State Policy
Democrats plan statewide rallies to protest new library law
“The library book bounty, passed by Republican politicians, is a direct attack on our freedom to make decisions for ourselves and our families,” state Democratic Chairwoman Lauren Necochea said.
Analysis: Party platforms carve out a deep divide on education issues
The 2025 Legislature’s education debates could be more politicized than ever.
State Board to consider extension in U of I-Phoenix negotiations
The extension could net the University of Idaho an immediate, $5 million fee. But it would allow the University of Phoenix’s owner to talk to other would-be buyers.
UPDATED: The third-party PACs: Where they spent, and how they fared
Third-party groups spent roughly $2 million in May’s Republican legislative primaries — but all the money had, at most, a hit-and-miss impact at the polls.
Counselors hit the road, hoping to boost grim FAFSA completion numbers
As of June 14, only 36% of Idaho high school seniors had filled out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. The State Board of Education is sponsoring FAFSA Summer Office Hours events across Idaho in the coming weeks.
Analysis: Convention illustrates the deepening divide within Idaho GOP
Last week, convention delegates called for defunding Idaho higher education — a vote that puts the GOP’s hardline activists at odds with mainstream Republican elected officials.
Longtime deputy controller to take helm at State Board
Joshua Whitworth will start as the State Board’s executive director on July 1. But in a new and potentially politicized process, the state Senate will vote on Whitworth’s hire next winter.
The $100,000 club: Idaho’s costliest legislative primaries
In an expensive GOP primary, a dozen legislative races reached the six-figure threshold, with candidates spending at least $100,000. The results were mixed. Hardliners won several races, while other candidates beat back hardline opposition.
Journalists barred from observing first day of Idaho Republican state convention
“In my mind, this is a private group,” state GOP chairwoman Dorothy Moon said Thursday. “It’s a private association.”
In-depth: After a year of uncertainties, the summer of Launch begins
It will be years before we know if Idaho Launch is improving Idaho’s stubbornly low college go-on rates — or whether Launch grads are staying in Idaho to work. We know this much: This summer, 9,250 students will receive the first set of Launch scholarships.