Kevin’s blog
Expert analysis and the latest news from award-winning journalist Kevin Richert.
Get to work and go home: One survey’s message to the Legislature
An unusual coalition — the Idaho Association of Commerce and Industry, the Boise Metro Chamber of Commerce and the Idaho Education Association — surveyed 400 likely Republican primary workers. Here’s what respondents had to say.
Federal judges consider Idaho’s transgender athletics ban
Idaho’s first-in-the-nation transgender athletics ban remains on hold, pending court appeals.
K-12 coronavirus cases approach a seven-month low
The Idaho Department of Health and Welfare reported at least 61 K-12 cases for a seven-day period ending Sunday — the lowest number since the week ending Oct. 1.
Video: ‘Idaho Reports,’ 4.30.21
Miss the latest episode of “Idaho Reports?” Catch it here.
Coronavirus trendline, 4.30.21: Vaccination numbers continue to tail off
While vaccination numbers slowed considerably, new case numbers were virtually unchanged from the previous week.
Lengthy legislative session raises specter of a government shutdown
The possible shutdown is a function of timing, and when the session ends. It could affect paychecks for some 20,000 state employees, and raises questions about whether first responders can stay on the job, Clark Corbin of the Idaho Capital Sun reported Thursday.
Reclaim Idaho files new K-12 funding initiative
Like a similar proposal in 2020, the Reclaim initiative would increase taxes to generate about $200 million per year for schools.
‘The best budget we can hope for?’ Higher ed budget reactions
The budget would earmark $313.1 million of state tax dollars for higher education. Gov. Brad Little requested $315.2 million.
K-12 coronavirus case numbers again increase slightly
Most of the week’s school hotspots were centered in Ada and Elmore counties.
Coronavirus trendline, 4.23.21: New case numbers drop — but so do vaccination numbers
New case numbers dropped again this week, remaining at numbers not seen since last summer. Vaccination numbers dropped to their lowest point since late February.