Idaho biz reporter leaves beat

David Staats, the business editor of the Idaho Statesman, writes about the departure of Bill Roberts from the business desk.

Staats writes, “Roberts has been a Statesman reporter for a quarter century. He was covering education when the financial crisis struck in 2008. As banks started failing across the land, we needed a reporter who could get up to speed quickly. Roberts rose to the challenge. When the First Bank of Idaho in Ketchum collapsed in 2009, he was ready. He’s kept watch on other struggling Idaho banks, too.

“He has written more on Micron Technology, and with more authority, than any other reporter in Idaho. He has plunged into a wide range of general business story assignments with his trademark enthusiasm.

“And he has covered the heck out of the Idaho economy. This week’s cover story might be the last economic story Roberts writes for BI. It’s a fascinating look at an emerging problem none of us saw coming: a labor shortage. It’s the kind of cutting-edge story Roberts likes.

“Now, though, Roberts is returning to his first love: education. You’ll still see his byline in the Statesman regularly and in BI occasionally. He still has one BI cover story to write in the next few months about a well-known Idaho business.”

Read more here.