Politics

Taxpayer Funded Voter Guide Won't Be Checked For Accuracy

Scott Graf — Wed, 12 Sep 2012 15:59:27 +0000

Idaho voters will soon have a new state-issued voter guide arriving in their mailboxes in the coming weeks. But the information inside hasn’t been fact-checked.

The Secretary of State’s office – which oversees elections – puts the guide together. It gets input from both sides of an issue or a race, and then prints what those campaigns submit. But that material isn’t vetted for accuracy.

Rift In Deep Red Idaho Reveals Dueling Factions In GOP

Jessica Robinson — Fri, 24 Aug 2012 14:40:16 +0000

Republicans meet next week in Tampa, Florida to officially nominate Mitt Romney as the party’s 2012 presidential candidate. But in one of the reddest counties in the Northwest- Kootenai County, Idaho - a public rift is pulling apart the GOP – exposing factions Republicans are struggling to unite across the nation.

There’s one event every year in Coeur d’Alene where the local Republican Party can really shine in spectacular, patriotic fashion: The Fourth of July parade.

Online Comment Reveals Rift In N. Idaho GOP

Jessica Robinson — Wed, 25 Jul 2012 15:50:22 +0000

A lawsuit in north Idaho over anonymous comments posted in an online forum attracted national attention. Now, the commenter at the center of that dispute has unmasked herself. The case reveals a rift within the north Idaho Republican Party.

Labrador Votes To Hold Attorney General Holder In Contempt

Thu, 28 Jun 2012 23:09:58 +0000

The U.S. House of Representatives voted Thursday to hold U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder in contempt of Congress.

Holder withheld documents from a congressional investigation into the failed border security operation knownas“Fast and Furious.”

Idaho Senator Says Some Health Care Rules Will Stay

Wed, 27 Jun 2012 12:00:00 +0000

The U.S. Supreme Court will make a much anticipated decision this week on the nation’s health care law. Idaho's senior senator believes some parts of the law will survive whatever the court decides.

Idaho Senator Supports Montana’s Stand On State’s Rights

Tue, 26 Jun 2012 21:46:46 +0000

The U.S. Supreme Court decided Monday to reject a Montana law that bans direct corporate spending on state political campaigns.

U.S. Senator Mike Crapo (R-ID) said Tuesday the Court’s decision dealt a blow to state sovereignty. "I believe it should have gone the other way and it should have supported the state of Montana."

Montana’s one hundred-year old law conflicts with a U.S. Supreme Court decision called Citizen’s United that allows unlimited corporate spending in federal campaigns.

Idaho GOP Convention Starts in Twin Falls

Thu, 21 Jun 2012 12:00:00 +0000

A week after Idaho Democrats met for their annual convention in Boise, Republicans will start theirs’ today in Twin Falls. The GOP will conduct three days of meetings that’ll result in the election of new leadership, the outlining of party rules, and the selection of delegates to the national convention in Tampa.

It’s been a busy year for Idaho Republicans. They held a presidential caucus in March. In May, they held a closed primary.

Idaho Democrats Hold State Convention This Week

Scott Ki — Wed, 13 Jun 2012 21:42:03 +0000

The Idaho Democratic Party starts its state convention Thursday in Boise.

Farm Service Agency To Close Four Idaho County Offices

Thu, 31 May 2012 21:16:42 +0000

Congress works on a new Farm Bill. Meanwhile, repercussions from the last one are now being felt in some Idaho counties. The U.S. Department of Agriculture will close four county Farm Service Agency offices in the next few months. These offices help farmers and ranchers with federal commodity programs, disaster relief, and credit.

Idaho Joins With 21 States To Support State Sovereignty

Scott Ki — Wed, 30 May 2012 20:25:47 +0000

The state of Idaho is now supporting Montana’s effort to keep the U.S. Supreme Court from changing that state's campaign finance laws. In all, 22 states and the District of Columbia have joined Montana's cause.

The case centers on a state’s ability to ban direct corporate spending on campaigns. Montana wants to keep that right. But the U.S. Supreme Court is mulling whether doing so would conflict with a ruling that allows unlimited corporate spending in federal campaigns.

Idaho Senator Warns Of Gridlock In Washington D.C.

Tue, 22 May 2012 20:22:47 +0000

U.S. Senator Mike Crapo (R-ID) said today he’s frustrated with the gridlock in Washington. Decisions on the nation’s budget, debt, taxes, and other major issues have been put off repeatedly.

Crapo believes these issues won’t be resolved until after the November elections. He says, "Unfortunately, I don’t think any of the major things that we need to do will happen with the possible exception of a farm bill, on which we are developing some bipartisan support, and, hopefully, a transportation bill."

Low Turnout Shapes Idaho’s First Closed Primary

Tue, 15 May 2012 23:02:57 +0000

Tuesday's primaries in Idaho mark the beginning of a new way of voting in the state. The Republican Party closed its primary. That means voters must declare their political affiliation before they can cast a ballot. Scott Ki visited polling sites in Boise and Meridian to find out how today's primaries are going.

Gov. Otter: Illegal Immigration “Tremendous Expense” For Idaho

Fri, 27 Apr 2012 23:10:50 +0000

Idaho Governor C. L. "Butch" Otter (R) is in Utah Friday to meet with other chief executives from neighboring states. It’s the first ever meeting of what’s called the Rocky Mountain Roundtable. They discussed common issues like public lands, water resources, and endangered species.