Kevin’s blog
Expert analysis and the latest news from award-winning journalist Kevin Richert.
Land Board OK’s record-setting $100.3 million payout
Public schools are historically the largest beneficiary, and next year will be no exception. The K-12 payout comes to $61.5 million, up from $54.8 million this year.
As schools prepare to open, coronavirus case numbers continue to climb
New weekly coronavirus cases eclipsed the 4,000 plateau for the first time since January — and hospitalizations continued a similar surge.
Boise Democrat jumps into lieutenant governor’s race
Attorney Terri Pickens Manweiler is the first Democrat to enter the open, and heated, lieutenant governor’s race.
As the school year approaches, Idaho’s coronavirus surge accelerates
The state and its seven health districts reported more than 3,700 new cases last week, the largest seven-day increase since January.
Coronavirus case numbers continue to surge, passing a sobering milestone
Idaho reported its largest weekly increase in case numbers since mid-March — as health officials urge a cautious approach to the new school year.
The paper trail from Thursday’s task force meeting
Here’s what Lt. Gov. Janice McGeachin had to say to Idaho’s teachers union. And what the state’s college and university presidents had to say to McGeachin’s task force.
Boise State updates fall plan, encourages universal mask usage
The state’s largest university is also encouraging students and staff to get vaccinated before fall semester.
McGeachin’s inbox: What she’s hearing on critical race theory and indoctrination
The bulk of emails to Lt. Gov. Janice McGeachin say her indoctrination task force is an overdue and gutsy attempt to curb leftist teachings. Others dismiss the task force as misguided, pointless and politically driven.
Coronavirus case numbers continue surge — and more weekly trends
Here’s the latest look at the state’s coronavirus trends, as the new school year approaches.
Mapping Idaho vaccination rates and hotspots: It’s complicated
In some cases, counties with higher vaccination rates are seeing relatively low coronavirus case rates. But not always.