James Dawson

Reporter

James Dawson serves as a reporter for Boise State Public Radio's award-winning news department. 

Most recently, he covered state politics and government for Delaware Public Media since the station first began broadcasting in 2012 as the country's newest NPR affiliate. Those reports spanned two governors, three sessions of the Delaware General Assembly, and three consequential elections. His work has been featured on Morning Edition, All Things Considered and NPR's newscast division. 

An Idaho native from north of the time zone bridge, James previously served as the public affairs reporter and interim news director for the commercial radio network Inland Northwest Broadcasting. His reporting experience included state and local government, arts and culture, crime, and agriculture.

He's a proud University of Idaho graduate with a bachelor's degree in Broadcasting and Digital Media. When he's not in the office, you can find James fly fishing, buffing up on his photography or watching the Seattle Mariners' latest rebuilding season.

Ways to Connect

Idaho Republicans: Counties, Savings Should Pay For Medicaid Expansion

By • 13 hours ago
James Dawson / Boise State Public Radio

Counties could end up paying for a significant part of Idaho’s voter-approved Medicaid expansion after it’s rolled out next year.

Idaho Legislators To Tackle Rising Property Taxes

By • Sep 12, 2019
Emilie Ritter Saunders / Boise State Public Radio

With the values of houses – and property taxes – in cities across Idaho skyrocketing, state lawmakers say they want to look at options to bring some relief to homeowners.

Is Idaho's Constitutional Defense Fund A Backstop For Shaky Legislation?

By • Sep 12, 2019
James Dawson / Boise State Public Radio

When states challenge the federal government over things like public land rights or same-sex marriage rights, taxpayers are on the hook for that.

Idaho is one of at least two states that has a separate bank account to pay for legal fees and settlements in these cases, though critics say it’s giving state legislators more license to pass laws courts have found to be unconstitutional.  

Ada County Prosecutors Strike Plea Deal With Hemp Truck Drivers

By • Sep 11, 2019
Marcia O'Connor / Flickr

Three truck drivers hauling hemp through Idaho won’t face any further jail time after reaching a plea deal with Ada County prosecutors.

Bonneville Dam Repairs Halt Barge Traffic On Columbia River

By • Sep 10, 2019
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

The lock system at the Bonneville Dam on the Columbia River is closed for repairs – meaning barges hauling grain from Idaho and the Inland Northwest are in a holding pattern for an indefinite amount of time.

Community Members Build New Fence For Boise Refugee Garden

By • Sep 9, 2019
Katy Moeller/ Idaho Statesman

A refugee garden that was raided for produce last month now has a new fence to guard the tomatoes and other vegetables.

Reclaim Idaho Wants To Hike Taxes On The Rich And Corporations To Pay For Education

By • Sep 4, 2019
James Dawson

The group behind Idaho’s successful Medicaid expansion ballot initiative is filing another one – this time to boost education spending.

Medicaid Expansion Is Broadly Beneficial, Studies Show

By • Sep 3, 2019
James Dawson / Boise State Public Radio

As Idaho lawmakers continue to debate how the state should pay for its voter-approved Medicaid expansion, hundreds of studies have shown many benefits to the program.

Feds Turn Down First Of Idaho's Medicaid Restrictions Requests

By • Aug 29, 2019
James Dawson / Boise State Public Radio

Federal officials have rejected Idaho’s request to allow people eligible for Medicaid expansion to instead stay on the state’s health insurance exchange. 

Boise Mayoral Candidates Spar On Environmental Policy

By • Aug 29, 2019
James Dawson / Boise State Public Radio

Four candidates for Boise mayor tried to win over an environmentally-conscious crowd Wednesday night during the race’s first debate hosted by Conservation Voters for Idaho.

Court Says Idaho Must Provide Gender Confirmation Surgery To Transgender Inmate

By & • Aug 23, 2019

Updated at 4:34 p.m. ET

Editor's note: This story includes accounts of self-harm.

The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals has ruled that the state of Idaho must provide gender confirmation surgery to inmate Adree Edmo.

The panel of judges agreed with U.S. District Judge B. Lynn Winmill's ruling in Edmo's favor last December, writing that his findings were "logical and well-supported" and that "responsible prison officials were deliberately indifferent to Edmo's gender dysphoria, in violation of the Eighth Amendment."

State Must Provide Gender Confirmation Surgery To Idaho Inmate Adree Edmo

By & • Aug 23, 2019
Black and Pink / Facebook

The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals has ruled that the state of Idaho must provide sex reassignment surgery to inmate Adree Edmo.

Boise Files Appeal With U.S. Supreme Court To Keep Anti-Camping Ordnance

By • Aug 23, 2019
Cooper Court, a former tent city in Boise
Kyle Green / Idaho Statesman

The city of Boise has officially filed its appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court over its controversial anti-camping ordinance.

Boise State President Marlene Tromp Takes On Diversity Issues In First Address

By • Aug 21, 2019
James Dawson / Boise State Public Radio

Marlene Tromp didn’t shy away from controversy in her first campus address as president of Boise State University Wednesday morning.

Ada County Expands Anti-Discrimination Policy To Include LGBTQ Community

By • Aug 21, 2019
Ada County Courthouse Law Court Plaza
Lacey Daley / Boise State Public Radio

Ada County employees will now have protection against harassment and employment discrimination when it comes to their sexual orientation or gender identity.

Boise Pumps The Brakes On Building A New Library

By • Aug 16, 2019
City of Boise

Boise is pulling back the reins on its new library proposal and an advisory vote that was scheduled for later this year. 

Idaho Governor Brad Little Launches Opioid Advisory Group

By • Aug 16, 2019
James Dawson / Boise State Public Radio

Idaho officials are focusing their attention on the state’s growing opioids and substance abuse problems.

9th Circuit Says Federal Courts Can Consider Enforcing Tribal Court Rulings

By • Aug 14, 2019
Marcio Jose Sanchez / AP

Native American tribal courts can indeed turn to federal courts when it comes to considering rulings against non-tribal members.

Construction On New Idaho Fish And Game HQ To Start Next Year

By • Aug 14, 2019
Roger Phillips / Idaho Department of Fish and Game

It’s official – Idaho Fish and Game will be getting a new headquarters.

Idaho Senator Jim Risch Announces Re-Election Campaign

By • Aug 13, 2019
Courtesy of Sen. Risch

Idaho’s junior senator will seek a third term in Congress.

Counties Would Pay For Much Of Idaho's Medicaid Expansion Under A New Proposal

By • Aug 9, 2019
Idaho Capitol Dome
Emilie Ritter Saunders / Boise State Public Radio

In order to foot the bill for Idaho’s upcoming Medicaid expansion, one House Republican leader wants to cut the amount of sales tax money doled out to the state’s 44 counties.

Former Idaho GOP Chair Jonathan Parker Held Without Bond After Latest Arrest

By • Aug 8, 2019
Ada County Sheriff's Office

 

Former Idaho GOP Chair Jonathan Parker is back in jail again and being held without bond after he turned himself in Wednesday night to the Ada County Sheriff’s Office on a contempt of court charge.

 

University Of Idaho Names First Female Athletic Director

By • Aug 7, 2019
Terry Gawlik, University of Idaho,
University of Idaho

Terry Gawlik will become University of Idaho’s first female athletic director when she takes over the job Sept. 1. The move comes nearly a year after former Athletic Director Rob Spear was fired for improperly reporting sexual assault allegations.

Joe Biden: Donald Trump's "Disruption And Damage" May Not Be Reversible If Re-Elected

By • Aug 6, 2019
James Dawson / Boise State Public Radio

Former Vice President Joe Biden capped off a two-day trip to Idaho Tuesday with a fundraiser at the home of a prominent Boise family.

Boise All Star Game Projected To Bring Big Money To Town

By • Aug 6, 2019
Boise Hawks Memorial Stadium Hawkstown
Samantha Wright / Boise State Public Radio

Baseball fans will get a chance to see some of the sport’s rising stars Tuesday night as Boise hosts the 2019 All Star Game between the Northwest and Pioneer leagues.

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