Kevin’s blog

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

Video: Gov. Brad Little’s State of the State Address

Did you miss Monday’s speech — or the instant analysis? Catch it here.

Coronavirus trendline, 1.8.21: After holidays, case numbers begin to climb

Idaho coronavirus cases near the 150,000 mark, while COVID-19 deaths eclipse the 1,500 plateau.

Audio: ‘Idaho Matters,’ 1.8.21

Miss this week’s reporter roundtable? Catch it here.

DeVos resigns, saying Trump’s rhetoric had reached ‘inflection point’

The polarizing education secretary joins an exodus from President Trump’s inner circle, one day after Trump supporters staged a deadly riot on Capitol Hill.

State receives $6 million federal preschool grant

Advocates are shying away from the politically loaded word “preschool,” instead pledging to build “a mixed-delivery system for parents with young children.”

Health and Welfare: K-12 schools account for more than 4,800 coronavirus cases

There’s no exact figure, however. The state’s reports represent a conservative estimate.

Coronavirus trendline, 1.3.21: Case numbers appear to slow, but deaths creep upward

The week’s numbers are likely incomplete, due to the holiday.

Coronavirus trendline, 12.26.20: Numbers slow during holiday week

While this week’s numbers appear encouraging, they also are probably incomplete. Health districts are not required to report numbers every day, so delays are likely because of the Christmas holiday.

Audio: The ‘Idaho Matters’ year in review

Miss the “Idaho Matters” Reporter Roundtable year in review? Catch up here.

K-12 coronavirus case numbers dip ahead of holiday break

At least 3,315 K-12 students and staffers have contracted coronavirus this school year, according to Idaho Department of Health and Welfare data.