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

Without cause — or explanation — a divided NIC board fires its president

Rick MacLennan’s five-year run as North Idaho College president abruptly ended last week. The college will now search for an interim president and a permanent successor, while paying MacLennan’s $222,000-a-year salary.

COVID-19 trends: hospitalizations, child case rates continue to climb

As COVID-19 hospitalizations continue their upward spiral, the pandemic passed another milestone late last week. More than a quarter million Idahoans have contracted the coronavirus.

Episode 25: An interview with Marlene Tromp

Less than two weeks into fall semester, Boise State University officials said a surge in coronavirus cases threatened in-person learning and campus events. Classrooms remain open. And Albertsons Stadium remains open to football fans. Where do things stand, going forward? This week on the Kevin Richert Podcast, Boise State University President Marlene Tromp talks about…

Coming Friday: An interview with Marlene Tromp

This week on the Kevin Richert Podcast, Boise State University President Marlene Tromp talks about all things delta variant: the threat to in-person instruction and campus events, the decision to open Albertsons Stadium to football fans, in the middle of a coronavirus surge. But there’s more. Tromp also talks about her vision for political discourse…

Analysis: Some trustees and parents are making it tougher to track COVID-19 in schools

The easily spread COVID-19 delta variant can move within a community pretty much as it wishes. Intersecting and interconnected, the lines of infection move from schools or to schools.

Durst seeks names, emails of Boise American Government teachers

It’s the second time this year that the Boise School District has been the subject of an unusual public records request from a GOP statewide candidate.

Campus news items: How Idaho fared in U.S. News and World Report rankings

The national magazine ranks colleges and universities for overall quality, but also in categories such as affordability, innovation and outreach to students who are eligible for federal financial aid.

Across the board, a week of grim coronavirus numbers

Hospitalizations and ICU admissions surged to new pandemic peaks — as hospitals prepare to ration care. Child case numbers continue to climb. The state also reported a record weekly number of new deaths.

Boise State ramps up stadium COVID protocols

Boise State University students will have to show proof of COVID vaccination, or proof of a negative COVID test, in order to attend Saturday’s football game at Albertsons Stadium. The rules are expected to extend to all fans for the Oct. 2 home game.

Episode 24: A challenging start for West Ada’s Derek Bub

Derek Bub took over as West Ada School District superintendent on July 1 — just in time for the latest and most severe surge of the coronavirus to wreak havoc on school reopening plans. This week on the Kevin Richert Podcast, Bub explains his decision to reinstate a mask mandate, the politics of pandemic protocols…