Legislation loosening the air quality standards for when field burning will be allowed in Idaho cleared a Senate committee Wednesday on a 6-1, party-line vote, after farmers from throughout the state spoke out in favor of it. You can read my full story here at…
Two newly appointed Fish and Game commissioners fielded questions from a Senate panel during an appointment hearing Wednesday, from depredation to auction tags. Idaho Falls Post Register reporter Bryan Clark reports that Gov. Butch Otter appointed the two, Jerry Meyers of North Fork and Greg…
Prospective police officers in Idaho would be barred from certification if they’ve used marijuana in the past year, rather than in the last three years, under rules that won support from an Idaho Senate committee on Wednesday; you can read my full story here at…
Idaho Fish & Game expects to spend $400,000 more than anticipated on emergency winter feeding of elk and deer this year, due in part to a major fire in August that burned crucial winter range in eastern Idaho’s Tex Creek Wildlife Management Area. The Senate...
The Senate engaged in fairly lengthy and detailed debate and questions and answers today before voting unanimously to accept back from its State Affairs Committee the contents of a sealed box containing all the documents relating to an unsuccessful formal contest of the election results...
After three hours of hearings on education programs related to the University of Idaho, including ag research and extension, Forest Utilization Research (FUR) and the Geological Survey, and on an array of health education programs including WWAMI and an array of medical residency programs that...
The Idaho State Lottery would no longer be exempt from the state's contracting laws under a new bill introduced to an Idaho House committee. Rep. Tom Loertscher, chairman of the House State Affairs Committee, said Wednesday that he was troubled to learn earlier this year that the lottery was...
The House State Affairs Committee today voted unanimously to introduce a resolution repealing all state rules and regulations regarding “historical horse racing,” betting terminals that resemble slot machines and play snippets of the end of past horse races to determine whether the player wins or…
Rep. Lynn Luker, R-Boise, proposed legislation today to create a new public records exemption for identifying information about anyone who wins $600 or more in the state lottery; the winner could only be named if he or she submits written authorization. “This concern was brought…
University of Idaho President Chuck Staben told lawmakers today that as UI president, he’s focused on “growing the University of Idaho’s enrollment and on leading a change in Idaho’s college-going culture.” He said he’s seeing some success, in that 6.5 percent more new freshmen enrolled...
It’s another busy day at the Capitol today. This morning, University of Idaho President Chuck Staben goes before lawmakers for his annual budget hearing. The House State Affairs Committee will consider a proposal from its chairman, Rep. Tom Loertscher, R-Iona, to revise the definition of…