City Cast Boise

Like a morgue full of zombies, reviews can make or break a local business. So today we’re diving into one-star reviews from some of our favorite Boise spots. Host and resident quizmaster Emma Arnold puts producer Evelyn Avitia and Hey Boise newsletter editor Blake Hunter to the test! Can they guess famous Boise landmarks based only on their one-star reviews? Want some more Boise news? Head over to...

Host Emma Arnold is getting creepy-crawly with local supernatural enthusiast Julie Hahn. They dive into Boise’s haunted history—from late night phenomena at the Boise State Comms building to devious disturbances at the Old Idaho Penitentiary. Will Julie’s spooky stories keep you up at night?  Share your own Boise ghost stories by sending us a voicemail or text: 208-546-9485. Want some more Boise n...

Host Emma Arnold is joined by Hey Boise newsletter editor Blake Hunter and Boise State Public Radio’s George Prentice to chat about the week’s news. They’re talking about a surprisingly emotional mayoral forum, KTVB’s recent debate and why an editorial board endorsement is in need of a correction. Plus, they share what they’re dressing up as for Halloween!  Want some more Boise news? Head over to...

More and more people seem to be tourist-ing in our city, but is it a romantic destination? City Cast Salt Lake lead producer and newlywed Emily Means was just in town on a mini honeymoon, and she’s with us to share her fave restaurants, bars, and activities, and whether or not Boise is for lovers. Is Boise the new city of love?, Let us know by sending us a voicemail or text: 208-546-9485. Want som...

The recent resignation of six Ada County Central Committee officials is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the latest Idaho GOP drama. Lucky for us, our Hey Boise newsletter editor Blake Hunter is here with a rundown on the infighting, including purity tests, bullying, and the big, ugly divide over the open primary initiative.  Is the Republican Party in Idaho imploding?, Let us know by...

With local elections coming up and a new zoning code in place, you may be hearing a lot more of the theory that “more apartments equal more crime”. Rachel Spacek from the Idaho Statesman is here to share what the numbers actually say, what law enforcement thinks, and why this complaint just won’t seem to go away. Should Boise build more affordable housing?, Let us know by sending us a voicemail or...

After a long wait, the City of Boise finally has a new director of the Office of Police Accountability. Nicole McKay joins host Emma Arnold to talk about a worrying “lack of professionalism” in Boise law enforcement, her goals for the oversight role, and why policing should be a customer service job. Do you think this is a new era for policing in Boise, Let us know by sending us a voicemail or tex...

Host Emma Arnold and Morning Edition’s George Prentice dig into the week’s news. They’re talking about where mayoral candidates stand on a lawsuit about homelessness, a campaign ad that feels very Boise, and why the Boise Police Department says a burglary suspect could be targeting women.  Want some more Boise news? Head over to our Hey Boise newsletter where you’ll get a cheatsheet to the city ev...

Donuts are always a good idea, but where can you find the best ones? Hey Boise newsletter editor Blake Hunter and producer Evelyn Avitia join host Emma Arnold to talk about their preferred local donut spots, hidden gems, and where we never go—even when their sweet tooth is at an eleven.  What’s your favorite donut in Boise? Let us know by sending us a voicemail or text: 208-546-9485. Want some mor...

An Idaho bathroom law for transgender students is set to go into effect, but can it even be enforced? Hey Boise newsletter editor Blake Hunter and host Emma Arnold dig into the details and talk about the hidden agenda behind anti-trans bills. Plus, how two cops suing each other isn’t great timing for the mayor and why we’re excited about the West Valley Humane Society Furball Gala! Want some more...

Boise Fashion Week organizers are hosting a fashion event to highlight designers, models, and our city’s unique style this weekend. Host Emma Arnold and producer Evelyn Avitia chat with local designer Juliana Davidsmeier about how she’s preparing for the fashion show and the sustainable roots of her brand Ritual Blue. Plus, Juliana convinces Evelyn to dive into the fashion industry!  Are you excit...

Valley Regional Transit is about to go through some pretty big changes—but what does that mean for people who use the bus? Ian Max Stevenson from the Idaho Statesman joins host Emma Arnold to explain the approved redesign and tell us how VRT hopes shrinking their service area will actually increase their ridership.  Let us know your thoughts on VRT’s changes by sending us a voicemail or text: 208-...

Host Emma Arnold is joined by Boise State Public Radio’s George Prentice to dive into the week’s news. They talk Ada County Jail expansion, a mayoral candidate’s favorite Mexican restaurant, and how to safely watch Saturday’s eclipse. Plus, are there snapping turtles in the Boise River?  Want some more Boise news? Head over to our Hey Boise newsletter where you’ll get a cheatsheet to the city ever...

It’s spooky season, so what better time to talk about our city’s most infamous urban legends and myths? From notorious crime scenes and creepy lakeside clowns, citizen historian Graham McBride joins host Emma Arnold to help separate fact from fiction.  Have a Boise urban legend we missed? Let us know by sending us a voicemail or text: 208-546-9485. [Want some more Boise news? Head over to our Hey...

Albertsons is Idaho’s largest company with more than 5,000 employees and 39 stores across the state. So what would a Kroger and Albertsons merger mean for Boise shoppers? Idaho Statesman reporter Angela Palermo joins host Emma Arnold to tell us how the merger could result in one in every three of Albertsons stores being sold.  Let us know your thoughts on the Kroger/Albertsons merger by sending us...

Dozens of Republicans have endorsed Idaho’s open primary ballot initiative, but far-right critics say the method may favor Democrats. Host Emma Arnold is joined by Hey Boise newsletter editor Blake Hunter to bring us up to speed on how the change to Idaho’s primaries would work, who’s endorsing it, and how it could potentially limit extremism in the state. Want some more Boise news? Head over to o...

Boise State Public Radio’s George Prentice joins Hey Boise newsletter editor Blake Hunter to break down the latest back-and forth between Boise’s mayoral candidates and which city council races have their attention. Plus, George shares insights from his interview with Idaho-based author Kim Cross.  Let us know which city council races have your attention by sending us a voicemail or text: 208-546-...

Knowing how to navigate Boise if you’re new to our quirky city can be tricky! Luckily, host Emma Arnold, Frankie Barnhill and Minverva Jayne came up with 10 essential rules for surviving Boise. They share style tips, avoiding local faux pas and why you shouldn’t judge a book by its cover.  What rules did we forget? What hard-earned tips would you tell a newcomer to town? Let us know by sending us...

We’re five weeks out from the election and the mayoral race seems to be heating up. Host Emma Arnold is joined by Hey Boise newsletter editor Blake Hunter to chat about upcoming mayoral debates, fundraising goals, and how a candidate’s unprompted email blast may have backfired.  Want some more Boise news? Head over to our Hey Boise newsletter where you’ll get a cheatsheet to the city every weekday...

Idaho’s wine scene is surprisingly large and a little under appreciated. So wine lover Sonnay Alvarez joins host Emma Arnold to share spots you’ve been missing out on, tips for finding the best wine in town, and why fall is the best time to visit local vineyards.  Let us know your favorite winery and tasting room by sending us a voicemail or text: 208-546-9485 Want some more Boise news? Head over...

For many parents and guardians, finding child care in Boise has been a challenge — and it’s about to get worse. Emily Allen from Idaho Voices for Children joins host Emma Arnold to tell us why child care centers and their workers are in crisis and why our city is not as family-friendly as we like to think. Let us know if you’ve struggled finding child care in Boise by sending us a voicemail or tex...

Host Emma Arnold is with Hey Boise newsletter editor Blake Hunter to sort through this week’s news. They break down canceled city council elections, chilly winter weather predictions, and the loss of beloved community member Juan “J.J.” Saldaña. Plus, Emma and Blake share how they plan to spend their weekend.  Want some more Boise news? Head over to our Hey Boise newsletter where you’ll get a chea...

From legal advice to helping start your garden, Boise’s public libraries are so much more than a place to borrow books. Library Branch Manager Huda Shaltry is here to help you unlock the full power of your library card, plus she tells host Emma Arnold why the Boise Comic Arts Festival coming up this weekend is a can’t miss. Want some more Boise intel? Head over to our Hey Boise newsletter where yo...

Grab your favorite local PSL: We’re driving to the farm for the third and final installment of our fall getaway series. From Boise newsletter writer Marissa Lovell is here with Emma to share her insider tips to the best pumpkin patches, corn mazes and apple picking. Plus, why being “basic” this fall is a compliment.  Check out this chart for what’s in season in Idaho. Have a favorite farm for fall...

For the second installment of our 3-part fall getaway series, Graham McBribe joins host Emma Arnold for a haunted Idaho roadtrip to Silver City. They share history highlights, creepy hotel stories and why PBS once called this old ghost town the sixth most haunted site in America.  Would you spend the night in Silver City? Let us know by sending us a voicemail or text: 208-546-9485. Want some more...