Ryan Suppe

Governor’s midyear spending cuts could avert $79.9 million deficit A new forecast says the state will be in a budget hole as tax cuts and revenue shortfalls slash its bottom line.

Gov. Brad Little's holdback order attempts to ward off a deficit as tax cuts and revenue shortfalls spoil the state's bottom line. www.idahoednews.org/news/governo...

‘A sound business practice’: Critchfield says she — not Little — asked public schools to plan for cuts The holdback plans could play a role in legislative budget considerations moving forward.

Before Gov. Brad Little exempted K-12 schools from 3% holdbacks, state superintendent Debbie Critchfield asked school leaders to prepare for midyear spending cuts, kicking a hornets' nest of frustrations about education funding.

www.idahoednews.org/top-news/a-s...

Boise State president search narrows. Five finalists will be announced In other business Wednesday, the State Board approved University of Idaho’s proposal for a new graduate degree in nursing, based in Coeur d’Alene.

The State Board must release the names of finalists, per a state law. www.idahoednews.org/news/boise-s...

He Was Accused of Killing His Wife. Idaho’s Coroner System Let Clues Vanish After a Previous Wife’s Death. Clayton Strong had a history of domestic unrest in two marriages. The women’s families say a more thorough investigation of Betty Strong’s death in Idaho might have saved the life of his next wife, Sh...

Clayton Strong showed up at the funeral home in Idaho, said he wanted his wife's body cremated, opened a lunch box full of cash and paid $2,310 on the spot, according to our reporting. Three months later, he was in another state and remarried. www.propublica.org/article/idah...

West Ada adopts new policy on classroom displays One trustee said her vote was an ‘easy yes’ because the policy complies with a new state law on classroom displays.

The new policy includes a review process with the opportunity to appeal an administrative decision on a classroom display. www.idahoednews.org/news/west-ad...

Caldwell nixes ‘pay-to-play’ sports fees for 2025-26 District students and students who attend charter schools, private schools and home-schools won’t be charged for sports or activities.

Trustees in recent weeks had considered cutting in half most fees for non-district students, but ultimately decided to eliminate them altogether.
www.idahoednews.org/news/caldwel...

Analysis: This time around, Idaho’s budget problems begin close to home After binging on tax cuts and tax breaks, Idaho appears to be teetering on a tipping point. A self-imposed budget crisis could be looming — and it could affect education.

Analysis: After binging on tax cuts and tax breaks, Idaho appears to be teetering on a tipping point. A self-imposed budget crisis could be looming — and it could affect education. #idaho #idleg www.idahoednews.org/top-news/ana...

Little tells agencies, education leaders to prepare for possible spending cuts Little also ordered spending limits because of lagging revenue and major tax cuts that allow for “slight growth” only.

The governor’s office Tuesday did not address the likelihood of holdbacks in the coming months.

But Little's budget administrator said that “public education and teacher pay will remain the governor’s top priorities.”
www.idahoednews.org/top-news/lit...

Federal judge to consider religious freedom arguments in Blaine Amendment case A Middleton church that rented a public school’s gymnasium claims its First Amendment rights were violated when the lease was cancelled.

The complaint alleges that the Blaine Amendment — as applied in this case and on its face — violates First Amendment religion and speech protections. www.idahoednews.org/news/federal...

Thinking about private school? Idaho’s new incentive could offset all your state taxes This hypothetical middle-class household shows how the Parental Choice tax credit can be a significant incentive to attend private school.

Claiming maximum $5,000 credits for each of the Spud Family’s two children would net a 32% reduction in its federal, state and local taxes. www.idahoednews.org/top-news/thi...

Caldwell teacher, who showed students how to think for themselves, retires after 40 years Colleagues and former students are celebrating Steve Hauge this month, after his four decades teaching economics and politics.

“I really don’t believe anyone learns unless they’re talking with other people,” said Steve Hauge, a longtime Caldwell High School teacher, who's retiring this year. “We don’t know what we don’t know until somebody asks a question.”
www.idahoednews.org/top-news/cal...

Idaho climbs 12 spots in national rankings for starting teacher pay Idaho made gains on teacher pay after the state invested in raises, but it still ranks last in per-student spending.

In 2023, Gov. Brad Little and the Legislature invested $145 million in teacher raises, distributing an additional $6,359 in state funding per educator. www.idahoednews.org/state-policy...

Teachers: Don’t count on 5% raises next year Several variables affect raises, and this year’s contract negotiations will include an added wrinkle: Increasing minimum salary requirements.

“We deeply encourage members of the public to listen to negotiations and budget setting for our public schools,” said Misty Swanson, executive director of the Idaho School Boards Association.
www.idahoednews.org/top-news/tea...

Analysis: Empowering Parents, and the politics of the short attention span Five years ago, education microgrants were a shiny new object. This year, Gov. Brad Little and legislators saw microgrants as a rusting relic that needed to be scrapped — even though they remain po…

Analysis: Five years ago, education microgrants were a shiny new object. This year, Gov. Brad Little and legislators saw microgrants as a rusting relic that needed to be scrapped — even though they remain popular with parents. #idaho #idleg www.idahoednews.org/top-news/ana...

U of I braces for loss of federal funds — and a $59 million grant is in limbo In other news Wednesday, State Board members approve a possible name change for Lewis-Clark State College. And board members get an earful over a new anti-DEI law.

In other news Wednesday, State Board members approve a possible name change for Lewis-Clark State College. And board members get an earful over a new anti-DEI law. #idleg #idaho www.idahoednews.org/news/u-of-i-...

What passed? What didn’t? A detailed look back at the 2025 session The 89-day legislative session was a blur of activity — especially in education. Here’s what happened, and what you might have missed.

The 89-day legislative session was a blur of activity — especially in education. Here’s what happened, and what you might have missed. #idleg #idaho www.idahoednews.org/top-news/wha...

‘We have lots of work for you guys’ — emails show coordination between deputies in Idaho’s Kootenai County and immigration officials Cooperation with federal authorities tests bounds of law and policy, stirs fear in immigrant communities

Investigation: Emails between Kootenai County deputies and federal immigration agents show a coordinated effort to target undocumented people for immigration enforcement when they hadn't committed recent state crimes. My latest for @investigatewest.bsky.social

The 2025 #idleg is now a full Scaramucci removed from the original March 21 target adjournment date. Not that anyone's counting. #idaho

Statehouse roundup, 4.1.25: House joins Senate in scramble to rework ‘health freedom’ bill INSIDE: An abridged libraries budget bill is headed to Gov. Brad Little’s desk, and the Senate quickly approved a raft of education-related bills Tuesday.

It's April and the #idleg is still in session. Here's what's happened so far today. #idaho www.idahoednews.org/top-news/sta...

Statehouse roundup, 3.31.25: Empowering Parents repeal heads to House floor Inside: Libraries and other local governments could tap state legal defense funds under bill that advanced Monday.

It's Week 13 of the 2025 #idleg session. And @ryansuppe.bsky.social and I watched it all so you didn't have to! #idaho www.idahoednews.org/top-news/sta...

Idaho Gov. Brad Little vetoes bill to ban medical requirements in business, schools, government • Idaho Capital Sun The Idaho Medical Freedom Act, would have banned businesses and governments — local, county or state — from requiring medical interventions for employment, admission to venues, transportation, or prov...

Gov. Brad Little issued his first veto this year, on a bill that would've banned medical requirements for vaccines, treatment or medication by Idaho businesses, governments and schools.

The bill "removes parents’ freedom to ensure their children stay healthy at school," he wrote. #idleg #idpol

Gov. Little signs bill deregulating child care facilities to address Idaho’s shortage • Idaho Capital Sun Even after the Senate amended the bill to avoid fully repealing minimum child-to-staff ratios, many child care advocates remained opposed.

A new Idaho law deregulating child care facilities will drop Idaho's child-to-staff ratios from 41st loosest in the nation to 45th, an expert says. #idleg #idpol

Statehouse roundup, 3.18.25: School spending accountability bill heads to House In other news, the House passed a bill requiring schools to show videos depicting “early fetal development.”

In other news, the House passed a bill requiring schools to show videos depicting “early fetal development.” #idleg #idaho www.idahoednews.org/top-news/sta...

Statehouse roundup, 3.17.25: House approves new civics test In other news, a campus free speech is headed to the Senate floor.

In other news, a campus free speech bill is headed to the Senate floor. #idleg #idaho www.idahoednews.org/news/stateho...

Tromp ‘sole finalist’ for University of Vermont presidency Boise State’s president since July 2019 will interview for the Vermont position this week.

Tromp, Boise State's president since July 2019, will interview for the position Tuesday and Wednesday. #idaho #idleg www.idahoednews.org/news/tromp-s...

Statehouse roundup, 3.13.25: House passes bill cutting WWAMI Inside: House Education Committee introduces bill to allow volunteer or paid chaplains in schools and kills parental ‘tech awareness’ proposal.

The bill, which passed 46-21, would cut at least 10 Idaho seats from the medical education program. #idleg #idaho www.idahoednews.org/news/stateho...

Analysis: An internal memo, and an unfiltered look into the fight over WWAMI The WWAMI debate is about Idaho’s chronic doctor shortage. But it is also a juicy debate over politics, turf and market share — the quiet parts that a University of Idaho memo discusses out l…

Analysis: The WWAMI debate is about Idaho’s chronic doctor shortage. But it is also a juicy debate over politics, turf and market share — the quiet parts that a University of Idaho memo discusses out loud. #idaho #idleg www.idahoednews.org/top-news/ana...

Idaho’s public school funding fails to account for high-need students, report finds A district with 24% special education students receives the same amount of state funding as a district with 5% special education students.

The report found that the biggest funding driver for public schools is district size, not student characteristics or needs. www.idahoednews.org/top-news/ida...

Controversial child care deregulation bill heads to Senate The House previously approved the proposal, which would allow providers to set their own staff-to-children ratios.

During an emotional public comment period Wednesday, opponents said flexible ratios could lead to increased rates of neglect and abuse.

www.idahoednews.org/state-policy...

Statehouse roundup, 3.5.25: Lawmakers unveil a new bill targeting WWAMI More news: Budget-writers approve a budget bottom line, and a Senate leader introduces a rural school facilities funding bill.

In other news, the Senate passed a bill banning political, ideological and religious flags in classrooms. #idaho #idleg www.idahoednews.org/top-news/sta...