Briefs
Air Force veteran selected to lead Idaho Division of Veterans Services
Mark Tschampl has been selected to serve as chief administrator of the Idaho Division of Veterans Services, according to a press release from Gov. Brad Little. “As a veteran himself, I have the utmost confidence Mark will serve and support those who have served our country,” Little said in the release. “His career experience in […]
Idaho’s March jobless rate tells a story of layoffs, rebounds — and newcomers
Idaho’s unemployment rate continues to improve, and is doing better than the nation as a whole, according to new numbers from the Idaho Department of Labor. The state’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 3.2% in March, according to the Labor Department. That’s compared with a rate of 2% in March 2020, when COVID-19 officially arrived […]
Idaho Legislature nears 100th day of work, as major budgets hang in balance
Friday was the 96th day of the legislative session, making it the longest session in the past 10 years. Where things go from here is still anybody’s guess. But the Idaho Legislature has plenty of work left before it can adjourn. Since returning from a 17-day recess on April 6, the House has killed three […]
Interested in how Idaho’s $1.25B in federal COVID relief will be spent? Check out Transparent Idaho.
Residents interested in learning how Idaho’s $1.25 billion in federal coronavirus relief funding will be spent can expect an updated Transparent Idaho website from Idaho State Controller Brandon Woolf, according to a press release from his office. On the website, COVID-19 initiatives will be grouped categorically, and the site will include new visualizations for Idahoans […]
Resolution requiring legislative approval to legalize drugs fails in House
A joint resolution proposing a constitutional amendment that would require a two-thirds majority in the Idaho Legislature to approve legalization of controlled substances failed to reach the required vote threshold on Thursday, effectively killing the bill. The House of Representatives debated the resolution for two hours, with emotional testimony from legislators who normally stay quiet […]
Idaho health officials urge pause on Johnson & Johnson COVID vaccines
The Idaho Department of Health and Welfare on Tuesday issued a recommendation to health care providers to follow guidance from U.S. regulators and hold off on continuing to administer COVID-19 vaccines made by Johnson & Johnson. Federal officials issued a recommendation early Tuesday morning that health care providers pause use of the J&J COVID-19 vaccine. […]
New Boise State Model United Nations program receives $500,000 gift
Boise State University will begin a new Model United Nations program after a donation of $500,000 from the Frank Church Institute, according to a BSU press release. The money will be used to administer the program and to subsidize attendance from high school students who will participate in an annual competition on Boise State’s campus. […]
Former chief justice delivers 16,000 signatures to governor’s office urging veto on initiative bill
A former chief justice of the Idaho Supreme Court delivered a petition with 16,000 signatures to Gov. Brad Little’s office asking that the governor veto a bill that would add more requirements for Idahoans to get an initiative on the ballot, according to a press release from Conservation Voters for Idaho. Senate Bill 1110, which […]
Idaho may soon become 50th state to legalize industrial hemp
Both chambers of the Idaho Legislature passed a bill that would legalize the production, processing, research and transportation of industrial hemp statewide. The Idaho Senate passed the bill in a 30-5 vote on Wednesday. Until now, Idaho has been the lone holdout in the United States that did not distinguish between industrial hemp and marijuana. […]
ACHD announces intent to hire bicycle, pedestrian program coordinator
The Ada County Highway District announced it will add a bicyclist and pedestrian program coordinator to its team to better meet the needs of residents who walk or ride bicycles as their mode of transportation. The coordinator will play a large role in existing and future projects and will advise the highway district on best […]
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau proposes mortgage servicing changes to prevent wave of COVID-19 foreclosures
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau proposed a set of rule changes Monday intended to help prevent avoidable foreclosures as the emergency federal foreclosure protections expire. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and ensuing economic crisis, millions of families nationwide have suffered the loss of income and nearly 3 million homeowners are behind on their mortgages. The […]
Federal, state and tribal partners confront violence against Native Americans
Various members of Idaho’s federal and state court systems met Thursday to hold a roundtable event with Idaho tribal partners to learn from each other about violence against Native Americans and what actions could be taken to reduce domestic violence, sexual assault, human trafficking and other violent crime on Idaho’s reservations. The discussion is part […]