Idaho Reports

Former President Donald Trump easily won the Idaho Republican presidential caucus over the weekend and will receive all of Idaho’s 32 delegates to the Republican presidential nominating convention. Associate producer Logan Finney sat down Monday with political scientist Josh Putnam to go over the results, what they mean for the rest of the contest as we head into Super Tuesday, and how much influe...

The revenue that the Idaho Supreme Court generates from court fees has been in decline over the past several years. But at the same time, the costs to run its technology systems have increased. Sara Omundson, administrative director of courts, sat down with Logan Finney on Thursday to discuss the cybersecurity threats facing the state court system, and what they’re doing to address them.

The Idaho Department of Correction halted the execution of Thomas Creech after failing to set an IV line. Witnesses Scott McIntosh of the Idaho Statesman and Roland Beres of KIVI share what they saw. Administrative director of courts Sara Omundson discusses cybersecurity funding. Kevin Richert of Idaho Education News brings us the latest reactions to the proposed University of Phoenix acquisition.

On Wednesday, the Idaho Department of Correction called off the execution of Thomas Creech, after nearly an hour of attempting to establish an IV line to administer the necessary lethal injection chemicals. Lead producer and host Melissa Davlin spoke the next day with media witnesses Scott McIntosh of the Idaho Statesman and Roland Beres of KIVI Channel 6 about what they saw, and what the state mi...

On Wednesday, the Idaho Department of Correction called off the execution of Thomas Creech, after nearly an hour of attempting to establish an IV line to administer the necessary lethal injection chemicals. According to IDOC director Josh Tewalt, the medical team tried to set up an IV line in eight different locations on Creech’s body, including his arms, hands, and legs, before calling off the pr...

Associate producer Logan Finney sat down this week with Idaho Superintendent of Public Instruction Debbie Critchfield to discuss the status of the education budget, as well as policy bills on libraries and bullying.

This week, McKay Cunningham from the College of Idaho discusses potential issues with an effort to add a balanced budget amendment to the U.S. Constitution. Then, Kevin Richert of Idaho Education News, Dr. Stephanie Witt of Boise State University, and former Attorney General and Supreme Court Justice Jim Jones join the pundits to review the week that was, and to remember our late friend Dr. Jim We...

Beginning last legislative session, Idaho began a massive undertaking to shift from its unconstitutional county-based public defense system to a state-based system. Idaho Association of Counties executive director Seth Grigg sat down with Ruth Brown this week to discuss the final details being ironed out as the October 1 changeover date approaches, including funding for child protective service ca...

After last week’s House leadership shake-up, Republicans have chosen a new majority leader. How much might that impact pending legislation that hits the floor? This week, Rep. Jason Monks discusses his role as the newly elected House Majority Leader, as well as complex school facility legislation he is co-sponsoring. Then, Kevin Richert of Idaho Education News and Dr. Jaclyn Kettler of Boise State...

House Bill 494 would rewrite Idaho's human trafficking laws to make them more victim-centered and hopefully give law enforcement more tools to investigate and prosecute trafficking cases that they find in relation to other crimes. Bill sponsor Rep. Jaron Crane, R-Nampa, joined producer Ruth Brown this week to discuss the legislation and who is supporting it.

This week, Rep. Megan Blanksma joins us to discuss a historic vote to remove her as House Majority Leader, and what she thinks led up to it. Then, House Appropriations chair Rep. Wendy Horman gives some insights into the behind-the-scenes budget fights that became public over the last few days, and Minority Leader Ilana Rubel shares her thoughts on how the dysfunction might affect the rest of the...

The legislature’s budget committee made some big changes to how they appropriate your taxpayer dollars, but on Friday, they reconsidered some budgets that had already passed. Producer Ruth Brown discusses an update on a pending execution and new death penalty legislation, and Kevin Richert of Idaho Education News gives us an update on the open meeting lawsuit against the State Board of Education.

Idaho Secretary of State Phil McGrane joins associate producer Logan Finney this week to discuss legal action headed before the U.S. Supreme Court over whether former President Donald Trump is eligible to appear on the ballot in 2024. They also discuss McGrane's priorities for the new legislative session, and a letter he and Attorney General Raúl Labrador issued to statehouse lobbyists regarding b...

It's the third week of the session, and lawmakers are already addressing big concerns like fentanyl trafficking and guns on campus. Kevin Richert of Idaho Education News gives us an update on the open meeting lawsuit over the University of Idaho’s acquisition of the University of Phoenix. Then, Senate Majority Leader Kelly Anthon discusses changes to the budget process and the session so far.

Idaho lawmakers are once again pushing to add fentanyl to the state's list of illegal substances that carry mandatory minimum prison sentences for drug trafficking. The same committee that blocked the bill last year advanced the bill to the House after three hours of testimony on Friday and another two hours of deliberation on Tuesday. Associate producer Logan Finney sat down with Sen. Todd Lakey,...

No matter where you are in Idaho, you likely got hit by winter storms this week. But how did that affect the snowpack? Water Supply Committee chair David Hoekema discusses the statewide outlook. Then, Dr. Matthew May and Lantz McGinnis-Brown from Boise State University review results of this year’s public policy survey, and Kevin Richert of Idaho Education News reviews the week at the statehouse.

Idaho Supreme Court Chief Justice G. Richard Bevan addressed lawmakers this week, speaking to the judicial branch's relationship to the legislature and the rule of law. He also highlighted the court system's budget needs for the year, including improved technology support and judicial salaries. Bevan's full comments are available here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7rwlN6lLl8c

While touting his own proposals this week, Gov. Little had some harsh words for the federal government and its $34 trillion dollar debt. Concerns about spending in Washington aren’t new. Former US Sen. Larry Craig has been promoting a balanced budget amendment since the Reagan administration. And on Thursday, Mick Mulvaney came to Boise to meet with legislative leaders to pitch the amendment. Mulv...

There’s already plenty to talk about – including a push for a federal balanced budget. This week, we get reactions to Gov. Brad Little’s state of the state and proposed budget. Mick Mulvaney, former chief of staff to President Donald Trump, and former US Sen. Larry Craig discuss a proposed federal constitutional amendment that would require Congress to pass a balanced budget. Then, Dr. Jaclyn Kett...

Gov. Brad Little delivered his 2024 State of the State Address on Jan. 8, the first day of the legislative session. The speech focused on budget priorities for the upcoming session, including fully funding Idaho Launch and an ambitious proposal to help fund local school buildings.

Kevin Richert from Idaho Education News, political science professor Stephanie Witt from Boise State University, and administrator Alex Adams from the Division of Financial Management provide commentary after Gov. Brad Little's 2024 State of the State address.

Associate producer Logan Finney examines the implications of not fully funding jail facilities. Caribou County Sheriff Adam Mabey, Fremont County Sheriff Len Humphries, Payette County Sheriff Andy Creech, and jail inspector Ben Wolfinger from the Idaho Sheriffs Association discuss the state of Idaho's aging county jails, how being a recreation destination plays into the issue, and a policy pitch t...

The session is just around the corner, and the press got a sneak peek at the priorities. This week, Gov. Brad Little and lawmakers give us a preview of the upcoming legislative session. Associate producer Logan Finney discusses issues with jail facilities across the state with members of the Idaho Sheriffs Association. Finally, House Majority Leader Rep. Megan Blanksma joins us to discuss proposal...

Association of Idaho Cities executive director Kelley Packer joins Ruth Brown to discuss the upcoming 2024 legislative session, as well as some of the bills in the works relating to property tax budgets, city annexation, and water rights.

Three Republican women - former state Rep. Kelley Packer, former state Rep. and Senate candidate Laurie Lickley, and former Senate candidate Tara Malek - in December founded the Idaho Contraceptive Education Network. The group's goal is to educate Idahoans about contraception and how it is different from abortion.