Kevin’s blog
Expert analysis and the latest news from award-winning journalist Kevin Richert.
‘It’s a complicated issue:’ Lawmaker reflects on demise of teacher insurance bill
The House had passed Rep. Rod Furniss’ bill, which would have allowed school districts to use career ladder dollars to cover the costs of putting teachers under the state insurance plan. The Senate Education Committee killed the bill on March 15.
New K-12 coronavirus cases near six-month low
This week’s dropoff coincided with Spring Break in many of the state’s largest school districts.
Coronavirus trendline, 3.26.21: Case numbers slow, vaccinations hit new peak
Weekly case numbers decreased by 11 percent. Vaccinations increased by 12 percent.
Big City Coffee files tort claim against Boise State
In a tort claim, lawyers for Big City Coffee say Boise State’s diversity and inclusivity agenda “has a hard edge when applied to people, businesses and ideas with which its proponents disagree.”
Boise State resumes ethics and diversity class
The online instruction plan comes as a Boise law firm continues its investigation into student complaints. Earlier this week, Boise State said the course would remain on hold during the investigation.
Help us tell the story of college during the pandemic
We want to tell the human stories behind the higher education enrollment statistics. If you’re a student or a parent, we want to hear from you.
Boise State hires law firm to investigate complaints over diversity course
The University Foundations 200 class remains on hold, and spring students may wind up completing the course through independent study.
K-12 cases increase, largely due to Eastern Idaho hotspots
The numbers in Eastern Idaho schools mirror statewide coronavirus trends.
Coronavirus trendline, 3.19.21: A Statehouse shutdown, and Idaho’s national hotspot
As a coronavirus outbreak prompted the Legislature to take a historic 18-day recess, Idaho’s new case numbers crept upward this week. On Friday, the state and its seven health districts reported 177,292 confirmed or probable coronavirus cases, a 1.3 percent increase from last week. It’s the second straight week that new case numbers have increased….
Amidst student complaints, Boise State suspends ethics and diversity course
Suspension of the University Foundations 200 course, a graduation requirement, comes as the Legislature is poised to vote on the 2021-22 higher education budget.