Legislative budget writers heard today about the medical residency programs in Idaho, which train medical residents in psychiatry and family medicine here though the state lacks a medical school. That’s considered key because doctors tend to settle and practice where they finished training. The psychiatry residency, started in 2007, trains medical school graduates for four years, but the first two years are in Seattle. So far, two have completed the program, and both have decided to stay and practice psychiatry in Idaho/Betsy Russell, Eye On Boise. More here.

• House OKs bill to end checkoff for political parties, 64-1/Eye On Boise
• Lawmakers question university reserves/Eye On Boise
• BSU's Kustra talks of savings, tuition/Brad Iverson-Long, Idaho Reporter
• Idaho businessman warns of looming worker shortage/Dustin Hurst, Idaho Reporter
• How funding compares for each university/Eye On Boise

Question: Should Idaho seek its own medical school after the recession ends?