Today at 10 a.m. Mountain Time, the Idaho Department of Correction is scheduled to carry out the execution by lethal injection of Thomas Eugene Creech. Attorneys representing him have filed appeals to the U.S. Supreme Court. We'll have more in this week's show.

Idaho Reports airs Friday at 8 pm on Idaho Public Television.

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House passes wolf and grizzly depredation bill

The House passed a bill that would compensate ranchers for livestock that have been killed by wolves and grizzly bears. It is not the only depredation bill in the works.

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Senate OKs aggravated reckless driving charge

The Senate approved a bill that would carry stricter penalties for people convicted of reckless driving if an accident results in great bodily harm or permanent disability.

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Podcast: Session Snapshot with Superintendent Debbie Critchfield

Associate producer Logan Finney sat down this week with Superintendent of Public Instruction Debbie Critchfield to discuss the status of the education budget, as well as the school policy bills that she is keeping track of this legislative session.

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Bill introduced to further regulate signature gathering for ballot initiatives

Rather than submitting all signatures at once, a new bill would require ballot initiative organizers to submit their petitions monthly. It would also create a review period for the public to view the signatures.

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Senate sends voter guide bill to House

This is the second year that Idaho Secretary of State Phil McGrane has encouraged creation of a voter guide with information about the candidates appearing on the ballot.

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Follow online for updates throughout the week:

In memoriam:

Longtime instructor, political observer, and Idaho Reports pundit Dr. Jim Weatherby passed away last week. A memorial will be held on March 12 at 4 p.m. at the Alumni and Friends Center at Boise State University. The public is invited to attend.

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New version of bill banning public funds for transgender medical care introduced

Legislation to prohibit gender affirming medical treatment and surgeries for people on Medicaid was reintroduced, clarifying it would apply to both adults and children. It also would ensure the cost of the medical treatment is not tax deductible for patients.

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Bill to forbid pelvic exams on unconscious patients

A similar bill last year included an exception for collecting evidence of a sex crime, but the sponsor said it was unnecessary and has taken it out of the new version.

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Senate passes bill to shield wrongful eviction cases

Sen. Ali Rabe explained that a large majority of evictions are filed by landlords when a tenant temporarily cannot pay their rent, not over a deliberate lack of payment. Currently in Idaho, all evictions go on a person's public record even if the eviction was dismissed.

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Rent bill highlights partisan divide on housing

A bill that would prevent local governments in Idaho from mandating that private property owners participate in federal housing assistance programs highlighted a difference in how the major political parties view the issue of affordable housing.

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University of Idaho funnels $7.3 million of Phoenix consulting to president’s former employer

The University of Idaho has outsourced at least $7.3 million of consulting work to President C. Scott Green’s previous employer. Hogan Lovells — an international law firm with 48 offices across the globe — appears to have received most of the money the U of I has shelled out for consulting on its proposed $685 million University of Phoenix purchase, according to documents obtained by Idaho Education News. All told, the U of I has spent more than $10 million, and counting, on Phoenix-related consulting.

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Oversight committee raises child welfare concerns

Stories of a failing foster care system prompted both tears and visible anger last week at a meeting of the Child Protection Legislative Oversight Committee.

“If 1% of it is true, there should be hell to pay,” said Sen. Kelly Anthon. “Everybody who’s involved in that, you better watch out, because I’m going to go on a warpath.”

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