Idaho’s Education Tops News List for 2012

BOISE, Idaho (AP) — The battle over the future of public education and ballot box rejection of the 2011 education laws has been chosen as the top story in Idaho for 2012 by The Associated Press. It's the second straight year public debate over the future of schools has dominated state headlines.

The highlight of 2012 came in November when voters rejected laws limiting collective bargaining, a teacher merit pay plan and giving high school students laptop computers. Other top stories for the year include the busy wildfire season and the fall of former Republican state Sen. John McGee, who resigned in February amid sexual misconduct allegations.

The death of Micron Technology CEO Steve Appleton in a stunt plane crash, the improving economy and troubles in the state prison system rounded out the biggest stories of the year.