Otter Seeking Education Options
(BOISE) – Idaho Gov. Butch Otter is asking the state Board of Education to spearhead a discussion about improving schools following the rejection of Tom Luna’s Students Come First laws. He says a group made up of a broad selection of Idahoans will study options to make improvements without new legislation. Both Otter and Luna [...]
Idaho Ranks Dead Last in Annual Incomes
(POCATELLO) – According to new reports release by the U.S. Department of Labor, Idaho ranks dead last in the nation when it comes to workers’ annual incomes. Idaho ranked 51st out of 50 states and Washington, D.C. in total earnings by full and part time employers. Officials say the numbers are reflective of a still-lagging [...]
Crapo to Give More Details About DUI
(BOISE) – U.S. Sen. Mike Crapo is expected to provide more details about his recent arrest for drunk driving. The three-term Idaho Republican faces a court date in Alexandria, Virginia on Jan. 4. On Wednesday, Crapo declined to speak with the press about the incident, but a spokesman says Crapo plans to offer more information [...]
Washingtonians Coming to Idaho for Liquor
(MOSCOW) – Liquor sales are on the rise in Northern Idaho, a trend officials link to the privatization of liquor stores across the state line in Washington. Washington closed its state-run liquor stores in May, prompting many people to come to the Gem State for booze. Sales are up 40 percent in the college town [...]
Risch Offers Crapo Support
(BOISE) – U.S. Sen. Jim Risch is offering his support for his colleague, Sen. Mike Crapo, following Crapo’s weekend arrest for drunk driving. Risch says Crapo has apologized for his actions and acknowledged the seriousness of his mistakes. The lawmaker’s arrest came as a surprise to many of his constituents in light of the fact [...]
Red Road Closed in Fremont, Clark Counties
(ST. ANTHONY) – Red Road between Egin and Hamer has been closed for the winter. Local News 8 reports the closure comes about two weeks earlier than usual because of drifting snow in Clark County. Commissioners in Fremont and Clark counties say cutting off public access to the road not only eliminates the risk for [...]
ISP Urge Caution When Traveling
(IDAHO FALLS) – Slick roads and holiday travelers always make a dangerous combination this time of year. Officials have already reported several slide-offs in the past few days. The Idaho State Police will be monitoring roadways in full force this week. They’re urging drivers to give themselves a little extra travel time to avoid the [...]
Sen. Crapo Arrested, Charged With DUI
(WASHINGTON D.C.) – Senator Mike Crapo has issued an apology after being arrested and charged with driving under the influence, according to news reports. According to the Associated Press, Police in Alexandria, Va., said Sunday the Idaho Republican was pulled over early Sunday morning after his vehicle ran a red light. Police spokesman Jody Donaldson [...]
N. Idaho Man Assaults Child After Walking Into Elementary School
(CRAIGMONT) – A 10-year-old elementary school student in northern Idaho was assaulted Monday by a man who walked into a school in Craigmont. Byron Scott Edwards, 36, allegedly harassed and assaulted several students, putting one into a chokehold. He was later jailed in a neighboring county on unrelated drug and theft charges. The guardian of [...]
Boise Pastor Jailed in Iran
(BOISE) – An Idaho pastor is being held prisoner in Iran. Rev. Saeed Abedini, 32, became a criminal in his own country when he converted to fundamentalist Christianity several years ago. Abedini oversees a Calvary Chapel congregation in Boise. He makes frequent trips to Iran to visit family, and was arrested in September after he [...]
Otter Calls for Moment of Silence
(BOISE) – Idaho Gov. Butch Otter is calling for a moment of silence to honor the victims of the Sandy Hook shooting. Otter is acting on a request from Connecticut Gov. Dannel Malloy to observe a few minutes of silence at 9:30 on Friday morning. Several other states are honoring Malloy’s request. Otter says he [...]
Mom Blog Prompts Discussion of Mental Illness
BOISE) – A Boise woman’s blog post about the challenges of raising a child with a mental illness is receiving national attention. In a post titled “I am Adam Lanza’s Mother,” Liza Long gives a personal account of how her family has dealt with mental health issues. The state set aside $38.4 million for mental [...]
School Trustees Seek Reboot of Luna Laws
(BOISE) – The Idaho School Boards Association is pushing for a resurrection of several pieces of the recently-rejected “Students Come First” laws. The group will ask the Idaho Legislature to reinstate some of the provisions, including a June deadline for contract negotiations. At least 16 school districts imposed their own contract deadlines this year. School [...]
House Majority Leader Opposes Otter’s Insurance Plan
(BOISE) – Idaho House Majority Leader Mike Moyle is opposing Gov. Butch Otter’s plan to adopt a state-run insurance program. Moyle suggests Idaho should join 23 other states that have rejected similar legislation. Otter said he favors the exchange because it allows for individuals and small business owners to shop around for the insurance coverage [...]
Pebble Creek Could Open Soon
(INKOM) – The Pebble Creek Ski Resort could be open as early as this weekend. KPVI reports the upper mountain is already ready for skiers, but the middle and base area still need a little more snow. Managers have their fingers crossed that heavy snow will hit the region this weekend. They said opening before [...]
Boise School Put on Lock Down
(BOISE) – A Boise elementary school went into lockdown Monday after a father arrived at the school upset and allegedly suicidal. Tensions were high at Grace Jordan Elementary after the man walked in and refused to cooperate with administrators. Despite initial rumors, police say the man was unarmed. Officials told teachers over an intercom the [...]
Special Deputy Prosecutors Have Charged 217 Gang Members and Associates Over the Past Five Years
FBI news release (BOISE) — United States Attorney Wendy J. Olson announced today that between January 2007 and December 11, 2012, the U.S. Attorney’s Office has prosecuted 217 offenders for gun and gang-related crimes committed in the Treasure Valley. During the five years of its innovative Gang Special Assistant United States Attorney (“Gang SAUSA”) program, [...]
Man Charged For Arranging Meeting to Have Sex With Young Girl
(BOISE) – A Boise man was arrested Wednesday after trying to meet up with what he thought was a 13-year-old girl for sex. Randy Wade Standlee, 31, was arrested after the 13-year-old was actually an Ada County Sheriff’s detective posing online. Standlee was charged with suspicion of sexual enticement of a minor over the Internet. [...]
Wife of Convicted Murderer Sentenced for Theft
(MERIDIAN) – A Meridian woman was sentenced to prison Wednesday after stealing $32,000 from a former employee. Kandi Hall was sentenced to two to 14 years in prison after stealing from an attorney she worked for in 2010. Hall’s husband is also in prison for second degree murder after killing the man Hall was having an affair [...]
Former Supreme Court Justice Dies at 75
(BOISE) – Former State Supreme Court Justice Byron Johnson died Sunday morning in his home. The 75-year-old had a cancerous tumor return earlier this year, which ultimately led to his death. Some of Johnson’s life achievements include graduating from Harvard Law School in 1962, representing the Idaho Education Association for two decades, and serving on [...]