Idaho Reports

In the final episode of our 52nd season, Senate President Pro Tem Chuck Winder reflects on 16 years in office after losing his primary election last week. Kevin Richert of Idaho Education News gets us up to speed on what’s next in the attempted University of Phoenix acquisition. Plus, we take a look at youth assessment centers and the work they do to prevent minors from ending up in the justice sy...

About 24 percent of registered Idaho voters cast a ballot on Tuesday with the majority participating in the Republican primary. Senate President Pro Tempore Chuck Winder was one of 15 incumbents to lose their race this election. We discuss the results with Rep. Wendy Horman, winner of one of the most closely watched races. We also examine the implications for future public policy with Sen. Lori De...

The primary election is just four days away. This week, Idaho Secretary of State Phil McGrane talks about campaign finance enforcement and the lead-up to Tuesday’s primary elections for state legislature and local offices. Then, Ball Ventures Ahlquist CEO Dr. Tommy Ahlquist and Unite America campaigns advisor Amos Rothstein join the pundits table to discuss competitive precinct races and campaign...

As demand for rental water is increasing in certain parts of the state, the Idaho Water Resource Board is looking for more surplus water rights to lease as part of its voluntary water exchange. Mary Condon, program manager for the Idaho Water Supply Bank, joins associate producer Logan Finney to discuss the need.

This week, Lt. Gov. Scott Bedke joins Idaho Reports to discuss upcoming legislative primaries and what he’s hearing from voters, and Shannon McGuire of Spark Strategic Solutions shares findings from a new report about community support for mothers in Idaho.

This week is Children’s Mental Health Acceptance Week. Producer Ruth Brown spoke with Brenda Willson, executive director of FYIdaho, about the range of mental health resources available for parents and children in Idaho.

Power struggles between the legislative and executive branches are nothing new, but this year, those fights are starting to have real impacts on the state’s operations. Kevin Richert of Idaho Education News and Dr. Jaclyn Kettler of Boise State University discuss the results of the session for Gov. Brad Little, the upcoming primary elections, and more.

Idaho legislators have looked for several years at modifying the process by which cities can annex land and expand their boundaries. Associate producer Logan Finney sits down with Kelly Packer, executive director of the Association of Idaho Cities, to discuss the changes signed into law this year and why she thinks they will cause issues down the road.

The national spotlight is centered on whether Idaho’s abortion ban conflicts with federal law. Senate Minority Leader Melissa Wintrow shares her view on the oral arguments before the U.S. Supreme Court. Then, Attorney General Raúl Labrador gives his take on how the hearing went. Plus, Division of Financial Management administrator Alex Adams discusses how budgeting issues at Vocational Rehabilitat...

The U.S. Supreme Court last week allowed an Idaho state law to take effect that bans gender-affirming care for transgender minors while litigation over the law moves through the courts. Associate producer Logan Finney sits down with Dr. Marvin Alviso, a family medicine doctor in Boise who offers gender-affirming care for adolescents and kids, to discuss what that medical care looks like and how th...

This week, Dr. Marlene Tromp from Boise State University discusses the future of higher education in Idaho amid discourse about student loan debt and workforce readiness. Plus, McKay Cunningham from the College of Idaho discusses arguments coming up before the U.S. Supreme Court regarding whether the Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act, or EMTALA, overrules Idaho's state abortion ban.

Next week the U.S. Supreme Court will hear oral arguments on whether the federal Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act, or EMTALA, conflicts with Idaho's state law that bans all abortion except to save the life of the mother, or in cases of rape and incest. Constitutional law professor McKay Cunningham from the College of Idaho joined Melissa Davlin on Thursday to preview the arguments...

Lawmakers gaveled out for the year, but Medicaid uncertainty may bring a special session. This week, Logan Finney sits down with Reps. Ned Burns and Brent Crane to discuss the library bill that became law. Kevin Richert gives us a run-down of education highlights. Finally, Senate President Pro Tem Chuck Winder discusses the end of the session, including whether a Medicaid bill will cause disruptio...

Legislative committees in Idaho often meet less than twelve hours after an agenda is posted. They also leave the details about how to accept public testimony up to each individual chairman. Jason Mercier, vice president and director of research at Mountain States Policy Center, joined associate producer Logan Finney to discuss some possible transparency reforms that could help Idahoans access thei...

Lawmakers set the final state budgets this week – or did they? The showdown over the transportation budget is finally ended, and long-anticipated bills await the governor’s signature or veto. Melissa Davlin sits down with lawmakers investigating a possible budget shortfall at the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation. Then, Dr. Jaclyn Kettler from Boise State University and reporter James Dawson f...

Like many election years, there have been a lot of social issues up for debate in the 2024 legislative session. However, lawmakers seem increasingly ready to pass legislation that they know will end up being decided somewhere down the line in court. Associate producer Logan Finney sat down this week with ACLU of Idaho legislative strategist Amy Dundon to discuss reproductive rights, LGBTQ+ and gen...

This week, Dr. Jim Souza, Dr. Megan Kasper, and Idaho Medical Association CEO Susie Keller talk about the effects of Idaho’s abortion ban on physician recruitment and patient care after the Senate and House Health and Welfare Committees canceled a hearing on the topic. Then, Kevin Richert of Idaho Education News and James Dawson of Boise State Public Radio bring you the latest from the statehouse.

The Idaho Transportation Department headquarters used to be situated on a 44-acre property at the edge of downtown Boise. The state has been working for several years to sell the land. Associate producer Logan Finney sits down with BoiseDev senior reporter Margaret Carmel to dig into the history of the site and the possible consequences of lawmakers interrupting the deal. Read more here: https://b...

As we’re nearing the end of the legislative session, contentious debates are filling the days. How might these floor votes affect the upcoming legislative primary season? This week, former Gov. Butch Otter, Kevin Richert of Idaho Education News, and Dr. Stephanie Witt of Boise State University join the pundits to discuss the late-session legislative dealings and upcoming primary races to watch.

Senate Minority Leader Melissa Wintrow joins associate producer Logan Finney to discuss a bill she has been working for years to pass, SB 1234, which increases the amount of contraceptives that Idaho women can pick up in a single pharmacy visit to six months. Gov. Brad Little signed the bill and it takes effect on July 1, 2024.

Lawmakers have debated for several years over adjustments to how the state should fill judicial vacancies when judges retire. A bill introduced in the House this week on judicial retirements is also tied to pay raises for judges. Producer Ruth Brown spoke with Idaho Supreme Court Chief Justice G. Richard Bevan on Thursday about his concerns with the bill and its potential impact on the court syste...

It’s no secret that Idaho Republicans have been fighting amongst themselves for years. This week, Rep. Stephanie Mickelsen discusses her recent censure from her legislative district central committee, and Idaho Republican Party chairwoman Dorothy Moon gives her take on the presidential caucus, recent election bills and divisions within the party. Plus, Ruth Brown talks to Idaho Supreme Court Chief...

Senate Assistant Majority Leader Abby Lee joins producer Ruth Brown to discuss issues with the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare’s foster care system, efforts over her legislative career to address them, and a pair of bills she's co-sponsoring this year to limit temporary placement of foster kids and to create an independent ombudsman office. Read more here: https://blog.idahoreports.idahoptv...

Idaho’s judicial branch this year is requesting general funds for its IT staff and services, and to complete the court’s transition to a cloud-based technology system. For the last ten years, the state has largely funded court technology by imposing fees on the people who use the justice system. Associate producer Logan Finney spoke to Lisa Foster of the Fines and Fees Justice Center this week abo...

The Idaho Republican Party Presidential Caucus drew just 7 percent of registered Republicans to the polls last Saturday, but didn’t draw any presidential candidates to Idaho to campaign. Where does the party go next? Reps. Dustin Manwaring and Lauren Necochea join Dr. Jaclyn Kettler of Boise State University to discuss the presidential caucus and what lawmakers have left to do before adjournment.