City Cast Boise

Today on the podcast, we’re playing 20 questions with our boss David Plotz. As the CEO of City Cast, he is super curious about Boise — and he’s not afraid to ask some pretty basic and hilarious questions. Host Emma Arnold and Lead Producer Frankie Barnhill field his questions about the Blue Turf, potatoes, militia membership (kidding!) and much more.  What’s the funniest or strangest question you’...

Did you know the Boise Weekly is the only alt-weekly paper in the state? We’re talking with the paper’s editor-in-chief Jeanne Huff about providing a voice for marginalized groups, supporting artists, and a “best of” controversy that had Boise bartenders feeling catty.  Speaking of the best of Boise: What do you hope 2023 brings for our community? Share your citywide resolution with us by sending...

On Dec. 5, 1982, a man was found dead in a local church of cyanide poisoning with $1900 and a note signed with a false name in his pocket. We talk with KTVB’s Alexandra Duggan about the mysterious circumstances surrounding the death of William L. Toomey, the scandal that took down the priest who found his body, and how likely cold cases like this are to be solved. Got a Boise cold case that intere...

It’s been a busy week of news in Boise, so host Emma Arnold’s chatting about the stories behind the headlines with the Idaho Capital Sun’s Kelcie Moseley-Morris and our Hey Boise Newsletter Editor Blake Hunter. From recent tort claims filed by two abortion rights protesters against the City of Boise and Boise Police to an independent investigation into a recently retired police captain with white...

We’re talking with Jodi Eichelberger from Surel’s Place about why Garden City is becoming the hottest neighborhood in town. Amazing galleries, great hangs, and fabulous First Fridays. One has to ask, is GC the new downtown? Check out this map with all the First Friday happenings, going down Friday Dec. 2 from 5:30-8:30 p.m.  Want some more local events? Head over to our newsletter where you’ll get...

We’re getting into the holiday spirit with Emma’s festive friend Jocelyn Robertson. We talk about the best light displays, the cheeriest trees, bathrobes in nativity scenes, and why we’d rather be in bed than at the Potato Drop.  A few unique ideas:  Eat at Yen Ching and watch downtown shoppers as the snow falls. Skate on Caldwell’s ice ribbon in Indian Creek Plaza with the Winter Wonderland light...

We’re talking with Alley Repertory Theater’s Buffie Main about their upcoming production of “Cabaret.” We jazz hand into the similarities between Boise and pre-war Berlin, the rise of fascism, and how VAC is being transformed into the Kit Kat Club for the show. Want some more Boise news? Check out Hey Boise, our newsletter that gives you a cheatsheet to the city every weekday morning. Want to be b...

We talked with travel blogger Lydia Weigel about her recent stay in the Big Idaho Potato Hotel. Just south of downtown Boise, this fun and unique stay features some unusual amenities (spoiler: it’s a cow, you get to hang out with a cow!).  Know of other fun and unique places to stay in Boise? Let us know by sending us a voicemail or text: 208-546-9485. Can’t get enough of us?! We get it. Follow us...

We’re talking to KTVB’s Jim Duthie about folklore winter weather predictions. How accurate is the Farmer’s Almanac and are Wooly Worm Caterpillars actually miniature meteorologists? Plus, how likely are we to have another Snowmageddon? And later in the show, we share an article from the Idaho Statesman about how climate change may affect home values in the future.  Want some more Boise news? Head...

Black Friday at the mall? Pshh never heard of her. This holiday season, we’re giving you plenty of awesome reasons to shop local. Have a cook or a gardener in your life? What about that loved one who has everything, so really a unique is the best gift they can get? We have you covered! Plus, there’s still time to check out some local holiday markets.  Guests today: Marissa Lovell with the From Boi...

It might technically be fall still but winter weather is certainly here. So we’re talking how to get cozy in Boise with the Boise Weekly’s Minerva Jayne. We burrow into the best cozy eats, shopping, treat-yourselfs, and coziest places to just hangout.  Got a favorite cozy spot? Let us know by sending us a voicemail or text: 208-546-9485. Want to cozy up to us off-air too? Follow us on Twitter and...

It’s been a tough news week in Idaho so we’re here to sort through what you need to know. Host Emma Arnold gets the latest on the murder of four University of Idaho students from Boise State Public Radio’s James Dawson and our audio producer Evelyn Avitia. Plus, Jimmy explains why the state of Idaho has just settled a lawsuit based on a law that for decades was used to discriminate against LGBTQ+...

We know the holidays can bring fraught debates with family and friends. But this Thanksgiving, there’s at least one argument you can win once-and-for-all: how to pronounce our beloved “Boise.” Lead producer Frankie Barnhill digs into this longstanding (and often heated) linguistic debate with Boise State University Linguistics Department Chair Michal Temkin Martinez. Apparently there’s been confus...

Today, Host Emma Arnold is talking hot springs with our Lead Producer Frankie Barnhill. We dive into gatekeeping, etiquette, and the best from-Boise hot spots! Plus, is it still okay to skinny-dip?  Have a favorite place to soak? Let us know on Twitter and Instagram. Want some more Boise news? Head over to our Hey Boise newsletter where you’ll get a cheatsheet to the city every weekday morning.

The abrupt change to winter weather is hitting our unhoused neighbors hardest. So today, we’re learning how to help make the cold months a little warmer for folks experiencing homelessness in our community with Interfaith Sanctuary’s Jodi Peterson-Stigers.  Want to help out? You can donate to Interfaith here, and volunteer to help with emergency shelter this winter.  Want to learn more about? Chec...

The holiday season is here, with lots of parties and dinners to enjoy with friends and family. But before you throw away those masks, Dr. David Pate (aka the Dr. Fauci of Idaho) is here with some practical tips to make sure COVID-19 doesn’t ruin your holiday plans. Pate is the former CEO of St. Luke’s Health System and became a voice for public health since his retirement in early 2020, just befor...

Election night is in the rearview, so we’re talking about what the legislative results could mean for the future of Boise with state politics reporter James (Jimmy) Dawson of Boise State Public Radio. Incumbent Republicans in statewide races had a big night, starting at the executive level with Gov. Brad Little winning a second term. But how did far-right candidates do down ballot? And were the De...

If you’ve been hiking in the foothills these last few years, chances are you’ve come across this very unusual, very Boise trail amenity: free coffee, served by a mule. We talk to Café Mulé’s Matt Bishop about building community through hospitality and a shared love of the outdoors, and why Richard The Mule is Boise’s favorite barista.  Have your own Boise trail service story? Let us know by sendin...

Plenty of 2022 General Election results are in from Idaho and there’s lots to chew on this morning! Emma Arnold and lead producer Frankie Barnhill are here to update you on the most important local and state election results — so far.  How are you feeling about the results? Let us know by sending us a voicemail or text: 208-546-9485. Check out this piece we mentioned from the Idaho Capital Sun on...

Today, host Emma Arnold talks with the Wassmuth Center’s Dan Prinzing. The center recently dedicated the new Phillip E. Batt Building in honor of the former Republican governor, and it’s going to really level up the nonprofit’s education and outreach mission. Plus, Dan shares how he stays positive in the face of increasing hate in Idaho.  Thoughts on today’s episode? Let us know by sending us a vo...

We’re having a day in Caldwell with our audio producer, Evelyn Avitia! She shares her favorite C-town eats, hangs, and why racism and classism are behind Boise’s tendency to look down its nose at this unique and fun sister city.  If you’re new to Boise, Caldwell or anywhere else in the Treasure Valley — what brought you here? Or if you’re a local through-and-through, why do you stay? Let us know w...

The countdown to Tuesday’s midterm election is on. So in this week’s weekly news chatter episode, host Emma Arnold is talking about local races to watch with The Idaho97 Project’s Emily Walton and our lead producer Frankie Barnhill. Plus, we chat about Emily’s lost rascal cat Jack and the community effort to find him. And Emily tells us why this Election Day will be her last one in Boise for a whi...

Soups on and we’re talking mutual aid and feeding our unhoused neighbors with the wonderful folks at Boise Kitchen Collective. BKC hands out over fifty hot meals a week plus snacks, water, coffee, and baked goods. We learn how easy (and fun!) it is to get involved and why you can’t overstate the importance of a home cooked meal.  Let us know about your favorite mutual aid orgs by sending us a voic...

Today, Host Emma Arnold is talking Boise coffee shops with City Cast Boise’s very own Evelyn Avitia and Blake Hunter. Who has the best beans? The best vibes? The best workspaces vs. the coziest hangs? Get the drip on which Boise coffee shops we think are tops, and where we wouldn’t go even at our most caffeine deprived.  So what are you drinking? Want to rant or rave about our hot coffee takes? Le...

We’re celebrating Dia de los Muertos by chatting with Lisa Sánchez about how she celebrates the Mexican holiday. The Boise City Councilperson talks about her favorite Day of the Dead altars and spoiling her ancestors with treats they couldn’t have while they were living. Plus, Lisa tells us her plans this year to honor the gentleness and grace of her grandfather and helps us understand the differe...