About 18 months ago, the federal agency that provides about three-fourths of the funding for a statewide high-school broadband project cut off the monthly cash flow while it launched an investigation into the legality of Idaho's contract with the project's vendors.

The Legislature, under pressure to keep the Idaho Education Network from going dark, approved in March an $11.4 million bailout to keep the program afloat through February.

With about five months of funding left, the state is champing at the bit to get the federal "e-rate" payments restored. As of Aug. 31, the feds have withheld more than $8.5 million in payments. Full story. Cynthia Sewell, Idaho Statesman

Is there any positive news on the Idaho education front?

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