The fifth week of this year's Idaho legislative session was a tumultuous one, opening with Gov. Butch Otter's return to the legislative battlefield after shoulder surgery, pushing for his transportation package, and closing with painful decisions on deep new state budget cuts. But just hours later, on Friday afternoon, news of millions in federal stimulus money came raining down on Boise, which could obviate the need for cuts in public schools next year. The next day, on Valentine's Day, a 10-inch dump of fresh power fell on Boise's local ski hill, Bogus Basin. Here's a link to the week in photos.

All those developments and more - except the powder day at Bogus - were discussed on Friday night's Idaho Reports program on Idaho Public TV, on which I joined BSU political scientist emeritus Jim Weatherby, Idaho Statesman editorial page editor Kevin Richert, House Assistant Minority Leader James Ruchti, D-Pocatello, and House Majority Caucus Chair Ken Roberts, R-Donnelly, along with host Thanh Tan, to discuss the week's events. Thanh also interviewed the House and Senate transportation chairs, Rep. JoAn Wood and Sen. John McGee. Click here to watch the show, and the online-only "After the Show" discussion.