Being convicted of even some minor crimes can result in a lifetime of collateral consequences, experts say, including trouble finding jobs and housing. At a criminal justice reform conference at Concordia University School of Law this week, a panel of experts said society needs to address...
Two former Idaho lawmakers have passed away; former Sen. Grant Ipsen, R-Boise; and former Rep. Jeff Alltus, R-Hayden. Alltus, 61, died Saturday at Hospice House after a five-month bout with pancreatic cancer. A memorial service is scheduled for June 16 at Candlelight Fellowship, Highway 95…
The Pacific Northwest kicked off a massive earthquake and tsunami drill Tuesday as part of a multiday event to rehearse scenarios on how the region would deal with a dual natural disaster that could kill thousands, cut off coastal communities, and collapse phone and internet service. The four-day event, called Cascadia Rising, is built around...
Idaho state general fund revenues for May came in 3.1 percent below forecasts, but 0.2 percent above the previous May; for the fiscal year to date, that puts state tax revenues almost right on forecast, at 0.7 percent below, and 3.5 percent above the same…
Amid GOP infighting, a 22-year-old candidate who had been planning to challenge Sen. Dan Schmidt, D-Moscow, in November has withdrawn from the race, the AP reports. John Freeland, who has been in a spat with fellow Latah County GOP officials over Facebook postings, said he...
Idaho GOP Sen. Mike Crapo, attacked yesterday by Democratic challenger Jerry Sturgill for backing presumptive GOP nominee Donald Trump despite Trump’s statements that a federal judge presiding over a fraud case involving Trump University can’t be fair because of the judge’s Mexican heritage, is calling on Trump to retract...
The public is invited to a free showing of the documentary “Destination Idaho” at the Egyptian Theater in Boise on Tuesday at 7 p.m. The 65-minute film, backed by everyone from the Idaho Historical Society and the Idaho Department of Parks & Recreation to Airstream…
Here’s my full story from spokesman.com: By Betsy Z. Russell BOISE – Idaho GOP Congressman Raul Labrador says momentum is building in Congress for major criminal justice reforms, aimed at reversing decades of focus on long prison terms that even hit non-violent and first-time offenders. “I...
U.S. District Judge B. Lynn Winmill told a criminal justice reform conference at Concordia University School of Law in Boise today, “From my observations of 28 years having watched the ‘War on Drugs,’ we have seen nothing but, I think, an abysmal failure.” He said,...
Leading experts on criminal justice reform are gathered at Concordia University School of Law today for an all-day conference; later this morning, 1st District GOP Congressman Raul Labrador will give a keynote address. Already, there’ve been compelling presentations from experts about what’s wrong with the…
Idaho state Sen. Steven Thayn, R-Emmett, had a booth at the state GOP convention over the weekend, where he was handing out copies of his latest book, “Reprogramming Government, A Conservative Approach.” The thesis? “That libertarian conservatism is ineffective,” Thayn said. Instead, he’s calling for...
Here’s a news item from the Associated Press: MURPHY, Idaho (AP) — A wildfire burning in grass and sagebrush has scorched about 180 acres in southwest Idaho but is expected to be controlled Monday afternoon. Fire spokesman Rob Hansen of the U.S. Bureau of Land…
A memorial service will be held tomorrow for Maj. Gen. (retired) John F. Kane, former adjutant general of the Idaho National Guard, who died last week at the age of 71. Kane, who first enlisted in the Idaho National Guard in 1962, served in an…
Two years after the Idaho Republican Party’s state convention degenerated into chaos, the party wrapped up a surprisingly smooth confab in Nampa on Saturday with much talk of party unity, though little enthusiasm for presidential nominee Donald Trump...
The votes have been tallied for the final race at this year's GOP state convention, for an open second-vice chairman position; Tyler Hurst won, defeating Jennifer Locke of Coeur d'Alene. With that, Chairman Steve Yates declared the convention adjourned.
Idaho Republican Party Secretary Marla Lawson has won another term, turning back a challenge from outgoing state Rep. Shannon McMillan, R-Silverton. North Idaho state Reps. Don Cheatham, R-Post Falls, and Vito Barbieri, R-Dalton Gardens, spoke out for McMillan. “Shannon is faithful to our party’s platform...
Ruthie Johnson, longtime GOP activist from Kootenai County, earned a rare late-afternoon laugh from the crowd at the state GOP convention today as she spoke to second the nomination of Jennifer Locke for second vice-chair of the Idaho GOP. “When I started working in politics,…
Chris Harriman has won another term as treasurer for the Idaho Republican Party, turning back a challenge from Maria Nate; Nate then asked that the vote be recorded as unanimous, drawing applause. So far, incumbents have run every party officer race. The only ones left…
Cindy Siddoway has turned back a challenge from Janice McGeachin for another term as Idaho GOP national committeewoman; McGeachin then asked that the vote be recorded as unanimous, drawing applause. National Committeeman Damond Watkins was re-elected without opposition.
Mike Duff says he’s “disappointed” that he didn’t win his race for Idaho GOP chairman, but said, “We knew going in it was going to be tough, because there has been some progress … in recovering from the debacle that was Moscow. Realize we only…
Mike Mathews has won another term as Idaho GOP first vice chairman, turning back a challenge from Bryan Smith. Meanwhile, national committeewoman Cindy Siddoway is facing a challenge from former state Rep. Janice McGeachin; the ballots are being turned in now in that race.
Steve Yates has won a second term as chairman of the Idaho Republican Party, defeating challenges from Kathy Sims and Mike Duff. The vote was reportedly lopsidedly in favor of Yates; just after his victory was announced, Sims took the microphone and said, “I would...
The ballots have been collected, but not yet counted, for state GOP party chairman. In the meantime, nominations are proceeding for other positions. After numerous speakers backed party First Vice Chairman Mike Mathews, Bryan Zollinger nominated Idaho Falls attorney and former unsuccessful congressional candidate Bryan…
Each candidate for state party chair was given 3 minutes to speak. First up was Mike Duff, who said in the course of running for the position, “I’ve learned I was a lowlife. … It’s a wonder my own dog doesn’t bite me just out...
Two more candidates have been nominated for state GOP party chairman: Kathy Sims and Mike Duff. Rep. Judy Boyle, R-Midvale, nominated Sims. “She truly lives the platform every single day,” Boyle told the Republican delegates. “For decades Kathy has been a grassroots volunteer, a tireless...
News, happenings and more from the Idaho Legislature and the state capital.
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