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Eye On Boise Betsy Z. Russell

FRIDAY, APRIL 20, 2018


From left, Betsy Russell, Clark Corbin, host Melissa Davlin, Sen. Cliff Bayer, and Sen. Grant Burgoyne, on Friday's "Idaho Reports" on Idaho Public Television, April 20, 2018. (Idaho Public TV / Troy Shreve)

The week that was...

On tonight’s “Idaho Reports” on Idaho Public Television, I join host Melissa Davlin to discuss the events of the week with Sen. Cliff Bayer, R-Boise; Sen. Grant Burgoyne, D-Boise; and reporter Clark Corbin of Idaho EdNews. There also are clips from the two “Idaho Debates”…

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Idaho's jobless rate fell to 2.9% in March

Unemployment in Idaho dipped to 2.9 percent in March, after holding at 3 percent for the previous six months; meanwhile, job growth for the month, compared to the same time a year earlier, showed the fastest growth rate in the nation for second consecutive month,…

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THURSDAY, APRIL 19, 2018

From left, Julie Ellsworth, Vicky McIntyre, and Tom Kealey debate during the "Idaho Debates" between the GOP candidates for state treasurer, on Idaho Public TV on Thursday, April 20, 2018. (Idaho Public TV / Aaron Kunz)

Idaho GOP candidates face off in state treasurer debate

Three Republican candidates vying to become Idaho’s next state treasurer traded barbs and defended their backgrounds Thursday during their first and only televised debate. The position is open now that five-term incumbent Treasurer Ron Crane announced he wouldn’t seek re-election. The primary will be held May 15. Julie Ellsworth, a former House...

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 (Betsy Z. Russell)

Candidates prep for state treasurer debate...

The three GOP candidates for Idaho state treasurer, in preparation for tonight's live debate on Idaho Public Television, draw numbers to see who will speak first in the opening and closing statements; from right, they are Julie Ellsworth, Tom Kealey, and Vicky McIntyre. At left...

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WEDNESDAY, APRIL 18, 2018

Gateway West high-voltage transmission line routes approved

U.S. officials on Wednesday approved two high-voltage transmission line routes in southwestern Idaho aimed at modernizing and improving reliability of the Pacific Northwest's energy grid, the AP reports. The U.S. Department of the Interior's approval is for the two final segments of the Gateway West project proposed a decade ago by Idaho Power...

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Idaho OKs Bogus Basin ski area plan involving snowmaking

Deciding whether or not to buy a season pass at Bogus Basin ski area outside Boise might get easier in future years. Idaho on Tuesday approved a plan by Bogus Basin Recreation Association officials that involves building a water-storage dam and putting in underground pipes to make artificial snow for consistent pre-Christmas openings for skiers...

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TUESDAY, APRIL 17, 2018

The five GOP candidates for lieutenant governor talk with debate moderator Melissa Davlin shortly before the start of their face-off in the "Idaho Debates" on Idaho Public Television on April 17, 2018. (Idaho Public TV / Aaron Kunz)

Idaho GOP candidates clash in lieutenant governor debate

Republican hopefuls in Idaho's crowded lieutenant governor race attempted to distinguish what made them uniquely qualified to run for the open position during a Thursday debate that saw some sharp exchanges. The position has attracted a wide array of candidates now that three-term incumbent Lt. Gov. Brad Little is running for governor...

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Fulcher tops pack for fundraising in 1st CD race

Campaign finance reports show Republican Russ Fulcher continues to lead the GOP pack in fundraising in the race for Idaho's open 1st Congressional District. According to sunshine reports released Monday, Fulcher raised roughly $141,000 between January and March. In total, he's raised more than $408,000 since announcing...

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MONDAY, APRIL 16, 2018


Republicans criticize spilling dam water to help salmon

Republican Congress members from the Pacific Northwest are upset with a federal judge's order to spill water from four Snake River dams to help speed migrating salmon to the Pacific Ocean. They say the water could be saved for other uses and are denouncing the spill, which began April 3, and a push by environmentalists to remove the four dams...

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SUNDAY, APRIL 15, 2018

MONDAY, APRIL 2, 2018

Taking some time…

I’m off for the next two weeks, to catch my breath before I dive back in full-time to campaign coverage. Let me know what I miss, and I’ll be back here blogging on April 16. Happy spring!

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SUNDAY, APRIL 1, 2018


FRIDAY, MARCH 30, 2018

Betsy Z. Russell
Betsy Z. Russell joined The Spokesman-Review in 1991. She currently is a reporter in the Boise Bureau covering Idaho state government and politics, and other news from Idaho's state capital.

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