The national spotlight is centered on whether Idaho’s abortion ban conflicts with federal law. Senate Minority Leader Melissa Wintrow shares her view on the oral arguments before the U.S. Supreme Court. Then, Attorney General Raúl Labrador gives his take on how the hearing went. Plus, Division of Financial Management administrator Alex Adams discusses how budgeting issues at Vocational Rehabilitation could affect clients ..read more

The U.S. Supreme Court last week allowed an Idaho state law to take effect that bans gender-affirming care for transgender minors while litigation over the law moves through the courts. Associate producer Logan Finney sits down with Dr. Marvin Alviso, a family medicine doctor in Boise who offers gender-affirming care for adolescents and kids, to discuss what that medical care looks like and how the landscape is changing now that the law is in effect ..read more

This week, Dr. Marlene Tromp from Boise State University discusses the future of higher education in Idaho amid discourse about student loan debt and workforce readiness. Plus, McKay Cunningham from the College of Idaho discusses arguments coming up before the U.S. Supreme Court regarding whether the Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act, or EMTALA, overrules Idaho's state abortion ban ..read more

Next week the U.S. Supreme Court will hear oral arguments on whether the federal Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act, or EMTALA, conflicts with Idaho's state law that bans all abortion except to save the life of the mother, or in cases of rape and incest. Constitutional law professor McKay Cunningham from the College of Idaho joined Melissa Davlin on Thursday to preview the arguments the nation expects to hear in court on Wednesday ..read more

Lawmakers gaveled out for the year, but Medicaid uncertainty may bring a special session. This week, Logan Finney sits down with Reps. Ned Burns and Brent Crane to discuss the library bill that became law. Kevin Richert gives us a run-down of education highlights. Finally, Senate President Pro Tem Chuck Winder discusses the end of the session, including whether a Medicaid bill will cause disruption of services to Idahoans with disabilities and bring lawmakers back to the statehouse ..read more

Legislative committees in Idaho often meet less than twelve hours after an agenda is posted. They also leave the details about how to accept public testimony up to each individual chairman. Jason Mercier, vice president and director of research at Mountain States Policy Center, joined associate producer Logan Finney to discuss some possible transparency reforms that could help Idahoans access their part-time citizen legislature ..read more

Lawmakers set the final state budgets this week – or did they? The showdown over the transportation budget is finally ended, and long-anticipated bills await the governor’s signature or veto. Melissa Davlin sits down with lawmakers investigating a possible budget shortfall at the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation. Then, Dr. Jaclyn Kettler from Boise State University and reporter James Dawson from Boise State Public Radio discuss the lead up to adjournment ..read more

Like many election years, there have been a lot of social issues up for debate in the 2024 legislative session. However, lawmakers seem increasingly ready to pass legislation that they know will end up being decided somewhere down the line in court. Associate producer Logan Finney sat down this week with ACLU of Idaho legislative strategist Amy Dundon to discuss reproductive rights, LGBTQ+ and gender issues, and balancing our conflicting rights as enshrined in the constitution ..read more

This week, Dr. Jim Souza, Dr. Megan Kasper, and Idaho Medical Association CEO Susie Keller talk about the effects of Idaho’s abortion ban on physician recruitment and patient care after the Senate and House Health and Welfare Committees canceled a hearing on the topic. Then, Kevin Richert of Idaho Education News and James Dawson of Boise State Public Radio bring you the latest from the statehouse ..read more

The Idaho Transportation Department headquarters used to be situated on a 44-acre property at the edge of downtown Boise. The state has been working for several years to sell the land. Associate producer Logan Finney sits down with BoiseDev senior reporter Margaret Carmel to dig into the history of the site and the possible consequences of lawmakers interrupting the deal. Read more here: https://boisedev.com/project/idaho-transportation-dept-campus-redevelopment ..read more