Kevin Richert
As omicron emerges nationally, Idaho’s weekly infection rate slows
For the week ending Saturday, Idaho’s new coronavirus cases decreased by 19%.
NIC ‘dysfunction’ triggers a Moody’s downgrade
The shift — from a “stable” outlook to a “negative” one — does not affect the embattled Coeur d’Alene college’s bond rating.
Episode 35: Looking back at ’21, looking ahead to ’22
It’s been quite the year. The rollercoasters of vaccines and variants. Wild education politics — on pandemic protocols, critical race theory and school “indoctrination.” And the infighting within the Idaho Republican Party provides the backdrop for a raucous election year. Kevin Richert recaps the year that was, and sets the stage for the year to…
Election Notes: Dec. 13-17, 2021
12.17.21: Yamamoto, Goedde to co-chair Critchfield campaign State superintendent’s candidate Debbie Critchfield announced her campaign team Friday. Her co-chairs are state Rep. Julie Yamamoto, R-Caldwell, a House Education Committee member; and former state Sen. John Goedde, a Coeur d’Alene Republican who had chaired the Senate Education Committee. “Over my 32 years as a teacher and…
Analysis: Campus demographics are changing — and that carries political implications
More of Idaho’s college students are coming from outside Idaho. That could affect the way Idaho’s elected officials view an embattled higher education system, and where they decide to spend taxpayer dollars.
A transformative trend: Idaho draws more of its college students from out of state
A majority of Boise State’s first-year undergrads came from outside the state, for the first time in school history. And that’s just one snapshot. The face of the Idaho college campus is changing, likely for years to come.
New case numbers decrease; other coronavirus metrics are mixed
The state has reported its first case of the new omicron variant Friday, but overall case numbers slowed last week.
Analysis: Boise State has a Scott Yenor problem, and it could prove costly
The political science professor calls colleges and universities “indoctrination camps.” And he has the attention of conservative lawmakers, who are likely to use his words as ammunition as they pursue another round of higher education budget cuts in 2022.
Judge halts vaccine mandate affecting colleges and universities
Since Boise State University, the University of Idaho and Idaho State University receive $89 million in federal contracts, the vaccine mandate covering federal contractors also would have apply to most campus employees.
State Board letter: Accreditation issue places NIC in peril
“Action or inaction by the college’s board of trustees that places accreditation at risk would result in long-term injury to the very students you were elected to serve,” State Board President Kurt Liebich and executive director Matt Freeman said in a letter to trustees.