Idaho is one of five states where jobs likely will recover first as the recession eases - in the fourth quarter of 2009, according to a new report from Moody's Economy.com and MSNBC. "If you want to be in the right place when the recovery starts, that place may be in Colorado, Idaho, Oregon, Texas or Washington," writes reporter Bill Dedman at MSNBC. You can read his full report here.

Meanwhile, the state's final revenue figures are in for April, and they're not so good. "All five revenue categories were below expectations for the month, to the tune of a combined shortage of $47.2 million," according to the latest Idaho Outlook from the state's Division of Financial Management. "This brings the cumulative General Fund shortfall to a very disappointing $65.2 million." Hardest hit was the individual income tax, which came in $21 million below target for the month, for a year-to-date lag below forecast of $45.4 million.

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