James Dawson
ReporterExpertise: Political reporting, audio editing, podcast smithing
Education: University of Idaho
Highlights
- Won my elementary school’s geography bee, failing miserably at state
- Once caught 10 rainbow trout in one hour fly fishing on the Lochsa
- Idaho Press Club board member
Experience
I cover Idaho state government and a little bit of everything else for Boise State Public Radio. Originally from Idaho’s territorial capitol north of the Time Zone Bridge, I’ve covered politics and state legislatures across the country since 2010. You’ll hear my work during Morning Edition, Idaho Matters and All Things Considered (and maybe read my newsletter, Legislative Round-up, during the session).
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Idaho’s Division of Vocational Rehabilitation said it needs an emergency infusion of $2.7 million after the discovery of apparent “internal control issues” leading to a significant budget shortfall.
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Idaho senators ultimately voted to denounce racism after Republican leadership ordered the body’s sergeant-at-arms to round up two absent lawmakers – one of whom cast the lone no vote on the resolution.
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Idaho Senate Republicans shot down the state’s welfare budget Thursday morning, saying taxpayers should not cover extra food benefits for children from low-income families during the summer months.
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The Idaho Senate rejected a bill that would’ve created a new political entity to oversee the purchase of the University of Phoenix.
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It’s the third time in as many years that Idaho lawmakers are trying to tie pay raises for judges as a way to encourage more judicial elections.
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A senior House GOP leader is canceling a planned legislative hearing about the exodus of OB-GYNs in Idaho after Democrats blasted his party over inaction on reproductive health issues.
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Senate leaders say lawmakers need to make concessions to libraries in the latest bill trying to restrict “harmful” materials to minors.
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A state senate committee is punting a decision on the latest bill to restrict quote “obscene” materials in Idaho’s libraries.
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State lawmakers are considering more than doubling the distance political organizers must be from polling places while voting takes place.
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Deep fake political ads are one step away from being banned in Idaho shortly ahead of the May primary election.