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Growth, recession, the transition of Idaho’s economy, and the effects of change on Idahoans.

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November 30, 2011

Idaho’s Food Stamp Rolls Nearly Triple in Four Years

Two families from Nampa were featured in an NBC piece this week about the high demand for food assistance and the rush to purchase food on the first of the month, when money is deposited into recipients’ accounts.  What the piece doesn’t detail is the number of Idahoans enrolled in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program […]

November 29, 2011

Idaho’s Poverty Rate Higher Than the National Average, Neighboring States

Idaho’s poverty rate has increased 1.4 percent from 2009 to 2010.  The U.S. Census Bureau released new poverty and income estimates for 2010 today.  The data includes Idaho’s state poverty and income estimates, plus, rates on a county-by-county level and for each school district. The annual estimates are based on a combination of data from […]

November 28, 2011

Idaho Poised to Lead the Nation in Medical Job Growth

A recent study finds Idaho will lead the nation in the creation of new jobs in the health sciences sector.  Georgetown University’s Center on Education and the Workforce published this study earlier this month.  The report forecasts job demand.  More specifically, it looks at the kinds of jobs that will be available for high school […]

November 25, 2011

Essential StateImpact: Top Five Stories of the Week

Now that Black Friday is almost over and you’re letting all that turkey and stuffing digest, take a look back at the stories that got the most clicks and comments this week. Ten Idaho Lawmakers Sign Norquist’s Anti-Tax Pledge:  One of the people being blamed for the supercommittee’s failure (often by Democrats, and on occasion […]

November 15, 2011

Rural Communities and the Funding Crunch

StateImpact’s recent story about Fairfield, in Camas County, described the about-face the town has suffered due to the recession. What it didn’t talk about is the town’s water system.  In short, it’s not great.  Right now, a water pressure problem allows bacteria to build up, clogging meters, pipes and distribution lines.  That can have some unhappy […]

November 14, 2011

Looking at Numbers, Finding a Story

When I went to Camas County to report our recent story about Fairfield, I was thinking about numbers.  The county is rural and small.  That means it has a low population — about 1,100 people — which makes its unemployment rate a moving target.  In August, unemployment in Camas County stood at 16.7 percent.  Only […]

November 11, 2011

Essential StateImpact: 5 Most Viewed Stories of the Week

These are the stories that got the most views, comments and shares this week.  In case you missed one, we put them all in the same place for your reading pleasure! As always, we want to hear from you — comment on the stories and share them with your friends. Labor Director Opposes Extending Unemployment […]

November 7, 2011

Idaho Sales Tax Collections Aren’t Meeting Expectations

The Division of Financial Management reports Idaho’s general fund balance was $1.6 million less than predicted for the month of October. “This month’s shortage was caused by the sales tax that came in $4.1 million below its target. This shortfall was partially offset by the remaining revenue categories that all came in above their predicted […]

Poverty Rises in the West Using New Census Bureau Calculation

The U.S. Census Bureau released a new and expanded measure of domestic poverty today.  Unlike the official poverty line, which is calculated based on food costs, the Census Bureau’s Supplemental Poverty Measure takes into account things like geographic differences in the cost of living and the assistance received through public benefits like food stamps. We […]

November 4, 2011

This Week’s Essential StateImpact Idaho

Kanpai Girl / Flickr These are the five stories that got the most clicks, comments and shares this week.  In case you missed one, we put them together in this handy list.  Just click the blue link to read more! In the Wake of Foreclosure, a Debt that Won’t Die: Ben and Lori Jensen thought […]

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