It’s been a busy summer for abortion law in Idaho – and the election is just a month away. 

Dr. Stephanie Witt of Boise State University and former U.S. Attorney for Idaho Bart Davis join Melissa Davlin to discuss this week’s election debates. 

Then, Sen. Melissa Wintrow and House Majority Caucus Chair Megan Blanksma sit down with Ruth Brown to discuss Idaho Supreme Court oral arguments over three separate lawsuits concerning abortion bans that went into place this past summer.

Watch on IdahoPTV

Season 51 Episode 1: Debates and Disagreements

It's the third week of the session, and lawmakers are already addressing big concerns like fentanyl trafficking and guns on campus. Kevin Richert of Idaho Education News gives us an update on the open meeting lawsuit over the University of Idaho’s acquisition of the University of Phoenix. Then, Senate Majority Leader Kelly Anthon discusses changes to the budget process and the session so far.

Watch on Idaho PTV

Season 52 Episode 11: Seeking Justice

Idaho Secretary of State Phil McGrane joins associate producer Logan Finney this week to discuss legal action headed before the U.S. Supreme Court over whether former President Donald Trump is eligible to appear on the ballot in 2024. They also discuss McGrane's priorities for the new legislative session, and a letter he and Attorney General Raúl Labrador issued to statehouse lobbyists regarding bribes and threats to elected officials.

Watch on YouTube

Episode: Secretaries of State Don't Want to Decide If Trump Gets on the Ballot

The legislature’s budget committee made some big changes to how they appropriate your taxpayer dollars, but on Friday, they reconsidered some budgets that had already passed. Producer Ruth Brown discusses an update on a pending execution and new death penalty legislation, and Kevin Richert of Idaho Education News gives us an update on the open meeting lawsuit against the State Board of Education.

Season 52 Episode 12: Unanswered Questions

This week, Rep. Megan Blanksma joins us to discuss a historic vote to remove her as House Majority Leader, and what she thinks led up to it. Then, House Appropriations chair Rep. Wendy Horman gives some insights into the behind-the-scenes budget fights that became public over the last few days, and Minority Leader Ilana Rubel shares her thoughts on how the dysfunction might affect the rest of the session.

Season 52 Episode 13: Change and Choppy Waters

House Bill 494 would rewrite Idaho's human trafficking laws to make them more victim-centered and hopefully give law enforcement more tools to investigate and prosecute trafficking cases that they find in relation to other crimes. Bill sponsor Rep. Jaron Crane, R-Nampa, joined producer Ruth Brown this week to discuss the legislation and who is supporting it.

Episode: Taking on Human Trafficking with Rep. Jaron Crane

After last week’s House leadership shake-up, Republicans have chosen a new majority leader. How much might that impact pending legislation that hits the floor? This week, Rep. Jason Monks discusses his role as the newly elected House Majority Leader, as well as complex school facility legislation he is co-sponsoring. Then, Kevin Richert of Idaho Education News and Dr. Jaclyn Kettler of Boise State University give us their insights on the week, including the threat of a lawsuit from the Legislature over the proposed University of Phoenix purchase.

Season 52 Episode 14: Prepping the Launchpad

Beginning last legislative session, Idaho began a massive undertaking to shift from its unconstitutional county-based public defense system to a state-based system. Idaho Association of Counties executive director Seth Grigg sat down with Ruth Brown this week to discuss the final details being ironed out as the October 1 changeover date approaches, including funding for child protective service cases and employee benefits for the public defenders who will soon start working for the state.

Episode: A Changing Public Defense System

This week, McKay Cunningham from the College of Idaho discusses potential issues with an effort to add a balanced budget amendment to the U.S. Constitution. Then, Kevin Richert of Idaho Education News, Dr. Stephanie Witt of Boise State University, and former Attorney General and Supreme Court Justice Jim Jones join the pundits to review the week that was, and to remember our late friend Dr. Jim Weatherby.

Season 52 Episode 15: Constitutional Questions

Associate producer Logan Finney sat down this week with Idaho Superintendent of Public Instruction Debbie Critchfield to discuss the status of the education budget, as well as policy bills on libraries and bullying.

Episode: Session Snapshot with Superintendent Debbie Critchfield

The revenue that the Idaho Supreme Court generates from court fees has been in decline over the past several years. But at the same time, the costs to run its technology systems have increased. Sara Omundson, administrative director of courts, sat down with Logan Finney on Thursday to discuss the cybersecurity threats facing the state court system, and what they’re doing to address them.

Extra: Funding Court Technology with Sara Omundson

On Wednesday, the Idaho Department of Correction called off the execution of Thomas Creech, after nearly an hour of attempting to establish an IV line to administer the necessary lethal injection chemicals. Lead producer and host Melissa Davlin spoke the next day with media witnesses Scott McIntosh of the Idaho Statesman and Roland Beres of KIVI Channel 6 about what they saw, and what the state might do next.

Extra: Media Witnesses Scott McIntosh and Roland Beres on Creech Execution

The Idaho Department of Correction halted the execution of Thomas Creech after failing to set an IV line. Witnesses Scott McIntosh of the Idaho Statesman and Roland Beres of KIVI share what they saw. Administrative director of courts Sara Omundson discusses cybersecurity funding. Kevin Richert of Idaho Education News brings us the latest reactions to the proposed University of Phoenix acquisition.

Season 52 Episode 16: What Happens Next

Former President Donald Trump easily won the Idaho Republican presidential caucus over the weekend and will receive all of Idaho’s 32 delegates to the Republican presidential nominating convention. Associate producer Logan Finney sat down Monday with political scientist Josh Putnam to go over the results, what they mean for the rest of the contest as we head into Super Tuesday, and how much influence Idaho has over the presidential nomination process.

Episode: An Unusual Presidential Primary Year

The Idaho Republican Party Presidential Caucus drew just 7 percent of registered Republicans to the polls last Saturday, but didn’t draw any presidential candidates to Idaho to campaign. Where does the party go next? Reps. Dustin Manwaring and Lauren Necochea join Dr. Jaclyn Kettler of Boise State University to discuss the presidential caucus and what lawmakers have left to do before adjournment.

Season 52 Episode 17: Courting Voters

Idaho’s judicial branch this year is requesting general funds for its IT staff and services, and to complete the court’s transition to a cloud-based technology system. For the last ten years, the state has largely funded court technology by imposing fees on the people who use the justice system. Associate producer Logan Finney spoke to Lisa Foster of the Fines and Fees Justice Center this week about the problems with the current fee-based set-up.

Extra: Lisa Foster of the Fines and Fees Justice Center

Senate Assistant Majority Leader Abby Lee joins producer Ruth Brown to discuss issues with the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare’s foster care system, efforts over her legislative career to address them, and a pair of bills she's co-sponsoring this year to limit temporary placement of foster kids and to create an independent ombudsman office.

Read more here: 

https://blog.idahoreports.idahoptv.org/2024/02/28/two-bills-introduced-on-potential-foster-care-system-changes/

https://blog.idahoreports.idahoptv.org/2024/02/23/oversight-committee-raises-child-welfare-concerns/

Episode: A Frank Foster Care Conversation with Sen. Abby Lee

It’s no secret that Idaho Republicans have been fighting amongst themselves for years. This week, Rep. Stephanie Mickelsen discusses her recent censure from her legislative district central committee, and Idaho Republican Party chairwoman Dorothy Moon gives her take on the presidential caucus, recent election bills and divisions within the party. Plus, Ruth Brown talks to Idaho Supreme Court Chief Justice Richard Bevan on how a judicial salary bill could affect court administration.

Season 51 Episode 18: A Party Divided

Lawmakers have debated for several years over adjustments to how the state should fill judicial vacancies when judges retire. A bill introduced in the House this week on judicial retirements is also tied to pay raises for judges. Producer Ruth Brown spoke with Idaho Supreme Court Chief Justice G. Richard Bevan on Thursday about his concerns with the bill and its potential impact on the court system.

Read the transcript

Extra: A Conversation with Chief Justice Richard Bevan

Senate Minority Leader Melissa Wintrow joins associate producer Logan Finney to discuss a bill she has been working for years to pass, SB 1234, which increases the amount of contraceptives that Idaho women can pick up in a single pharmacy visit to six months. Gov. Brad Little signed the bill and it takes effect on July 1, 2024.

Episode: Covering Contraceptives with Sen. Melissa Wintrow

As we’re nearing the end of the legislative session, contentious debates are filling the days. How might these floor votes affect the upcoming legislative primary season? This week, former Gov. Butch Otter, Kevin Richert of Idaho Education News, and Dr. Stephanie Witt of Boise State University join the pundits to discuss the late-session legislative dealings and upcoming primary races to watch.

Season 52 Episode 19: Loosening the Logjam

The Idaho Transportation Department headquarters used to be situated on a 44-acre property at the edge of downtown Boise. The state has been working for several years to sell the land. Associate producer Logan Finney sits down with BoiseDev senior reporter Margaret Carmel to dig into the history of the site and the possible consequences of lawmakers interrupting the deal. 

Read more here: https://boisedev.com/project/idaho-transportation-dept-campus-redevelopment/

Episode: ITD Headquarters Sale Delays Budget Decisions

This week, Dr. Jim Souza, Dr. Megan Kasper, and Idaho Medical Association CEO Susie Keller talk about the effects of Idaho’s abortion ban on physician recruitment and patient care after the Senate and House Health and Welfare Committees canceled a hearing on the topic. Then, Kevin Richert of Idaho Education News and James Dawson of Boise State Public Radio bring you the latest from the statehouse.

Season 52 Episode 20: Mixed Messages

Like many election years, there have been a lot of social issues up for debate in the 2024 legislative session. However, lawmakers seem increasingly ready to pass legislation that they know will end up being decided somewhere down the line in court. Associate producer Logan Finney sat down this week with ACLU of Idaho legislative strategist Amy Dundon to discuss reproductive rights, LGBTQ+ and gender issues, and balancing our conflicting rights as enshrined in the constitution.

Episode: An Inability to Hear Concerns with ACLU of Idaho

Lawmakers set the final state budgets this week – or did they? The showdown over the transportation budget is finally ended, and long-anticipated bills await the governor’s signature or veto. Melissa Davlin sits down with lawmakers investigating a possible budget shortfall at the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation. Then, Dr. Jaclyn Kettler from Boise State University and reporter James Dawson from Boise State Public Radio discuss the lead up to adjournment.

Season 52 Episode 21: Nearing the End

Legislative committees in Idaho often meet less than twelve hours after an agenda is posted. They also leave the details about how to accept public testimony up to each individual chairman. Jason Mercier, vice president and director of research at Mountain States Policy Center, joined associate producer Logan Finney to discuss some possible transparency reforms that could help Idahoans access their part-time citizen legislature.

Episode: Transparency Helps Citizens Participate

Lawmakers gaveled out for the year, but Medicaid uncertainty may bring a special session. This week, Logan Finney sits down with Reps. Ned Burns and Brent Crane to discuss the library bill that became law. Kevin Richert gives us a run-down of education highlights. Finally, Senate President Pro Tem Chuck Winder discusses the end of the session, including whether a Medicaid bill will cause disruption of services to Idahoans with disabilities and bring lawmakers back to the statehouse.

Season 52 Episode 22: Sine Die, For Now

Next week the U.S. Supreme Court will hear oral arguments on whether the federal Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act, or EMTALA, conflicts with Idaho's state law that bans all abortion except to save the life of the mother, or in cases of rape and incest. Constitutional law professor McKay Cunningham from the College of Idaho joined Melissa Davlin on Thursday to preview the arguments the nation expects to hear in court on Wednesday.

Episode: Does EMTALA Override Idaho's Abortion Laws?

This week, Dr. Marlene Tromp from Boise State University discusses the future of higher education in Idaho amid discourse about student loan debt and workforce readiness. Plus, McKay Cunningham from the College of Idaho discusses arguments coming up before the U.S. Supreme Court regarding whether the Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act, or EMTALA, overrules Idaho's state abortion ban.

Season 52 Episode 23: The Future of Higher Ed

The U.S. Supreme Court last week allowed an Idaho state law to take effect that bans gender-affirming care for transgender minors while litigation over the law moves through the courts. Associate producer Logan Finney sits down with Dr. Marvin Alviso, a family medicine doctor in Boise who offers gender-affirming care for adolescents and kids, to discuss what that medical care looks like and how the landscape is changing now that the law is in effect.

Episode: How Idaho's Ban on Gender-Affirming Care for Minors Affects Families and Doctors

The national spotlight is centered on whether Idaho’s abortion ban conflicts with federal law. Senate Minority Leader Melissa Wintrow shares her view on the oral arguments before the U.S. Supreme Court. Then, Attorney General Raúl Labrador gives his take on how the hearing went. Plus, Division of Financial Management administrator Alex Adams discusses how budgeting issues at Vocational Rehabilitation could affect clients.

Season 52 Episode 24: Idaho's Day in Court

The longest-running public policy show in the West, Idaho Reports turns a spotlight on the statehouse during the legislative session. Dedicated to political analysis and in-depth reporting from around the state. Subscribe for regular episodes and bonus content on the important issues affecting all Idahoans. 

© Idaho Public Television | Idaho State Board of Education, an agency of the State of Idaho

Idaho Reports

Popular tracks