Author

Ruth Brown

Ruth Brown

Ruth Brown is a writer and producer for Idaho Reports and Idaho Public Television.

Death row inmate Gerald Pizzuto and his attorneys

Judge grants stay of execution for Gerald Pizzuto Jr., Idaho man on death row

By: - March 10, 2023

This story was originally published by Idaho Reports on March 10, 2023. On Thursday, U.S. Idaho District Judge B. Lynn Winmill granted a stay of execution for Gerald Pizzuto Jr., an Idaho man on death row after the state once again was unable to obtain the necessary chemicals for lethal injection. Pizzuto’s execution was scheduled […]

Voters enter an elementary school

Idaho ballot initiatives resolution held in House committee — for now

By: - March 9, 2023

This story was first published by Idaho Reports on March 9, 2023. The House State Affairs Committee on Thursday held a resolution, subject to call of the chairman, that would ask voters to amend the Idaho Constitution and make it harder to get an initiative or referendum on the ballot. The resolution comes after a […]

Idaho House committee moves ‘abortion trafficking’ bill forward

By: - March 3, 2023

This story was originally published by Idaho Reports on March 3, 2023. The Idaho House State Affairs Committee moved forward a bill on Friday that would make it a felony crime to transport or recruit a minor for an abortion without parental consent. Rep. Barbara Ehardt, R-Idaho Falls, and Rep. Kevin Andrus, R-Lava Hot Springs, presented […]

Death row inmate Gerald Pizzuto and his attorneys

Idaho attorney general obtains death warrant for man on death row

By: - February 24, 2023

This story was originally published on the Idaho Reports blog on Feb. 24, 2023.  The Idaho Attorney General’s Office announced Friday it obtained a new death warrant for Gerald Pizzuto Jr.’s execution. In a news release, the AG’s Office said the state will continue to try and obtain the chemicals necessary for a lethal injection. […]

Ada County voting booths

Idaho House committee approves limits on absentee ballots

By: - February 23, 2023

This story was originally posted on the Idaho Reports blog on Feb. 23, 2023.  The House State Affairs Committee introduced a bill in a 6-3 vote Thursday that would limit who can apply for an absentee ballot in Idaho. The only people allowed to request an absentee ballot would be those in the military; people […]

Idaho Capitol rotunda

Bill introduced to bring back firing squad as execution method in Idaho

By: - February 22, 2023

The Idaho House Ways and Means Committee introduced a bill Wednesday to bring back the firing squad as a legal form of execution in Idaho. Rep. Bruce Skaug, R-Nampa, will sponsor the bill. Skaug is the chairman of the House Judiciary, Rules and Administration Committee, where the bill will get a public hearing. The bill comes […]

Voters cast ballots at Whittier Elementary

Idaho House introduces bill to ban ranked choice voting

By: - February 21, 2023

This story was first published on the Idaho Reports blog on Feb. 21, 2023. The House State Affairs Committee introduced a bill on Tuesday to prohibit the use of ranked choice voting and instant runoff voting in Idaho. Rep. Dale Hawkins, R-Fernwood, brought the bill, saying its purpose is to preserve a fair and transparent […]

Ada County voting

3 voting bills pass Idaho State Affairs Committee

By: - February 20, 2023

The Idaho Senate State Affairs Committee moved three voting bills forward on Monday, all supported by Secretary of State Phil McGrane. The most noteworthy, Senate Bill 1078, would add candidates to the state’s existing voting guide. Currently, the state only provides a pamphlet including information on referendums, initiatives and ballot questions, not candidates. The bill would add […]

door to the governor's office at the Idaho State Capitol

Bill introduced limiting Idaho governor’s powers on disaster orders

By: - February 15, 2023

This story was originally published on the Idaho Reports blog on Feb. 15, 2023. The Idaho Senate State Affairs Committee introduced a bill Wednesday similar to those introduced in the past that would limit the governor’s ability to extend a state of disaster emergency order. Sen. Phil Hart, R-Kellogg, brought the bill, saying it would […]

Idaho State Capitol

Bill to give state control of streets around Idaho Capitol in Boise held in committee

By: - February 15, 2023

This story was originally published on the Idaho Reports blog on Feb. 15, 2023. The Idaho Senate State Affairs Committee held a bill Wednesday that would have given the state some oversight over projects impacting the roads around the Capitol building. Rep. Joe Palmer, R-Meridian, pitched House Bill 25, which would require authorization from the Department […]

Rakesh Mohan speaking to the committee

House committee advances bill to change oversight of Idaho performance evaluations agency

By: - February 7, 2023

This story was originally published on the Idaho Reports blog on Feb. 7, 2022. The Idaho House State Affairs Committee moved forward a bill Tuesday to shift the oversight of the office responsible for evaluating government programs to a majority-controlled legislative committee. The Office of Performance Evaluations could see changes in oversight should the bill […]

People voting on Election Day in Boise Idaho

Bill introduced to limit who could vote by absentee ballot in Idaho

By: - February 3, 2023

The Idaho House State Affairs Committee introduced a bill Thursday that would limit the number of people eligible for an absentee ballot. Rep. Joe Alfieri, R-Coeur d’Alene, pitched the bill, saying the recent popularity of absentee ballots is detrimental to the voting process and opens the door to fraud. He did not cite any examples […]