Chet Herbst, an administrator at Lewis-Clark State College since 2001, has been named the new chief financial officer for the state Board of Education. He succeeds Matt Freeman, who was promoted to be the board’s executive director. “Chet brings a strong background in higher education…
The Idaho Racing Commission has suspended an eastern Idaho's horse racing track's license to operate lucrative off-track “instant racing” betting terminals, but track officials say they will continue to remain open while the order is appealed. The Post Register (http://bit.ly/1ENeA5D ) reports that a commission…
The U.S. Bureau of Land Management reports that it completed its emergency gather of wild horses after the Soda Fire on Friday, and a total of 279 horses were gathered. Nearly 200 visitors watched during afternoon viewing hours, as the horses were brought to the…
Idaho Power was the top corporate contributor to Idaho political campaigns in 2014, according to a review of campaign finance records in Idaho races from state Legislature up through Congress by Idaho Statesman reporter Bill Dentzer. Corporate campaign contributions for the year were dominated by…
North Idaho forests are burning this year, and despite controversy over management of federal lands, the fires are paying no attention to whether it’s private, state or federal land they gobble up. In fact, two of the state’s most destructive fires, the Cape Horn fire…
Military prosecutors have reached into a section of military law seldom used since World War II in the to charge Army Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl, the soldier held prisoner for years by the Taliban after leaving his post in Afghanistan, with desertion and misbehavior before the…
A federal judge in North Dakota said Friday that his injunction blocking a new Obama administration rule aimed at regulating some small waterways applies only to the 13 states that sued to block it, and not nationwide, the AP reports. Idaho is one of the…
At least two dozen brightly colored hot-air balloons filled the sky over downtown Boise this morning, as the annual Spirit of Boise Balloon Classic kicked into gear. Yesterday’s launch was canceled due to high gusty winds 300 feet above the ground, but today’s conditions were...
The U.S. Department of Labor is urging Idaho Gov. Butch Otter to act on a new rule that requires home-care employers to pay most home-care workers minimum wage and overtime. Several states already include home health care workers in minimum wage and overtime-pay protections, the…
Wayne Hoffman, head of the Idaho Freedom Foundation, announced today that his group has filed a lawsuit against the Boise School District, raising constitutional questions about the district’s contract with its local teachers association because it allows paid leave for members who are delegates to attend IEA conferences and...
Idaho’s state Parks Board today unanimously approved revised rules for corporate sponsorships in state parks, adding a clause that the state Legislature must approve any naming of a new or existing state park. The board would have authority to approve names for units within parks.…
Really interesting arguments at the Idaho Supreme Court this morning in the case of Greater Boise Auditorium District vs. David Frazier, in which the district is appealing a lower-court ruling denying judicial confirmation for a lease-back arrangement on a downtown convention center expansion. Judicial confirmation…
The Tepee Springs fire is still burning, but based on current fire activity, the unprecedented closure of 17.78 miles of the Salmon River upstream of Riggins has been lifted as of 6 a.m. today. Also, rafters are being allowed to resume launching at Corn Creek…
Karl Rove, the political consultant and former top advisor to President George W. Bush, will be the keynote speaker at the Idaho Association of General Contractors annual convention in December in Boise. The banquet at which Rove will speak on Dec. 10 at the Boise…
Here’s a news item from the Associated Press: BOISE, Idaho (AP) — Idaho's public schools chief is seeking a 7.5 percent increase in education spending for 2016, revealing her own budget proposal for the first time since taking office. Superintendent of Public Instruction Sherri Ybarra...
Idaho’s average gas price as the Labor Day holiday weekend approaches is $2.87 a gallon, 88 cents less than a year ago, the AAA reports, but 42 cents higher than the U.S. average of $2.45. A year ago, Idahoans were paying 33 cents more per…
Ada County is launching a new effort to use aerial drones to photograph parts of the county and provide “an inexpensive way to make data-driven decisions.” The effort started with the county commissioners this week directing their information technology department to submit an application to…
The Idaho Department of Correction announced today that it has discontinued all use of so-called “dry cells” for inmate isolation, which lack all furnishings including a mattress, sink or toilet and have only a flushable floor drain for human waste. Use of the cells has...
A group launched by former college friends is pitching a 2016 ballot initiative to raise Idaho’s cigarette tax by $1.50 a pack, and use the money to lower tuition at the state’s public colleges and universities. Bill Moran, a political consultant and 2014 Georgetown University...
Here’s a news item from the Associated Press: IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (AP) — An archery hunter is recovering after being attacked in Idaho by a grizzly bear with three cubs. Wildlife officials say they could find no signs the bear had been wounded when the…
Idaho 1st District GOP Rep. Raul Labrador announced today that he’ll oppose the nuclear agreement that President Obama negotiated with Iran. In mid-July, when the deal first was announced, Idaho Sen. Jim Risch immediately came out against it, calling it “horribly flawed,” while Labrador, Idaho Sen. Mike Crapo and 2nd District Rep. Mike Simpson...
It was a pretty magical morning up at Lucky Peak today; since this was forecast to be the hottest day of the week, I figured I’d better get up there early to sneak in a windsurfing session before work. I was a little surprised, though,...
News, happenings and more from the Idaho Legislature and the state capital.
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