Idaho Reports
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The longest-running public policy show in the West, Idaho Reports turns a spotlight on the statehouse during the legislative session. Subscribe for regular episodes and bonus content dedicated to political analysis and in-depth reporting from around the state.
© Idaho Public Television | Idaho State Board of Education, an agency of the State of Idaho
© Idaho Public Television | Idaho State Board of Education, an agency of the State of Idaho
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Money is tight for every Idaho government agency, but when it comes to public education there are constitutional and legal requirements, particularly for special education students. Superintendent of Public Instruction Debbie Critchfield and State Board of Education executive director Jennifer White give us their takes on the public schools and higher education budget landscape this year.
In this tight budget-setting season, Gov. Brad Little has worked to shield K-12 public schools from cuts and holdbacks, but higher education has had no such luck. With increasing enrollment systemwide and an open president seat at Boise State University, Idaho’s higher education institutions have a lot on their plate. Logan Finney sat down this week with Idaho State Board of Education Executive Director Jennifer White to discuss the budget picture and other higher education topics up for discussion this session.
Everyone is looking at the same revenue and budget numbers after the State of the State, but they're coming to some very different conclusions. This week, we take a look at the reactions to the speech, then producer Logan Finney talks about priorities for the session with two new members of House leadership, Assistant Majority Leader Doug Pickett and Minority Caucus Chair Monica Church.
Lawmakers are still trying to get their arms around the One Big Beautiful Bill, but one thing they don’t have to consider yet is a transfer of federal lands to state management. Logan Finney sits down with Sen. Ben Adams to talk about a constitutional amendment he’s working on that would govern how Idaho would handle such a transfer.
Extra: House Republican Leaders Respond to 2026 State of the State by Idaho Public Television
Extra: Idaho Democratic Leaders Respond to 2026 State of the State by Idaho Public Television
Gov. Brad Little delivers his 2026 State of the State Address. Then, Idaho Reports host Melissa Davlin is joined by Director Lori Wolff of the Division of Financial Management, Kevin Richert of Idaho Education News, and Dr. Stephanie Wit of Boise State University’s School of Public Service to provide commentary and analysis of the governor’s budget and policy priorities.
Watch the Democratic response: https://youtu.be/IFB94ogZ0mg
Watch the Republican response: https://youtu.be/GvbwPzW7chw
As we gear up for the 2026 legislative session, the budget is on everyone’s minds. Former Rep. Wendy Horman gives us her take on Idaho’s current budget situation, as well as her new role at the Office of Child Care at Health and Human Services. Kevin Richert of Idaho Education News, Dr. Jaclyn Kettler of Boise State University, and Senate Majority Leader Lori Den Hartog discuss the session ahead.
Rep. Wendy Horman, co-chair of the Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee, announced last month she would step down from the legislature to accept a job with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services as the Director of the Office of Childcare. She joined us on Monday, her last day as a state legislator, to discuss her new role in the Trump administration and to share her take on the budget situation.
In 2025, President Donald Trump appointed Alex Adams to serve as the assistant secretary for the Administration for Children and Families at the Department of Health and Human Services. Idaho Reports producer Logan Finney sat down with Adams on December 23rd to discuss his new role.
Promo: Welcome back to the Idaho Reports podcast by Idaho Public Television
Idaho Reports is moving to Thursday nights at 8:30 pm. We’re still bringing you updates and analysis from the legislature, plus interviews and in-depth discussions with policymakers on how decisions they make in Boise affect you. Watch Idaho Reports starting January 8th at our new time, Thursday nights at 8:30pm on Idaho Public Television, or stream it online at idahoreports.org or in the PBS app.
Nearly all of us will need help at some point in our lives with daily tasks, like bathing or housekeeping, whether it’s because of aging or an injury. Some of us will be able to rely on family members for help, but not everyone has that luxury. That’s where in-home caregivers come into play, but for years, Idaho has struggled to find enough workers to provide these essential in-home care services.
For years, the Idaho Reports team has brought you coverage on how public policy issues in the Gem State affect caregivers and the people who depend on them. This month, we bring you the latest, including recent legislative proposals on state and federal levels.
Idaho is one of the fastest-growing states in the country, but what does that mean exactly? Associate producer Logan Finney sits down with economist Liz Bageant to discuss a new report on state population change from the University of Idaho's McClure Center for Public Policy Research.
VIEW THE REPORT: https://blog.idahoreports.idahoptv.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/MCCLURE0010-IAAG-PopChange2025-DIGITAL.pdf
How we care for vulnerable people changed a lot during the pandemic, and with the federal government reexamining how we pay for entitlement programs, more changes are on the way. This week, Idaho Capital Sun reporter Kyle Pfannenstiel discusses the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare’s early end for the family personal care program, and we sit down with one Idaho family to talk about losing that lifeline.
Summer is back in Idaho, which means scammers posing as door-to-door sales representatives are back in our neighborhoods too. Associate producer Logan Finney sits down this week with Dan Estes, Director of the Consumer Protection Division in the Idaho Attorney General's Office, to talk about the warning signs Idahoans need to watch out for.
Local elections have the lowest voter turnouts, but some of the biggest impacts on your property taxes and the services your community receives. This week, Kevin Richert of Idaho Education News and Drs. Stephanie Witt and Jaclyn Kettler of Boise State University’s School of Public Service join the show to discuss Tuesday’s local elections. Plus, progress on the Trump administration’s budget bill.
Voters in Idaho County have officially approved the deconsolidation of the Mountain View School District into two smaller districts, Grangeville and Clearwater Valley. Interim superintendent Alica Holthaus spoke with associate producer Logan Finney about placing the question on the ballot and what comes next for them.
Administrator Laura Denner from the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare Division of Family and Community Partnerships and director Christine Tiddens of Idaho Voices for Children discuss recent efforts by the state to address issues in the foster care system. Then, former congressman Larry LaRocco shares what he and Richard Stallings heard from Idahoans after eleven town halls across the state.
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