Kevin Richert

Senior reporter and blogger Kevin Richert specializes in education politics and education policy. He has more than 35 years of experience in Idaho journalism. He is a frequent guest on "Idaho Reports" on Idaho Public Television and "Idaho Matters" on Boise State Public Radio. He can be reached at krichert@idahoednews.org

Another grim record: Child COVID-19 hospitalizations peak

But as a record coronavirus surge continues to swamp Idaho and its hospitals, is there reason to think the wave could break within weeks?

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.

Campus news items: Enrollment numbers, soil research and program expansion

The College of Idaho set a fall enrollment record, while Northwest Nazarene University’s enrollment is down slightly from pre-pandemic levels.

Ousted president sues NIC and three trustees

The wrongful termination lawsuit comes only nine days after trustees ended Rick MacLennan’s five-year tenure as college president, on a 3-2 vote.

Idaho COVID-19 deaths reach weekly peak

Overall, new case numbers also continued to climb last week. But several large K-12 districts and Boise State University reported decreases in new case numbers.

Big City Coffee files $10 million lawsuit against Boise State

Friday’s lawsuit comes nearly a year after the owner of the Boise coffee shop said she was pushed off campus due to her vocal support of law enforcement. University officials have maintained the didn’t force the shop to close.

CDA trustees resign amidst masking uproar

The two resignations, effective immediately, come a week after some 200 protesters swarmed district headquarters, forcing trustees to cancel a discussion on pandemic protocols.

Episode 26: The present, and the future, of online higher ed

On this week’s podcast, Kevin Richert interviews Tonya Drake, regional vice president and chancellor of WGU’s Washington state campus. They talk about online higher education during the pandemic, and WGU’s new partnership with Idaho.

Analysis: The harsh realities of a children’s pandemic

Idaho kids are contracting the coronavirus, in record numbers. Some are very sick. Schools are struggling with the effects. And it’s likely to get worse.

After an angry confrontation, Coeur d’Alene district sets mask issue aside

“The board does not want to see any disruption in the educational environment of our students,” board chair Jennifer Brumley said in an email to parents.