Idaho Senators Push Ag Spying Bill Through

BOISE, Idaho (AP) — Senators agreed to intensify punishments for those who film their operations without permission. Idaho's Senate voted 23-10 Friday to put people caught surreptitiously recording agricultural operations in jail and fine them $5,000. The bill now goes to the House. This measure stems from a 2012 incident at an Idaho dairy where activists captured images of workers caning, beating and stomping on cows. Idaho's $2.5 billion milk industry argues the video was used not to curb abuse, but to harm the dairy — even after its owner fired workers and pursued animal-cruelty prosecution. Foes including Republican Sen. Curt McKenzie branded the measure too extreme, while Democrats compared activists to muckraker Upton Sinclair.