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VIRUS OUTBREAK-IDAHO

2 more Idaho coronavirus cases announced, brings total to 7

BOISE, Idaho (AP) — Idaho health officials say two more people have tested positive for COVID-19, bringing the total number of known Idaho coronavirus cases to seven. One of the cases announced Tuesday was in a woman under the age of 50 in the Ada County region, and the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare said she had no known interactions with the other two cases previously identified in the area. The other case was in the South Central Public Health region, in a woman over the age of 50. Investigators are still trying to determine how she contracted the illness, but said she was also recovering well at home.

WOLVES KILLED-ELK POPULATION

Idaho wildlife agency kills 17 wolves in Lolo Zone

LEWISTON, Idaho (AP) — Wildlife officials say more than a dozen wolves were killed last month to help curb struggling elk populations in north-central Idaho. The Lewiston Tribune reported that the Idaho Department of Fish and Game announced Monday it killed 17 wolves in the remote Lolo Zone. The zone includes part of the Clearwater National Forests and stretches to the Montana state line. Agency officials say the agency is allowed to kill wolves and other predators when they are causing conflicts with people, or are a significant factor in deer and elk population declines. Some environmental groups have argued culling is unethical, unjustified and ineffective.

CSI-NEW PRESIDENT

College of Southern Idaho names new president

TWIN FALLS, Idaho (AP) — A provost from a New York community college will be the College of Southern Idaho's next president. The Times-News reports L. Dean Fisher, the provost of the State University of New York's Corning Community College, will be CSI's fifth president when he replaces retiring president Jeff Fox in June. Fisher said in a prepared statement that he was pleased to have the confidence of CSI's board of trustees and that he will work with Fox in the coming weeks to prepare for the transition.

EXCHANGE-BIG SKY TOURNAMENT

The day the Big Sky Conference tournament ground to a halt

MISSOULA, Mont (AP) — Big Sky Conference commissioner Tom Wistrcill is describing the fast-moving developments that led to the abrupt end of the basketball tournament as going from "the highest of highs to a lot of lows.“ Wistrcill spoke to reporters on Monday, four days after the coronavirus outbreak halted the Big Sky Conference tournament and sporting events nationwide. The commissioner says he initially believed the tournament could go on, but things started to change with the NCAA deciding to ban spectators at the national basketball tournament. He calls the cancellations one of the most stunning turn of events in his 27-year career in college athletics.

VIRUS OUTBREAK-IDAHO

Different doctors make different calls on coronavirus tests

BOISE, Idaho (AP) — Idaho health officials say people who think they need to be tested for coronavirus should talk to their doctors. But whether someone meets the criteria for the test could depend on which doctor they visit, with some health care centers using strict guidelines and others evaluating each patient on an individual basis. That has frustrations mounting for Idaho residents, who say time, money and vague instructions are putting too many roadblocks in the way of those seeking tests. On Monday morning, there were five confirmed cases of COVID-19 spread across the southern half of the state. Meanwhile the Legislature's budget committee approved $1.5 million in additional virus-related funding.

TRANSGENDER SPORTS BAN-IDAHO

Idaho bill bans transgender women, girls from competition

BOISE, Idaho (AP) — An Idaho bill banning transgender women from competing in women’s sports despite warnings that such a law is unconstitutional is heading to the House after being amended in the Senate. The Senate voted 24-11 Monday to approve the measure that would apply to all sports teams sponsored by public schools, colleges and universities. A girls’ or women’s team would not be open to transgender students who identify as female. Backers say the law is needed because transgender female athletes have physical advantages. Opponents say it discriminates against transgender girls and women, and will subject athletes to invasive tests.