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

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.

Coronavirus case numbers continue to surge, passing a sobering milestone

Idaho reported its largest weekly increase in case numbers since mid-March — as health officials urge a cautious approach to the new school year.

The paper trail from Thursday’s task force meeting

Here’s what Lt. Gov. Janice McGeachin had to say to Idaho’s teachers union. And what the state’s college and university presidents had to say to McGeachin’s task force.

Boise State updates fall plan, encourages universal mask usage

The state’s largest university is also encouraging students and staff to get vaccinated before fall semester.

Task force meeting, 7.29.21: follow our live blog

Hello, and welcome to our live blog from Thursday’s education task force meeting. The meeting starts at 1 p.m. and is scheduled to run until 5 p.m. Kevin Richert here. I will lead this blog, and provide some real-time context and fact-checking. We look forward to hearing from you. (The blog below might take a…

Analysis: The education culture wars go full circle, and head for a showdown

The battle lines over Idaho higher education politics were drawn into the map in 2019. And the debate hasn’t changed much since then.

McGeachin’s inbox: What she’s hearing on critical race theory and indoctrination

The bulk of emails to Lt. Gov. Janice McGeachin say her indoctrination task force is an overdue and gutsy attempt to curb leftist teachings. Others dismiss the task force as misguided, pointless and politically driven.

Coronavirus case numbers continue surge — and more weekly trends

Here’s the latest look at the state’s coronavirus trends, as the new school year approaches.

Mapping Idaho vaccination rates and hotspots: It’s complicated

In some cases, counties with higher vaccination rates are seeing relatively low coronavirus case rates. But not always.