Kevin’s blog

Expert analysis and the latest news from award-winning journalist Kevin Richert.

Meridian medical school announces partnership with Wisconsin university

The partnership will not affect the Idaho College of Osteopathic Medicine’s local operations, the school’s president said.

As Tax Day 2026 approaches, Idaho’s budget cushion shrinks

The state has a projected $36.9 million balance for the spending year ending June 30, less than 1% of its overall state budget.

Boise State considers renaming Cesar Chavez Lane

Thursday’s announcement came eight days after the New York Times published an investigation linking the civil rights and labor union figure to a pattern of sexual abuse.

Preseason? CWI begins shopping for an athletic director

Idaho’s largest community college does not compete in sports. However, the school began advertising last month for an athletic director, BoiseDev reported last week.

Idaho colleges may face new foreign competition for international students

As international students reconsider attending colleges in the United States, other English-speaking nations “are delighted to welcome” them, said David Douglass, president of The College of Idaho.

U of I professor receives $10 million award in defamation case

A TikTok influencer falsely connected the history professor Rebecca Scofield with the November 2022 slayings of four University of Idaho students.

BYU-Idaho reports winter enrollment increases

On-campus enrollment is up by more than 5% from last winter. Overall enrollment is up by a whopping 22%, due to a surge in online student numbers.

Politico article spotlights Little-Trump education nexus

This week, the national political news site highlighted the way Gov. Brad Little and other GOP governors are tailoring his education message to align with the White House.

Labrador names new solicitor general

Michael Zarian has been Attorney General Raúl Labrador’s deputy solicitor general since January 2024. Zarian has played a key role in Idaho’s 2025 private education tax credit law.

In Wyoming, campus politics sparks a push for deep budget cuts

It’s a familiar scenario: Republican legislators in a cash-rich Western state are looking to slash higher education funding. In this case, though, Idaho is not the battleground.