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Eye On Boise archive for Nov. 2008

THURSDAY, NOV. 27, 2008

A tempered Risch joins U.S. Senate

The headline: “Risch: ‘I have no future political plans’” The date: Nov. 10, 1988, shortly after longtime state Sen. Jim Risch, the president pro-tem of the Senate, was booted out of office by Ada County voters. The byline: By Betsy Z. Russell, The Idaho Statesman.That’s…

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TUESDAY, NOV. 25, 2008

Odd, confessional affidavit from Duncan

It reads in some ways like a confession before going to his execution, but it offers no insight into the killer’s crimes. Instead, the eight-page affidavit that condemned killer Joseph Duncan filed in federal court late today deals mostly with the killer’s religious views of…

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MONDAY, NOV. 24, 2008

Vegas man sentenced for ripping off PERSI

A 67-year-old Las Vegas man has been sentenced to three months in prison, three months home detention and five years of probation for collecting his mother’s PERSI retirement benefits for nearly three years after she’d died. Vernon Geier, who pleaded guilty to interstate theft from…

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Judge dismisses Duncan appeal

U.S. District Judge Edward Lodge, after quizzing condemned killer Joseph Duncan repeatedly about whether he wants to appeal his death sentence and about whether he gave his standby attorneys permission to file an appeal for him, declared himself satisfied that Duncan, at this point, doesn’t…

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FRIDAY, NOV. 21, 2008

Lawyers: Boise court can't hear Duncan issue

Standby defense attorneys for condemned killer Joseph Duncan say the U.S. District Court in Boise has no business holding a hearing on Monday on whether Duncan wants to appeal his death sentence or not, because jurisdiction over the case now falls with the 9th Circuit…

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THURSDAY, NOV. 20, 2008

Lodge sets hearing on Duncan appeal

U.S. District Judge Edward Lodge has issued an order setting a hearing for Monday morning on killer Joseph Duncan’s appeal of his death sentence, to determine whether Duncan is actually appealing or not.Though his standby attorneys filed a notice of appeal on Monday, federal prosecutors…

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WEDNESDAY, NOV. 19, 2008


Duncan: 'I didn't want to appeal'

Federal prosecutors are trying to strike the notice of appeal filed by stand-by attorneys for admitted multiple murderer Joseph Duncan, saying Duncan never wanted to appeal his death sentence and the attorneys acted without his permission. “The decision to appeal is solely that of the…

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TUESDAY, NOV. 18, 2008

'A very tough environment'

The news from the state Endowment Fund Investment Board, which reported to the state Land Board today about the endowment’s investment earnings, was anything but sunny. The fund lost 13.8 percent in October, and as of Oct. 31, had lost 21.9 percent of its value…

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MONDAY, NOV. 17, 2008


Pols share credit across party lines

This must be the new spirit of bipartisanship and unity that we’ve been hearing about nationally since the election: A joint news release that went out Friday afternoon was headed, “Crapo, Simpson, Bieter help retain rail jobs.” The occasion: A federal waiver was denied for…

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FRIDAY, NOV. 14, 2008

Integrity Index: Washington 4th, Idaho 44th

A new national survey ranks Washington fourth in the nation for governmental integrity, openness and accountability – and Idaho 44th. The survey, conducted by the Chicago-based Better Government Association, compared open records laws, open meeting laws, whistleblower laws, campaign finance requirements and conflict-of-interest laws, to…

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WEDNESDAY, NOV. 12, 2008

'More than one term'

I asked new Congressman-elect Walt Minnick how long he’d like to serve in Congress if it were entirely under his control. Here’s his response:“I, in all honesty, cannot answer that … not until I get there, find out the extent to which I’m effective and…

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MONDAY, NOV. 10, 2008

State agencies asked for holdback updates

In a memo sent to all state agencies today, there’s clear warning that an additional 1.5 percent of the state budget that’s being held in reserve after September’s 1 percent holdback may well be on the chopping block very soon. “I am asking each of…

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Fees waived for vets tomorrow

All recreation-related fees will be waived for veterans, military personnel and their families at federal recreation facilities on public lands tomorrow in honor of Veterans Day. That includes lands under the management of the Forest Service, the BLM, the National Park Service, Fish and Wildlife…

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WEDNESDAY, NOV. 5, 2008

Expert: It was 'a referendum on Sali'

BSU political scientist Gary Moncrief, who studies elections, had this to say when asked why GOP Congressman Bill Sali lost in Tuesday’s election: “I think it’s largely a referendum on Sali. You know that district – there’s no way a Republican should lose that district.…

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Crapo issues welcome to Risch and Minnick

Idaho GOP Sen. Mike Crapo sent out the following statement:“President-elect Obama has brought a lot of energy into the political process, and his election is historic,” Crapo said. “As we face the significant challenges in our financial markets and economic outlook, I look forward to…

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Sali not ready to give in yet

Though only two precincts remain uncounted, GOP Congressman Bill Sali isn’t ready to concede defeat. “Well, I’d certainly rather be here talking about the stunning victory last night,” Sali said at a GOP press conference today. “Unfortunately, it’s a little close right now. There’s still…

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TUESDAY, NOV. 4, 2008

Mood at GOP shindig

Things are crowded at the state Republican election night watch party at the Doubletree Riverside tonight, but the mood of the revelry is different from the usual. Idaho Republicans are accustomed to winning big on Election Night, and having much to celebrate. The last time…

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And where is Bill Sali?

I’ve been pursuing him much of the evening for a comment, but after conferring with both his wife, Terry, and his campaign spokesman, Wayne Hoffman, at the Doubletree Riverside suite where Sali’s supporters are watching results come in, I was informed that Sali, who’s closeted…

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Risch declares victory

Idaho Lt. Gov. Jim Risch has declared victory in his run for the U.S. Senate, with 25 percent of precincts reporting. He leads Democrat Larry LaRocco, 57 percent to 36 percent, with independent Rex Rammell trailing with 5 percent and Libertarian Kent Marmon and independent…

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Rammell: 'Playing for the future'

Independent U.S. Senate candidate Rex Rammell, who’s staying home in Rexburg to watch the results tonight, told Eye on Boise, “I’m not expecting to win. I’ve been playing for the future for a while.” Rammell said he’ll likely run for office again, and figures he’ll…

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