>>> PRESENTATION OF "IDAHO REPORTS" ON IDAHO PUBLIC TELEVISION IS MADE POSSIBLE BY THROUGH THE GENEROUS SUPPORT OF THE LAURA MOORE CUNNINGHAM FOUNDATION, COMMITTED TO FULFILLING THE MOORE AND BETTIS FAMIY LEGACY OF BUILDING THE GREAT STATE OF IDAHO, BY THE FRIENDS OF IDAHO PUBLIC TELEVISION, AND BY THE CORPORATION FOR PUBLIC BROADCASTING.

>>> IT'S NO SURPRISE THAT IF YOU'RE IN RURAL IDAHO AND GET HURT, IT MAY TAKE A WHILE FOR FIRST RESPONDERS TO GET YOU TO A HOSPITAL.

BUT SOME EMS DIRECTORS SAY IDAHO'S POLICIES ON FUNDING EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES ARE MAKING IT EVEN MORE DIFFICULT FOR THEM TO HELP I'D OANS.

I'M MELISSA DAVLIN.

"IDAHO REPORTS" STARTS NOW.

♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ >>> HELLO AND WELCOME TO "IDAHO REPORTS."

THIS WEEK WE EXPLORE FUNDING FOR EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES IN RURAL IDAHO, AND WHAT POLICY CHANGES MIGHT HELP THOSE COMMUNITIES.

THEN, KEVIN RICHERT OF IDAHO EDUCATION NEWS AND KAYE THORNBRUGH OF THE KORDA LANE PRESS DISCUSS THE RECENT HEATED TRUSTEE LEAKS AT THE COL OF WESTERN IDAHO AND NORTH IDAHO COLLEGE AND WHAT THE RACES'YOUS COMES MOORE -- RACE'S OUTCOMES MEAN FOR STUDENTS.

>>> BUT FIRST, THE IDAHO DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTION ISSUED A DEATH WARRANT ON WEDNESDAY TO GERALD PIZZUTO, JR., DESPITE THE STATE NOT HAVING THE CHEMICALS MESSI -- NECESSARY TO CARRY OUT THE EXECUTION.

THE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS SCHEDULED THE EXECUTION DECEMBER 15TH.

LAST YEAR GOVERNOR BRAD LITTLE DENIED A RECOMMENDATION FROM THE IDAHO COMMISSION OF PARDONS AND PAROLE THAT WOULD HAVE REDUCED THAT DEATH SENTENCE TO LIFE IN PRISON WITHOUT PAROLE FOR PIZZUTO, WHO HAS BEEN DIAGNOSED WITH TERMINAL CANCER.

"IDAHO REPORTS" WILL CONTINUE TO FOLLOW THIS STORY ON AIR AND ONLINE.

>>> ALSO ONLINE THIS WEEK, PRODUCER RUTH BROWN TALKS TO LEE FLINN, DIRECTOR OF THE IDAHO CRISIS AND SUICIDE HOTLINE, ABOUT THE SUCCESSES OF THE NEW 988 CRISIS LINE, AS WELL AS THE CHALLENGES FACING THE PROGRAM.

YOU CAN FIND ALL OF THOSE LINKS AT IDAHOPTV.ORG/IDAHOREPORTS.

>>> MOST OF US AGREE THAT ONE OF THE BEST PARTS ABOUT IDAHO IS ITS GORGEOUS, WIDE OPEN SPACES.

BUT THERE'S A RISK FOR THOSE OF US WHO LIVE OR PLAY OUTSIDE OF THE METROPOLITAN AREAS.

IF YOU GET INJURED, IT MAY TAKE A WHILE FOR HELP TO REACH YOU.

THAT'S NO SURPRISE, BUT THAT WAIT MAY BE LONGER THAN YOU IN 2021 THE OFFICE OF PERFORMANCE EVALUATIONS PUBLISHED A REPORT ON EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES IN RURAL IDAHO, HIGHLIGHTING FINDING AND STAFFING CHALLENGES AND POINTING OUT ABOUT SERVE OUT OFTON -- SEVEN OUT OF 10 WORKERS ARE VOLUNTEERS.

THE EMS SUSTAINABILITY TASK FORCE PLANS TO WORK WITH LAWMAKERS IN THE COMING LEGISLATIVE SESSION REGARDING THE ISSUE.

IN THE LEAD-UP TO THOSE TENTATIVE DISCUSSIONS, PRODUC RUTH BROWN SPENT TIME THIS SUMMER VISITING PARTS OF THE IDAHO WHERE EMS DIRECTORS SAY THEY'RE STRUGGLING WITH INADEQUATE FUNDING.

>> WHETHER IT'S A HEACIALT, INJURY, OR WOMAN IN LABOR.

ACCESS TO EMERGENCY SERVICE TRANSPORT IN IDAHO IS NOT A GUARANTEE.

THEY DO NOT DESIGNATE EMS AS AN ESSENTIAL SERVICE.

A REPORT FROM THE OFFICE OF PERFORMANCE EVALUATIONS RELEASED IN 2021 PRESENTED STARK ISSUES, PARTICULARLY IN THE AREAS THAT RELY ON VOLUNTEERS.

>> AS THE ECONOMY CHANGES IN McCALL AND PEOPLE ARE BUSIER WITH THEIR OWN LIVES AND PROFESSIONAL JOBS, THEY HAVE LESS TIME TO GIVE TO THE FIRE DISTRICT.

>> I THINK EVERY AGENCY IN RURAL IDAHO HAS THE SAME SUFFERINGS THAT WE DO FOR STAFFING, RECRUITMENT, AND RETENTION.

IT'S CRAZY HARD, ESPECIALLY IN THESE VOLUNTEER AGENCIES.

WE'RE ASKING THESE PEOPLE TO LEAVE THEIR JOB TO COME HELP US ON A CALL.

AND THEN IT COULD BE A CRITICAL CALL WHERE YOU'RE EXPECTED TO DO ADEQUATE CHEST COMPRESSIONS AND MAINTAIN AN OPEN-AIRWAY ALL THE WAY TO THE HOSPITAL WHILE LEAVING YOUR PLACE OF EMPLOYMENT THAT FEEDS YOUR FAMILY.

>> UP IN IDAHO COUNTY, THE AREA IS GEOGRAPHICALLY CHALLENGING.% A LARGE AREA NEEDS TO COVER FOR EMS SERVICES.

>> IT'S A TIME KILLER, ESSENTIALLY.

YOU KNOW, ON OUR WORST WINTER DAYS, OUR CALLS MIGHT TAKE AN AVERAGE OF ABOUT TWO AND A HALF TO THREE HOURS.

ONE AREA THAT WE COVER TAKES US ABOUT 40 MINUTES TO GET TO, AS A NUMBER OF RESIDENTS LIVING IN THAT AREA, AND THE HOSPITAL ANOTHER 30 TO 4 -- 50 MINUTES.

>> AND THE STRESS OF HAVING TWO EMTs IN ONE AMBULANCE.

>> I KNOW AN THEY'RE THAT -- AN AREA WHERE THEY DIDN'T HAVE ENOUGH EMTs TO GO ON THE CALL SO THEY GRABBED THE CITY MAINTENANCE WORKER TO DRIVE THE AMBULANCE AND THEN THE EMT TOOK CARE OF IT.

A YEAR AND A HALF AGO, WHEN I GOT HERE, WE WERE IN THE SAME BOAT.

I GRABBED THE CITY CLERK TO DRIVE THE AMBULANCE TO THE CALL, SO WE COULD HANDLE A CALL.

AND THEN I TOOK CARE OF THE PATIENT IN THE BACK.

THAT PUTS A LOT OF PRESSURE ON THOSE FOLKS WHO NORMALLY DON'T DO THAT.

>> THE AVAILABILITY OF AN EMT IN IDAHO OFTEN COMES DOWN TO MONEY.

McCALL DOES HAVE FIRE DISTRICT, USED TO COLLECT ATTACKS.

ON TOP -- USED TO COLLECT TACKS ON TOP OF ITS CONTRACT.

SOME OF THAT TAX REVENUE IS USED FOR EMS SERVICES.

>> WE RECEIVE ABOUT $165,000 IN TRANSPORT REVENUE TO PROVIDE EMS.

THE TOTAL COST OF PROVIDING ONE AMBULANCE 24/7 COSTS ABOUT $1.2 MILLION.

>> STATE REVENUE FOR EMS IS MINIMAL.

>> VALLEY COUNTY RECEIVES FUNDING FROM LICENSE PLATE REGISTRATIONS.

THE POPULATION IN VALLEY COUNTY IS ABOUT 11,000.

ON AVERAGE, THE COUNTY COLLECTS ABOUT -- JUST A LITTLE OVER A HUNDRED DOLLARS A YEAR FROM VEHICLE REGISTRATION FEES FOR EMS.

>> BECAUSE MANY HOMES IN McCALL ARE SECOND HOMES FOR RECREATIONISTS, THOSE RESIDENTS DON'T OFTEN REGISTER THEIR VEHICLES IN VALLEY COUNTY.

THEREFORE, DEYOUNG'S CREW DOESN'T SEE THE PROFITS OF THEIR FEES.

THE CITY OF RIGGINS IN MAY OF 2022 APPROVED AN AMBULANCE DISTRICT GARNERING 73% OF VOTER SUPPORT.

UNTIL THEN LOCAL VOLUNTEER EMS RECEIVED NO GOVERNMENT FUNDING FOR ITS SERVICES.

MEANWHILE, RIGGINS EMS ONLY RECEIVES FUNDING FOR REIMBURSEMENT FROM PATIENT BILLING, INCLUDING MID CARE, MEDICARE -- MID CADE, AND PRIVATE INSURANCE.

>> WE CANNOT PETITION TO LEVEE PROPERTY THE SAME YEAR AS THE ELECTION WAS HELD.

SO WE WON'T RECEIVE REVENUE UNTIL JANUARY OF 2024.

>> SOME LEADERS ARE NOT CONFIDENT THAT ANOTHER TAXING DISTRICT COULD BE ESTABLISHED BY VOTERS IN THE AREA.

>> WE RECEIVE NO MAJOR GOVERNMENT FUNDING.

WE DO NOT HAVE AN AMBULANCE TAXING DISTRICT.

WE DON'T HAVE AN AMBULANCE DISTRICT.

THE ONLY FUNDING WE RECEIVE FOR ITS AMBULANCE SERVICES IS FROM OUR TRANSPORTS.

AND IS THAT IS THE SITUATION THAT'S HARD IN GENERAL, JUST BECAUSE OF THE MEDICAID AND MEDICARE REIMBURSEMENT FEES.

WE RECEIVE VERY, VERY SMALL AMOUNT OF THE TOTAL COST OF THAT OPERATIONAL RESPONSE.

WHEN WE TIE IN MEDICAID, IN THE NUTSHELL, WE RECEIVE PENNIES ON THE DOLLARS TO SUPPORT THE FULL-TIME STAFF, TO SUPPORT THE VOLUNTEERS.

>> THE POSSIBILITY OF NOT RECEIVING ADDITIONAL FUNDING IS FRUSTRATING TO SOME RESPONDERS.

>> I ONCE HEARD AN ELECTED OFFICIAL SAY WHEN YOU COME TO MY COUNTY, YOU HAVE TO EXPECT YOUR HOUSE PROBABLY WILL BURN TO THE GROUND BEFORE THE FIRE DEPARTMENT GETS THERE AND YOU SHOULDN'T EXPECT TO BE TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL IN A TIMELY MANNER.

I DISAGRE WITH THAT STATEMENT.

ABSOLUTELY 100% DISAGREE WITH IT.

IT'S NOT BECAUSE I'VE IN THIS ROLE.

IT'S BECAUSE AS PUBLIC SERVANTS, WE WANT TO HELP PEOPLE.

AND EVEN THE ELECTED OFFICIAL WHO MADE THOSE COMMENTS SHOULD WANT TO HELP HIS OR HER CONSTITUENTS HAVE SURVIVABILITY OF LIFE.

>> RURAL AREAS ALSO FACE CHALLENGES WITH REC RATERS.

WHILE THOUSANDS MAY VISIT THE AREA, THEY DON'T CONTRIBUTE TO THE PROPERTY TAXES THAT HELP PAY FOR EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES.

>> IF YOU COMPARED US TO A COUNTY WITH 11,000 THAT IS NOT A TOURIST AREA, I WOULD GUESSTIMATE THAT WE RUN ABOUT 75% MORE CALLS THAN THOSE COUNTIES.

>> RIGGINS EMS IS DEFINITELY UNIQUE AGENCY IN THE STATE OF IDAHO BECAUSE OF OUR DESTINATION, OUR VACATION DESTINATION.

PEOPLE COME INTO RIGGINS FOR -- FOR INSTANCE, WHEN YOU GROW TO THE GROCERY STORE, YOU CAN'T EVEN RECOGNIZE WHO YOU'RE SHOPPING WITH BECAUSE THEY'RE OUT-OF-TOWNERS AND OUR STEEP MOUNTAINS ARE -- IT'S LIKE THIS ALL AROUND US.

SO OUR GEOGRAPHICAL LOCATION IS A LOT MORE UNIQUE THAN OTHER LOCATIONS.

>> FOR MANY RURAL AREAS, SUCH AS RIGGINS, THERE IS NO LOCAL HOSPITAL AND TRANSPORTING PATIENTS CAN BE ONE OF THE BIGGEST PROBLEMS.

>> SO WE HAVE 45 MINUTES OF LIGHTS ON ON THE HIGHWAY WITH CARS NEEDING TO FULL OVER.

SO -- PULL OVER.

SO IT'S A NERVE-RACKING JOB JUST MAKING SURE WE'RE GETTING TO THE HOSPITAL SAFE WITH OUR AMOUNT OF TRAFFIC.

WE ONLY HAVE ONE HIGHWAY THROUGH RIGGINS.

>> AND I FEEL LIKE IDAHO EMS AND FIRE IS RAILROAD WILL ALREADY UNDERFUNDED AND THE STATE LEGISLATURE SEEMS INTENT EVERY YEAR TO CUT FUNDING EVEN MORE.

AND WE'RE AT A POINT WHERE, YOU KNOW, WITH THE HOUSE BILL 389 AND THE CAP ON LEVEE RATES WITH ANNEXATION, NOT INCREASING YOUR ABILITY TO COLLECT TAXES MAKES IT IMPOSSIBLE MATHEMATICALLY FOR US TO SAVE FOR A SECOND STATION AND IT DELAYS HIRING FULL-TIME FIREFIGHTERS BY -- FIRE FIGHTER EMTs BY THREE TO FIVE YEARS.

>> THERE IS AN EMS SUSTAINABILITY TASK FORCE WITH INVESTED STAKEHOLDERS WHO WILL DON'T MEET AND PLAN TO PROPOSE A RESOLUTION DURING THE NEXT SESSION.

IF IT PASSES, THE TASK FORCE WILL CONTINUE TO PLAN AND REQUEST THAT EMS BE DEEMED AN ESSENTIAL SERVICE DURING THE 2024 SESSION AND DEVELOP A FUNDING FORMULA FOR THE STATE.

IDAHO REPORTLESS CONTINUE TO FOLLOW THIS STORY OVER THE -- REPORTS WILL CONTINUE TO FOLLOW THIS STORY OVER THE NEXT SESSION.

>>> THE INCOMING LEGISLATURE WILL HAVE TO DECIDE WHAT DO WITH THE MORE THAN $400 MILLION SET ASIDE FOR EDUCATION.

THAT INCLUDES 330 MILLION FOR K-12 PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND $80 MILLION FOR AN IN-DEMAND CAREERS FUND.

WHILE THAT ONE IS EARMARKED FOR THE BROAD PURPOSES, IT'S UP TO THE 2023 LEGISLATURE TO HAMMER OUT THE SPECIFICS AND STAKEHOLDERS ARE PROPOSING IDEAS.

OUR PARTNERS AT THE UNIVERSITY OF IDAHO SCHOOL OF JOURNALISM AND MASS MEDIA AS WELL AS KUID IN MOSCOW SAT DOWN WITH TANNER McCLAIN, PRESIDENT OF THE ASSOCIATED STUDENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF IDAHO, TO GET HIS TAKE.

>> OVER THE SUMMER I'M BRINGING ABOUT LEGISLATIVE-FUNDED MERIT-BASED SCHOLARSHIP.

WE'RE SEEKING TO REQUEST FUNDING FOR STUDENTS WHO BRAD WAIT WITH -- GRADUATE WITH 3EN IN TO 4.0 G.P.A.

RIGHT NOW IDAHO HAS A 37% GO ON RATE.

WE'RE 50TH IN THE NATION FOR GOING ON TO SECONDARY EDUCATION.

AND THERE NEEDS TO BE SOME SORT OF WE SOLVE TO THAT ISSUE AND WE BELIEVE THAT COST IS A MAJOR IMPEDIMENT TO STUDENTS GOING ON TO SECONDARY EDUCATION.

THIS SCHOLARSHIP WILL HELP ALLEVIATE THAT.

ONE-THIRD OF STUDENTS DON'T GO ON TO COLLEGE.

THESE ARE NUMBERS FROM LAST YEAR.

ANOTHER THIRD OF STUDENTS WHO GRADUATE WITH HIGH G.P.A.

LEAVE THE STATE.

SO THE IDEA BEHIND THE SCHOLARSHIP IN THE FIRST -- BY BRINGING THIS FORWARD IS TO REDUCE THE BRAIN DRAIN FROM ONE-THIRD OF THE STUDENTS WHO LEAVE THE STATE AND SUPPORT THE STUDENTS WHO GRADUATE WITH 3.9, 4.0 TO GO ON TO SECONDARY EDUCATION IN IDAHO.

LAST YEAR THIS NUMBER PROVIDED BY THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION.

21,000 STUDENTS GRADUATED WITH THE HIGH G.P.A.

IN THE STATE.

IF YOU LOOK AT THAT NUMBER, THIS WOULD COST ABOUT $8MAN MILLION -- $8 MILLION TO FUND.

RECEIVING A $4,000 SCHOLARSHIP PER SEMESTER.

SO IF EAR ABLE TO KEEP A IRD THIS OF THEM IN THE STATE -- A THIRD OF THEM IN THE STATE TO GO ON TO COLLEGE, I THINK IT WOULD BE GREAT INVESTMENT.

IN IDAHO'S EDUCATION AND WORKFORCE AND IN IDAHO'S FUTURE.

I'VE BEEN ADVOCATING FOR THIS AS MUCH AS I CAN AND I KNOW THAT YOU KNOW, THE FELLOW -- MY FELLOW STAY TUNED BODY PRESIDENTS FROM BOISE STATE, LEWIS AND CLARK, AND OTHERS ARE DOING THE BEST THEY CAN TO ADVOCATE FOR THE SCHOLARSHIP AS WELL.

I KNOW ADAM JONES AT BOISE STATE HAS TALKED TO VAST AMOUNT OF LEGISLATORS ALREADY.

WE HAVE A LOT OF BRIGHT STUDENTS IN HIGH SCHOOL.

THESE 21,000 STUDENTS WHO HAVE A 3.9 OR 4.0 SHOULD HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO GO ON TO SEEKD COLLEGE AND IDAHO IS LOSING A LOT OF TALENT TO OUTSIDE SCHOOLS, TOO THESE STUDENTS -- TO THESE STUDENTS NOT GOING ON TOGESTION AT ALL T. SCHOLARSHIP IS AN ATTACHMENT.

>> -- AN INVESTMENT.

>> WE HAVE THE UPDATE ON THE NUMBERS.

ACCORDING TO THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION, IN 2021, 45% OF STUDENTS WITH A 9.9 -- 3.9 OR HIGHER DID NOT ENROLL IN COLLEGE AND 18% WENT OUT OF STATE.

>>> KEVIN RICHERT AND KAYE THORNBRUGH JOIN US TODAY TO DISCUSS HIGHER EDUCATION UPDATES.

BUT FIRST, I WANT TO DISCUSS THE TRAGEDY AT UNIVERSITY OF IDAHO, WHERE FOUR STUDENTS WERE MURDERED IN AN OFF-CAMPUS HOME.

KAYE, THREE OF THOSE STUDENTS WERE WERE KOOTENAI COUNTY OR HAD STRONG TIES THERE.

CAN YOU TELL US HOW YOUR COMMUNITY IS DOING?

>> IT'S BEEN A SOMBER WEEK IN COEUR D'ALENE AND KOOTENAI COUNTY.

A LOT OF GRIEF FROM BOTH CLASSMATES, FAMILY MEMBERS, FRIENDS, NEIGHBORS, FORMER TEACHERS OF THOSE THREE STUDENTS, A CANDLELIGHT VIGIL EARLIER THIS WEEK WAS VERY WELL ATTENDED.

A FEW HUNDRED FOLKS SHOWED UP TO SHARE THEIR MEMORIES, TO COME TOGETHER IN THIS TIME OF GRIEF.

IT'S BEEN TOUGH.

>> KEVIN, YOU SPOKE TO A NUMBER OF PARENTS WHO HAVE STUDENTS.

WHO ARE YOU HEARING?

>> -- WHAT ARE YOU HEARING?

>> A LOT IKE LEAR WHAT WE'RE HEARING FROM THE COMMUNITY AT AVERAGE.

WHAT WE'RE HEARING FROM THE VICTIMS' FAMILIES, FROM STUDENTS, THE GREATER COMMUNITY.

THERE'S A LOT OF FEAR, A LOT OF CONFUSION, THERE'S A LOT OF UNCERTAINTY.

I HAD A NUMBER OF PARENTS REACH OUT TO ME THIS WEEK, AND IT'S A SMALL SAMPLE AND IT'S A SELF-SELECTING SAMPLE BECAUSE THESE ARE PARENTS WHO REACHED OUT.

SO IT STANDS TO REASON THAT THEY'RE REACHING OUT WITH CONCERNS.

AND THEIR BIGGEST CONCERN REALLY IS THE LACK OF INFORMATION THAT HAS BEEN RELEASED SO FAR THIS WEEK.

AND THAT REALLY HIT HOME ON WEDNESDAY AS WE WATCHED THAT NEWS CONFERENCE WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON.

IT WAS SUCH A WIDELY WATCHED NEWS CONFERENCE.

I WAS WATCHING IT OVER THE U OF IOUS YOUTUBE CHANNEL AND THERE WRRN 7,000 PEOPLE LOGGED ON THERE.

I WAS STUNNED.

IT WAS BEING STREAMED ACROSS SEVERAL OTHER PLATFORMS AND LIVE AIRED BY A NUMBER OF BROADCAST OUTFIT.

AFTER THAT NEWS CONFERENCE AND THE BIG TALKING POINT THAT WE HEARD, WERE POLICE KIND OF WALKED BACK THE IDEA THAT THERE'S NO THREAT TO THE COMMUNITY, I IMMEDIATELY HEARD FROM ACOUPLE OF PARENTS.

BOTH SAYING THAT THEY WERE DISAPPOINTED.

ONE SAYING, I'M SO GLAD MY DAUGHTER IS HOME NOW.

>> AND THAT LINES UP WITH WHAT I'M HEARING NOT ONLY FROM FAMILIES WHO HAVE STUDENTS AT UNIVERSITY OF IDAHO BUT ALSO RESIDENTS OF THE COMMUNITY WHO ARE CONCERNED AS WELL, EVEN IF THEY DON'T WORK THERE OR HAVE STUDENTS WHO GUY THERE.

-- GO THERE.

CLEARLY, THIS IS A CRIME.

IT OCCURRED OFF CAMPUS.

BUT IT DID INVOLVE UNIVERSITY OF IDAHO STUDENTS.

THERE'S BEEN SO MUCH FRUSTRATION WITH THE COMMUNICATION COMING FROM THE MOSCOW POLICE DEPARTMENT.

AND NOW ON SOME LEVEL IDAHO STATE POLICE, WITH FAMILIES WHO ARE LOOKING FOR ANSWERS.

WHAT IS A UNIVERSITY'S RESPONSIBILITY WHEN SOMETHING HAPPENS TO THEIR STUDENTS OFF CAMPUS?

>> WELL, THEIR ROLE IS SOMEWHAT LIMITED.

IT'S DEFINITELY LIMITED IN THE INVESTIGATION BECAUSE THIS INVESTIGATION IS BEING HEADED BY THE LOCAL POLICE AND THE STATE POLICE BECAUSE IT'S AN OFF-CAMPUS CRIME AND THAT WOULD PROBABLY BE THE CASE IN IT -- IF IT WAS A CRIME ON CAMPUS.

I CRIME OF THIS MAGNITUDE WOULD BE INVESTIGATED BY THE POLICE ANYWAY BECAUSE CAMPUS POLICE DON'T USUALLY HAVE THE FORENSICS CAPABILITY, THE LAB CAPABILITY TO TAKE ON A CASE LIKE THIS.

SO IT KIND OF PUTS THE UNIVERSITY IN A REALLY DIFFICULT SITUATION, BECAUSE THEY'RE NOT IN CHARGE OF THE INVESTIGATION.

THEY MAY OR MAY NOT KNOW MORE ABOUT THE CASE THAN THE GENERAL PUBLIC KNOWS.

THAT'S IMPOSSIBLE TO TELL AT THIS POINT.

AND THEIR MESSAGING IS KIND OF TIED UP IN THE MESSAGING THAT COMES FROM THE LAW ENFORCEMENT COMMUNITY.

BUT FOR STUDENTS, FOR PARENTS, WITH THE COMMUNITY, THEY'RE NOT ADDITIONAL THAT ITING AND NOR SHOULD THEY.

THEY JUST -- DIFFERENTIATING NOR SHOULD THEY.

THEY JUST WANT ANSWERS.

THEY'RE IN THE DARK AND THEY WANT A BETTER IDEA HOW SAFE ARE WE IN MOSCOW.

>> AND I KNOW THAT THERE WAS A LOT OF CRITICISM OVER WHETHER OR NOT THE UNIVERSITY SHOULD CONTINUE TO HOLD CLASSES IN PERSON THIS WEEK, WHETHER THERE SHOULD HAVE BEEN A STAY IN PLACE OR SHELTER-IN-PLACE ALERT THAT LASTED LONGER.

DIFFICULT SITUATION FOR EVERYBODY INVOLVED.

>> AND TELLINGLY, ONE OF THE THINGS I THOUGHT WAS IMPORTANT FROM WEDNESDAY, YOU HAD C. SCOTT GREEN, HE TALKED ABOUT THE DECISION TO RESUME CLASSES, MAKE IT OPTIONAL.

AND HE SAID THAT WAS BASED ON THE EXPERTISE WAS HIS EXACT WORDS.

THE EXPERTISE OF THE MOSCOW POLICE DEPARTMENT.

AND THAT CAME IN THE MIDDLE OF A NEWS CONFERENCE THAT REALLY I THINK RAISED MORE QUESTIONS FOR A LOT OF PEOPLE THAN ANSWERED QUESTIONS ABOUT THE POLICE INVESTIGATION TO DATE.

I FOUND THAT REALLY TELLING, REALLY SIGNIFICANT.

>> YEAH.

BUT AND TO BE CLEAR, MOST OF THE CRITICISM OR CONCERN HAS BEEN DIRECTED AT THE MOTZ COW P.D.

YOU COULD TELL THAT WAS VERY DIFFICULT FOR THIS CAMPUS COMMUNITY.

>> EXACTLY.

>> WE HAVE A LOT OF -- WE'LL CONTINUE TO HOLD THOSE FAMILIES AND EVERYONE AFFECTED IN OUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS.

I DO WANT TO TURN TO THE COLLEGE, THE COMMUNITY COLLEGE TRUSTEE ELECTIONS FROM THIS LAST GENERAL ELECTION.

WE HAD CONTENTIOUS RACES AT NORTH IDAHO COLLEGE AND COLLEGE OF WESTERN IDAHO HERE IN SOUTHERN IDAHO.

RARELY DO THESE RACES GENERATE SO MANY HEADLINES.

THEY'RE USUALLY UNDER THE RADAR.

KAYE, YOU COVERED THE NORTH IDAHO COLLEGE TRUSTEE ELECTIONS.

WHAT WERE THE TALKING POINTS OF THOSE RACES?

>> THESE -- RACES FOR THREE OPEN SEATS ON THE NORTH IDAHO COLLEGE BOARD CAN REALLY BE INTERVIEWED -- VIEWED AS TWO SEPARATE PLATES OF CANDIDATES, BACKED BY ALTERNATELY THE KOOTENAI COUNTY REPUBLICAN CENTRAL COMMITTEE AND A NEW PAC CALLED THE FRIENDS OF NIC.

ON ONE SIDE YOU HAVE THE FRIENDS OF NIC WHO RAN AND CAMPAIGNED VERY STRONGLY ON A PLATFORM OF PROTECTING AND EMPLOYEE SERVING NICs ACCREDITATION, RETURN TO NORMALCY OR RETURN TO ASSISTANT AT THE COLLEGE -- STABBABILITY ON THE COLLEGE.

YOU HAVE THE CENTRAL COMMITTEE'S SLATE WHO CAMPAIGNED ON BOTH THE NOTION THAT THERE IS NO RISK TO THE COLLEGE'S ACCREDITATION, THAT EVERYTHING IS FINE AND NORMAL ON THAT FRONT.

ALSO WITH A LOT OF EMPHASIS ON NEW BOARD, PUTTING IN PLACE POLICIES TO ADDRESS WHAT THEY REFER TO AS INDOCTRINATION OR IDEOLOGICAL PROBLEMS ON THE CAMPUS.

>> AND THIS COMES AFTER A PAST YEAR WHERE THE BOARD WAS AT ODDS WITH EACH OTHER AND THE FIRING OF NI CRIRKS' PRESIDENT.

-- NIC'S PRESIDENT.

WHO WON?

WAS IT THE SLATE OF CANDIDATES BOOKED BY THE REPUBLICAN CENTRAL COMMIT OR -- COMMITTEE OR THE SLATE THAT WAS TRYING TO PROMOTE THE IDEA OF STABILITY?

>> THE RESULTS CAN BE SEEN AS MIXED.

BUT AT THE END OF THE DAY IT WAS A VICTORY FOR THE CENTRAL COMMITTEE.

THEY HAD TWO CANDIDATES WHO THEY PREVIOUSLY SUPPORTED ON THE BOARD.

AND SO THEY REALLY NEEDED ONLY ONE WIN TO REGAIN CONTROL OF THE BOARD, WHICH IS WHAT THEY GOT IN THE RACE FOR DISTRICT 5, WHERE THEIR CANDIDATE MIKE WAGNER WAS SUCCESSFUL.

>> KEVIN, TURNING TO COLLEGE OF WESTERN IDAHO, WHAT WERE THE TALKING POINTS IN THESE RACES?

>> YOU KNOW, IT'S VERY SIMILAR TO WHAT KAYS THEE IS TALKING ABOUT.

SEEMS LIKE YOU HAD TO SLATES OF CANDIDATES TALKING ABOUT TWO DIFFERENT COLLEGES.

THE INCUMBENTS AND A NEWCOMER WHO WAS ALIGNED WITH THE INCUMBENTS.

THEY WERE TALKING ABOUT MEAT AND POTATOES COLLEGE ISSUES, COMMUNITY COLLEGE ISSUES.

AFFORDABILITY, TRYING TO KEEP TUITION FROZEN AS IT'S BEEN FOR THE PAST SEVEN YEARS, TRYING TO KEEP TAX RATES LOW.

TALKING ABOUT PARTNER BE WITH -- PARTICIPATING WITH BUSINESS, EXPANDING, AND BUILDING CAMPUSES IN NAPA AND BOISE.

YOU HAD THE SLATE OF CANDIDATES ALIGNING THEMSELVES WITH THE REPUBLICANS, BILLING THEMSELVES AS A REPUBLICAN TICKET, TALKING ABOUT AGENDA-BASED EDUCATION.

THEY TALKED ABOUT -- A STUDENT CLUB'S PARTICIPATION IN PRIDE.

CONFLATING THAT INTO THE COLLEGE OF WESTERN IDAHO BEING INVOLVED IN THE BOISE PRIDE EVENT.

THEY TALKED ABOUT -- THEY TALKED ABOUT PROPERTY TAXES IN THE SENSE OF WE COULD REDUCE PROPERTY TAXES.

THE INCUMBENTS WERE SAYING, WAIT A MINUTE, THE COLLEGE OF WESTERN IDAHO'S TAX LEVY -- LEVEE IS THE LOWEST OF THE FOUR COMMUNITY COLLEGES.

THAT MONEY HAS TO COME FROM SOMEWHERE.

IT COULD RESULT IN TUITION INCREASES.

YOU HAD VERY DIFFERENT VIEWS OF WHAT'S IMPORTANT AT CWI.

WHAT'S IMPORTANT GOING FORWARD.

>> TO BE CLEAR, IN BOTH CASES THESE ARE NONPARTISAN POSITION ON THE SPHUR.

>> CORRECT -- SURFACE.

>> CORRECT.

>> CWI CANDIDATES, THE SLATE OF INCUMBENTS AND NEW ULTIMATELY WON.

BUT A LOT OF MONEY WAS SPENT ON THESE CAMPAIGNS.

CAN YOU GIVE US AN IDEA OF WHO WAS CONTRIBUTING IN CUTE NAY -- KOOTENAI COUNTY?

>> SURE.

AS MENTIONED PREVIOUSLY, THIS CONTEST WAS REALLY DEFINED BETWEEN THESE TWO GROUPS, THESE TWO PACs, THE CENTRAL HAD COMMITTEE AND FRIENDS OF NIC.

WE SAW A VERY UNUSUAL AMOUNT OF MONEY POURED INTO THIS RACE, PARTICULARLY BY THE FRIENDS OF NIC, WHO COLLECTED CLOSE TO $150,000 IN DONATIONS BETWEEN JULY AND NOVEMBER.

AND SPENT CLOSE TO $110,000 OF THAT.

MOSTLY ON ADVERTISING BILLBOARDS, YARD SIGNS, YOU NAME IT.

THIS RESULTED IN AN UNUSUALLY COMPETITIVE RACE AT LEAST LOCALLY.

IN THE MOST RECENT ELECTION CYCLES, THE KOOTENAI COUNTY REPUBLICAN CENTRAL COMMITTEE HAS REALLY FINANCIALLY DOMINATED THESE RACES.

AND THEIR CANDIDATES TEND TO PERFORM VERY WELL, IF FOR NO OTHER REASON IS THEY HAVE THE RESOURCES TO BLANKET THE COUNTY AND TO SUPPORT THEIR CANDIDATES IN THAT WAY.

SO WE DID SEE MUCH TIGHTER RACES THAN I THINK A LOT OF PEOPLE WERE USED TO.

>> SURE, ABSOLUTELY.

AND WE KNOW THAT THERE WAS A LOT OF MONEY SPENT IN SOUTHERN IDAHO AS WELL ON THOSE CWI RACES.

>> RIGHT THERE.

WAS AN ORGANIZATION CALLED IDAHO'S FUTURE PAC.

THEY FORMED ON OCTOBER 21st.

SO ONLY A COUPLE WEEKS BEFORE THE ELECTION.

AS OF THIS MORNING, THEY'VE REPORTED $98,000 IN CONTRIBUTIONS AND SUNSHINE REPORTS, THERE'S A LAG IN SUNSHINE REPORTS.

SO WE DON'T KNOW THE ACT NUMBER, BUT THAT'S A BIG AMOUNT OF MONEY IN A RACE.

AND YOU GOT TO REMEMBER HOW THESE RACES ARE RUN.

THESE ARE CANDIDATES RUNNING IN A DOWN-TICKET RACE.

THEY DON'T TEND TO RAISE A LOT OF MONEY ON THEIR OWN, SO THIRD-PARTY DONATIONS ARE HUGELY IMPORTANT.

AND THE TRUSTEE RUN ACROSS ALL OF 8A AND KENYAN COUNTIES.

THAT'S A LOT OF VOTERS THEY HAVE TO REACH OUT TO.

SO THE MONEY THAT CAME IN LATE HAD TO BE A FAIRLY SPHANT FACTOR -- SIGNIFICANT FACTOR IN THE OUTCOME.

>> ANY IDEA HOW THE OUTCOME IS GOING TO AFFECT STUDENTS?

>> IT'S DIFFICULT TO SAY AT THIS POINT.

WE ARE DEFINITELY GOING TO BE SEEING A POLITICAL OR EVEN AN IDEOLOGICAL SHIFT ON THE BOARD BEGINNING NOVEMBER 30TH WHERE WE'RE GOING TO HAVE THE FIRST MEETING WITH THE FULL BOARD OF TRUSTEE.

EVERYBODY IS KEEPING AN EYE OUT ON THESE MEETINGS, AND WE'RE REALLY GOING TO BE LOOKING AHEAD TO THE SPRING WHEN WE HAVE MORE INFORMATION FROM THE COLLEGES' ACCREDITATION ORGANIZATION AND WE'LL HAVE AN IDEA OF HOW THAT SITUATION IS GOING AND IF THE COLLEGE HAS MADE SUFFICIENT PROGRESS.

>> ANY IDEA WHAT THIS NEW BOARD MIGHT BE SPECIFICALLY TRYING TO TARGET OR CHANGE WHEN IT COMES TO NIC'S CURRICULUM?

>> WELL, AS WE DISCUSSED A BIT PREVIOUSLY, A LOT OF THE CAMPAIGN CENTERED ON IDEAS OF INDOCTRINATION OR IDEOLOGICAL MATTERS ON CAMPUS, IDEAS THAT PERHAPS STUDENTS ARE BEING TAUGHT CERTAIN IDEALS, THAT CERTAIN POLITICAL AGENDAS ARE BEING EITHER ENCOURAGED OR DISCOURAGED IN THE CLASSROOM.

SO THERE IS A POSSIBILITY THAT WE MAY SEE THIS NEW BOARD PUT IN SOME POLICIES THAT ARE MEANT TO SHAPE OR TO LIMIT CERTAIN IDEAS, IDEALOGIES, POLITICAL IDEAS ON CAMPUS AND IN THE CLASSROOMS AT NIC.

>> WE HAVE A LITTLE MORE THAN A MINUTE LEFT.

BUT CAN WE EXPECT MOVING FORWARD THAT THIS IS GOING TO BE THE NEW NORMAL WHEN IT COMES TO NOT ONLY TRUSTEE RACES BUT SCHOOL BOARD RACES AND LIBRARY BOARDS?

>> I THINK SO.

AND I THINK WE'RE ALREADY SEEING EVIDENCE OF THAT.

I MEAN, WHAT HAPPENED AT NIC, THIS LAST ROUND OF ELECTIONS, IT'S THE SECOND ROUND OF THOSE KIND OF CONTENTIOUS NIC BOARD ELECTIONS.

AT CWI YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE THREE TROUSE -- TRUSTEE SEATS ON THE BALLOT IN 2024.

SO THIS IS ONLY A TWO-YEAR WINDOW WITH THE CURRENT SLATE OF TRUSTEE.

WE'VE SEEN THIS IN SCHOOL BOARD ELECTIONS WHICH IS NONPARTISAN RACES BUT YOU'RE SEEING THE OVERTONE IN LOCAL SCHOOL BOARD RACES.

ANOTHER ROUND OF THOSE NEXT NOVEMBER IN THE OFF-YEAR.

I WOULD EXPECT THIS IS THE WAY ELECTIONS ARE GOING TO GO AT THE EDUCATION -- AT THE TRUSTEE LEVEL, BOTH SCHOOL BOARDS AND COLLEGE TRUSTEES.

>> VERY BRIEFLY, ANY INDICATION THAT WE'RE GOING TO SEE THE SAME THING AT EASTERN IDAHO COL OR CSI?

>> MY UNDERSTANDING IS THERE WAS ONE CONTESTED RACE AT THE COLLEGE OF EASTERN IDAHO.

I'VE NOT FOLLOWED THAT RACE CLOSELY, BUT AGAIN, IF IT'S HAPPENING AT TWO OF THE COMMUNITY COMES, STANDS TO REASON WE'LL SEE SIMILAR POLITICS PLAY ELSEWHERE IN THE STATE.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING US TODAY AND THANK YOU FOR WATCHING.

WE'RE OFF NEXT WEEK BUT WE WILL BE BACK THAT FIRST WEEK OF DECEMBER AND WE WILL SEE YOU THEN.

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