Idaho on Tuesday May 06, 2008

Archive of Idaho on Tuesday May 06, 2008

Kempthorne holds on to his records
By Heath Druzin, The Idaho Statesman (Boise)
Two years ago, the Idaho Attorney General's office told Dirk Kempthorne to give his gubernatorial records to the Idaho State Historical Society -- like every governor before him.
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Senate hopeful Risch to skip live Idaho Public TV debate
By John Miller, The Associated Press, The Idaho Statesman (Boise)
For a second straight election, Lt. Gov. Jim Risch will forgo a live Idaho Public Television debate in favor of a taped commercial network debate with candidates in Idaho's Republican U.S. Senate primary facing questions from a panel but not from each other.
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Idaho gas prices set another record
By Joe Estrella, The Idaho Statesman (Boise)
Whatlyne Frederick remembers being outraged when she paid $2 a gallon for gasoline in 2005 to fill her 1994 Chevrolet Cavalier. On Monday, the situation became "ridiculous," she said, when she paid $3.46 a gallon at the Maverik station at Cole and Ustick roads.
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Students' reading scores up from fall
By Bill Roberts, The Idaho Statesman (Boise)
Idaho elementary school students showed gains in reading ability on the latest statewide exam given earlier this winter.
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Areva plans to build $2 billion uranium plant in Idaho
By John Miller, The Associated Press, The Idaho Statesman (Boise)
French-owned energy services company Areva Inc. will build what it's said will be a $2 billion uranium enrichment facility near the eastern Idaho city of Idaho Falls, after winning tax concessions from the state Legislature meant to lure the plant to the region.
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State approves increase for Rocky Mountain Power
By The Associated Press, The Idaho Statesman (Boise)
Idaho utility regulators are giving Rocky Mountain Power permission to charge customers a little more for electricity this year.
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Idaho journalist, author Shadduck dies at age 92
By The Associated Press, The Times-News (Twin Falls)
COEUR D'ALENE, Idaho -- Louise Shadduck of Coeur d'Alene, a newspaper reporter who became the first woman in the nation to serve in a state cabinet post, died Sunday at 92.
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Attorneys general meet to discuss energy issues
By Nicholas K. Geranios, The Associated Press, The Idaho Statesman (Boise)
COEUR D'ALENE, Idaho -- One highly effective way to reduce electricity use is to hang laundry on an outdoor clothesline, instead of using a dryer, Idaho Attorney General Lawrence Wasden said Monday.
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Food prices on a roll
By Ellen Simon, The Associated Press, Portland Press Herald
Americans may be getting another helping of food inflation, thanks to higher prices for chicken and pork.
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Will states fix 2012 primary process?
By Pamela M. Prah, Stateline.org Staff Writer

While voters in Indiana and North Carolina go to the polls today (May 6) to help Democrats pick Hillary Clinton or Barack Obama as their nominee and Republicans rally behind John McCain, party insiders and state election officials are in informal talks to improve the presidential nominating contests for 2012 and beyond.
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Oh say, is that banner made in the U.S.A.?
By Kim Mendelsohn, Special to Stateline.org
Lawmakers in 10 states have taken steps to require that American flags bought with state funds be manufactured in this country. While not all the legislation has passed, one state’s new law even bans the sale of foreign-made American flags in that state.
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Fairness of death-penalty panels questioned
By John Gramlich, Stateline.org Staff Writer
Death-penalty supporters are raising questions about the fairness of state commissions charged with studying how capital punishment is carried out in Maryland and Tennessee, claiming the panels will issue reports that ignore their views.
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WORTH NOTING: Voters' guide promotes phone sex
By Pauline Vu, Stateline.org Staff Writer
An Oregon voters’ guide lists a very wrong number. California’s governor insults rural legislators. And Pennsylvania considers selling wine in vending machines. In case you missed those stories this week, “Worth Noting” fills you in.
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Parents turn to states for autism help
By Daniel C. Vock, Stateline.org Staff Writer
(UPDATED 4 p.m. EDT, Thursday May 1) One of the toughest problems facing autism patients, their families and policymakers is paying for treatment. Families are increasingly relying on states to help them cope with the financial, medical and educational needs.

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Legislators prod Congress on Medicaid, Real ID
By Pamela M. Prah, Stateline.org Staff Writer
As some states tumble into what they fear is a recession, state lawmakers from across the country are pushing Congress for relief from impending federal rules that would force states to pick up more Medicaid costs and spend billions to make drivers’ licenses more secure.
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With justices' OK, voter ID moves ahead
By Daniel C. Vock and John Gramlich, Stateline.org Staff Writers
A decision Monday (April 28) by the U.S. Supreme Court to let Indiana demand photo identification from voters paves the way for other states to do the same during November’s presidential election, experts say.
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More states offer choice in long-term care
By Christine Vestal, Stateline.org Staff Writer
More states are poised to offer a successful alternative to traditional Medicaid plans that allows elders and the disabled to avoid moving to a nursing facility by hiring friends, neighbors or family members to look after them in their own homes.
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Credit crunch hits states' college loans
By Pauline Vu, Stateline.org Staff Writer

(Updated 11:55 a.m. EDT, April 23, 2008)

The credit crisis has led some state lending agencies to suspend their federal and private student loan programs, forcing thousands of students to search elsewhere for money to pay for college.

Partisan mix in R.I., Conn. poses challenges
By Louis Jacobson, Stateline.org Columnist

The blue states of Connecticut and Rhode Island have had a long tradition of electing Republican governors. But in both states, the combination has led at times to difficult — even chaotic — policymaking.
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Will Democrats grow legislative edge in '08?
By Louis Jacobson, Stateline.org Columnist

For the past several election cycles, the Democrats have been on a roll in legislative elections. This year, the party is well-positioned to hold its majority of chambers — but greatly expanding Democratic control may not be in the cards.

'Purple' states turn a little more 'blue'
By Louis Jacobson, Stateline.org Columnist

The national polls point to a tight presidential race in November. But Democrats have a bit more to cheer about than Republicans do, regardless of who wins the Democratic primary, according to the latest state-by-state electoral-vote projections by “Out There.”
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Obama's friends in unlikely places
By Louis Jacobson, Stateline.org Columnist

Barack Obama is striking an unlikely connection with voters in the reddest of red states. However the Democratic presidential contest plays out, the Illinois senator has breathed new energy and resources into several long-forsaken state parties.
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