City Cast Boise

After three years of making this daily podcast about all things Boise, this is our final episode of the show. Every story we’ve shared on this podcast has shown us something new about this city. In this final episode, we’re looking back at what this journey has taught us, how it’s changed the way we see Boise, and what we hope for its future.  So what’s next for the team? Host Lindsay Van Allen wi...

Coffee culture says a lot about a city, and Boise's scene is evolving. Our producer Evelyn Avitia sipped her way through the newest coffee shops to find the best spots for getting work done, grabbing a fall flavored pick-me-up, and soaking up the coffeehouse vibes with friends. She’s telling host Lindsay Van Allen which new coffee shops are really worth a visit.  Spots mentioned:  Coffee With A Tw...

Between rising costs and tighter budgets, our city is not as inexpensive as it used to be. So, we are revisiting the time our City Cast Boise team took on a challenge to see how far $50 could go, and if it was still possible to have a great time in Boise without breaking the bank. And if you hadn’t heard the news, City Cast Boise is closing down operations at the end of the week. We want to hear f...

As Christian nationalism gains ground in Idaho, many are wondering: Does this movement reflect the heart of Christianity, or has faith been hijacked for politics? We’re resharing a conversation with Boise’s Benjamin Cremer, a pastor who is critical of this movement. He and host Lindsay Van Allen are exploring what happens when religion and power intertwine, and how it’s changing life in our state....

West Ada’s school board races have drawn unusual attention. With fresh challengers stepping forward, incumbents dodging public forums, and questions swirling about the district’s transparency and values, executive producer Frankie Barnhill is asking host and local parent Lindsay Van Allen about what this election might reveal about where the community stands. Early voting starts today! Click here...

We have some sad news to share today: City Cast Boise and Hey Boise are suspending operations. Our last episode and newsletter will be released on Oct. 24.  Next week, we’ll be sharing a mix of fresh and beloved conversations, to celebrate this community and our city. And we want to include you in our final episode! Tell us how City Cast Boise has been a part of your life. From your favorite episo...

According to a new bombshell report, survivors inside women’s prisons in Idaho say they endured years of sexual abuse from staff. But when they sought help, complaints disappeared, investigations went nowhere, and retaliation became routine. Investigate West journalist Whitney Bryen joins host Lindsay Van Allen to break down her year-long investigation, look at how this culture of abuse and cover-...

Long before it became one of our city’s favorite Halloween destinations, the Old Idaho Penitentiary was a place of punishment, rebellion, and resilience. Now its crumbling cells and quiet corridors tell both ghost stories and hard truths about Boise’s history. Host Lindsay Van Allen is learning more from the Old Idaho Penitentiary's Samuel Anderson and Anthony Parry with the Idaho Historical Socie...

Boise has passed two previous open space levies, totaling $20 million in the last 25 years. So, why does the city want another $11 million, and how would the extra tax revenue be used? Host Lindsay Van Allen is joined by Conservation Voters for Idaho Executive Director Alexis Pickering to break down the levy on the ballot, what the money would go toward, and how voters are responding. For info on...

Today on the show, host Lindsay Van Allen and our ⁠Hey Boise newsletter⁠ editor, Blake Hunter, are going deeper on the headlines of the week. After 20 years with the same mayor, Garden City is ⁠finally getting a leadership shakeup⁠. Who will be their next mayor? Meanwhile, Boise State’s hunt for a new president ⁠still hasn’t produced a full slate of finalists⁠. And there’s a perfectly unserious ⁠....

Fall might be showing off right now, but we’re not convinced it’s the city’s best time of year! So, the City Cast Boise team and friend of the show Matthew Melton are diving into a seasonal showdown. They’re debating our city’s year-round offerings, from hot springs to snowy escapes to Treefort and river floats, to see which of Boise’s four seasons stands above the rest.   Want some more Boise new...

With food costs up and tariffs starting to bite, we thought it was the perfect time to revisit our favorite money-saving conversation with Boisean Heather Wheeler, who turned her coupon skills into a thriving business. The Krazy Coupon Lady is sharing her tips for spending smarter and keeping your budget strong enough to survive the next squeeze. Want some more Boise news? Head over to our Hey Boi...

Garden City neighbors are saying a proposed apartment complex is a "monstrosity" in the middle of their quiet streets, while developers argue that it is exactly what the area needs. Host Lindsay Van Allen is joined by Idaho Statesman reporter Carolyn Komatsoulis to examine the backlash, and look at whether this battle is about the design of this particular development — or the deeper transformatio...

Between federal cuts to Planned Parenthood, shrinking Medicaid reimbursements, and Idaho’s looming budget shortfall, our state’s health system safety net is looking shaky. Host Lindsay Van Allen and States Newsroom reporter Kelcie Moseley-Morris are examining how these shifts could reshape our healthcare and what choices people still have. Want some more Boise news? Head over to our Hey Boise news...

Host Lindsay Van Allen and friend of the show Ashley Townend are diving into the week’s biggest stories. Idaho’s Medicaid expansion is once again in the crosshairs, as the legislative DOGE task force scrambles to deal with our budget shortfall. At the same time, our state has earned an unsettling distinction of having one of the highest rates of uninsured children in the country.  And if you’re lo...

We heard rumors about Hemlock’s alleged $80 baked potato — and we had to know more. Our Hey Boise’s newsletter editor Blake Hunter and host Lindsay Van Allen are just a couple of Idaho kids who grew up on russets, so they made reservations to see what kind of culinary magic or madness would make a tater cost that much. The local restaurant, which opened in the spring on the ground floor of the Inn...

With the leaves turning and the evenings getting darker, the fall season has officially cast its spell over the Treasure Valley. Host Lindsay Van Allen, producer Evelyn Avitia, and From Boise’s Marissa Lovell gathered the can’t-miss events and treats to make your October magical. From pumpkin patch activities at Jordan’s Garden Center, to Fright Nights at the Idaho Penitentiary, and tasty seasonal...

Around town, it feels like everyone knows someone who was recently laid off or is struggling to find a good job. But Idaho and Boise’s unemployment rates remain low, even compared to other states, and wages have increased. So, where’s the disconnect? Host Lindsay Van Allen and our executive producer Frankie Barnhill are digging into the numbers, to find out what they can — and can’t — tell us abou...

What happens when a political party built on small government becomes obsessed with control? In Idaho, that shift is turning Republicans against libraries, public health, and even fellow Republicans. We’re re-sharing a June conversation host Lindsay Van Allen had with Greg Graf, a lifelong conservative who says the party’s gone too far.   Want some more Boise news? Head over to our Hey Boise newsl...

From a high-profile lawsuit to stop the state’s controversial school voucher law, to a troubling study about Idaho’s water system, KTVB’s Brian Holmes and host Lindsay Van Allen have plenty to talk about on this Friday’s news roundup.  Plus: Lindsay recommends checking out a wellness festival this weekend at JUMP. And Brian tells us about Bogus Basin Road’s cattle grate upgrade. (What will the tro...

Boise might be known for its casual, laid-back style, but that doesn’t mean our city’s fashion scene falls flat. Local wardrobe stylist Laura Tully is joining host Lindsay Van Allen to help us understand Boise’s evolving fashion scene, and provide her go-to styling tips so you can tap into your personal style to build an authentic wardrobe this fall season. Want some more Boise news? Head over to...

Sometimes the best seat in the house isn’t in the stadium; it’s at your favorite sports bar! And luckily, Boise has some fantastic places to soak up that game-day energy and enjoy killer menus. Today we’re resharing a conversation where 103.5 KISS FM’s Mateo and host Lindsay Van Allen round up the best of the best spots to cheer for your team this season.  Spots mentioned:  Taphouse Pub & Eatery P...

In 2020, Idaho made headlines as the first state to ban transgender women from women’s sports. The ban sparked a five-year legal battle led by Boise State student-athlete Lindsay Hecox that went all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court. Now, Hecox is removing herself from the case — but is this the end of the story? Boise State Public Radio reporter and contributor James Dawson has been following the...

In the wake of the assassination of Charlie Kirk, online comments from Treasure Valley residents led to doxxing and firings. With national leaders blurring the line between criticism and illegal speech, host Lindsay Van Allen is speaking with Seth Ashley, who leads the Communications Department at Boise State University. He’s helping us understand what speech is truly protected in Idaho, what’s fr...

It was a busy week in local news, so Boise State Public Radio’s George Prentice joins host Lindsay Van Allen to break down what you need to know. First up: Idaho leaders took part in a secretive trip to Israel, raising questions about influence and transparency as attacks escalate in Gaza. Meanwhile, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) wants to bulk up its Boise office, signaling a heavier h...