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Analysis: Just another week in the McGeachin chaos campaign

The lieutenant governor wants $50,000 of taxpayer money to cover largely unexplained legal bills. It’s the latest strange turn in an election that’s likely to get more bizarre.

Ybarra sharply rebukes ‘political posturing’ around social-emotional learning

The state superintendent’s office has continued to advocate for the concept behind SEL, but has distanced itself from the term as it accumulates political charge.

A fall flourish: Idaho universities report enrollment increases

The rebound covers most — but not all — of the pandemic-driven enrollment losses of 2020.

McGeachin’s office says it can’t find invoices for legal bills

The lieutenant governor’s office accrued legal expenses during an unsuccessful court battle with the Idaho Press Club. But the amount remains unknown to taxpayers.

Analysis: November’s school board elections reflect their turbulent time

Tensions over local COVID-19 protocols, and the nationalized critical race theory backlash, are reshaping trustee races in 2021. Is this a step toward pricier, more partisan elections?

West Ada to stop contact tracing, keep mask mandate

The district will instead notify parents if their student was in a classroom with someone who tested positive. Parents will be advised to monitor for symptoms but keep their kids in class.

State, districts navigate political pushback on ‘social-emotional learning’

The widely used academic term has been drawn into the fierce and divisive debate surrounding critical race theory.

Analysis: Another Little-McGeachin education showdown is on hold, but not permanently

On Thursday, Little’s State Board of Education delayed a vote on a higher education diversity, educational equity and inclusion policy. This still looms as a big showdown, reinforcing Little’s and McGeachin’s positions on opposite sides of the campus culture wars.

Sunshine reports: Little campaign haul approaches $500,000

The incumbent governor and state superintendent’s candidate Debbie Critchfield continue to far outpace their prospective opponents in campaign fundraising, according to finance reports.

McGeachin issues executive order on COVID-19 vaccine, testing requirements

The lieutenant governor issued an executive order Tuesday, seeking to ban K-12 schools and colleges and universities from requiring vaccines or COVID-19 testing. Gov. Brad Little said he will rescind the order when he returns to Idaho.