Kevin’s blog

Expert analysis and the latest news from award-winning journalist Kevin Richert.

Power struggle over Common Core tests

The State Department of Education is all-in, supporting a controversial test tailored to the new Common Core standards. But some prominent school district leaders are pushing back.

Otter may not fully fund task force plans

Gov. Butch Otter teased out a few details about his state budget proposal — and the numbers will likely come up short of state superintendent Tom Luna’s K-12 spending plan.

McGrane fires up statewide bid

Deputy Ada County clerk Phil McGrane will serve up some politics, and some barbecue, at a campaign announcement Tuesday afternoon.

Canyon leap faces possible grounding

A bidder is asking the Twin Falls City Council to take a second look at its deal with Texas stuntman “Big Ed” Beckley, who has already forked over $943,000 for Idaho’s public school endowment.

AP: Balukoff a former Republican

In 2008, the Democratic gubernatorial candidate’s name surfaced on a list of 60 Republicans supporting Democratic congressional candidate Walt Minnick.

State drops case against Dietrich teacher

Tim McDaniel, a veteran science teacher in this small Magic Valley community, faced a series of complaints from parents. One parent complained that McDaniel used the word “vagina” while teaching sex education.

Common Core: Is a battle brewing?

Some legislators may well take a run at derailing the Idaho Core Standards next session. But a revolt might not find any traction in the Statehouse’s education committees.

The ‘O’ word of the day …

Say this much for Democratic gubernatorial candidate A.J. Balukoff: He has Gov. Butch Otter and GOP challenger Russ Fulcher singing from the same hymn book.

Bleak house? Raffle organizer files claim

Philip Allaire proposed staging a series of raffles to help the Nampa School District wipe out $4 million in shortfalls. The state lottery says the online raffle violates state law.