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Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

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Related Coverage, Page 4

Otter ad rebuts Balukoff’s CCA claims

BOISE – Idaho Gov. Butch Otter has launched a new TV ad striking back at Democratic challenger A.J. Balukoff and defending Otter’s handling of a private-prison scandal. It’s the first time that Otter’s campaign has directly mentioned Balukoff in one of its ads, though two outside groups have been running ads attacking Balukoff and trying to tie him to President Barack Obama.

Of endorsements and JFAC…

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Balukoff explains the bow ties…

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Last-minute campaign money flying

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Idaho schools chief hopeful earned specialist degree, not doctorate

Sherri Ybarra, the Republican candidate for Idaho state superintendent of schools, claimed for months that she expected to get a doctorate in education in August, giving her a top educational credential when she’d take office, if she’s elected in November. But in August, Ybarra had only been enrolled in the doctoral program at the University of Idaho for one semester. That month, she received an educational specialist degree, not a doctorate.

Candidates for Idaho’s top education job spar in debate

BOISE – Idaho’s current state superintendent of schools – the first noneducator to hold the position – loomed large in the debate Tuesday night between the two educators vying to succeed him. “If you liked Tom Luna, you’re going to love Sherri Ybarra,” Democratic candidate Jana Jones said of her GOP opponent. “We can’t afford to have another four years of a superintendent who is well-intended but ill-prepared.”

Otter seeks full panel review of gay marriage ruling

BOISE – Idaho Gov. Butch Otter wants a larger group of judges to reconsider the recent decision that overturned the state’s ban on same-sex marriage. “I will continue defending Idahoans’ self-determination and the will of Idaho voters who decided that traditional marriage is a core principle of our society,” Otter said. The governor on Tuesday announced that he would file a petition seeking a review at the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals by an 11-judge panel. A three-judge panel made the earlier decision ruling that Idaho’s ban on same-sex marriage was unconstitutional. Otter and Idaho Attorney General Lawrence Wasden earlier requested that the 9th Circuit assign a full 11-judge panel to hear Idaho’s case, rather than a three-judge panel. That request was denied. Wasden didn’t join with Otter in Tuesday’s petition.