Preliminary figures show Idaho’s headed for a budget surplus this year of $75 million, thanks mainly to stronger than expected individual income taxes in April. If that’s a permanent thing, the state could be looking at a $100 million budget surplus in the budget that…
Idaho Gov. Butch today issued an executive order today putting state DEQ Director Toni Hardesty in charge of looking into the role of state government in reducing greenhouse gases.Otter’s order directs Hardesty to develop “a greenhouse gas emission inventory and provide recommendations to the governor…
Former state Controller Keith Johnson, director of the Idaho Department of Administration, is resigning at the end of the month to become director of state and local government for the computer software company Oracle.Johnson, a Meridian native, leaves state government after more than 12 years…
Idaho Attorney General Lawrence Wasden and seven other state attorneys general wrote to MySpace today, asking the company to provide the names of sex offenders who are registered users of the popular social networking Web site. “I tell parents every day that MySpace is a…
What if the Idaho Legislature were in session in December? Holding its budget hearings in the Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee, say, and/or going through the rules review process that usually takes most legislative committees the first three weeks of the session? This rather offbeat possibility –…
As the Idaho State Police readies its new fleet of 32 Dodge Charger “muscle cars,” some are remembering back to the classic “skunk” – the 1947 Chevrolet Fleetline patrol car that earned its nickname when Idahoans first saw its distinctive white striping on a black…
Idaho’s five-member state Land Board has three new members, and they could change the direction the board has taken in managing state lands, lakes and more. On Tuesday, new members of the Land Board, including the new state controller and superintendent of schools, proposed to…
The Idaho Ground Water Appropriators and two water districts filed suit today in Jerome against the state and the Idaho Department of Water Resources in an attempt to block the department from shutting off water to an array of junior water rights holders in the…
Idaho legislators this year didn't come through with any funding to plan for a proposed "Inland Pacific Hub" that would try to position the North Idaho-Eastern Washington region as a center for global commerce. But backers are still optimistic that the plan can move forward.…
Motorcycle accidents are on the rise, and most happen when a driver fails to see the motorcyclist. "Cars just don't look for you," said St. Maries, Idaho, motorcyclist Norman Burch, who's helping organize a motorcycle awareness rally and parade Saturday down Sherman Avenue in Coeur…
As demand grows for boat moorage on North Idaho lakes, the state is struggling with outdated rules governing how marinas and docks can operate over the state-owned lakebeds. Members of the state Land Board indicated they were surprised and concerned last year when told of…
A clean air group has asked the 9th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals to clarify whether it meant to block field-burning in Idaho. Safe Air For Everyone filed the motion Monday – the deadline for such motions – shortly before Idaho Gov. Butch Otter issued…
The warden of a private Texas prison housing Idaho inmates has been "relieved of his duties" after complaints from Idaho. The Dickens County Correctional Center, which houses 125 Idaho inmates, made the change after an Idaho corrections team visited the large, older county jail near…
Just days after state lawmakers approved "monumental" reforms in Idaho's approach to treating mental health and substance abuse problems, a troubled young man was driving from state to state, allegedly hunting down and killing former high school buddies from Boise whom he blamed for stealing…
How many Idahoans had questions for Gov. Butch Otter when he went on live TV last night? Plenty. I counted 15 people who asked him questions live on Idaho Public TV (and they didn't get to everyone), plus another dozen or so whose e-mailed questions…
John Foster, the dynamic young managing editor of the Idaho Business Review and a former professional bike racer, has been named the new executive director of the Idaho Democratic Party. Foster, 33, is an Idaho native who previously worked in journalism in New Mexico, and…
Former Canyon County Commissioner Robert Vasquez issued this statement withdrawing from the U.S. Senate race, in which he had originally planned to challenge current GOP Sen. Larry Craig next year:“It is with heavy heart that I announce I am withdrawing from the race for the…
Heike Mayer, a professor of urban affairs and planning at Virginia Tech’s Alexandria Center, will speak in Boise on Monday on what makes Boise unique among other growing technology centers. That includes how Boise’s high-tech business sector has grown and driven the local university to…
Driving down busy Warm Springs Avenue this morning, long lines of traffic in both directions stopped and waited patiently as a couple of ducks made their way across the road. The green-headed mallard followed the brown-speckled female as the couple slowly crossed the road, taking…
Tom Beauclair, Idaho’s state corrections director from 2001 to 2006, has been named deputy director of the National Institute of Correction in Washington, D.C. Brent Reinke, current Idaho director, had praise for Beauclair. “Tom moved the agency forward significantly during his tenure. Because of his…
Idaho Gov. Butch Otter will speak and take calls and e-mails from viewers on live statewide TV this Thursday night. Otter will appear with host Jim Peck on a special, hour-long “Idaho Reports” program, which will be broadcast live on Idaho Public Television at 8…
A former Salmon, Idaho who tried to kill threatened gray wolves by setting out poisoned meatballs but instead poisoned three domestic dogs, a coyote, a fox and several magpies, was sentenced today to six days in jail and two years of probation.Timothy B. Sundles, 48,…
With the upcoming retirement of current Chief Justice Gerald Schroeder on July 31st, the race is on among those who want to replace him. Among them: Three judges, the Senate majority leader, three deputy attorneys general plus one other state lawyer, one county prosecutor, one…
Gov. Butch Otter told his Water Summit in Burley today that he’s making Dave Tuthill, who’s been serving as interim director of the state Department of Water Resources, the permanent director. “We can’t achieve long-term solutions with temporary, interim initiatives. And we can’t achieve long-term…