Wall paintings done by high school students from past decades, some 30 years old, some fading, long have adorned the underground tunnel that connects the state Capitol with the J.R. Williams Building and the Len B. Jordan building across State Street. When the Capitol was…
Idaho lawmakers are inviting public comments on proposed updates to the 2007 Idaho Energy Plan, which is undergoing a five-year review; a public hearing will be held at 10 a.m. on Nov. 2 in the Capitol Auditorium. In addition, the co-chairs of the Energy, Environment…
Another political ripple from this year's redistricting could affect two state laws passed in 2009 that left Idaho’s first redistricting commission this year at an impasse: The three GOP members insisted on following those laws, which required a supermajority to split precincts or draw districts…
Here's a link to my Sunday story on redistricting, which takes note of the ripples sent across Idaho politics by the state’s new legislative redistricting plan, from ending the Senate career of a four-term North Idaho lawmaker to prompting a game of political musical chairs…
Here's a news item from the Associated Press: BOISE, Idaho (AP) — An Idaho legislator says he'll introduce a measure in 2012 to prevent Boise-area lawmakers from boosting their state retirements with per diem payments. Rep. Dennis Lake of Blackfoot says it's unfair that local…
For those looking for detail on where the legislative (and congressional) district lines ended up, various maps, including statewide maps and close-ups of various parts of the state, are posted online at the Redistricting Commission's website here. Here's a look at the North Idaho legislative…
Under Idaho's new legislative district plan, there are six House districts that contain three current incumbents, plus one that contains five. Each district has two House seats. So that means in the three-incumbent districts, two will have to face off if all want to stay…
Beleagured former Canyon County Prosecutor John Bujak had a complaint filed against him by the Idaho State Bar today for professional misconduct including embezzlement and fraud, asking to suspend him from the practice of law and order him to pay restitution for two cases: One…
Legislators or candidates who don't like the districts where they landed in this year's reapportionment still have time to move to run in a different district - but not a lot of time. Candidates for the Idaho Legislature must live in their district for a…
Idaho's State Board of Education today endorsed legislation to lift the cap on the number of new charter schools that can be created each year, but the 3-2 vote came only after the proposal was limited to no more than one new charter school per…
Idaho's new death chamber is ready for the scheduled execution of Paul Ezra Rhoades, convincted of a string of murders and sexual assaults that terrorized eastern Idaho in the late 1980s. The state prisons have constructed a new death chamber, and moved Rhoades to a…
Each year, the appearance of a single flame-red tree, amid a sea of green leafiness in Boise's North End, signals the start of fall for me; I first spotted it two days ago, but this was my first chance to snap a picture. Already, the…
The University of Idaho's Oppenheimer Ethics Symposium is today at the state Capitol Auditorium, and it's free and open to the public. From 8-9:30 a.m., businessman Bill Drake, chairman of Drake Cooper Marketing and Advertising, will give a keynote address, with Sean Evans, publisher of…
Idaho Democrats are markings something of a milestone today with the emergence of a new candidate for Congress in the 1st Congressional District, former NFL player and Lewiston native Jimmy Farris; you can read my full story here at spokesman.com. House Minority Leader John Rusche,…
A 33-year-old Lewiston native who retired as an NFL football player in 2009 after playing for the New England Patriots, the Atlanta Falcons, the Washington Redskins and the San Francisco 49ers has launched a run for Congress in Idaho, taking on freshman GOP Rep. Raul…
7th District Judge Jon Shindurling issued death warrants today for Paul Ezra Rhoades, setting the execution date for Nov. 18, 2011. If it goes forward, it would be Idaho's first execution since 1994; Rhoades was sentenced to die for the 1987 murders of Susan Michelbacher…
Public comments on the State Board of Education's proposed new online class graduation requirement - requiring every Idaho high school student to take two online courses to graduate - are being accepted through next Wednesday, Oct. 26, at the state board's website here. Meanwhile, the…
Here's a news item from the Associated Press: BOISE, Idaho (AP) — A woman accused of leading a drug-peddling gang that brought methamphetamine into Idaho by the pound will spend 20 years in a federal prison. Amanda Smith of Homedale was sentenced Monday in U.S.…
Idaho Congressman Mike Simpson, who represents the 2nd Congressional District, was asked at the end of his talk to the Idaho Environmental Forum today about what he thinks of Idaho's new congressional districts, which just took effect today. "Love it," he said quickly to laughter.…
The U.S. Senate today voted to block an Obama Administration proposal to limit potatoes in school lunches to two servings a week; instead, the lawmakers voted to block the USDA from putting any limits on serving potatoes or other vegetables in school lunches. The amendment…
Here's a news item from the Associated Press and Lewiston Tribune: LEWISTON, Idaho (AP) — Former NFL player Jimmy Farris plans to run in the 2012 Democratic primary race for Idaho's 1st Congressional District. The Lewiston Tribune reports (http://bit.ly/pj2XYx ) Farris moved back to his…
Idaho Sen. Jim Risch will appear on the Fox Business Network for an interview with Lou Dobbs tonight, discussing government regulations and the case of Mike and Chantell Sackett of North Idaho, who the EPA says are attempting to build their home on a wetland.…
Mark Browning, the chief communications and legislative officer for the Idaho State Board of Education, has been named the new vice president for community relations and marketing at North Idaho College. He was selected after a nationwide search, to replace retiring Vice President John Martin.…
Idaho Gov. Butch Otter's chief of staff, Jason Kreizenbeck, is leaving his post at the end of this week to start a lobbying firm with prominent lobbyist and former state Sen. Skip Smyser, the Associated Press reports; Kreizenbeck will be replaced by David Hensley, currently…
Idaho State Treasurer Ron Crane underwent open-heart surgery this morning, and his office reports that Crane had a successful triple bypass operation and is resting comfortably in a Boise hospital; he is expected to return to work at the state Capitol in about two weeks.…
News, happenings and more from the Idaho Legislature and the state capital.
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