Blake Jones Profile Banner
Blake Jones Profile
Blake Jones

@jonesblakej

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California education & budget: @politico l Ex: @TheIdahoPress , @IdahoEdNews l 📧: bjones @politico .com

Sacramento, CA
Joined September 2017
Don't wanna be here? Send us removal request.
@jonesblakej
Blake Jones
3 years
At the Idaho State Board of Education's meeting today: Idaho Association of School Administrators Executive Director Andy Grover says eight Idaho school teachers and administrators have died of COVID-19 since school started in August. #idedu
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@jonesblakej
Blake Jones
3 years
NEW: The West Ada School District will begin temporarily mandating masks for students, staff and visitors beginning Friday, Sept. 10, says Superintendent Derek Bub. The district will review that decision Sept. 24 after another look at COVID-19 numbers.
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@jonesblakej
Blake Jones
3 years
#Personal — I'm excited to share that tomorrow, I start work at @idahoednews covering the politics and policy of Idaho's K-12 system. I'm so happy to have the chance to cover a beat I'm deeply interested in alongside journalists I've followed since before I joined the profession.
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@jonesblakej
Blake Jones
2 years
Some exciting news: I'm joining @politicoca / @politico next month to cover California education! I can't wait to get to work with an outstanding team of journalists on May 10.
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@jonesblakej
Blake Jones
2 years
Today is my first day @politicoca ! Say hi and send Sacramento restaurant recs to bjones @politico .com.
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@jonesblakej
Blake Jones
4 years
#Personal : I’ve wanted to work in journalism for a very long time, and this week, I get to do it full time for the first time. I’ll again follow in the footsteps of the talented @salsuppe in covering Meridian and Kuna for @TheIdahoPress , @meridianpress and @kunamelbanews ...
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@jonesblakej
Blake Jones
3 years
I love waking up to good morning texts from my #gracious #fans !
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@jonesblakej
Blake Jones
2 years
Not sure what else I expected:
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@Ximena_Bustillo
Ximena
2 years
That feel when you get bit by a fox leaving Capitol cause that’s of course something I expect in THE MIDDLE OF DC.
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@jonesblakej
Blake Jones
4 years
Over 100 Black Lives Matter protesters are chanting in one Boise location. A speaker is calling for the elimination of qualified immunity for police officers.
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@jonesblakej
Blake Jones
3 years
I’m grateful to have returned from a (pre-storm) day hike to a handful of #idahopressclub awards! Congrats to all the talented journos and friends celebrating today! Gently put, 2020 was a tough year.
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@jonesblakej
Blake Jones
3 years
This decision effectively eliminates the option to opt-out of masking for both students and staff, as the district previously allowed.
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@jonesblakej
Blake Jones
4 years
#BREAKING : Former Idaho Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Luna is the Idaho GOP's new chairman. He defeated Bonneville County's GOP chair on a 274-262 vote.
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@jonesblakej
Blake Jones
4 years
Idaho Secretary of State lists turnout rates so far in some of the state's most populous counties: Ada: 82% Blaine: 84% Bonner: 74% Kootenai: 80% Canyon: 76% #idpol
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@jonesblakej
Blake Jones
4 years
INBOX: West Ada Education Association President Eric Thies released the following statement ahead of the West Ada School District's 3 p.m. board meeting that's starting in a few minutes.
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@jonesblakej
Blake Jones
3 years
I quoted SPLC twice. It's a household name with a well-known reputation. Readers are smart and can decide for themselves whether they agree with the center's goals and characterizations. This is the first complaint I've seen, and no one has come to me with concerns.
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@jonesblakej
Blake Jones
3 years
Idaho School Boards Association President-elect Jason Knopp withdrew from the “Task Force to Examine Indoctrination in Idaho Education” Friday, a week after the committee’s first meeting. #idpol #idedu
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@jonesblakej
Blake Jones
3 years
The Senate has officially adjourned sine die. #idleg
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@jonesblakej
Blake Jones
4 years
Lots of hugs and handshakes this morning as ID Republican legislators prepare to discuss their priorities for the 2021 session.
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@jonesblakej
Blake Jones
2 years
A1 Sacramento taco rec courtesy THE @nicoleMfoy
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@jonesblakej
Blake Jones
3 years
Lisa took countless hours to explain development and city government to me, but her kindness stood out most. She shared coffee and candy with me at city council meetings to help me get through some brutally long days. This is such sad news.
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@jonesblakej
Blake Jones
11 months
New: The Rocklin Unified board becomes the 5th in CA to require staff to tell parents when a child identifies themselves as trans @ school. Vote comes after a 6+ hour meeting and after the first such policy (Chino Valley's) was temporarily blocked in court Wednesday.
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@jonesblakej
Blake Jones
2 years
sine til i die
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@jonesblakej
Blake Jones
3 years
The students — predominantly from Treasure Valley high schools — took aim at a proposal that would prohibit public schools from teaching “racist or sexist concepts.”
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@jonesblakej
Blake Jones
2 years
NEW: University of California report on UCLA's departure for the Big Ten was just released:
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@jonesblakej
Blake Jones
1 year
It has been a great first year at Politico. I'm still accepting Sacramento restaurant recs (and always welcoming May Revision gossip).
@jonesblakej
Blake Jones
2 years
Today is my first day @politicoca ! Say hi and send Sacramento restaurant recs to bjones @politico .com.
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@jonesblakej
Blake Jones
3 years
Chairman Lance Clow coming out strong with the dad jokes at House Ed's first meeting of the year: There's a town in North Idaho called Hope. There's a town just to the East of that that's beyond hope.
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@jonesblakej
Blake Jones
4 years
Tonight, the West Ada School District will decide whether it will go with an all-online or hybrid model to begin the school year on Sep. 8. Updates to come.
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@jonesblakej
Blake Jones
2 years
The biggest adrenaline rush I've had in a while: Wordle 251 6/6 ⬜⬜⬜⬜⬜ ⬜🟩⬜⬜⬜ ⬜🟩⬜⬜⬜ ⬜🟩⬜⬜🟩 ⬜🟩⬜⬜🟩 🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩
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@jonesblakej
Blake Jones
2 years
Fellow College of Idaho alum @sadiedittenber started at @idahoednews this week. If you’re interested in #idedu , give her a follow!
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@jonesblakej
Blake Jones
3 years
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@jonesblakej
Blake Jones
6 months
For those following CA school board fights... A lawsuit will move forward against the Temecula Valley Unified school board over its policies banning critical race theory and requiring staff to alert parents if a child shows signs of being trans. (1/x)
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@jonesblakej
Blake Jones
6 months
NEW: A vote to recall Temecula school board President Joseph Komrosky, who went viral for calling Harvey Milk a "pedophile" and sparred with Gov. Gavin Newsom, is officially on.
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@jonesblakej
Blake Jones
1 year
The blue state’s top cop pressed the district for documents justifying its decision to block textbooks for first through fifth graders, and asked for information on its curriculum adoption policies. via @politico
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@jonesblakej
Blake Jones
4 years
Not the best photo, but here's this year's "Idaho Conservative Agenda."
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@jonesblakej
Blake Jones
2 months
Scoop: Gavin Newsom and the California Teachers Association announced a budget deal to stakeholders yesterday, less than a week after CTA released an ad needling the gov over his education budget proposal.
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@jonesblakej
Blake Jones
6 years
It isn't Little Caesars but it is hot (off the press) 'n ready! Stop by McCain or KAIC and grab your copy today. #coyote #coyotenews
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@jonesblakej
Blake Jones
2 years
PR pitches are not getting less weird.
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@jonesblakej
Blake Jones
3 years
. @KevinRichert consistently writes about the fundraising picture in key political races. Reporting on a campaign finance edge is in line with past @idahoednews reporting, and provides notable information to voters and politicos. It's baseless to call this "free advertising."
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@jonesblakej
Blake Jones
3 months
NEWS: California has reversed a three-year population decline thanks to a rebound in legal immigration, drop in Covid-19 deaths, and other factors. In 2023, the state grew by 67k people. via @politico
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@jonesblakej
Blake Jones
3 years
That's not to mention key omissions in this post. E.g. I was never offered the comments, even with names redacted, unless I paid hundreds of dollars for two week's worth of records. (1/x)
@KevinRichert
Kevin Richert (Never Been Checked) 🇺🇦
3 years
. @idahoednews was a plaintiff in this lawsuit, so @jonesblakej ’s name appears in some of the stories. I’m proud we’re part of this fight to bring public documents into public view To coin the phrase, this piece reads like so much @idahofreedom “bitching and moaning.”
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@jonesblakej
Blake Jones
2 years
As states expand free pre-K, child cares, already battered by the pandemic, are bracing for a raid on their staffs.
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@jonesblakej
Blake Jones
3 years
This is a big hit for Idaho (and EdNews), but I'm pumped to keep learning from your thoughtful investigative reporting when you find your next spot!
@sami_edge
Sami Edge
3 years
🚨 Life news 🚨 This is my last week with @idahoednews . I'm headed to Oregon in search of my next adventure. I'm so grateful for the Idaho students and families who trusted me with their deeply personal stories about mental health, homelessness and discrimination.
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@jonesblakej
Blake Jones
3 years
@davlinnews @A_Research_Guru I’ll second that. Lexapro has been a huge help with my depression and anxiety, and I’ve noticed virtually zero side effects.
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@jonesblakej
Blake Jones
3 years
"EL Education" or English language learner education? If you're watching the indoctrination task force (or not), @sami_edge and I have context:
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@jonesblakej
Blake Jones
3 years
I'm back on Twitter after a wonderful week off. While I was away, this story published. It took considerable time, and lays out some far-reaching implications for campaign finance reporting requirements at nearly every level of elections in Idaho. #idedu #idpol
@jonesblakej
Blake Jones
3 years
Changes to Idaho's sunshine law contributed to 45% of school board candidate fundraising being reported after the November election. Those same changes to reporting requirements will apply to statewide office elections for the first time next year. #idpol
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@jonesblakej
Blake Jones
3 years
I've heard administrators within the Kuna School District repeatedly talk about how many high school students began working, some in ag, when schools went virtual/hybrid. It's one of the reasons board members gave for making a return to daily in-person learning optional.
@nicoleMfoy
Nicole Foy
3 years
Almost a year since Idaho schools closed & we began hearing about more students joining Zoom class from work trucks, spending school hours in the fields We felt crazy because no one else was reporting it. Then stories from other states began to follow
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@jonesblakej
Blake Jones
4 years
I'm at Gov. Little's press conference on unemployment and economic recovery this morning. Thread to come ...
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@jonesblakej
Blake Jones
4 years
#NEW : Meridian Mayor Robert Simison will tap longtime deputy police chief Tracy Basterrechea as Meridian’s new chief of police, Simison tells @MyMeridianPress . Expect a formal announcement sometime this afternoon.
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@jonesblakej
Blake Jones
4 years
A look at the turnout for the "Idaho Health Care for Black Lives Rally" so far:
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@jonesblakej
Blake Jones
4 months
The six-figure, no-bid contract raising eyebrows in Los Angeles via @melmason
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@jonesblakej
Blake Jones
4 years
I’m excitedly looking forward to covering Meridian, my hometown, and seeing my byline in the newspaper box I once passed by every day as I entered the neighborhood hosting my childhood home. That's enough blubbering. Drop tips to bjones @idahopress .com; please and thank you!
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@jonesblakej
Blake Jones
1 year
NEW: The @CalCommColleges has named Kern Community College District Chancellor Sonya Christian as its next chancellor.
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@jonesblakej
Blake Jones
3 years
Lt. Gov. @JaniceMcGeachin ’s indoctrination task force is off. #idpol #idedu
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@jonesblakej
Blake Jones
2 years
@dsbodkin "Big Kev's hit team?" Don't they know our reporting corps goes by "Big Kev and the boys?"
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@jonesblakej
Blake Jones
5 years
“We need to move off of supplemental levies for the school funding,”' Senate Tax Chairman Jim Rice told the Idaho Press. “'That will help with the property tax situation.”' Full story from @BetsyZRussell :
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@jonesblakej
Blake Jones
2 years
@dsbodkin As a retired sandwich artist, I can confirm he is not alone.
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@jonesblakej
Blake Jones
3 years
Check out @pfannyyy 's first story for @idahoednews , and give him a follow! #idedu
@pfannyyy
Kyle Pfannenstiel
3 years
How will the election affect East Idaho schools? Four trustee-elects who talked with me stressed traditional education offerings, like career readiness, rather than hot-button issues that dominated some campaigns statewide.
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@jonesblakej
Blake Jones
2 years
:((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((
@KevinRichert
Kevin Richert (Never Been Checked) 🇺🇦
2 years
A co-worker thought the #idleg might actually adjourn sine die today. It would be mean for me to name said co-worker on this platform.
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@jonesblakej
Blake Jones
2 years
I’m off this week but I feel it’s important to break my Twitter hiatus to address the elephant in the room: Why hasn’t @JohnCena followed me yet?
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@jonesblakej
Blake Jones
3 years
Idaho is one of six states that don't provide added funding for high-poverty schools via their funding formulas. #idedu
@All4Ed
All4Ed
3 years
Check out @edtrust & @edbuild 's newly updated FundEd tool: FundEd provides data on each state’s education funding laws - including levels of support for groups of students from low-income backgrounds, those learning English, and those with disabilities.
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@jonesblakej
Blake Jones
4 years
The Idaho State Board of Education special board meeting is about to kick off. Next steps for Kuna and other Idaho schools amid coronavirus concerns may become clearer. @kunamelbanews
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@jonesblakej
Blake Jones
2 years
Interesting math here: "... the commission focuses on reducing the Hispanic unemployment rate, which sits at 12%, per the Director’s report to the legislature this year. Focusing on this group would alienate the remaining 88% of the unemployed population..."
@idahofreedom
Idaho Freedom Foundation
2 years
House Bill 758 – Commission on Hispanic Affairs, FY23 appropriation and FY22 supplemental #idleg #idpol
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@jonesblakej
Blake Jones
3 years
Members include an Idaho Freedom Foundation employee, a charter school leader who pushed to use the Bible in public schools and a reverend who appears to be a North Idaho Evangelical Christian leader. #idedu #idpol
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@jonesblakej
Blake Jones
4 years
After debating with and against her collegiately and reporting alongside her at protests, I know that Ximena's career and talent have no ceiling. For anyone interested in U.S. politics, she is and will continue to be an essential follow.
@Ximena_Bustillo
Ximena
4 years
#personal : I have totally spent the last four years of my life dreaming of moving to Washington, D.C. to pursue a career as a politics & policy reporter I am fortunate to now have the opportunity with an extension of my time @politico ! Tomorrow I will take off on a new adventure!
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@jonesblakej
Blake Jones
4 years
For 12 hours a day, seven days a week, a group of Kuna firefighters are working on the front lines trying to contain wildfires in northern California.
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@jonesblakej
Blake Jones
4 months
NEWS: CA will this year allow families of mixed immigration status to apply for state financial aid using a form designed for undocumented students, an effort to help students hardest hit by the glitch-filled rollout of a simplified Free Application for Federal Student Aid form.
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@jonesblakej
Blake Jones
4 years
Here's my story on Ed Klopfenstein's resignation. The West Ada School District's board chairman stepped down amid disagreements with fellow trustees and "internal conflicts" that led Klopfenstein to declare "obviously, I'm not a leader."
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@jonesblakej
Blake Jones
4 years
Some business leaders in Meridian and Boise are speaking out against state lawmakers' efforts to end the state of emergency over COVID-19. Though one such proposal was sent back to committee today, others have been floated. #idpol #idleg
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@jonesblakej
Blake Jones
3 months
What if I told you... ...that trailer bill language for the never-been-done-before Proposition 98 maneuver that EVERYONE'S BEEN TALKING ABOUT just dropped?
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@jonesblakej
Blake Jones
2 years
For those who remain on the bird app, I'm going to thread some interesting edu bills introduced in the '22-'23 #CAleg here:
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@jonesblakej
Blake Jones
3 years
Motion to introduce the proposal fails on a 4-4 tie.
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@jonesblakej
Blake Jones
6 years
Jamie Schanbaum: activist, paralympian and survivor via @idahopresstrib
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@jonesblakej
Blake Jones
4 years
#NEW : Kuna City Council just unanimously declared Kuna a Second Amendment Sanctuary City after no discussion. Story coming. #idpol
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@jonesblakej
Blake Jones
7 months
heartfelt thank you to Chris for tailoring his X feed to my interests during budget week. more tk, i hope
@ccadelago
Christopher Cadelago
7 months
the lao said california’s budget deficit is $68 billion but gavin newsom is saying that the real number is actually way smaller than that and that they didn’t account for december’s tax receipts
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@jonesblakej
Blake Jones
3 years
In light of the 'Add the Words' proposal being reintroduced in the #idleg , I'd be curious to know whether the Bostock v. Clayton County SCOTUS ruling has resulted in any kind of federal crackdown on anti-LBGTQ+ workplace discrimination in Idaho, or elsewhere.
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@jonesblakej
Blake Jones
2 years
There are too many people to thank for making my time in Idaho great, but I'm really going to miss my better half on the @idahoednews statehouse team, @KevinRichert , for his whit and mentorship. And @HollyABeech , who taught me so much of what I know about journalism.
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@jonesblakej
Blake Jones
3 years
Local government officials are calling on the #idleg to reindex the homeowner's exemption, but a proposal to curtail municipalities' budgets to pay for tax cuts has more pull with some key lawmakers. #idpol w/ @RachelSpacek
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@jonesblakej
Blake Jones
2 years
@abbottalynn @KevinRichert @theidaho97 A polemic arguing that mainstream GOP candidates' debate pullouts are predictable and good with passing references to the media's "kid gloves" does little to explain how reporters were "played like a fiddle." Suggestions for reforming debates don't explain that either.
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@jonesblakej
Blake Jones
3 years
Meridian City Council is debating freezing all annexations into the city for six weeks while SB 1108 is up for consideration in the Idaho Legislature. That bill, meant to reduce property taxes, would restrict and limit local gov budgets in a number of ways... #idpol #idleg
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@jonesblakej
Blake Jones
3 months
“This is very different because this is student against a student,” @UCBerkeley Chancellor Carol Christ said in an interview in February. “It’s faculty against faculty. It’s internally the most divisive protest issue that I’ve seen.”
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@jonesblakej
Blake Jones
3 years
What a great add by the @IdahoStatesman ! @RachelSpacek will bring so much to this team.
@chaddcripe
Chadd Cripe
3 years
I've spent much of the past month trying to reload our staff at the @IdahoStatesman — and we're making some serious progress. Next up: @RachelSpacek will be joining us May 3 to cover Meridian, Eagle and Canyon County. We're thrilled to bring her aboard!
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@jonesblakej
Blake Jones
3 years
Frankly, I don't even get to the unsubstantiated claim that there is "little to no real journalistic value in recovering the names of the people who complained" at the point where copies of comments without names included would have cost hundreds when "resources are limited."
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@jonesblakej
Blake Jones
5 months
First in Playbook: The November ballot initiative campaign to require that California hs students take a personal finance course will this morning turn in the signatures needed to qualify the measure.
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@jonesblakej
Blake Jones
3 years
A reMarkable career! #MarkJohnson
@natasnw
NATAS Northwest
3 years
Congratulations to award-winning anchor @Emjayktvb , who has announced his up-coming retirement from @KTVB . Mark has served Idaho viewers for 30 years. His final broadcast on KTVB will be on December 23, 2021. What a remarkable career, Mark!
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@jonesblakej
Blake Jones
8 months
The local angle!
@mercnews
Mercury News
8 months
Palo Alto High grad loses Senate staffer job after allegedly filming sex tape in Senate hearing room
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@jonesblakej
Blake Jones
2 years
. @GovernorLittle said he and lawmakers are nearing a consensus on a proposal to fund full-day kindergarten. What is that consensus? "It's a surprise," Little quipped at a virtual press event this morning. #idleg #idedu
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@jonesblakej
Blake Jones
6 months
NEW: University of California leaders have delayed implementation of a plan to allow students without legal immigration status to hold campus jobs for at least a year.
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@jonesblakej
Blake Jones
2 years
It was a whirlwind #idedu day at the #idleg : First off, a bill to give $1,000 bonuses to state-paid K-12 school staff clears the Legislature. (Plus a lot of other action in today's roundup)
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