheeler. Universities have an obligation to disclose foreign gifts or contracts with a value of $250,000 or more annually to the federal agency. The Hill has reached out to the university for comment. Penn has already seen $175 million in funding pulled by the Trump administration for alleged violations in its transgender student athlete policies. The school contends it is in compliance with NCAA, which does not allow transgender women to compete on the girls' teams now. The Trump administration has also opened a foreign funding investigation into Harvard.
Yahoo
21-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
These anti-LGBTQ+ bills were introduced in 2025 Idaho legislative session. Where does each stand?
Tom Wheeler holds a pride flag at Canyon County Pride 2024 in Nampa. (Photo courtesy of Canyon County Pride) Tom Wheeler did not anticipate the inaugural Pride event he planned last June would inspire Idaho lawmakers to change the state's indecent exposure law. The Canyon County Pride president said the event was meant to be family friendly. But after an individual attending the event wore nipple pasties — despite requests from event organizers to put on a shirt — Idaho state lawmakers crafted House Bill 270 this year. The bill updates the law to ban the public exposure of female breasts, male breasts altered to look like female breasts, artificial breasts and products resembling genitals. Gov. Brad Little signed the bill into law, and it's effective immediately. House Bill 270 is among several Idaho bills that received national attention for targeting LGBTQ+ rights, particularly for transgender individuals. Those pieces of legislation were a part of a larger effort by Idaho lawmakers to limit diversity, equity and inclusion, or DEI, programs; sex education; government display of pride flags; and medical treatment for transgender individuals — policies that reflect similar efforts by the Trump administration. 'It's unsurprising, but it's really disappointing that that's how these Republican legislators are spending their time,' Wheeler told the Idaho Capital Sun. 'They're very obsessed with gay people.' In his testimony against House Bill 270, Nikson Mathews, a trans man, said the bill would criminalize him for doing something as simple as mowing his lawn while shirtless. The Idaho transgender rights advocate said the 2025 legislative session was the 'worst session' he's experienced. 'Our community — every year, but I think this year especially — is getting smaller because there's just so much uncertainty happening right now,' Mathews told the Sun. 'It kind of feels like our futures are being stolen from us because of what is happening nationally and what is happening locally.' He called the first pieces of legislation introduced this session — both of which targeted LGBTQ+ individuals — a 'damning introduction' to the kinds of laws that would make their way through the Statehouse. 'This is our home and our community, and so we will stay as long as we possibly can,' Mathews said about himself and his partner. 'But I'll tell you, every single queer person — especially trans people in this state — we're all planning for what is that line when we have to make a decision to leave.' SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Idaho Senate Minority Leader Melissa Wintrow, D-Boise said the around two dozen anti-LGBTQ+ bills considered in Idaho this year work together. 'The cumulative effect is with the intention to erase and not recognize human beings based on who they are,' she told the Sun. 'And that is the definition of discrimination. So, this Legislature has embraced formal discrimination.' Rep. Barbara Ehardt, R-Idaho Falls, sponsored several of this year's bills — but she said they aren't connected. And she pushed back on concerns that the Legislature is making it harder for LGBTQ+ people to live in Idaho. 'Nobody's making it harder for them to live in Idaho,' said Ehardt, a basketball coach who years earlier championed an Idaho bill that inspired other states to ban transgender kids from playing sports with students of their same gender. 'They keep choosing to create and make themselves a victim. They're not a victim. Just go to school. Be a normal school kid. Just study normal school academics.' In addition to House Bill 270, the Idaho Capital Sun has compiled a list of legislation crafted during the 2025 legislative session that impacts LGBTQ+ individuals living in Idaho. The following bills passed largely along party lines in both legislative chambers, and were signed into law by Gov. Little: Flags in schools House Bill 41 prohibits public schools from displaying flags that represent political, religious or ideological views within school property. Sponsors: Rep. Ted Hill, R-Eagle; Sen. Tammy Nichols, R-Middleton Status: Effective July 1 Flags on government property House Bill 96 restricts state and local government entities in Idaho to only display official domestic government and military flags. Schools, colleges and universities are exempt. Sponsors: Rep. Heather Scott, R-Blanchard; Sen. Ben Toews, R-Coeur d' Alene Status: In effect Transgender bathroom, dorm ban in state facilities House Bill 264 directs state correctional facilities, colleges and universities and domestic violence shelters to designate multi-occupancy restrooms, changing rooms and dorm rooms 'for the exclusive use by either females or males.' The bill says those facilities must only be used by 'members of that sex.' Ehardt said the bill was inspired by a national workgroup that spawned from her bill years earlier to restrict transgender students' sports participation. The group, she said, included around 20 groups, including influential conservative organizations such as the Heritage Foundation and the Alliance Defending Freedom, and an anti-trans feminist organization, the Women's Liberation Front, also known as WoLF. In women's prisons, Ehardt said the WoLF group became aware that 'men were starting to identify,' a trend she said started in California but has happened elsewhere. CONTACT US Around 60 to 70 patients in Idaho Department of Correction custody have been diagnosed with gender dysphoria, court documents released in a lawsuit last year showed. 'If they watch what's happening in the rest of the states, it's only a matter before they start making their claim to be able to come to the women's spaces,' Ehardt told the Sun. 'This legislation has absolutely nothing to do with the L, the G or the B. It only has to do with the T, and very narrowly defined,' she said. Sponsors: Rep. Barbara Ehardt, R-Idaho Falls; Sen. Cindy Carlson, R-Riggins Status: Effective July 1 Denying medical procedures depending on moral beliefs House Bill 59 allows health care workers to deny participating in medical procedures that violate their religious and moral beliefs. Sponsors: Rep. Bruce Skaug, R-Nampa; Sen. Carl Bjerke, R-Coeur d'Alene Status: In effect Requiring parents opt in to human sexuality education House Bill 239 requires parents or guardians to opt in to education on sexuality and gender identity. The bill requires parental consent for teachings about human sexuality, incorporating an existing definition in Idaho law that includes broader sex education concepts. The law's legal definition for abstinence includes sexual activities that can result in pregnancy, risk transmitting sexually transmitted diseases or infections; or present emotional risks. Ehardt said she'd been working on the bill since her first year in the Legislature. She said she pulled the human sexuality definition largely from the World Health Organization. While the definition affects LGBTQ+ sexuality teachings, she said it wasn't targeted at that — just 'all things sexual in nature. 'The sex was rampant. It could have been, you know, heterosexual sex. It could have been homosexual. It didn't matter,' Ehardt told the Sun. 'It's not necessary. The kids don't need to be exposed to any of that.' This year, she said she reached out to the Pacific Justice Institute, a conservative legal defense nonprofit based in California, for help crafting the bill's civil cause of action. The bill allows school boards to cure potential violations before a parent can sue. Sponsors: Rep. Barbara Ehardt, R-Idaho Falls; Sen. Tammy Nichols, R-Middleton Status: Effective July 1 Restricting K-12 discussion on sexual orientation, gender identity House Bill 352 directs school districts to adopt policies that ban education on 'sexual orientation or gender identity' from kindergarten through 12th grade. Sponsors: Rep. Dale Hawkins, R-Fernwood; Sen. Cindy Carlson, R-Riggins Status: Effective July 1 Another DEI ban Senate Bill 1198 follows years of legislative efforts to purge DEI in Idaho colleges and universities. It will ban DEI in higher ed: Hiring, employment practices, and 'promoting differential treatment' or benefits to people. And it stops higher ed institutions from requiring DEI classes outside of a degree program students choose, Idaho Education News reported. Sponsors: Sen. Ben Toews, R-Coeur d'Alene; Rep. Judy Boyle, R-Midvale Status: Effective July 1 Praising Boise State volleyball team for boycotting transgender player House Concurrent Resolution 2 'reaffirms Idaho's commitment to protecting female athletes under Title IX,' and it calls on the Mountain West Conference and the NCAA to revoke its policies allowing transgender athletes to participate in sports. Sponsor: Rep. Barbara Ehardt, R-Idaho Falls; Rep. Brent Crane, R-Nampa; Sen. Cindy Carlson, R-Riggins Status: Adopted by both legislative chambers, did not require the governor's signature. 'Traditional family values' month House Concurrent Resolution 18 designates the time from Mother's Day through Father's Day as 'Traditional Family Values Month' in Idaho. The legislation's purpose is to 'raise awareness' about the decline in 'traditional families,' which according to the legislation consists of 'a natural mother and father, children, grandparents, and extended family …' The resolution claims 'research demonstrates children who grow up in families with traditional values and gender roles are more likely to have traditional values and gender role expectations themselves,' and says 'there is an unprecedented attack on these beliefs' and their celebration. Sponsors: Rep. Joe Alfieri, R-Coeur d'Alene; Sen. Ben Toews, R-Coeur d'Alene Status: Adopted by both legislative chambers, did not require the governor's signature. Other pieces of legislation that didn't reach the governor's desk or receive the legislative approval needed to move forward include: Preventing youth from attending public drag shows House Bill 230 would have required event hosts and organizers to 'take reasonable steps' to restrict minors' access to public performances that involve 'live persons engaged in sexual conduct,' if such performances are 'patently offensive to an average person applying contemporary community standards in the adult community.' The bill's statement of purpose says the legislation 'uses the same indecency standard utilized by the federal government to determine whether content is appropriate for daytime television.' Sponsors: Rep. Ted Hill, R-Eagle; Idaho Family Policy Center, an organization that advocates for conservative Christian policies Status: Passed Idaho House 54-11, did not receive Senate hearing. A call to reverse same-sex marriage House Joint Memorial 1 was addressed to the U.S. Supreme Court and pushed to restore the authority of defining marriage to the states. It asked the court to reconsider its 2015 decision in Obergefell v. Hodges that legalized same-sex marriage across the U.S. Sponsor: Rep. Heather Scott, R-Blanchard Status: Passed the Idaho House, did not receive a hearing in the Senate. Despite the passage of many of these laws, LGBTQ+ advocates are planning Pride events across the Gem State later this year, including pride celebrations in Coeur d'Alene and Nampa in June, and Boise Pride in September. Wheeler said this year's Canyon County Pride will be bigger than last year's — and with more security measures. It will be held from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. June 8 at Lakeview Park in Nampa. 'We've tripled the space,' he said. 'We're tripling the six-foot privacy fencing for security purposes. Half of our budget is invested in private security and safety precautions.' There are 70 businesses participating in the upcoming event, Wheeler said. 'This administration and the times we are in have shown us that we really can't rely on the institutions that we pay our tax dollars to to protect and support us,' Wheeler said. 'It's more important now than ever to just be involved in direct action. Canyon County Pride is that direct action. It's a day to recognize how many individuals are in the community that really do exist and have these needs.' Tom Wheeler holds a pride flag at Canyon County Pride 2024 in Nampa. (Courtesy of Canyon County Pride) SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
