Idaho high school students haven’t been required to pass the ISAT, the Idaho Standards Achievement Test, to graduate from high school for the past two years, and the state Board of Education decided today they shouldn’t have to pass it this year, either, or in the future...
Gov. Butch Otter and First Lady Lori Otter are inviting the public to the state Capitol today at 5 p.m. for a holiday season celebration including the ceremonial lighting of the Capitol Christmas Tree. The 25th Army Band will begin playing at 5, and there…
The Idaho Racing Commission is scrambling to avoid a funding crisis after its primary revenue source evaporated earlier this year with the closing of the largest horse racing track in the state. By law, a portion of the money bet on horse racing in Idaho is diverted to the commission, which relies on that money, as well as revenue from license...
Idaho’s 18 newest legislators are at the Capitol today for orientation, four of them new senators and 14 of them new representatives. Among the 18, just two have served in the Legislature before, new Sen. Mark Nye, D-Pocatello, as a representative; and Rep. Thyra Stevenson,…
A draft management plan for two recently created central Idaho wilderness areas prohibits campfires at high elevations to protect whitebark pine and eliminates horses and other recreational stock in some areas to protect alpine soils. The U.S. Forest Service...
Here’s a link to my full story at spokesman.com on how Idaho state Treasurer Ron Crane isn’t saying why a state committee he chairs that’s charged with enhancing Idaho’s state credit rating hasn’t met in six years, and this year, when its annual report for…
Might Idaho Gov. Butch Otter be considered for interior secretary in a Trump administration? Idaho Statesman reporter Rocky Barker explored the possibilities in a column over the holiday; you can read it here. Two previous Idaho governors were appointed secretary of the interior – Cecil…
News, happenings and more from the Idaho Legislature and the state capital.
