Idaho Public Radio

02/03/2025

There was a full house Sunday for the 20th ‘Taste of Nepal’ event at the University of in Moscow, held to celebrate culture and unity, and to experience Nepal.

The Nepali Student Association at the U of I was established in 2001, and has about 200 members.

02/02/2025

Northwest artist Gareth Curtiss will be at the U of I in Moscow Feb. 3-7.

He will be live sculpting a statue of Joe Vandal Tuesday-Saturday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the Idaho Student Union Rotunda.

A community open house will be held Monday in the ICCU Arena Alumni Club, 5:00 p.m.

02/02/2025

State Capitol Roundup. Michael Paz reporting.

by Michael Paz Idaho Public Radio U of I McClure Center Idaho’s four-year universities and colleges made their presentations to JFAC and the House and Senate Education Committees this week, w…

02/02/2025

𝐔𝐩𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐫𝐞: 𝐒𝐌𝐀𝐑𝐓 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐭:
Service is still not restored and they're working to restore coverage as quickly as possible. See attached press release for more information.

02/02/2025

The Winter Market on Saturday at the 1912 Center in Moscow featured vendors inside and outside the building, activities for kids, and was open 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. PT.

The next Winter Market is on March 1.

02/02/2025

There was sunshine and a chilly breeze for Winterfest in downtown Moscow on Saturday.

01/31/2025

The Idaho Department of Environmental Quality is seeking representatives to fill two vacancies on the Clearwater Basin Advisory Group.

The two vacancies are for mining and the representative-at-large.

The Clearwater Basin Advisory Group represents stakeholder groups from five counties in north central Idaho and advises DEQ on water quality objectives within Idaho’s Clearwater Basin.

01/31/2025

Idaho news briefs:

* The Senate State Affairs Committee on Friday introduced a bill that would prohibit diversity, equity, and inclusion offices and officers at Idaho higher education institutions, among other things. A public hearing would follow.

* The legislature's Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee on Friday voted in favor of a $48.4 million increase in funding for employee health insurance benefits. No final decision has been made on state employee pay raises.

* The Idaho Maternal Mortality Review Committee has released its 2023 report. Find it here:https://dopl.idaho.gov/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Maternal-Mortality-Report-2023.pdf

01/31/2025

Moscow area news briefs:

* The City of Moscow, on behalf of Latah County EMS Agencies, is seeking qualified firms/consultants to assess Emergency Medical Services throughout Latah County. The EMS agencies include Moscow Volunteer Fire Department, Potlatch Ambulance, Genesee Ambulance, Troy Ambulance, J-K Ambulance, and Deary Ambulance.

* 2025 Winterfest Winter Fest will be held in downtown Moscow on Saturday, Feb. 1, from noon to 4:00 p.m. This year's theme is an 80’s-après ski block party. Event goers will find local craft beer, warm beverages, and food.

* The February Winter Market at the 1912 Center in Moscow on Saturday will feature over 35 vendors throughout the building. The market will be open 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

01/31/2025

𝐒𝐌𝐀𝐑𝐓 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐭 𝐢𝐬 "𝐭𝐞𝐦𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐥𝐲 𝐮𝐧𝐚𝐯𝐚𝐢𝐥𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐛𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐅𝐫𝐢𝐝𝐚𝐲, 𝐉𝐚𝐧. 𝟑𝟏."
PTS has no other information beyond the press release shared in this image- we're just helping get the word out.
We'll update on social media if information becomes available.

01/30/2025

Idaho legislative news briefs:

* Idaho Governor Brad Little is praising President Donald Trump's appointments of two Idahoans into positions at the USDA. Tom Schultz will serve as Chief of Staff for Natural Resources and Environment, and Michael Boren will serve as Under Secretary for Natural Resources and the Environment.

* The Idaho House Revenue and Taxation Committee on Thursday passed HB 40, the tax cut bill. It goes to the House. Here's the bill: https://legislature.idaho.gov/sessioninfo/2025/legislation/H0040/

* The House Revenue and Taxation Committee also voted Thursday to introduce a bill to establish a $5,000 refundable tax credit for non-public school expenses incurred by a parent, guardian or foster parent. Thursday's bill replaces an earlier version of the legislation.

* Governor Brad Little, Lt. Gov. Scott Bedke, and Rep. Brit Raybould were among the speakers at Thursday's Idaho Environmental Forum in Boise. Topics at the forum included "Living with Fire," regenerative AI in Idaho, and an update on the Eastern Snake River Plain Aquifer Agreement. (Michael Paz, reporting and photo)

01/30/2025

The Idaho State Department of Education says the latest scores from the National Assessment for Education Progress show Idaho fourth and eighth graders holding steady in this year’s assessed subjects of math and reading when compared to other states.

In fourth grade reading, four states scored higher than Idaho.

Among eighth graders readers, Idaho scored higher than the national public school average in reading, with two states scoring higher, the department said.

Idaho saw similar results in mathematics.

For fourth graders, three states scored higher than Idaho. For eighth graders, two states scored higher than Idaho.

Idaho Superintendent of Public Instruction Debbie Critchfield says the state's results show opportunities to improve and also some success.

01/30/2025

Heavy snow is expected over the Cascade passes beginning Thursday night. Snoqualmie Pass will see snow transition over to rain Friday afternoon into Friday evening, but snow levels will crash back down Friday night into Saturday with colder air moving in behind a cold front. Be prepared for winter travel and plan accordingly if wanting to travel across the Cascades this week.

01/30/2025

The latest U.S. Drought Monitor for Idaho.

01/30/2025

Graduate students from Idaho’s three public research institutions will present their research during Idaho’s seventh statewide Three Minute Thesis competition on Feb. 11.

The University of Idaho will again host the event.

Info: http://uidaho.edu/cogs/3mt-state

01/30/2025

01/29/2025

Idaho legislative news briefs:

* The Idaho House voted 52-16 on Wednesday to pass HB 32, prohibiting mask mandates. The bill goes to the Senate. Here's the legislation: https://legislature.idaho.gov/sessioninfo/2025/legislation/H0032/

* Lawmakers in the Idaho House on Wednesday also approved a bill that would require public school districts to notify parents about bullying. Here is HB 44, which goes to the Senate: https://legislature.idaho.gov/sessioninfo/2025/legislation/H0044/

* The Idaho House Education Committee has introduced a bill to increase the maximum tuition for community colleges to $3,250. A public hearing would follow on HB 79.

* The House State Affairs Committee on Wednesday held HB 33, to "provide for the electronic publication of public notices on the State Controller’s website." The vote was 9-6. (Michael Paz, reporting and photo)

* House State Affairs agreed to introduce a bill that would give the Idaho governor veto power over voter-passed initiatives. A public hearing would follow.

01/29/2025

The Idaho congressional delegation has filed legislation aimed at improving access to local USPS post offices.

The bill would require more community input before a post office is relocated and encourage recommendations from municipalities to request additional post offices.