Briefs Oct. 8, 2010

School standards hearing on Tuesday

COEUR d'ALENE -

The Idaho State Department of Education will host a public hearing on the proposed K-12 Common Core State Standards for mathematics and English language arts on Tuesday at 6 p.m. at North Idaho College's Student Union Building in Coeur d'Alene.

Idaho has worked with 47 other states, two territories and the District of Columbia over the past year to develop the more rigorous, common standards in math and English language arts that are comparable other countries.

The proposed Common Core State Standards were initially approved by the Idaho State Board of Education in August. Content experts explained the standards and gathered feedback in June and September.

The standards will go back before the state board for official approval in November. If approved, the standards will go to the Legislature in January 2011 for final approval.

The standards can also be reviewed and commented on at http://www.sde.idaho.gov/site/common/.

Board votes to get tough on mercury

BOISE (AP) - The Idaho Board of Environmental Quality unanimously backed new rules that would toughen state controls for mercury emissions.

Wednesday's 5-0 vote was hailed by environmentalists, who have been pushing the issue for more than a year.

Minnick receives immigration grade

BOISE (AP) - A national group that supports curbs on immigration has weighed in on Idaho's 1st Congressional District race, calling both Democratic U.S. Rep Walt Minnick and his Republican challenger a "true reformer."

NumbersUSA president Roy Beck says Minnick earned a B grade based on his voting record in the U.S. House. The group did not give state lawmaker Raul Labrador, an immigration attorney, a grade because he doesn't have a record in federal office.

Both candidates were labeled a "true reformer" after filling out the group's 12-question survey on immigration, which has become a centerpiece of the congressional race.

On the survey, Minnick and Labrador agreed on all but one of the questions.

Minnick said he wouldn't support a move by Congress to deny automatic U.S. citizenship to children born to undocumented persons. Labrador did not take a position on the survey.