The longest-running public policy show in the West, Idaho Reports turns a spotlight on the statehouse during the legislative session. Dedicated to political analysis and in-depth reporting from around the state. Subscribe for regular episodes and bonus content on the important issues affecting all Idahoans. © Idaho Public Television | Idaho State Board of Education, an agency of the State of Idaho
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Idaho legislators have made only minor changes to the state's abortion laws since the U.S. Supreme Court restored their power to regulate abortion. Lead organizer Melanie Folwell with Idahoans United for Women & Children sits down with associate producer Logan Finney to explain the early drafts of a voter initiative that seeks to put a new abortion…
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President Joe Biden announced on Sunday that he is no longer seeking reelection this November. Now, the Democratic Party has swiftly aligned behind Vice President Kamala Harris as their new nominee. Associate Producer Logan Finney sits down with delegate Rep. Lauren Necochea, chair of the Idaho Democratic Party, to discuss the race and what comes n…
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Former president Donald J. Trump has selected U.S. Sen. JD Vance of Ohio as his running mate in the 2024 election. Idaho delegate Theo Wold joined Melissa Davin on Thursday from the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee to discuss what a Vance vice presidency might mean for Idaho and for the Republican Party.…
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Idaho state law now requires "reasonable age verification methods" on adult websites to prevent minors from accessing pornography and other harmful content. Associate producer Logan Finney sits down with Molly Buckley, a legal fellow at the Electronic Frontier Foundation, to learn about these verification tools and the privacy concerns that arise w…
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Break: July 4, 2024 by Idaho Public TelevisionIdaho Public Television
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Associate producer Logan Finney sat down with Charlie Hunt of the School of Public Service and Jen Schneider of the College of Innovation and Design at Boise State University to share what happened this year at the Idaho Republican Party Convention. The Big Tent is a public affairs radio show on Radio Boise hosted by School of Public Service facult…
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In observation of the Juneteenth federal holiday, we're re-airing "Race and the Gem State," an Idaho Reports special produced in June 2020 as communities across the nation protested against racism and police brutality following the death of George Floyd. The episode discusses the role of protests and vigils in effecting change, as well as the histo…
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The Idaho Republican Party 2024 Convention is underway in Coeur d'Alene where delegates will consider resolutions, platform updates and rule changes. Associate producer Logan Finney spoke with Mary Souza and Dorothy Moon, the two candidates for party chair, about their motivation to run and their visions for the party.…
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Joining the podcast this week is Alex Adams, the new director of the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare. He has served for the past five years as budget director for Gov. Brad Little, and now he takes the helm at one of the largest – and most expensive – state agencies. Associate producer Logan Finney discusses Adams’s first week on the job, hi…
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The results from Idaho's spring primary are official. The Idaho Board of Canvassers — made up of the Secretary of State, State Controller and State Treasurer — met Wednesday in Idaho Falls to certify the results of the May 21st primary election and review post-election audit findings. Several four-person auditor teams from the Secretary of State's …
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In the final episode of our 52nd season, Senate President Pro Tem Chuck Winder reflects on 16 years in office after losing his primary election last week. Kevin Richert of Idaho Education News gets us up to speed on what’s next in the attempted University of Phoenix acquisition. Plus, we take a look at youth assessment centers and the work they do …
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About 24 percent of registered Idaho voters cast a ballot on Tuesday with the majority participating in the Republican primary. Senate President Pro Tempore Chuck Winder was one of 15 incumbents to lose their race this election. We discuss the results with Rep. Wendy Horman, winner of one of the most closely watched races. We also examine the impli…
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The primary election is just four days away. This week, Idaho Secretary of State Phil McGrane talks about campaign finance enforcement and the lead-up to Tuesday’s primary elections for state legislature and local offices. Then, Ball Ventures Ahlquist CEO Dr. Tommy Ahlquist and Unite America campaigns advisor Amos Rothstein join the pundits table t…
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As demand for rental water is increasing in certain parts of the state, the Idaho Water Resource Board is looking for more surplus water rights to lease as part of its voluntary water exchange. Mary Condon, program manager for the Idaho Water Supply Bank, joins associate producer Logan Finney to discuss the need.…
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This week, Lt. Gov. Scott Bedke joins Idaho Reports to discuss upcoming legislative primaries and what he’s hearing from voters, and Shannon McGuire of Spark Strategic Solutions shares findings from a new report about community support for mothers in Idaho.Idaho Public Television
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This week is Children’s Mental Health Acceptance Week. Producer Ruth Brown spoke with Brenda Willson, executive director of FYIdaho, about the range of mental health resources available for parents and children in Idaho.Idaho Public Television
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Power struggles between the legislative and executive branches are nothing new, but this year, those fights are starting to have real impacts on the state’s operations. Kevin Richert of Idaho Education News and Dr. Jaclyn Kettler of Boise State University discuss the results of the session for Gov. Brad Little, the upcoming primary elections, and m…
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Idaho legislators have looked for several years at modifying the process by which cities can annex land and expand their boundaries. Associate producer Logan Finney sits down with Kelly Packer, executive director of the Association of Idaho Cities, to discuss the changes signed into law this year and why she thinks they will cause issues down the r…
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The national spotlight is centered on whether Idaho’s abortion ban conflicts with federal law. Senate Minority Leader Melissa Wintrow shares her view on the oral arguments before the U.S. Supreme Court. Then, Attorney General Raúl Labrador gives his take on how the hearing went. Plus, Division of Financial Management administrator Alex Adams discus…
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The U.S. Supreme Court last week allowed an Idaho state law to take effect that bans gender-affirming care for transgender minors while litigation over the law moves through the courts. Associate producer Logan Finney sits down with Dr. Marvin Alviso, a family medicine doctor in Boise who offers gender-affirming care for adolescents and kids, to di…
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This week, Dr. Marlene Tromp from Boise State University discusses the future of higher education in Idaho amid discourse about student loan debt and workforce readiness. Plus, McKay Cunningham from the College of Idaho discusses arguments coming up before the U.S. Supreme Court regarding whether the Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act…
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Next week the U.S. Supreme Court will hear oral arguments on whether the federal Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act, or EMTALA, conflicts with Idaho's state law that bans all abortion except to save the life of the mother, or in cases of rape and incest. Constitutional law professor McKay Cunningham from the College of Idaho joined Me…
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Lawmakers gaveled out for the year, but Medicaid uncertainty may bring a special session. This week, Logan Finney sits down with Reps. Ned Burns and Brent Crane to discuss the library bill that became law. Kevin Richert gives us a run-down of education highlights. Finally, Senate President Pro Tem Chuck Winder discusses the end of the session, incl…
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Legislative committees in Idaho often meet less than twelve hours after an agenda is posted. They also leave the details about how to accept public testimony up to each individual chairman. Jason Mercier, vice president and director of research at Mountain States Policy Center, joined associate producer Logan Finney to discuss some possible transpa…
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Lawmakers set the final state budgets this week – or did they? The showdown over the transportation budget is finally ended, and long-anticipated bills await the governor’s signature or veto. Melissa Davlin sits down with lawmakers investigating a possible budget shortfall at the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation. Then, Dr. Jaclyn Kettler from …
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Like many election years, there have been a lot of social issues up for debate in the 2024 legislative session. However, lawmakers seem increasingly ready to pass legislation that they know will end up being decided somewhere down the line in court. Associate producer Logan Finney sat down this week with ACLU of Idaho legislative strategist Amy Dun…
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This week, Dr. Jim Souza, Dr. Megan Kasper, and Idaho Medical Association CEO Susie Keller talk about the effects of Idaho’s abortion ban on physician recruitment and patient care after the Senate and House Health and Welfare Committees canceled a hearing on the topic. Then, Kevin Richert of Idaho Education News and James Dawson of Boise State Publ…
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The Idaho Transportation Department headquarters used to be situated on a 44-acre property at the edge of downtown Boise. The state has been working for several years to sell the land. Associate producer Logan Finney sits down with BoiseDev senior reporter Margaret Carmel to dig into the history of the site and the possible consequences of lawmaker…
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As we’re nearing the end of the legislative session, contentious debates are filling the days. How might these floor votes affect the upcoming legislative primary season? This week, former Gov. Butch Otter, Kevin Richert of Idaho Education News, and Dr. Stephanie Witt of Boise State University join the pundits to discuss the late-session legislativ…
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Senate Minority Leader Melissa Wintrow joins associate producer Logan Finney to discuss a bill she has been working for years to pass, SB 1234, which increases the amount of contraceptives that Idaho women can pick up in a single pharmacy visit to six months. Gov. Brad Little signed the bill and it takes effect on July 1, 2024.…
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Lawmakers have debated for several years over adjustments to how the state should fill judicial vacancies when judges retire. A bill introduced in the House this week on judicial retirements is also tied to pay raises for judges. Producer Ruth Brown spoke with Idaho Supreme Court Chief Justice G. Richard Bevan on Thursday about his concerns with th…
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It’s no secret that Idaho Republicans have been fighting amongst themselves for years. This week, Rep. Stephanie Mickelsen discusses her recent censure from her legislative district central committee, and Idaho Republican Party chairwoman Dorothy Moon gives her take on the presidential caucus, recent election bills and divisions within the party. P…
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Senate Assistant Majority Leader Abby Lee joins producer Ruth Brown to discuss issues with the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare’s foster care system, efforts over her legislative career to address them, and a pair of bills she's co-sponsoring this year to limit temporary placement of foster kids and to create an independent ombudsman office.R…
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The Idaho Republican Party Presidential Caucus drew just 7 percent of registered Republicans to the polls last Saturday, but didn’t draw any presidential candidates to Idaho to campaign. Where does the party go next? Reps. Dustin Manwaring and Lauren Necochea join Dr. Jaclyn Kettler of Boise State University to discuss the presidential caucus and w…
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Idaho’s judicial branch this year is requesting general funds for its IT staff and services, and to complete the court’s transition to a cloud-based technology system. For the last ten years, the state has largely funded court technology by imposing fees on the people who use the justice system. Associate producer Logan Finney spoke to Lisa Foster …
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Former President Donald Trump easily won the Idaho Republican presidential caucus over the weekend and will receive all of Idaho’s 32 delegates to the Republican presidential nominating convention. Associate producer Logan Finney sat down Monday with political scientist Josh Putnam to go over the results, what they mean for the rest of the contest …
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The revenue that the Idaho Supreme Court generates from court fees has been in decline over the past several years. But at the same time, the costs to run its technology systems have increased. Sara Omundson, administrative director of courts, sat down with Logan Finney on Thursday to discuss the cybersecurity threats facing the state court system,…
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On Wednesday, the Idaho Department of Correction called off the execution of Thomas Creech, after nearly an hour of attempting to establish an IV line to administer the necessary lethal injection chemicals. Lead producer and host Melissa Davlin spoke the next day with media witnesses Scott McIntosh of the Idaho Statesman and Roland Beres of KIVI Ch…
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The Idaho Department of Correction halted the execution of Thomas Creech after failing to set an IV line. Witnesses Scott McIntosh of the Idaho Statesman and Roland Beres of KIVI share what they saw. Administrative director of courts Sara Omundson discusses cybersecurity funding. Kevin Richert of Idaho Education News brings us the latest reactions …
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On Wednesday, the Idaho Department of Correction called off the execution of Thomas Creech, after nearly an hour of attempting to establish an IV line to administer the necessary lethal injection chemicals. According to IDOC director Josh Tewalt, the medical team tried to set up an IV line in eight different locations on Creech’s body, including hi…
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Associate producer Logan Finney sat down this week with Idaho Superintendent of Public Instruction Debbie Critchfield to discuss the status of the education budget, as well as policy bills on libraries and bullying.Idaho Public Television
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This week, McKay Cunningham from the College of Idaho discusses potential issues with an effort to add a balanced budget amendment to the U.S. Constitution. Then, Kevin Richert of Idaho Education News, Dr. Stephanie Witt of Boise State University, and former Attorney General and Supreme Court Justice Jim Jones join the pundits to review the week th…
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Beginning last legislative session, Idaho began a massive undertaking to shift from its unconstitutional county-based public defense system to a state-based system. Idaho Association of Counties executive director Seth Grigg sat down with Ruth Brown this week to discuss the final details being ironed out as the October 1 changeover date approaches,…
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After last week’s House leadership shake-up, Republicans have chosen a new majority leader. How much might that impact pending legislation that hits the floor? This week, Rep. Jason Monks discusses his role as the newly elected House Majority Leader, as well as complex school facility legislation he is co-sponsoring. Then, Kevin Richert of Idaho Ed…
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House Bill 494 would rewrite Idaho's human trafficking laws to make them more victim-centered and hopefully give law enforcement more tools to investigate and prosecute trafficking cases that they find in relation to other crimes. Bill sponsor Rep. Jaron Crane, R-Nampa, joined producer Ruth Brown this week to discuss the legislation and who is supp…
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This week, Rep. Megan Blanksma joins us to discuss a historic vote to remove her as House Majority Leader, and what she thinks led up to it. Then, House Appropriations chair Rep. Wendy Horman gives some insights into the behind-the-scenes budget fights that became public over the last few days, and Minority Leader Ilana Rubel shares her thoughts on…
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The legislature’s budget committee made some big changes to how they appropriate your taxpayer dollars, but on Friday, they reconsidered some budgets that had already passed. Producer Ruth Brown discusses an update on a pending execution and new death penalty legislation, and Kevin Richert of Idaho Education News gives us an update on the open meet…
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Idaho Secretary of State Phil McGrane joins associate producer Logan Finney this week to discuss legal action headed before the U.S. Supreme Court over whether former President Donald Trump is eligible to appear on the ballot in 2024. They also discuss McGrane's priorities for the new legislative session, and a letter he and Attorney General Raúl L…
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It's the third week of the session, and lawmakers are already addressing big concerns like fentanyl trafficking and guns on campus. Kevin Richert of Idaho Education News gives us an update on the open meeting lawsuit over the University of Idaho’s acquisition of the University of Phoenix. Then, Senate Majority Leader Kelly Anthon discusses changes …
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Idaho lawmakers are once again pushing to add fentanyl to the state's list of illegal substances that carry mandatory minimum prison sentences for drug trafficking. The same committee that blocked the bill last year advanced the bill to the House after three hours of testimony on Friday and another two hours of deliberation on Tuesday. Associate pr…
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