Gov. Butch Otter is still in the hospital today, according to his press secretary, Jon Hanian. Otter was admitted to St. Alphonsus Medical Center yesterday with flu-like systems and dehydration. "He's in good spirits - we're taking it hour by hour," Hanian said. "We're just going to wait and see how he's feeling. ... They still have him there for observation."

Otter's absence meant Secretary of State Ben Ysursa presided over meetings of the state Board of Examiners and state Land Board this morning. It's not clear yet whether Otter will be able to attend a big campaign fundraiser event he has scheduled tonight featuring Rudy Guiliani, a $1,000-per-plate dinner at Chandler's Steakhouse scheduled to start at 7 p.m. There are about 100 people registered to attend.

Guiliani is in town today in part because he's one of seven scheduled speakers at a "Get Motivated" business seminar at the Idaho Center, which also features Zig Ziglar, Terry Bradshaw, and BSU head football coach Chris Petersen; it's an all-day motivational seminar that's being held around the country, with varying speakers, and moves next to Tampa, Baltimore and Akron.

---

---