City Cast Boise

In the first installment of our Summer Entertainment Guide, we’re coming in hot with a fan favorite: patio season. We’re so spoiled in Boise, we almost have too many choices! Luckily, 103.5 Kiss FM’s Mateo has the lowdown on the best happy hours, most breathtaking views, and which spots have people-watching for days. Plus, apparently we have some pretty spectacular rooftops too! Let us know your g...

We like to think of Boise as a place where all are welcome, but our history has some dark secrets of exclusion. To mark Pride Month, citizen historian Graham McBride is here to walk us through a 1950s scandal where more than a dozen gay men were arrested for engaging in consensual sex. We’re talking secrecy, prejudice, and how the “boys of Boise” story still has echoes today.   We’re doing a surve...

The James Beard Foundation awards ceremony for restaurants is tonight in Chicago, and for the first time, two Idaho chefs are finalists. Salvador Alamilla of AMANO and Kris Komori of KIN are talking with host Emma Arnold about what tonight means to them. Plus, they share the food they eat in Boise when they’re not working in their kitchens.  Watch the award ceremony livestream here Monday at 4:30...

It’s your Friday news download! Rachel Spacek with the Idaho Statesman is here to give us the latest on the city’s wild housing market. From rental assistance drying up to why homeowners might save money on their taxes this year, there’s a lot to sift through. We also share a moment of joy from the City of Boise this week. Plus, is Meridian jealous of the Greenbelt?  We’re doing a survey to learn...

The joke goes that Boise’s about 15 years behind every trend. But with our love of outdoorsy gear, did we just become unintentionally trendy? Style icon and producer Evelyn Avitia is here to critique our latest fits, break down the “gorpcore” look, and share tips on how to have your own fashion moment this summer. What do you think Boise’s fashion taste this season? Let us know by sending us a voi...

Friday is National Donut Day, so we’re asking the big maple-frosted question: Who has the best donuts in the Treasure Valley? Hey Boise newsletter editor Blake Hunter and producer Evelyn Avitia are with Emma to talk fave local spots, hidden gems, and where they 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 tex...

Summer concerts are just around the corner, and lots of touring bands are stopping in Boise. But it wasn’t always so easy to persuade bands to play here. As we get our summer concert schedule squared away, we’re revisiting a conversation Emma had with Greg Hahn from Surel’s Place. He shares his theory of how isolation shaped our arts and culture scene, for good and not-so-good.  Agree with Greg’s...

KTVB’s Alex Duggan and City Cast Boise lead producer Frankie Barnhill are with host Emma Arnold to break down the week’s news. They’re talking Boise mayoral and city council race updates, the Moscow murder trial gag order, and why Bryan Kohberger remained silent during his Monday court appearance. Plus, our Memorial Weekend plans! Want some more Boise news? Head over to our Hey Boise newsletter wh...

The pandemic was the breaking point for a lot of Boise service industry workers. But are things any better for them now? Host Emma Arnold is talking with local bartender and comedian Norelle Bond about the state of tending bar in downtown. They get into bad customer behavior, murmurs of unionizing, and why the $3.35/hr minimum wage just doesn’t cut it anymore in Boise. Plus, we find out whether Bo...

Want to start a veggie garden but not sure where to start? Master gardener and author Gretchen Anderson is here to answer your green thumb questions now that the weather is officially garden-friendly. She shares tips on dealing with pests and bugs, and the best ways to water in our high desert climate. Plus, she shares how much money you can save by throwing some tomatoes and peppers in the ground...

High school graduation is this week, so Boise school board member Shiva Rajbhandari is  with us to talk about serving as an elected official — while also being a student. We get into a  recent survey about students’ mental health, his highly publicized Twitter dust-up with the governor, and why the Idaho GOP is scared of Gen Z. Interested in donating to the new fund Shiva and his peers have create...

Star, Idaho, used to be a one-street farm town that bragged about having more cows than people, but that’s changing fast. Rachel Spacek from the Idaho Statesman is here to tell us how locals are dealing with growth and how “density” might not mean the same thing out in the sticks as it does in Boise.  What do you think about Star’s wild growth in recent years? Let us know by sending us a voicemail...

It’s finally Friday! Hey Boise newsletter editor Blake Hunter and lead producer Frankie Barnhill are with Emma to dig into the week’s news. They’ve got the rather wishy-washy results of the investigation in the Boise Police Department and an update on an alleged sexual predator performing here tonight. Plus, bad news for book bans and the West Ada School District during this week’s election.  Want...

The Greenbelt is packed with the weather being so beautiful this week, and it’s a good reminder that there are so many things to love about Boise. Whether you’re new here, or been around awhile and need help remembering why living here is special, we’re revisiting our episode about how to fall in love with our quirky little city.  What made you fall in love with Boise? Let us know by sending us a...

Downtown Boise is a construction mess right now — especially 11th Street — and it feels like the street has been shut down forever. Luckily, producer Frankie Barnhill has the lowdown on what’s being done, how downtown construction is affecting businesses in the area, and when we can expect construction to wind down.  Want some more Boise news? Head over to our Hey Boise newsletter where you’ll get...

Summer travel is almost here and just in time, the Boise airport says that they’re hoping to expand their flight options to some long-awaited routes. Boise-based NPR national desk correspondent Kirk Siegler joins Emma Arnold to talk about the pros and cons of the Boise airport, plus they share their destination wishlists.  Check out the Boise Airport's Capital Improvement Plan. Want some more Bois...

Lori Vallow has been found guilty on all counts, but what happens now? KTVB’s “Inside the Courtroom” host Andrea Dearden is with us today to tell us how Vallow’s sentencing might go, how the families of JJ and Tylee reacted to the verdict and what this means for the future trial of Lori’s husband, Chad Daybell. Want some more Boise news? Head over to our Hey Boise newsletter where you’ll get a che...

Happy Friday, Boise! Emma’s joined by lead producer Frankie Barnhill and Boise State public Radio’s James Dawson to sort through the week’s news. They’re talking home price jumps, whether first-time home buyers are getting any help from the state these days, Idaho Republican infighting drama, and some pretty important local elections are happening next Tuesday, May 16! For more on library district...

Boise’s a pretty chill place to live but it can be tricky to navigate if you’re new. Luckily, Frankie Barnhill and Minerva Jayne are with host Emma Arnold today to share their 10 essential rules for surviving our quirky city. From license plate tips to the casual dress code, these three Boise old-timers have got you covered.  What rules did we forget? Have you made a Boise faux pas that tells you...

One of the Treasure Valley’s most popular taco trucks — Birrieria Garnacha Que Apapacha — is moving from Nampa to Boise, and not everyone is thrilled about it. Taco enthusiasts Evelyn Avitia and Rebecca De León join Host Emma Arnold to talk about how Canyon County taco culture compares to Boise and how to find the taco truck that will never fail you.  And shoutout to former Idaho Statesman reporte...

Mother’s Day is this Sunday, and if you’re stressing because all the brunch reservations are taken — we’re got your back. Marissa Lovell with the From Boise newsletter is chatting with host Emma Arnold about snagging the perfect last-minute local gifts for the moms in your life.  What are you doing to celebrate your mom this year? Let us know by sending us a voicemail or text: 208-546-9485. Want s...

It’s not just the price of eggs and the total it costs to fill up your tank: inflation is also affecting your utility bills. Water, power and natural gas rates are all edging up in Boise. So how much should you expect to pay? Our Hey Boise Newsletter Editor Blake Hunter has the breakdown for us.  For a deep dive into how these rate hikes happen, check out this piece from Angela Palermo from the Id...

A ‘mass eviction’ leads to a lawsuit, Boise State University grads get ready take on the world, and is a political revolution in elections brewing? Our Hey Boise Newsletter Editor Blake Hunter is here to break down the local stories you need to know. What’s your take on the news of the week? What stories should get more attention? Let us know by sending us a voicemail or text: 208-546-9485. Want s...

Whether you just moved here or have been here your whole life, Boise isn’t always the easiest to make new friends. Lucky for us, contributor and friend-making expert Jocelyn Robertson is here to tell us the best places around town to meet new people and what we can do to turn acquaintances into lifelong pals.  How have you made friends as an adult in Boise? Let us know by sending us a voicemail or...

We love brunch all year, but it’s definitely better now that it’s finally warm enough to lounge the day away on your favorite patio. Awhile back, The Latino Card’s JJ Saldaña and Antonio Hernandez broke down brunch etiquette and shared the best spots to eat, drink and catch up with friends.  Have a favorite Bloody Mary or omelet spot we missed? Let us know by sending us a voicemail or text: 208-54...