City Cast Boise

Sarah Inama hung the poster intending to welcome every student to her West Ada School District classroom. Instead, when she was told to take the sign down by school administrators, it ignited a national firestorm. Now, the Meridian teacher is reflecting on the controversy she never wanted, and what spurred her to resign. What’s next for her? Host Lindsay Van Allen is finding out.   Thanks to Briga...

Before we head into the hot weekend, we’re taking a look at the local stories you need to know with Boise State Public Radio’s George Prentice. First up: Idaho hit pause on all executions, but just to prep for our firing squad future. Next, host Lindsay Van Allen gets the inside scoop from George on his final interview with Boise State University President Marlene Tromp, and they speculate about w...

June in the Treasure Valley is stacked with good vibes and even better plans. Host Lindsay Van Allen and contributor Matthew Melton are here to help you make the most out of the month — from free riverside karaoke to joyful Pride celebrations and wild history tours. Plus, throw in a beloved restaurant reopening and a tasty new find, and you've got a month full of reasons to get out and explore. If...

“The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives” is back for a second season. And while it’s entertaining to watch these women fight for views, brand deals, and MomTok’s survival — are they also showcasing some of Mormonism’s most uncomfortable truths? We’re re-sharing a chat our host Lindsay Van Allen had with City Cast Salt Lake’s Ali Vallarta to find out. Want some more Boise news? Head over to our Hey Boise...

Valley Regional Transit is one of the only public transit systems with zero dedicated annual funding from the state. So, how does it operate with such limited funding — and what would it take to make riding the bus more popular? Host Lindsay Van Allen finds out in her conversation with VRT CEO Elaine Clegg. They dive into what last year’s route changes have meant for riders, why the City of Nampa...

Pride Month is around the corner, but one of Idaho’s biggest health systems is making a quiet and controversial shift. Our Hey Boise newsletter editor Blake Hunter joins host Lindsay Van Allen with the scoop on an internal memo that reveals why St. Luke’s decided not to raise the inclusive Pride flag this year, even as the City of Boise stands firm. And, we’re breaking down local election results...

For years, Idaho quietly denied thousands of children the special education services that parents said they deserved, until a group of determined mothers decided to take a stand. Host Lindsay Van Allen is joined by Decoding Dyslexia Idaho founder Robin Zikmund, and special education consultant Ashley Brittain. They explain how our state resisted reform and why parents had to take their fight all t...

With everything getting more expensive, we wanted to know if it’s still feasible to have fun in Boise on a budget. Our City Cast Boise team had $50 and one mission: to have the best day possible. While some of us splurged early, others hunted for deals — but was $50 enough for a great day in the City of Trees? Want some more Boise news? Head over to our Hey Boise newsletter where you’ll get a chea...

Homes in Boise ⁠⁠have been⁠⁠⁠⁠ getting smaller⁠⁠ — but is that a sign of progress or just another form of shrinkflation? We’re revisiting our conversation about this ongoing trend with Idaho Statesman reporter Nick Rosenberger. From zoning code changes to shifting lifestyles — what could these downsized houses mean for affordability in our city?  Want some more Boise news? Head over to our ⁠⁠Hey B...

We’ve been named one of the best communities to raise a family, but are we actually creating a place our kids want to live? Boise City Council just launched a Youth Roadmap survey to find out. City Council member Jimmy Hallyburton joins host Lindsay Van Allen to explore how it could shape community initiatives for years to come and whether young people will really get a say in our future. Here’s t...

We made it to Friday, and host Lindsay Van Allen is joined by political scientist Charlie Hunt to dig into the week’s biggest local stories. Congressman Mike Simpson is making moves on public land protection, but can a bipartisan caucus hold back big development plans? And the Greater Boise Auditorium District elections could shape our city’s event scene. Plus, Meridian is unveiling a new ninja co...

Boiseans take great pride in our state’s iconic outdoor scenery, but host Lindsay Van Allen learns that not everyone is a fan. So, today on the show, Hey Boise newsletter editor Blake Hunter and contributor Rachel Spacek are taking a hike through the silliest one-star reviews of Idaho’s most beloved outdoor locations and trying to guess where the complainers were. Do these critics have legit griev...

When the Great Recession hit in 2008, Boisean Heather Wheeler turned clipping coupons into a big-time business, founding The Krazy Coupon Lady. Now, Heather is joining host Lindsay Van Allen with advice for weathering whatever’s coming next. We’re learning how to tell a real deal from a gimmick, what Gen Z can learn from millennials who weathered the last recession, and how to upgrade your coupon...

Spring might just be the Foothills’ finest season, if you know where to look. Luckily for us, contributor Heath Druzin has helpful insider tips to get you outside. He joins host Lindsay Van Allen to talk about the best hiking trails, where to find the blooming wildflowers, and what you need to know about trail safety and etiquette. Plus, he reveals a secret trail that has been gate-kept until toda...

Wildfire season is just around the corner. And even though the Foothills are still green, fire seasons are getting longer, hotter, and more dangerous. Host Lindsay Van Allen is joined by Idaho Statesman reporter Sarah Cutler, who breaks down what could happen when a major fire hits, what to do when it does, and whether Boise residents and insurance systems are truly prepared. Want some more Boise...

It’s Friday, so host Lindsay Van Allen and executive producer Frankie Barnhill are diving into the week’s biggest local stories. First, they chat through the Boise City Council’s decision to make the Pride flag an official city flag, sparking heated conversations and making national news. Then, they remind us about the May 20 library board elections, which are becoming the next front in Idaho’s cu...

There is a certain beauty culture that has been expected in LDS circles in Utah for generations, but do those ideals actually have the same influence in Boise? Host Lindsay Van Allen and ex-Mormon Quincy Phillips are sharing their experience handling the pressure to be perfect. From MomTok to modesty, they unpack how Mormonism shaped their idea of what’s beautiful in Idaho — and whether it’s reall...

If you’re thinking about a home remodel soon, tariffs could be changing your timeline — and your budget. So, we’re checking in with a Treasure Valley-based contractor about what’s going on at these job sites. Mary Peters is the CEO of Sasquatch Contracting, and she’s sharing which home projects are most at risk of sticker shock, and some surprising intel about what raw home materials are still mad...

What makes a great Boise park? From relaxing hangouts to playground romps, parks in our city are top-notch. But besides the popular Camel’s Back and Ann Morrison Parks — there are some secret green spaces you need to check out. So, to celebrate spring, we’re resharing our top five park rankings with Becca Bailey from Boise With Kids and Marissa Lovell with From Boise. We’re talking BBQ setups, ide...

Old homes are coming down all over the city, with new denser housing often filling their place. But Idaho Statesman reporter Nick Rosenberger is here to talk about something invisible and dangerous that may be stirred up during demolition: asbestos. Contractors are worried about it, and other states in our region regulate it. So host Lindsay Van Allen wants to know — why is Idaho ignoring it? Want...

We’re back with another Friday news download, starting with a story about Cybertrucks in the Treasure Valley. Owners of the Tesla vehicles are being shamed, and the trucks are being vandalized. Is it justified backlash against Elon Musk and the Trump Administration, or does it cross the line? Meanwhile, state lawmakers quietly ended public pool inspections, raising questions about summer safety. A...

It’s officially May, and it might be Boise at its best. Host Lindsay Van Allen is joined by producer Evelyn Avitia and contributor Matthew Melton to bring you a guide this month packed with experiences that will make you fall in love with this city all over again. From how to take advantage of the spring weather, to a late evening market for the night owls, and can’t-miss Treasure Valley festivals...

First came the parking meters in downtown Caldwell, then came the outrage from local residents. The City of Caldwell’s Mayor Jarom Wagoner and four council members are facing a recall effort that’s exposing deep divisions over policing, growth, and trust in city leadership. Producer Evelyn Avitia joins host Lindsay Van Allen to break down who is behind the push, and what it would take to succeed. ...

In a year of relentless political attacks on LGBTQ+ rights in Idaho, just existing as a trans or nonbinary person can feel exhausting. Trans Joy Boise co-founders Preston Pacey and Bonnie Violet Quintana are joining host Lindsay Van Allen to show how, even in the face of cruel policies and attacks, there’s a local movement happening toward connection, joy, and resilience.  Want some more Boise sto...

The dust is settling on the 2025 Idaho legislative session, so what new laws will affect Boiseans? We’re finding out how far-right lawmakers might have made our community a target with the City of Boise’s Kathy Griesmyer. From a policy taking power away from the city over child care, to a bill that will penalize our homeless population, to a standoff over the Pride flag hanging at City Hall — ther...