Idaho Reports

Administrator Laura Denner from the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare Division of Family and Community Partnerships and director Christine Tiddens of Idaho Voices for Children discuss recent efforts by the state to address issues in the foster care system. Then, former congressman Larry LaRocco shares what he and Richard Stallings heard from Idahoans after eleven town halls across the state.

The cost and availability of housing is a constant concern in Idaho. State lawmakers have assembled an interim committee to study the issue over the summer, with their first meeting this week discussing inventory shortages and the compounding effects of missing affordability.

This week, Idaho made national news as Boise and Bonners Ferry passed resolutions to continue flying flags – pride and organ donor flags in Boise and a Canadian flag in Bonners Ferry – despite a recently passed law that prohibits government entities from flying flags that aren't state, city, tribal, military, or the US flag. Idaho Attorney General Raúl Labrador discusses the new law, recent litigation, his views on civic discourse, and much more.

President Donald Trump issued an executive order upon taking office in January that suspended the U.S. Refugee Admission Program. Associate producer Logan Finney sat down with Holly Beech from the Idaho Office for Refugees which oversees refugee resettlement in Idaho in partnership with local community resettlement agencies. They discuss the effects of the program pause and funding freeze, as well as the case of a resettled Twin Falls man in ICE deportation proceedings with no country that will accept him.

Three decades after a monumental agreement with the U.S. Department of Energy over radioactive waste and spent nuclear fuel storage, Idaho this week agreed to a waiver that will allow the federal government to send a cask of spent nuclear fuel to the Idaho National Laboratory. Plus, increased attention on wildfire management and the possible impacts of the Trump administration's budget proposal.

Gov. Brad Little signed an executive order last week directing the Idaho Department of Lands to collaborate with the U.S. Forest Service in support of the Trump administration's goals of increased timber production and improved forest health. Associate producer Logan Finney sat down with Department of Lands Director Dustin Miller to ask what that relationship will look like.

Over the course of three fiscal years starting in 2022, the legislature appropriated a total of $160 million to improve Idaho's state parks, with $95 million coming from state surplus funds, and another $65 million coming from the American Rescue Plan Act. On Thursday, the Idaho Reports team headed to Bruneau Dunes State Park to catch up with Director Susan Buxton and find out how that money was put to use, and to tour the facilities at the dunes.

Idaho has 30 state parks, and word is getting out that they're great places to visit. This week, we head to Bruneau Dunes State Park to catch up with Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation Director Susan Buxton and look into the status of record investments made into Idaho's state parks over the last few years. Plus, the latest on a lawsuit over abortion ballot initiative language.

Bruneau Dunes State Park is home to the tallest single-structure sand dune in North America, but it's also a certified dark sky area with a notable astronomy facility. Associate producer Logan Finney sat down with manager Bryce Bealba and ranger Greg Harman to talk about the park.

The legislative session may be over, but debates about government spending are still going strong across the state and the country. This week, we look at national political figures like U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders and Turning Point USA activist Charlie Kirk making their case to Idahoans. Then, Speaker of the House Mike Moyle joins Logan Finney to discuss lawmakers' spending and policy priorities.

After hosting Sen. Bernie Sanders this week at the largest political rally in state history, what's next for the Idaho Democrats? Party chair Lauren Necochea joins associate producer Logan Finney to discuss the "Fighting Oligarchy" tour and what's next on the national and local front.

The "Fighting Oligarchy Tour" on Monday featuring U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-VT, and U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-NY, drew a full venue of roughly 12,500 people to the Ford Idaho Center in Nampa. Speakers included former Idaho state Rep. Nate Roberts, D-Pocatello; family physician Dr. Penny Beach; House Minority Caucus Chair Rep. Todd Achilles, D-Boise; American Federation of Government Employees Local 1273 president Chandler Bursey; and AOC and Sanders.

The session is over. Time to talk about what passed, what didn't, and the lawsuits already underway. This week, professor Geoffrey Heeren with the University of Idaho College of Law discusses questions around an Idaho immigration bill, as well as the revocation of visas for international college students. Then, Kevin Richert of Idaho Education News and Dr. Jaclyn Kettler of Boise State University's School of Public Service discuss the end of the 2025 legislative session, and what might be next.

One of the bills signed into law this session will make three changes to urban renewal in Idaho: allowing cities to dissolve an urban renewal agency, allowing extensions for districts with a single industrial user, and allowing fire districts to opt out of inclusion in an urban renewal district. BoiseDev reporter Margaret Carmel joins Logan Finney to break down the changes.

Lawmakers are wrapping up work for the year with debates over medical treatments and diversity, equity, and inclusion. This week, producer Ruth Brown interviews Senate Health and Welfare Committee Chair Julie VanOrden about changes to Medicaid spending. Then, Senate Majority Caucus Chair Ben Toews talks about competing bills on medical freedom and what it takes to finally adjourn the session.

Reps. Heather Scott and Barbara Ehardt, Unplanned Good executive director Terri Marcroft, and Sens. Julie VanOrden and Tammy Nichols join associate producer Logan Finney to discuss their mission to make sure women with unplanned pregnancies know adoption is an option. The group reviews Idaho's safe haven laws which enable baby boxes where parents can anonymously surrender newborns safely, as well as working to make adoption a more accepted practice.

The Legislature missed its target adjournment date, with budgets dominating the debates. So as we head into April, what's next? This week, Sen. David Lent and Rep. Dustin Manwaring give us an update on medical education arrangements in Idaho. Then, House Assistant Majority Leader Josh Tanner and Senate Assistant Minority Leader James Ruchti discuss budgeting and end-of-session negotiations.

Sen. Jim Woodward sits down with associate producer Logan Finney to discuss progress on budgets and funding for public schools, as well as power companies' liability for wildfire damages and a few issues specific to Boundary and Bonner counties in Legislative District 1.

Idaho becomes the only state with the firing squad as its primary method of carrying out the death penalty. Producer Ruth Brown sits down with House Judiciary chairman Rep. Bruce Skaug to talk about use of the firing squad and other criminal justice issues. Then, Melissa Davlin interviews East Idaho farmer Brian Murdock about legislative investments in water recharge projects.

Sen. Tammy Nichols is working this year on a bill that would allow all Idahoans, even those that live in communities with covenants or HOA rules, to raise chickens on their property. She sat down with associate producer Logan Finney to discuss the bill and its path through the statehouse.

This week, we discuss the winding road through budget-setting with the co-chairs of the Joint Finance Appropriations Committee, Rep. Wendy Horman and Sen. Scott Grow. Committee member Sen. Melissa Wintrow outlines her concerns with this year's budget setting process. Finally, Kevin Richert of Idaho Education News joins us to discuss the state's proposed changes to its medical education agreement.

Legislative strategist Amy Dundon with the ACLU of Idaho joins associate producer Logan Finney this week to survey a wide range of bills under consideration this year touching on the rights of immigrant, transgender, and indigent people.

With the tax credit for private education costs now signed into law, and the future of the federal Department of Education up in the air, where does Idaho go next when it comes to public school policy? We talk to policy makers and Idaho's Secretary of State shares his goals for campaign finance legislation. We walk you through what legislators got up this week, including for those on death row.

Gov. Brad Little has indicated that the state of Idaho will cooperate fully with federal immigration enforcement efforts under President Donald Trump. Associate producer Logan Finney sat down with reporter Rachel Spacek of InvestigateWest to discuss what that state cooperation entails, policy changes that state lawmakers are considering, as well as the influence of the ag industry.

This week, Gov. Brad Little signed a high-profile $50 million tax credit for private education costs. Kyle Pfannenstiel of Idaho Capital Sun brings us up to speed on efforts to contain Medicaid costs. Associate producer Logan Finney visits the Donnelly Public Library for an update on the library law. Then, Reps. Brent Crane, Jeff Ehlers, and Todd Achilles join us for a roundtable on the session.

Some lawmakers have made it clear they want to see deep cuts to Medicaid spending. This week, producer Ruth Brown sits down with House Health and Welfare Committee Chairman John Vander Woude to discuss the future of Medicaid Expansion. Then, Kevin Richert of Idaho Education News, James Dawson of Boise State Public Radio, and Dr. Stephanie Witt of Boise State University's School of Public Service join the pundits to review the first month of the 2025 session.

Vapes are largely unregulated in Idaho, and Rep. Jerald Raymond is intent on keeping them out of the hands of minors. He's been working for several years to craft an updated taxing scheme and write regulations for vaping products, and he sat down Tuesday with associate producer Logan Finney to review four bills in the hopper.

On Presidents' Day, across the state Idahoans protested federal budget cuts by President Donald Trump's administration. Hundreds showed up at the statehouse in Boise, while others protested in Salmon, Stanley, Twin Falls, Idaho Falls, and McCall. Those protests coincided with news that late last week, thousands of federal workers across the country received word that they had lost their jobs. On Thursday, Melissa Davlin spoke to Clare Vergobbi, one of several employees let go from the Sawtooth National Recreation Area last week, about the layoffs and how they might impact services for visitors.

Idaho has no medical school and currently relies on the multi-state WWAMI agreement to educate and place Idaho medical students. This week, Dr. Mary Barinaga and Dr. Joseph Holmstead discuss a legislative proposal that might undo that medical education agreement and why doctors are concerned. Then, Kevin Richert of Idaho Education News brings us up to speed on the latest education bills.

Senate Bills 1042 and 1043 would reorganize Idaho's landlord-tenant code and require that landlords only charge application fees for a vacant unit to two prospective tenants at a time, as well as that those application fees must be related to the actual costs of a criminal background check and processing the application. Bill sponsor Sen. Ali Rabe spoke with associate producer Logan Finney after the Senate passed the bills off the floor Wednesday.

2024 was a rough fire year in Idaho. This week, Melissa Davlin sat down with Lt. Gov. Scott Bedke to ask about Gov. Brad Little's recommendations to improve the state's firefighting capabilities moving forward. Last year also saw the culmination of a long-simmering water fight in eastern Idaho. A looming water shortage prompted senior water right holders to threaten to withhold the ability of junior rights holders to use their water, at least until the senior rights holders used their share. Had it gone through, it would have overwhelmingly affected agriculture, and could have meant fields going dry. Ultimately, stakeholders worked out an updated agreement that involved, among other things, prioritizing recharge efforts in the Eastern Snake Plain Aquifer.

This week, Lieutenant Governor Scott Bedke discusses managing fire and water issues alongside the federal government. Then, Rep. Jordan Redman and Rep. Megan Egbert share their views on Medicaid Expansion and its future in Idaho. Two things can be true at once: Medicaid Expansion was a lot more expensive than anticipated, and a lot of Idahoans depend on the program for their healthcare. So what's next?

Each new legislature brings at least a couple of new faces to the capitol building. First-term state Sen. Camille Blaylock of Caldwell sat down with associate producer Logan Finney to reflect on her first six weeks representing Legislative District 11 in the Senate.

On Monday, the House passed a bill to reduce state income taxes to the tune of about $253 million, with Republican leaders hailing it as the largest income tax cut in state history. House Minority Leader Ilana Rubel sat down with associate producer Logan Finney to share her thoughts.

Christine Pisani of the Idaho Council on Developmental Disabilities spoke with producer Ruth Brown about possible federal and state level changes to the Medicaid program that have members of the disabilities community concerned about their coverage.

Lawmakers have made a concerted effort to return budget surpluses and provide tax relief to Idahoans. But how much can the Legislature cut before affecting vital services? This week, Christine Pisani of the Idaho Council on Developmental Disabilities discusses concerns about the trajectory of Medicaid. House Minority Leader Ilana Rubel and Majority Leader Jason Monks examine spending priorities.

Rep. Chris Mathias is sponsoring school safety legislation that would require local districts to notify parents of serious bullying, intimidation and harassment that involves their children. He sat down with associate producer Logan Finney to discuss the bill and his approach to legislating from the minority party at the capitol.

Many states around the country are exploring ways to create digital driver's licenses that could be accessed through an app on our mobile phones. Associate producer Logan Finney sat down with Rep. Stephanie Mickelsen to discuss how Idaho might do so and what she learned from other states.

The big education news from this year's State of the State address was Gov. Brad Little setting aside $50 million of public money for private education. Like the governor, Superintendent of Public Instruction Debbie Critchfield has previously expressed reservations about sending public money to private school. On Friday, she discussed what she'd like to see in a bill.

The big education news from this year's State of the State address was Gov. Brad Little setting aside $50 million of public money for private education. On Wednesday, Rep. Wendy Horman and Sen. Lori Den Hartog introduced a bill that would provide tax refunds for qualifying private education expenses.

The big education news from this year's State of the State address was Gov. Brad Little setting aside $50 million of public money for private education. Not everyone is a fan of the idea. House Assistant Minority Leader Steve Berch discusses his concerns.

This week, Superintendent of Public Instruction Debbie Critchfield joins Melissa Davlin to share her views on public dollars going toward private education. Senate Majority Leader Lori Den Hartog and Rep. Wendy Horman discuss their bill to provide tax credits to families to help pay for private education costs, and House Assistant Minority Leader Steve Berch walks through his concerns.

Gay and transgender Idahoans have asked lawmakers for years to protect them from discrimination under the state's human rights act. Senate Minority Leader Melissa Wintrow and activist Nikson Mathews reflect on the ten years since the one and only legislative hearing on the "Add the Words" bill in 2015.

Wildfire season is getting longer, and home insurance companies are noticing. Department of Insurance Director Dean Cameron discusses how wildfires are changing the home insurance industry. Boise State University's Dr. Matthew May and Dr. Lantz McGinnis-Brown discuss this year's public policy survey, and Whitney Bryen of Investigate West discusses Idaho's high female incarceration rate.

The annual State of the Judiciary address to the Idaho Legislature discusses the work of the courts and maintaining the state's court system. Idaho Supreme Court Chief Justice Richard Bevan urged lawmakers to increase judicial compensation to help with challenges in recruiting and keeping judges in Idaho's state courts. "Judges are elected officials, but taking that office requires the new judge to undergo a dramatic transition," Bevan said. "Becoming a judge often means relinquishing existing friendships, adjusting hobbies and revisiting how you spend every moment of your free time — all to ensure impartiality and fulfill constitutional duties."

We get an update from producer Ruth Brown on the state of emergency medical services in Idaho. Mario Pile, associate director of student involvement at University of Idaho, shares his thoughts on the State Board of Education's DEI resolution that led to the closure of the Black and African American Cultural Center. House Education Chairman Doug Pickett discusses proposals to use public funds for private education costs.

The 2025 legislative session kicked off this week and the high-priority policy issues are already coming into focus. Legislative leaders and Gov. Brad Little touched on school choice, tax cuts, and Medicaid Expansion.

Gov. Brad Little delivers his 2025 State of the State Address with commentary from Idaho Reports guests Kevin Richert of Idaho Education News, Dr. Stephanie Witt of Boise State University's School of Public Service, and Lori Wolff of the Division of Financial Management.

With the 2025 session just days away, we have a good idea of what's at the top of the priority list. This week, Kevin Richert of Idaho Education News and Dr. Jaclyn Kettler from Boise State University School of Public Service join the show to discuss what we learned at Friday's Idaho Press Club Legislative Preview, where Gov. Brad Little and legislative leaders gave a sneak peek of their priorities for the upcoming session.

Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter passed away Sunday, December 29 at age 100. The Georgian served as the 39th president from 1977 to 1981. Carter and his family visited central Idaho in August 1978 on vacation, a three-day raft trip down the Middle Fork of the Salmon River with the family of then-Interior Secretary Cecil Andrus. The Idaho Reports team this week tracked down and got in touch with Judy Clapp, one of the U.S. Forest Service Kayak Patrol who worked the presidential float trip. The Reporters: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x3ITjXfe0KA More: https://gorafting.com/jimmy-carter-middle-fork-salmon/

Melissa Davlin sat down to discuss the Lava Ridge Wind Project with Rep. Lance Clow of Twin Falls and John Robison, Public Lands and Wildlife Director at the Idaho Conservation League. The project will include 241 wind turbines and related infrastructure on federal and state land in Jerome, Lincoln and Minidoka counties. The final plan is only about half of what was originally proposed, but it still faces local opposition.