Federal Appropriation Advances Advanced Research Capacity Idaho State University will receive over $2 million in federal funding for specialized research equipment focused on critical mineral recovery, following House Appropriations Committee approval of the fiscal year 2027 Commerce, Justice, Science appropriations measure. The $2,069,000 appropriation for the Pocatello campus will fund advanced imaging, sequencing, and materials […]

Idaho Congressman Joins Federal Push to Redefine Title IX Protections Idaho Rep. Mike Simpson has signed on as a cosponsor of federal legislation that would link Title IX anti-discrimination protections to biological sex rather than gender identity, potentially affecting how schools nationwide handle athletics and facilities to remain eligible for federal education dollars. The Title […]

Idaho collected $26.4 million more in tax revenue than anticipated during April, according to a new Legislative Services Office report released Thursday. The surplus pushes the state’s projected year-end reserve from $67.3 million to $93.8 million. The figures represent a critical gauge of fiscal health following a contentious 2026 legislative session that featured sharp disagreements […]

Court Identifies Legal Gap in Public Defense Coverage The Idaho Supreme Court ruled this week that a law passed during the 2025 legislative session could delay or even derail adoption and parental rights termination cases across the state, finding that some low-income parents may be left without court-appointed attorneys in certain proceedings. The ruling centers […]

Primary Election Set for May 19 Three candidates are competing for the District 2 seat on the Fremont County Commission in the upcoming primary election. Incumbent Mark Chandler faces challenges from Glade Mason and Josh Thomas, with the primary winner advancing to the November 3 general election. The Candidates Chandler, a fourth-generation resident of southeastern […]

Statewide Officials Weigh In on Legislative Race Five Idaho constitutional officers announced their support Tuesday for State Sen. Jim Guthrie’s re-election bid, backing the incumbent Republican against a challenger who has secured Attorney General Raúl Labrador’s endorsement. Governor Brad Little, Lieutenant Governor Scott Bedke, Superintendent Debbie Critchfield, Secretary of State Phil McGrane, and State Controller […]

Governor Reflects on Increases in School Funding and Educator Pay Idaho has increased education spending by 70 percent since 2019, with average teacher salaries rising nearly 22 percent since 2021, Governor Brad Little said in a statement marking Teacher Appreciation Week. The governor credited the funding increases with improving compensation for educators across the state. […]

Primary Ballot Access Varies by Party Idaho voters heading to the polls will navigate different rules depending on which party primary they wish to enter, a feature of the state’s partially closed primary system that has been in place since 2011. Each political party in Idaho sets its own participation requirements for primary elections. The […]

Salary Comparisons Show Gap with Living Costs Teachers in Idaho earn an average of $62,786 annually, placing the state 36th nationally for educator compensation, according to new data from the National Education Association. The figures reflect salaries during the 2024-25 fiscal year. The NEA analysis estimates Idaho’s minimum living wage at approximately $65,542, meaning average […]

State Board Approves Largest Increases in Three Years Idaho’s public universities will raise tuition and fees by up to $425 per year for in-state undergraduates beginning this fall, following a unanimous vote by the State Board of Education on Tuesday. The increases range from 4.4% to 4.7% across the four institutions—the steepest hikes approved in […]

Two Major Construction Projects Advance West Ada School District trustees unanimously authorized two significant building initiatives Monday evening: a complete reconstruction of Lake Hazel Elementary School and the transformation of a purchased warehouse into career and technical education facilities. The decisions address enrollment pressures in specific areas of the district, even as overall student numbers […]

U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon visited Coeur d’Alene Charter Academy on Tuesday as part of her national tour marking America’s 250th anniversary, drawing enthusiasm from students during a school assembly focused on national history and civic engagement. The event featured student performances and history lessons before McMahon addressed the crowd gathered at the charter […]