Idaho Reports

The race for Idaho governor is a bit different this year, with incumbent Gov. Brad Little refusing to debate while facing challenges from both the left and right. This week, gubernatorial candidates Stephen Heidt and Ammon Bundy sit down to share their visions for Idaho. We also bring you up to speed on the fighters supporting and opposing the constitutional amendment on Tuesday’s ballot.

This week, Logan Finney is joined by Margie Gonzalez, Executive Director of the Idaho Commission on Hispanic Affairs, to discuss Hispanic voter outreach in Idaho, recent improvements and difficulties in that arena, and where Latino Idahoans can find election resources and assistance at polls. Visit https://contamosidaho.org/ for more bilingual voter information and resources.

Ammon Bundy is an independent candidate running for Idaho Governor. His opponent, incumbent Gov. Brad Little, declined an invitation from Idaho Public Television to participate in The Idaho Debates. Bundy spoke with Idaho Reports on Nov. 2.

Stephen Heidt is the Democratic candidate running for Idaho Governor. His opponent, incumbent Gov. Brad Little, declined an invitation from Idaho Public Television to participate in The Idaho Debates. Heidt spoke with Idaho Reports on Nov. 2.

Candidates for Idaho Lieutenant Governor debate ahead of the November 8th general election. Scott Bedke and Terri Pickens Manweiler answer questions from Betsy Russell of the Idaho Press and Ryan Suppe of the Idaho Statesman, moderated by Melissa Davlin.

When people think of politicians and elections, they're not usually thinking of a judge in a courtroom -- but the Idaho Constitution stipulates that judges shall be elected in the state. Jeff Brudie, interim executive director of the Idaho Judicial Council, joins Logan Finney this week to discuss the judicial elections that Idahoans will see on this year’s general election ballot, and the special...

Candidates for Idaho Superintendent of Public Instruction debate ahead of the November 8th general election. Debbie Critchfield and Terry Gilbert answer questions from Kevin Richert of Idaho Education News and James Dawson of Boise State Public Radio, moderated by Melissa Davlin.

Republican Julie Ellsworth is running for her second term as Idaho State Treasurer and sat down with Idaho Reports on Oct. 20. Her opponent, Democrat Deborah Silver, declined an invitation from Idaho Public Television to participate in The Idaho Debates.

You know you’re voting for lawmakers and state offices - but what about the constitution? This week, Senate President Pro Tem Chuck Winder and House Assistant Minority Leader Lauren Necochea talk about the constitutional amendment that, if passed, would allow the Legislature to call itself back into session. Legislators have wanted that power for years, but the COVID-19 pandemic and the associated...

Republican Brandon Woolf is running for his third term as Idaho Controller. His opponents, Democratic party candidate Dianna David and Constitution party candidate, Miste Gardner, didn’t respond to invitations from Idaho Public Television to submit materials for consideration for The Idaho Debates. Woolf sat down with Idaho Reports on Oct. 20.

Republican Phil McGrane is running for his first term as Idaho Secretary of State. His opponent, Democrat Shawn Keenan, didn’t respond to an invitation from Idaho Public Television to submit materials for consideration for The Idaho Debates. McGrane spoke with Idaho Reports on Oct. 20.

Top of the ticket races get the most coverage in any given election cycle, but those elected in down-ticket legislative and local races also make critical decisions that affect the everyday lives of Idahoans. Dr. Jaclyn Kettler of Boise State University’s School of Public Service joins Melissa Davlin this week to discuss some of this year’s hot legislative face-offs.

Wendy Norman is a Democrat running to represent Idaho's Second Congressional District. Her opponent, incumbent Rep. Mike Simpson, declined an invitation from Idaho Public Television to participate in The Idaho Debates. Norman spoke with Idaho Reports on Oct. 14.

Kaylee Peterson is a Democrat running to represent Idaho's First Congressional District. Her opponent, incumbent Rep. Russ Fulcher, declined an invitation from Idaho Public Television to participate in The Idaho Debates. Peterson spoke with Idaho Reports on Oct. 12.

This week, we sit down with Kaylee Peterson, who is challenging incumbent Rep. Russ Fulcher in the First Congressional District, and Wendy Norman, who is challenging incumbent Rep. Mike Simpson in the Second Congressional District. Both Democrats, Peterson and Norman did not have the chance to debate this election cycle because the incumbent candidates declined to participate in the Idaho Debates.

Stephen Miller from the University of Idaho College of Law joins Logan Finney this week to discuss Sackett v. Environmental Protection Agency. This case was the first of the high court's new term and was heard last Monday. It begins with the Sacketts, who are a couple that purchased a piece of property in 2004 near Priest Lake, Idaho, in the northern panhandle. The Sacketts began to build a home o...

It’s been a busy summer for abortion law in Idaho – and the election is just a month away. Dr. Stephanie Witt of Boise State University and former U.S. Attorney for Idaho Bart Davis join Melissa Davlin to discuss this week’s election debates. Then, Sen. Melissa Wintrow and House Majority Caucus Chair Megan Blanksma sit down with Ruth Brown to discuss Idaho Supreme Court oral arguments over three s...

Candidates for Idaho’s seat in the U.S. Senate debate ahead of the November 8th general election. Incumbent Mike Crapo and challengers David Roth and Scott Cleveland answer questions from Betsy Russell of the Idaho Press, Margaret Carmel of BoiseDev.com, and Clark Corbin of the Idaho Capital Sun, moderated by Melissa Davlin. The Idaho Debates is a collaborative effort among the Idaho Press Club, B...

Candidates for Idaho Attorney General debate ahead of the November 8th general election. Raúl Labrador and Tom Arkoosh answer questions from Kelcie Moseley-Morris of the Idaho Capital Sun and Jake Garcia of KIVI, moderated by Melissa Davlin. The Idaho Debates is a collaborative effort among the Idaho Press Club, Boise State University’s School of Public Service, University of Idaho’s McClure Cente...

Late last week, general counsel for the University of Idaho sent an email to all employees advising them not discuss, promote, or make referrals for abortion or birth control, lest they run afoul of the No Public Funds For Abortion Act, a state law passed in 2021 that prohibits the use of public assets or employees to promote or provide abortion services. Former Idaho Supreme Court Justice and for...

On Tuesday morning, the Idaho State Board of Land Commissioners approved $6 million for a Minidoka County property and $17.2 million for construction costs for the University of Idaho's Center for Agriculture, Food and the Environment. The planned facility would be the largest research dairy in the United States. Mark McGuire, Director of the Idaho Agricultural Experiment Station & Associate Dean...

For the past several days the air quality in Idaho has been deemed “seriously unhealthy,” “unhealthy” or “unhealthy for sensitive groups” across the state. The EPA issued “hazardous” air warnings for some areas. Some Idaho high schools canceled outdoor sporting events due to poor air quality. Mike Toole from the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality joins Melissa Davlin on the podcast this wee...

Last Thursday, the Idaho Legislature convened in a one-day special session to pass a wide-ranging bill with $500 million in one-time tax rebates, $150 million in ongoing tax cuts, and more than $400 million in ongoing education spending. Miguel Legarreta, president of the Associated Taxpayers of Idaho, joins the podcast this week to breaks down the tax components of the bill. Then Kelley Packer, e...

$500 million in tax rebates, $150 million in ongoing tax cuts, and more than $400 million in ongoing education spending. It took just ten hours to pass a wide-ranging bill with a historic price tag attached, and while the overwhelming majority of lawmakers voted yes, we heard a lot of misgivings about the bill, and the process. We’ll break down how the changes affect you. Sen. Steven Thayn and Rep...

Governor Brad Little has called the legislature back for a special session to be held on Sept. 1, 2022. Join us on Idaho Public Television at 8 p.m., Friday, September 2nd, for a half-hour Idaho Reports special on the session. Or go to idahoptv.org/idahoreports to watch it on demand after the broadcast.