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Eye On Boise archive for Dec. 2007

THURSDAY, DEC. 27, 2007

A cowboy governor's greeting

In their official holiday greeting card this year, Idaho Gov. Butch Otter and First Lady Lori Otter feature “A Cowboy’s Christmas Prayer,” the work by New Mexico cowboy poet Squire Omar Barker, who was known for signing his letters and books with his brand, “The…

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WEDNESDAY, DEC. 26, 2007

Craig named 'Naughtiest American'

Believe it or not, there’s an organization that puts together a list called the “Naughty Nine,” honoring “the year’s naughtiest Americans.” And this year, Idaho’s senior senator, Larry Craig, topped the list at No. 1. Craig even beat out Britney Spears (No. 3). The list…

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MONDAY, DEC. 24, 2007


Stallings steps down as Idaho Dem party chair

Former Idaho Congressman Richard Stallings has resigned as chairman of the Idaho Democratic Party, and the party’s central committee will hold an election to replace him at its next meeting on Jan. 4. The party said Stallings made the decision “after weeks of wrestling with…

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THURSDAY, DEC. 20, 2007

State board votes to cancel 9th grade ISAT

Idaho’s State Board of Education this afternoon voted 5-1 to amend its $22 million contract with a private testing contractor to eliminate funding for 9th grade ISAT tests, and voted unanimously to waive its rule requiring ISAT testing for 9th graders for this spring only.…

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WEDNESDAY, DEC. 19, 2007

Ed board meets tomorrow on ISATs

Idaho’s State Board of Education has called a special meeting for tomorrow afternoon to formally cancel the 9th grade Idaho Standards Achievement Test. The board earlier announced it was cancelling the test, which 3rd through 10th graders now must take at least twice a year,…

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Bogus to open more terrain

Boise’s local ski resort, Bogus Basin, announced today that it’ll open the No. 5 Bitterroot chair as well as the front-side lifts tomorrow, it’ll start night skiing on Friday night and it’ll open the No. 6 Pine Creek chair on Saturday. That’s the high-speed quad…

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TUESDAY, DEC. 18, 2007

Bogus to open Thursday

It’s been raining in Boise and snowing in the mountains, and now comes the news that Boise skiers have been waiting for weeks to hear: Bogus Basin will open (finally!) on Thursday. The resort will have its front side open from 10 a.m. to 4:30…

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Poll: Nearly two-thirds approval for Otter

Bob Moore, pollster for Idaho Gov. Butch Otter’s campaign and head of Portland-based Moore Information, says his firm ran a recent poll just on its own, tacking questions about Otter’s job approval onto another survey his company was conducting in Idaho in late November. The…

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MONDAY, DEC. 17, 2007

They’re due to do what they do

I couldn’t help but wonder if a double meaning was intended in this opening line from an ITD press release: “Keep your holiday season merry, just don’t overdue it.” Was it urging people to renew their car registrations, perhaps? Or their driver’s licenses? Return their…

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Another endorsement before the primary

Idaho congressional candidate Larry Grant was endorsed today by the United Transportation Union, the largest railroad operating union in North America. Grant is in a three-way race for the Democratic nomination for the congressional seat now held by Republican Bill Sali. Local UTU business representative…

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THURSDAY, DEC. 13, 2007

Maybe Risch has been reading LaRocco’s poll?

U.S. Senate candidate Larry LaRocco, a former two-term Idaho congressman, released some favorable poll results today, offering a sunny view of his Democratic bid for the Senate seat now held by Larry Craig and his chances against current GOP Lt. Gov. Jim Risch. Though Risch…

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WEDNESDAY, DEC. 12, 2007

Idaho prisons have the best veggie food?

PETA, the People for Ethical Treatment of Animals, has given a surprising first-place ranking to Idaho, a state that few would consider an animal-rights state given its distinction as one of just two where dog fighting still isn’t a felony. But in this case, it’s…

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TUESDAY, DEC. 11, 2007

MONDAY, DEC. 10, 2007

Otter supporters had a ball

In case you were wondering about the “North Idaho Governor’s Ball” that took place at the Coeur d’Alene Resort last week, it was not a state event, but instead was a fundraiser for Gov. Butch Otter’s campaign fund, modeled after similar events he held when…

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THURSDAY, DEC. 6, 2007

Shasta won't have to testify

Young victim Shasta Groene won’t have to testify in federal court against Joseph Duncan, under an agreement reached by both sides in the case. “Her testimony will be presented by statements she made to law enforcement officers in July 2005,” federal prosecutors wrote in documents…

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WEDNESDAY, DEC. 5, 2007

'Just like going camping'

Idaho’s next legislative session still will be cramped in its temporary quarters, but lawmakers have decided to add some relief – in the form of eight flushing porta-potties. Otherwise, the session would have pitted lawmakers, lobbyists, citizens, reporters, visiting schoolchildren, staffers and others in competition…

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Otter speaks out

Idaho Gov. Butch Otter sat down for an interview with AP reporter John Miller yesterday, and said he’s ready to ask for higher fees for car owners to fund needed road improvements, now that the ITD has supplied him with detail on how it can…

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TUESDAY, DEC. 4, 2007

MONDAY, DEC. 3, 2007

Guilty - ten times

Joseph Duncan, his voice low and sometimes cracking slightly, said “guilty” 10 times in response to questions from U.S. District Judge Edward Lodge about each of the 10 federal charges against him, three of which carry the death penalty. First, the charges were read, and…

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SUNDAY, DEC. 2, 2007


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