Emilie Ritter Saunders

Federal Officials In Idaho Arrest Uzbekistan National On Terrorism Charges

Emilie Ritter Saunders and Associated Press — Thu, 16 May 2013 22:19:06 +0000

Federal officials say an Uzbekistan national has been arrested on federal terrorism charges. According to a press release, 30-year-old Fazliddin Kurbanov was arrested Thursday morning in Boise, Idaho.

Kurbanov was living legally in Boise at the time of his arrest.

Bottom Rung: Longtime Idaho Economist Stresses Education And Healthcare To Boost Wages

Emilie Ritter Saunders — Tue, 14 May 2013 18:16:36 +0000

Idaho has the largest percentage of minimum wage jobs in the country. That’s been the jumping off point for StateImpact Idaho’s series examining wages; we’re calling it Bottom Rung.

Bottom Rung: The Politics Of Increasing Idaho’s Minimum Wage

Emilie Ritter Saunders — Tue, 14 May 2013 18:14:11 +0000

As in many states, Idaho’s minimum wage hasn’t changed since 2009, when the hourly minimum was boosted by the federal government.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics found 31,000 hourly Idaho workers earned the minimum wage, $7.25, or less in 2012. That’s a 63 percent increase from 2011.

Bottom Rung: Gov. Otter Touts Idaho’s Low Wages To Attract Gun Companies

Emilie Ritter Saunders — Thu, 09 May 2013 00:03:03 +0000

Gov. C.L. “Butch” Otter is using Idaho’s low wages as a selling point. In a letter sent to out-of-state gun manufacturers last month to encourage them to relocate to Idaho, Otter touts the comparatively low cost of labor here.

Bottom Rung: Why An Influx Of Retirees To Idaho Is Creating More Low-Wage Jobs

Emilie Ritter Saunders — Wed, 08 May 2013 15:56:25 +0000

There’s a brand new pizza joint in southeast Boise. It’s nestled in a mini-strip mall with a gas station, dry cleaner and hair salon.

On a recent Friday evening, Franco’s Pizzeria was just starting to pick up. It’s a tiny place. The cash register is only a few steps away from the industrial pizza ovens. There are a handful of tables and stools inside for someone who just wants a quick slice.

Boise State Public Radio CD Sale!

Emilie Ritter Saunders — Thu, 02 May 2013 20:33:47 +0000

Remember those round, shiny discs with the hole in the middle. You know, the ones that play music? We're selling a couple thousand of them!

CDs are $3 each. We've got music for all ears, everything from holiday and jazz to classical and rock.

Boise State Public Radio Wins 6 Regional Edward R. Murrow Awards

Emilie Ritter Saunders — Thu, 18 Apr 2013 21:52:44 +0000

The Radio Television Digital News Association has awarded Boise State Public Radio six of 13 regional Edward R. Murrow Awards.

Boise State Public Radio news director Sadie Babits was elated upon seeing the news. “I couldn't be more proud of our journalists,” said Babits. “They've worked incredibly hard over the past year to bring quality radio and digital content to our audience and these awards are well deserved."

Idaho Senators Vote Against Expanded Gun Background Checks

Associated Press and Emilie Ritter Saunders — Wed, 17 Apr 2013 21:18:05 +0000

The Senate has rejected a bipartisan effort to expand federal background checks to more firearms buyers in a crucial showdown over gun control.

Idaho's Republican Senators Jim Risch and Mike Crapo voted against the measure. Just four Republicans voted in favor of the expanded background check amendment.

Idaho Runner Recounts Boston Marathon Explosions

Emilie Ritter Saunders — Mon, 15 Apr 2013 22:53:41 +0000

At least 90 Idaho runners were signed up for today’s Boston Marathon, a race that ended with two deadly explosions.

Boise State University director of trademark licensing Rachael Bickerton finished the race about 40 minutes before the explosions occurred. She is safe, along with another Boise State employee, Casey Jones. Bickerton says she's contacted about a dozen fellow Idaho marathon runners, who are all safe.

At Least 90 Idahoans Signed Up To Run Boston Marathon

Emilie Ritter Saunders — Mon, 15 Apr 2013 20:55:16 +0000

Updated at 9:15 p.m.

According to the Boston Athletic Association's website 90 Idahoans were signed up to run today's Boston Marathon.

Two apparent explosions went off near the marathon's finish line. The number of people injured continues to climb, three are dead.

All-Clear Given At Boise, Kuna High Schools After Bomb Threats

Emilie Ritter Saunders — Thu, 11 Apr 2013 18:09:20 +0000

Updated 1:00 p.m.: Students at Boise High have been allowed back in after a bomb threat was received earlier this morning. Classes will resume this afternoon after police used bomb sniffing dogs to check student bags.

The all-clear has been given to Kuna High School students, where classes have resumed.

Driver’s License Data Offers Clues About Where Idahoans Are Moving

Emilie Ritter Saunders — Thu, 11 Apr 2013 17:44:09 +0000

Driver’s license data show more people moved to Idaho than left the state in 2012. But that data finds at least 29,253 Idahoans did move to another state last year.

Driver’s License Data Offers Real-Time Clues About Who Is Moving To Idaho

Emilie Ritter Saunders — Wed, 10 Apr 2013 16:27:40 +0000

Idaho is no stranger to population growth. The number of people in the Gem State has steadily grown from about 710,000 people in 1972 to 1.59 million in 2012. That’s a 124 percent increase.

Idaho Legislature Approves $20.7 Million In Tax Cuts

Emilie Ritter Saunders — Thu, 04 Apr 2013 22:00:45 +0000

The Idaho Legislature will go home today having approved nearly $20.7 million in tax cuts. That’s a fraction, less than one percent, of the state’s general fund budget.

Idaho’s Income Gap Continues To Grow

Emilie Ritter Saunders — Mon, 25 Mar 2013 21:55:24 +0000

On Wednesday, the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis will release personal income data for 2012. In anticipation of that release, StateImpact Idaho pulled together personal income data going back to 1990 and compared it with the U.S. average. The data show a widening gap between Idaho and the country as a whole.

State-Based Health Insurance Exchange Bill Passes The Idaho Legislature, Heads To Governor

Emilie Ritter Saunders — Thu, 21 Mar 2013 19:44:07 +0000

Idaho lawmakers fundamentally opposed to the federal health care law made a final effort to convince their colleagues to reject a state-based health insurance exchange, but to no avail. The bill which will create a state-based online insurance marketplace passed the Senate 23-12, sending the measure to Gov. C.L.

Girl Scout Cookie Tax Break Passes Idaho House, Could Face Uphill Battle In The Senate

Emilie Ritter Saunders — Tue, 19 Mar 2013 20:40:41 +0000

A sales tax exemption for Girl Scout cookies sold in Idaho will advance to the upper chamber after lawmakers in the House approved the measure 59-11.

Idaho and Hawaii are the only two states that tax the sale of Girl Scout cookies. In Idaho, 22 cents from every box sold goes to the state. That amounts to about $140,000 in revenue each year.

Health Insurance Exchange Bill Passes Idaho House

Emilie Ritter Saunders — Thu, 14 Mar 2013 00:48:22 +0000

After seven hours of debate, Idaho House lawmakers voted 41-29 to pass a bill that would give Idaho control over building and maintaining an online insurance marketplace.

Idaho House Could Be In For Lengthy Debate On Health Exchange

Emilie Ritter Saunders — Wed, 13 Mar 2013 14:51:57 +0000

The Idaho House of Representatives could be in for a marathon debate over the latest state-based health insurance exchange plan. The discussion will start Wednesday morning, less than a month after the Senate spent nearly six hours debating a similar proposal.

Idaho Senate President Pro-Tem Brent Hill joked Tuesday the debate in the House over an online insurance marketplace could be twice as long since that chamber has double the Legislators.

Idaho’s Latest Health Exchange Bill Prevents Gun Data Collection, Adds Legislative Oversight

Emilie Ritter Saunders — Thu, 07 Mar 2013 00:56:31 +0000

Public comment on the Idaho Legislature’s new health insurance exchange bill starts bright and early Thursday morning. With signup starting at 6:30 a.m., interested citizens will have the chance give the House Health and Welfare Committee their opinion on the revamped bill that would create a state-based health insurance exchange.