Category — Daily Newsrack

Original head preserved… ’nuff said. Poppino in the Times-News.

Three District 11 Repubs want Little’s seat. Former Canyon County Commissioner Matt Beebe, party activist Melinda Smyser and Rep. Carlos Bilbao interested. Kreller, Murphy in the Idaho Statesman
.

Otter will make $120 million in cuts permanent. Agencies will see from 0 to 6 percent budget cuts in Guv’s budget, to be presented next week as the Legislature goes into session. Budget man Hammon: “Some agencies, you get to the end of the report and you’re like, ‘That’s harsh, it’s going to be difficult.’?Others, you couldn’t get through them without saying, ‘Stop!’?” Russell at Spokesman.com .

South-central Idaho educators welcome Obama’s pledge to change No Child Left Behind TF super wants more focus on kids, less on school test scores. School Boards Association: We’ll see. Ben Botkin in the Times-News.

Amtrak CEO Alex Kummant tells delegation he’ll visit Idaho if Congress authorizes train funding. Crapo, Simpson support return of Pioneer Route. Kummant (via Crapo): “I will make it a personal priority of mine to visit your home state and learn firsthand of the opportunities that exist in Idaho and other western states for expanded intercity passenger rail service.” Hopkins in the Times-News.

Idaho Fish and Game commissioners anticipate another wolf delisting before next administration takes over. IDFG’s Compton: “The commission is just not willing to stand idly by as federal processes take place.” Poppino in the Times-News. Wayne Wright is new chairman of the IDFG Commission.

Ruling in Larry Craig bathroom sex case expected soon. Craig has not raised much money for his legal fund, the “Fund for Justice.” $4,645. Statesman names names. Bolstad in the Idaho Statesman.

TF prisoners strike for better food. One day strike meant to send a message to the new sheriff. Inmate Terry Knudesen: “There’s a new sheriff in town. My family voted for the new sheriff, we’re hoping it’s going to change something.” Tom Carter is new TF County Sheriff, possibly first hunger strike in Idaho jail in recent memory. Jackson in the Times-News.

Idaho Department of Corrections has ended its relationship with a Texas prison, moving all out-of-state inmates to private lock-up in Okla. Prisoners to be moved from troubled Bill Clayton Detention Center, a private prison run by Geo Group in Littlefield, Texas. IDOC spokesperson: “Concern with staffing shortages at the (Bill Clayton) facility also factored into the decision.” Laurie WIlliams, brother of deceased inmate: “I’m happy they’re pulling them out of Texas. But I still have great concern about how we’re moving them from one profit-for-prison to another.” Andrea Jackson in theTimes-News. GEO don’t care. Boone, AP in the Houston Chron.

Former Idaho Supreme Gerald Schroeder in the fray. Now Idaho Department of Water Resources hearing officer for water call disputes: “It would be great arrogance to claim a full grasp of the science.” Poppino in the Times-News.