City Cast Boise

Another Friday is here, and Boise’s showdown with the Idaho Legislature over the Pride flag flying outside City Hall continues. So our Hey Boise newsletter editor Blake Hunter is joining host Lindsay Van Allen to ask big questions about what this standoff says about local power, inclusivity, and our city’s identity. Meanwhile, Governor Little wants to reshape forest policy to fight wildfires, but...

The Treasure Valley takes its sandwiches seriously, so our Hey Boise newsletter editor Blake Hunter and host Lindsay Van Allen are diving into the city’s best breaded options. From listener favorites to our own go-to orders—plus a new sandwich menu worth waiting in line for. We also get into sandwich pet peeves, picnic prep, and what flavors we think Boise’s still missing.  Want some more Boise ne...

Idaho’s teachers are gearing up to elect their next state union leader, and the stakes couldn’t be higher. From the Trump Administration’s dismantling of the Department of Education, to the Idaho Legislature targeting public education, to ongoing debates about DEI and politics in Treasure Valley classrooms — there’s a lot going on. Candidate and special education teacher Alicia Purdy joins host Li...

Boise resident Matthew Allison has been described as a “goofy, local electronic music enthusiast” by those who have come across him. But how well did his friends actually know him? Last September, Matthew was arrested for creating and spreading violent extremist online content that led to real-world murders. ProPublica reporter James Bandler joins host Lindsay Van Allen to dig into the double life...

We’re sharing something a little different this time: it’s our first show recorded in front of a live audience! Last week, host Lindsay Van Allen was joined on stage at the Boise Depot with Mayor Lauren McLean and Valley Regional Transit CEO Elaine Clegg — who is also on the Amtrak board. They tackled a big, thorny question: will passenger rail service ever return to the Treasure Valley? Or is tra...

We’re rounding up the news of the week, beginning with a political rally that drew over 12,000 people to Nampa on Monday. Host Lindsay Van Allen and political scientist Charlie Hunt are discussing why Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vermont) and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-New York) stopped in Idaho. And in Boise, a back-and-forth over a new state law has made the Pride flag outside City Hall a politi...

Some Boise residents have taken out loans and installed solar power panels on their rooftops in hopes of building equity. But now, Idaho Power has proposed changing the math — dramatically slashing the credits rates that many homeowners expected to rely on. Host Lindsay Van Allen and Idaho Capital Sun reporter Mia Maldonado are diving into the controversy and breaking down what’s at stake for Idah...

Meridian is drowning in chicken sandwiches — spicy, crispy, wrapped — this suburb is packed with poultry. So our host Lindsay Van Allen did what any irrationally curious person would do, and she tried them all. Today on the show, we’re revisiting her ultimate guide to Meridian’s chicken scene, originally recorded last spring.  Since this episode was initially published, The Chicken Shanty in Merid...

After years of hustle and dreaming, the Treasure Valley has finally landed both a men’s and women’s professional soccer team. Host Lindsay Van Allen is joined by Boise Pro Soccer co-founder Bill Taylor to take a look at how Boise is breaking records even before the first kickoff, and what these teams will mean for the City of Trees. Plus, Lindsay bats around potential team names ideas!  Want some...

The spring housing market has long been considered the best time to buy a home in Boise — but is that still true in 2025? HomeFound Group realtor and co-founder Michael Miller joins host Lindsay Van Allen to break down the ripple effects of tariffs on new construction, what a recession could mean for local prices, and how much politics are shaping where people choose to live in the Treasure Valle...

The city unveiled some new flag designs, and Boiseans were not having it. Our producer Frankie Barnhill is joining host Lindsay Van Allen to break down the critiques and lessons community leaders learned from this experiment. Meanwhile, Avelo Airlines is ditching Boise flights and facing scrutiny for its work with ICE. And, choo choo! We’re gearing up for our live show at the Boise Depot next Tues...

Treasure Valley gardeners are feeling the heat as record high temperatures test their gardens.  Today on the podcast, we’re revisiting our conversation with master gardener Gretchen Anderson to find out what the USDA’s new hardiness zone map means for local planting. Plus, host Lindsay Van Allen gets Gretchen’s tips on how to make your garden thrive, despite our changing climate.  Want some more B...

Whether you’re jogging on the Greenbelt or training in the Boise Foothills, local runners claim our town is the best running city. But Boise Run Club’s Chandler Underwood explains it’s not just about running — it’s about finding community, discovering hidden views, and falling in love with Boise in a whole new way. From beginner tips to expert runs, we’ve got your spring guide to running around th...

The 2025 Idaho Legislative session finally ended, but the dust definitely hasn’t settled. From a sweeping ban on DEI requirements at public universities, to a law that cuts off public services for undocumented Idahoans — we’re unpacking the implications for our state. Plus, Boise State Public Radio’s James Dawson and our host Lindsay Van Allen settle their end-of-session bet, and daydream about ho...

The Treasure Valley Canopy Network (TVCN) was ready to expand its tree planting efforts across the valley, until plans unraveled when the Trump administration froze funding. This left TVCN scrambling to pay past-due bills and even losing its spring planting window. Executive Director Lance Davisson explains to host Lindsay Van Allen why urban forestry matters, and how their local partners are work...

Big federal decisions are hitting close to home, and Boiseans are feeling the squeeze. Boise State Public Radio’s Morning Edition host George Prentice joins Lindsay Van Allen to discuss the local impact of cuts to Idaho’s Planned Parenthood and Head Start programs, plus the Boise VA. Meanwhile, with a landslide and the closure of a major highway up north are we about to see a traffic nightmare on...

For all the things we love about living in Boise, there are a few issues we simply can't ignore. Like the springtime stench of a certain pear tree, or the way every food and drink gets doused or infused with huckleberries. A little good-natured complaining never hurt anyone, so today host Lindsay Van Allen and local comedian Brittany Hargis are airing their pettiest Boise grievances—from reckless...

Housing prices in the Boise area have been on a wild ride, making homeownership feel impossible for many people. Today on the podcast, we’re revisiting our conversation with HomeFound Group realtor Tom Wheeler. He digs into the facts, busts housing myths, and shares his insider tips for first-time buyers.  Want some more Boise news? Head over to our Hey Boise newsletter where you’ll get a cheatshe...

We’re not fooling, Boise: we have a roundup of the best things to do and eat in April, starting with the inside scoop on a flashy new restaurant with playful cocktails. Host Lindsay Van Allen is swapping springtime tips with contributor Matthew Melton and producer Frankie Barnhill, including a paella class worth its weight in seafood, a fresh comedy club bringing laughs to the Bench, and a guide f...

The Idaho Legislature is hobbling along into it’s fourth month this session, so James Dawson from Boise State Public Radio is back with more intel on the statehouse. Will Boise State University see a $2 million budget cut, despite its efforts to peel back DEI initiatives? And Governor Little signed off on another law that targets trans folks, but opponents say “truck nuts” could be collateral dama...

Happy Treefort! We’re checking in on the local music festival’s big ambitions this year, starting with a successful bid to pour liquor at the Main Stage. And, Hey Boise newsletter editor Blake Hunter is explaining to producer Frankie Barnhill why state lawmakers seem hellbent on controlling Boise roads. Plus, a record-breaking 81 degrees and the inside scoop on the new Oldspeak Bar in Garden City....

This legislative session has featured a record-breaking wave of anti-LGBTQ bills. From attacks on access to health care and bathrooms, to an effort to roll back marriage equality — the message is clear and terrifying for Boise’s LGBTQ community. Mistie Dellicarpini-Tolman from Planned Parenthood has been tracking these bills, and is talking with host Lindsay Van Allen about what comes next in the...

Treefort Music Fest kicks off in Boise today, but what actually happens behind the scenes? Festival organizer Eric Gilbert is peeling back the curtain with our host Lindsay Van Allen. They’re talking about what your favorite bands were like to work with, which musician had the most unusual requests, and who showed up chauffeured by a Rod Stewart look-alike. This is Treefort like you’ve never heard...

Are Boise breweries going through a reckoning? That’s what Steve Koonce of the Idaho Booze podcast thinks, as he reflects on the local breweries that closed in 2024. Steve’s talking with host Lindsay Van Allen about some delicious new beers on the scene, and some savvy ways local brewers are adapting to a challenging market. Will it be enough to survive President Trump’s aluminum and steel tariffs...

Big debates are unfolding at the Idaho Statehouse, so Boise State Public Radio’s James Dawson is back with host Lindsay Van Allen to dissect what’s happening in the final weeks of the legislative session. They’re talking about a bill that would regulate who can enter bathrooms and dorms based on gender, with legal consequences for institutions that don’t comply. Plus, they’re digging into how the...