Kobe Bryant's recent mention of the Great Big Idaho Potato Truck might have helped save the traveling advertisement from a premature retirement, according to the head of a state agency that promotes Idaho potatoes; this news comes from the Capital Press via the AP. Here's...
After my story Friday on the campaign-finance initiative that’s gathering signatures to make the November ballot in Idaho, I’ve had numerous emails from readers wanting to know where to sign or how to contact the group. I spoke with campaign chair Holli Woodings yesterday, and…
With the May 17 primary election approaching – and every seat in the Idaho Legislature up for election this year – AP reporter Kimberlee Kruesi tallied up how many candidates, from both parties, face no opponent, along with some other numbers on the upcoming legislative…
Here’s my weekly column from Sunday’s Spokesman-Review: BOISE – Idaho’s top state elected officials got into something of a debate over a proposed constitutional amendment lawmakers have approved this year for the November ballot, during last week’s state Land Board meeting. The measure would amend…
Passing a balanced state budget – determining how the taxpayers’ money should be spent on state services in the coming year – is the most basic task of the Idaho Legislature each year, one required by the state Constitution. But Idaho Statesman reporter Bill Dentzer…
Tonight’s “Idaho Reports” includes a roundup of the events of the past week, and a report from Orofino, where the IR crew looks into the economy, underemployment, politics and what’s on the minds of District 7 voters as the May 17 primary approaches. On the…
Sweeping changes to Idaho’s campaign finance laws are being proposed in a voter initiative, from strict restrictions on campaign contributions from those holding or seeking big state contracts, to banning pricey lobbyist gifts to lawmakers, cutting contribution limits and doubling penalties for violations. Holli Woodings,...
Idaho’s child immunization rates improved in 2015, reaching a five-year high, Idaho Education News reports. In 2015, 86.7 percent of Idaho students were considered “adequately immunized,” according to the EdNews report. That’s up from 85.6 percent in 2014, though still short of the state’s goal…
House Speaker Scott Bedke strongly endorsed Clive Strong for the Idaho Supreme Court today, joining former Speaker Bruce Newcomb, former state schools Superintendent Jerry Evans and a group of Strong supporters at a press conference on the steps of the Idaho Supreme Court. Bedke said...
Idaho officials originally agreed to pay $7.2 million in a settlement over an illegal statewide contract that provided broadband in public schools. However, a March ruling from the Idaho Supreme Court halted settlement talks after justices upheld a lower court's ruling deeming the $60 million contract was illegal. According to a draft settlement...
More national news for Idaho: A Wall Street Journal investigative report on how Taser is courting police departments around the country to convince them to give it lucrative no-bid contracts for police body cams uses the Boise Police Department as its Exhibit A. “Last spring,…
After the Constitutional Defense Council meeting in Idaho Attorney General Lawrence Wasden’s office today, I asked him about the framed item, set among various photos behind Wasden’s desk, that just featured the number 367,737. Wasden said that’s the number of votes he received in the…
Here’s my full story on the 4-0 Constitutional Defense Council vote today to pay $280,000 in attorney fees to a group of unions who successfully challenged an anti-union bill that Idaho lawmakers passed in 2011. James Piotrowski, attorney for the unions, said, “I personally told the Legislature back in 2011 that we would challenge this...
Idaho Gov. Butch Otter hosted a ceremony in his office today to celebrate the enactment of SB 1407, the budget bill for the Idaho State Historical Society, which shows an unusual percentage increase – a 153 percent increase in state funding. But that’s almost entirely…
Idaho’s state Land Board approved a state timber harvest plan for 2017 this week that calls for cutting 247 million board feet of timber, as part of a 50-year plan to cut the inventory of harvestable timber on state endowment lands from more than 7...
The sheriff of Harney County, Oregon, was contending with armed militants for months before they illegally occupied a national wildlife refuge in January. Sheriff Dave Ward was in Spokane Tuesday at the invitation of the FBI to speak to law enforcement officials about his experiences…
Authorities say an Idaho woman living in a couple's vacant home without their permission has agreed to move out. Nampa Police Department spokesman Sgt. Tim Riha says the 46-year-old claims she signed a lease and paid $1,500 to someone to rent the house. Homeowners Brian and Renae Prindle say they don't know that person and were not renting...
Here are excerpts from the closing statements of the four candidates for Idaho Supreme Court justice at today’s Idaho State Bar forum: Clive Strong: “This is an important election. … The next justice that’s going to serve on the Supreme Court will be making decisions...
Each of the candidates for Idaho Supreme Court was asked how they see the job of being a judge, as they seek a seat on the state’s highest court; here are their answers: Robyn Brody: “It’s the trial court’s job to make a decision, and...
The four candidates were asked by moderator Marc Johnson what they see as the single biggest challenge facing Idaho’s courts. Here are their answers: Clive Strong: “Restoring public confidence in the Idaho judicial system itself. … What we see are a lot of litigants turning…
Each of the four candidates running for the Idaho Supreme Court was asked about the fact that the court currently has no woman or person of color among its justices. Here are their answers: Clive Strong: I think diversity is important and is a factor that...
Each of the four candidates for the Idaho Supreme Court is giving a 10-minute opening statement; here's some of what each had to say: Attorney Robyn Brody of Rupert discussed her background in the law, and said, “The Idaho judiciary is...
There are more than 50 people in the audience as the four candidates for Idaho Supreme Court speak today at an Idaho State Bar forum. Outgoing Chief Justice Jim Jones opened the session, saying, “This is a wonderful idea, and I’m glad so many people...
The four candidates facing off for an open seat on the Idaho Supreme Court will appear at an Idaho State Bar forum this afternoon at the Idaho Law & Justice Learning Center in Boise; it’ll be streamed online here. The forum runs from 4-6 p.m.…
As Idaho’s controversial faith healing exemption from prosecution for child deaths or medical neglect gained national attention on the “Today” show today, Gov. Butch Otter said he hopes legislative leaders will heed his call to form a working group to look into the issue this…
News, happenings and more from the Idaho Legislature and the state capital.
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