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Voting bills eliminating use of student ID at Idaho polls are constitutional, judge says
This story was first published by Idaho Reports on Oct. 3, 2023. An Ada County judge on Monday determined that two bills passed by the Idaho Legislature to eliminate the use of student ID cards for voter registration are constitutional. The lawsuit filed in March by BABE VOTE and the League of Women Voters of Idaho challenged House […]
Public health reports 4 measles cases in Idaho unvaccinated kids
Southwest District Health reported Wednesday that four more unvaccinated people in Nampa, all children, have been diagnosed with measles. The new cases are people exposed to the same household as the initial case reported Sept. 20. That case involved an unvaccinated adult male who was exposed during recent international travel. There is no treatment for […]
Idaho task force inches closer to EMS funding proposal
This story was first published by Idaho Reports on Sept. 7, 2023. The Emergency Medical Services Advisory Committee heard plans Thursday about how the state could move toward supporting and sustaining emergency medical services for Idahoans. The committee was tasked with looking at data to advise actions that could be used to address EMS shortages across […]
State ordered to pay more than $319,000 to wrongfully incarcerated Idaho man
This story was first published on Idaho Reports on Sept. 8, 2023. The state of Idaho must pay more than $319,000 to an innocent man who was wrongfully incarcerated for five years and nine months. The funding is made possible through the Wrongful Conviction Act, which the Legislature passed in 2021. Compensation only goes to […]
Idaho disability advocates stress need for more Medicaid staff, direct care workers
Idaho lawmakers on the Medicaid Managed Care Task Force spent Thursday morning listening to representatives from disabilities communities in Idaho regarding their concerns about potential changes to the Medicaid system. Most speakers pointed to the lack of staffing for direct care workers, as well as the lack of staff in the state’s Division of Medicaid. […]
Judge permits Pizzuto lawsuit claiming cruel, unusual punishment to move forward against Idaho AG
Idaho U.S. Federal District Judge B. Lynn Winmill is allowing a potential lawsuit to move forward over a claim of cruel and unusual punishment in the death row case of Gerald Pizzuto Jr. Pizzuto, 65, has been on death row for more than 35 years for the 1985 murders of Delbert and Berta Herndon. Sought […]
Idaho Supreme Court rejects appeal over firearm ban at private concert
The Idaho Supreme Court unanimously rejected an appeal regarding Idahoans’ ability to carry firearms at private events on public property. The case involved Sen. Scott Herndon, R-Sagle, in a dispute against the City of Sandpoint. The court heard arguments in February. Plaintiffs challenged whether their Second Amendment right to carry firearms extended to a concert hosted […]
Reservoirs across Idaho nearing or at capacity
The Upper Snake River Basin’s reservoir capacity is nearing its limit as the Portneuf River continues to flood, but the National Weather Service isn’t concerned about spillover from reservoirs in southeast Idaho. Bureau of Reclamation data from Wednesday showed the Henry’s Lake and Grassy Lake reservoirs are at 100% capacity, while most of the reservoirs […]
Judge grants stay of execution for Gerald Pizzuto Jr., Idaho man on death row
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 […]
Idaho ballot initiatives resolution held in House committee — for now
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
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 […]
Idaho attorney general obtains death warrant for man on death row
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. […]