City Cast Boise

Home sales have slowed to a crawl across the Treasure Valley, leaving buyers skittish and sellers frustrated. Meanwhile, uncertainty in the economy and shaky jobs numbers are adding fuel to the fire. Host Lindsay Van Allen is joined by HomeFound Group realtor Michael Miller to unpack what this moment means for prices, and where there might be an opportunity for anyone still hoping to land a home....

The Treasure Valley’s traffic is a chaotic mix of painful politeness, sudden aggression, and unpredictability as our roads keep getting busier. Today, we’re resharing a conversation where host Lindsay Van Allen, comedian Matthew Melton, and our Hey Boise newsletter editor Blake Hunter got honest and a little petty about the local driving habits we just can’t stand. Want some more Boise news? Head...

For years, West Boise residents have asked for something that many other neighborhoods take for granted: a library of their own. Now, residents like Mark Salisbury are working to make it happen. Host Lindsay Van Allen is speaking with the Citizens for a Library organizer about the price tag, the politics, and the pressure the group is ready to apply if the answer is no. Want some more Boise news?...

If autumn in the Treasure Valley feels hotter than you remember, you’re not imagining it. Our region is warming, and that means ripple effects for our health, recreation, and more. But is this weird weather or proof of a bigger climate shift? Host Lindsay Van Allen is joined by Climate Central researcher Kaitlyn Trudeau to explain what the data shows and what it would take to slow the trend.  Want...

This Friday, our Hey Boise newsletter editor Blake Hunter joins host Lindsay Van Allen to discuss how the Big Beautiful Bill will strip local refugees of vital benefits, leaving big questions about who will fill the gap. Meanwhile, the Meridian City Council shut down plans for a second In-N-Out location. And our team is still feeling inspired by the community we connected with at Pride and our fir...

Whether you crave them saucy, spicy, or perfectly crispy, the Treasure Valley has no shortage of chicken wing spots. Just in time for Boise State football season, contributor Matthew Melton joins host Lindsay Van Allen to put our favorites to the test. We found three strong contenders, but who truly has the best wings in town? Our wing restaurant finalists: The Shed Taphouse Han's Chimaek Want som...

Before our city became the family-friendly capital we enjoy, it was a rowdy western town fueled by gamblers, fortune-seekers, and scandals. In this rerun conversation, IdaHistory founder Mark Iverson is testing host Lindsay Van Allen’s knowledge of the wild stories lurking in Boise’s past. Want some more Boise news? Head over to our Hey Boise newsletter where you’ll get a cheatsheet to the city ev...

In Idaho, Californians are blamed for just about everything—from unsustainable growth to traffic to anything that’s changing. City Cast Boise neighbor Diana Parker joins host Lindsay Van Allen to flip the perspective and share what this anti-Californian sentiment looks like from the other side. Plus, they dig into what it's like to settle in Boise while being cast as the scapegoat. Want some more...

The Treasure Valley has been talking about commuter rail for decades, but with record growth and increased traffic, there's a new sense of urgency. Could this finally be the moment Boise gets on board? Host Lindsay Van Allen is joined by Idaho Statesman reporter Rose Evans to explain how realistic the proposal is.   Want some more Boise news? Head over to our Hey Boise newsletter where you’ll get...

It's Friday, and host Lindsay Van Allen and political scientist Charlie Hunt are diving into the local headlines of the week. PragerU's far-right curriculum was approved for use in Idaho schools last fall; they're taking a look at whether Treasure Valley schools are using it and asking what impact it is having on local education. Then, the City of Boise's pickleball settlement has some neighbors c...

Summer usually gets the glory, but according to Howl podcast host Heath Druzin — fall is the best time to get outside and explore Idaho. He argues that cooler weather, fewer crowds, and fiery foliage make hiking and camping even better than in the warmer months. So today, host Lindsay Van Allen is getting Heath’s inside knowledge on the best spots to check out before autumn slips away. Plus: we le...

Boise Pride Fest is going to look a little different this year, with a new location at Ann Morrison Park, a fresh parade route, and noticeably fewer corporate sponsors. Host Lindsay Van Allen is joined by Pride Executive Director Donald Williamson to unpack the challenges, beloved traditions, and why the festival matters so much in 2025. Want some more Boise news? Head over to our Hey Boise newsle...

Is September summer's grand finale or fall's soft opening? Regardless of which season you prefer, this month captures that in-between magic! Spend the day cheering on runners at FitOne with Hey Boise newsletter editor Blake Hunter, or enjoy a cozy day with a delicious fall flavor coffee pick from host Lindsay Van Allen. And Kali, also known as Tater Rater Boise, gives us the inside scoop on the mu...

Ahead of Labor Day weekend, we’re sifting through the headlines that raised our eyebrows this week. Host Lindsay Van Allen is chatting with community member Ashley Townend about the upcoming Medicaid cuts that will put our medical providers in a bind. With the state’s new $80 million deficit projections, is this just the beginning of attacks on Medicaid? Meanwhile, Boise city officials are hoping...

While some Boise neighborhoods shout for attention, the classic Ustick area has more of a quiet and hidden-in-plain-sight vibe. But with some of the city’s best coffee, history, and well-loved parks, it’s a community that deserves a closer look! Hey Boise newsletter editor Blake Hunter joins host Lindsay Van Allen to break down what makes this neighborhood so special and how you can spend the perf...

Public lands shape everyday life in Idaho, from weekend hikes to wildfire safety. But as Howl podcast host Heath Druzin explains, President Trump’s new proposal to slash the budgets of the agencies that care for them could have devastating consequences. What would these cuts mean for the future of our favorite outdoor spaces? Want some more Boise news? Head over to our Hey Boise newsletter where y...

Idaho’s population has doubled in the past 30 years, and new numbers show that growth isn’t slowing anytime soon. But not everyone wants to stick around for the boom! Today on the podcast, we’re revisiting a conversation host Lindsay Van Allen had with HomeFound Boise realtor Tom Wheeler about what’s driving locals to leave and how it’s changing our communities. Want some more Boise news? Head ove...

Moscow-based Pastor Doug Wilson is a polarizing figure known for his extreme views, which he spreads through churches and schools. His influence is spreading to Washington, D.C., where Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth shared a controversial Wilson interview on social media. Extremely American podcast host Heath Druzin joins host Lindsay Van Allen to break down why Wilson has become a central figu...

This week, host Lindsay Van Allen is diving into local headlines with friend of the show Matthew Melton. They begin with how Idaho officials are responding to President Trump after he claimed mail-in ballots can’t be trusted. Then, the latest living wage report has us asking: do you make enough to afford to live in Ada County in 2025? Plus, a cozy new shop where books and cooking classes come toge...

Running a business that helps women explore swinging and ethical non-monogamy might be taboo in most places, but what about in conservative Boise? Unicorn Landing founder Candice joins host Lindsay Van Allen to share insight into who is quietly swiping on this sex-based app and the contradictions it exposes in Idaho’s culture, where traditional family values are the norm. We’re doing our annual su...

Congress slashed funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, driving Boise State Public Radio to face a new reality. Host Lindsay Van Allen is joined by BSPR General Manager Tom Michael to break down what these historic cuts mean for the station and our state. Is this just the latest blow to Boise’s shrinking media landscape, or a chance to reshape public media? Want some more Boise news?...

A new study confirms that 35% of Idaho’s OB-GYNs have walked away since the Dobbs decision and our abortion ban laws went into effect. Host Lindsay Van Allen is talking with lead researcher Dr. Ed McEachern and family practice physician Dr. Deb Roman about the long-term impacts and whether this data could sway lawmakers or voters at the ballot box. Want some more Boise news? Head over to our Hey B...

Student directories may seem harmless, but Department of Homeland Security agents began using them to target students for ‘welfare checks’ in the Treasure Valley. Host Lindsay Van Allen is joined by Investigate West reporter Rachel Spacek to break down how this raising questions about whether schools can truly be safe for all students.  Want some more Boise news? Head over to our Hey Boise newslet...

It’s Friday, and political scientist Charlie Hunt is joining host Lindsay Van Allen to break down the week’s biggest headlines. They begin with a⁠ new GOP-backed ballot initiative⁠ that would scrap Idaho’s grocery sales tax and ask why the Republican-led legislature hasn’t done it themselves. Also, Boise is leading the nation in ⁠the fastest-rising rents,⁠ while ⁠commutes are slowing to a crawl⁠....

The Treasure Valley’s still baking in this heat, so host Lindsay Van Allen is cooling off with a sweet throwback to the delicious and chaotic world of dirty sodas. In this re-run, Deseret News writer Meg Walter explains how the Utah drive-thru phenomenon made waves in the Boise summer drink scene. We’re doing our annual survey to learn more about our listeners. We’d be grateful if you took the sur...