Kevin Richert
Analysis: The science backs up Idaho’s push for vaccinations
The vaccines are making a difference, but Idaho’s vaccination rates have slowed. What happens with vaccinations, right now, will go a long way toward determining what happens this fall in Idaho’s schools, and Idaho’s hospitals.
Land Board OK’s record-setting $100.3 million payout
Public schools are historically the largest beneficiary, and next year will be no exception. The K-12 payout comes to $61.5 million, up from $54.8 million this year.
Little urges caution with surplus, doubles down on vaccinations
Idaho’s budget surplus continues to grow. On Friday, state economists projected the balance at a whopping $1.4 billion.
As schools prepare to open, coronavirus case numbers continue to climb
New weekly coronavirus cases eclipsed the 4,000 plateau for the first time since January — and hospitalizations continued a similar surge.
Episode 19: A conversation with Kurt Liebich
The State Board of Education hasn’t exactly had a slow summer. The board has two big issues on its plate: the coronavirus and the delta variant, and its effect on fall classes; and the ongoing assertions of rampant indoctrination in Idaho schools. State Board President Kurt Liebich discusses both topics in this week’s podcast. (A…
Analysis: Trustees stare into the face (masked or unmasked) of a no-win situation
The unpaid elected trustees contemplating school mask requirements are not the enemy. COVID-19 is the enemy, as the pandemic surges again.
Four-year universities will require masks — at least for now
The requirement comes less than two weeks before the Aug. 23 start of fall classes. The State Board of Education has to sign off on the policy.
Boise Democrat jumps into lieutenant governor’s race
Attorney Terri Pickens Manweiler is the first Democrat to enter the open, and heated, lieutenant governor’s race.
Campus news items: U of I heads coronavirus sequencing research project
Idaho State University hires a new health college dean, Boise State University extends deadlines for students on the fire line and Lewis-Clark State College will use state grants to bolster CTE programs.
As the school year approaches, Idaho’s coronavirus surge accelerates
The state and its seven health districts reported more than 3,700 new cases last week, the largest seven-day increase since January.