Latest Idaho state government News
Idaho officials investigating riot at prison near Boise
BOISE, Idaho (AP) — Idaho Department of Correction officials say they're still investigating a Saturday prison riot that forced staffers to evacuate a housing unit and left five inmates injured. The incident began around 4:30 p.m. as security staffers responded to a...
House panel OKs changes to bill trimming governor's powers
BOISE, Idaho (AP) — A House panel on Tuesday approved Senate changes to a bill trimming a governor’s powers during declared emergencies while increasing the Legislature’s power. The House State Affairs Committee approved two modest changes to the bill made in the...
Idaho lawmakers hear pitch to absorb three-fourths of Oregon
BOISE, Idaho (AP) — Idaho lawmakers appeared intrigued but skeptical on Monday when pitched a plan to lop off about three-fourths of Oregon and add it to Idaho to create what would become the nation’s third-largest state geographically. Representatives of a group...
Idaho Senate OKs federal grant for early childhood education
BOISE, Idaho (AP) — The Idaho Senate on Monday passed legislation accepting a $6 million federal grant to improve early childhood education from birth through age 5. Lawmakers voted 18-17 to approve taking the money that’s part of a reworked bill rejected by the House...
Lawmakers seek long-term limit on governors' emergency power
As governors loosen long-lasting coronavirus restrictions, state lawmakers across the U.S. are taking actions to significantly limit the power they could wield in future emergencies. The legislative measures are aimed not simply at undoing mask mandates and capacity...
Idaho governor given petition to veto voter initiative bill
NAMPA, Idaho (AP) — A former Idaho Supreme Court justice has delivered a petition to the governor's office with more than 16,000 signatures that urges him to veto a bill that would make it more difficult to put voter initiatives on the ballot. The bill has already been...
Idaho lawmakers add penalty to proposed ban on mask mandates
BOISE, Idaho (AP) — Lawmakers amended a bill that would ban the state, public health departments and even school districts from requiring masks to add a penalty on Friday. The amendment in the Idaho House means the legislation now says that if a political subdivision...
Editorial Roundup: Idaho
Recent editorials from Idaho newspapers: Welcome back, Idaho legislators. Wear a mask. We’re not paying for another recess April 5 Idaho Statesman We now know how much the Idaho Legislature’s...
Anti-government activist Bundy arrested at Idaho Statehouse
BOISE, Idaho (AP) — Anti-government activist Ammon Bundy was arrested twice in two hours Thursday on suspicion of trespassing at the Idaho Statehouse. Police said he returned to the Capitol building shortly after bailing out of jail on the first arrest. It wasn’t...
Bill to make Idaho ballot measures tougher heads to governor
BOISE, Idaho (AP) — Legislation making it more difficult to get initiatives or referendums on ballots is heading to the governor, who has hinted of a possible veto. The House voted 51-18 on Wednesday to approve the measure backers said is needed because the current...
