Idaho Matters

Alejandro Garcia, 16, receives his first dose of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine in West New York, N.J., Monday, April 19, 2021. New Jersey is opening up COVID-19 vaccine eligibility to those 16 or older beginning today; only the Pfizer vaccine is authorized for teenagers younger than 18. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig) (Seth Wenig / AP) On Monday, the Food and Drug Administration authorized the use of Pfizer's...

Wedding dresses are displayed at Complete Bridal, a shop in East Dundee, Illinois, on February 28, 2020. (AP Photo/Teresa Crawford) (Teresa Crawford / AP) Cate Doty is a former weddings reporter for the New York Times, and has recently written the book titled "Mergers and Acquisitions: Or Everything I Know About Love I Learned On The Wedding Pages." In the book she recounts her experience at The T...

(Cardinal Academy / via Facebook) There’s a new school for pregnant and parenting teens in the Treasure Valley. The school is partnering with the Salvation Army to make sure these students in Boise get the support they need to earn their high school diploma. Idaho Matters learns more about the Cardinal Academy from Emily Bergstrom, Executive Director of the school and Danielle Hansen with the Salv...

(Cardinal Academy / via Facebook) There’s a new school for pregnant and parenting teens in the Treasure Valley. The school is partnering with the Salvation Army to make sure these students in Boise get the support they need to earn their high school diploma. Idaho Matters learns more about the Cardinal Academy from Emily Bergstrom, Executive Director of the school and Danielle Hansen with the Salv...

A for sale sign is displayed in front of a house in Westwood, Mass. Home prices hit a new record in October as the number of homes for sale hit an all-time low. (Steven Senne / AP) Real estate markets are tight all over the country, especially here in Idaho's Boise metro area. But it's not just homeowners buying these houses. Record low interest rates, a nationwide housing shortage, as well as a r...

(City of Boise) The City of Boise began a residential composting program in 2017. At first, officials didn’t know how the program would go. But soon, folks began filling up their new bins with kitchen scraps like veggie and fruit peels along with yard waste like grass and leaves. It was part of the city’s overall focus on being a more environmentally conscious community. Four years later the progr...

The Idaho Legislature is headed for a record-breaking session as we passed the 117 day mark. Eastern Idaho is reeling from a school shooting in Rigby. Lawmakers passed a bill addressing property taxes — and nobody's happy with it. A trans athlete bill is getting its day in federal court . Sears at the Boise Towne Square Mall could become living space. We cover all this and more on this edition of...

(Thomas Hawk / Flickr) Idaho is headed toward a record with its longest legislative session in history. After more than 100 days, some log jams are clearing up in the statehouse, one being the contentious higher education budget. Idaho Matters checks-in with Kevin Richert of Idaho Ed News about what's at stake as lawmakers hope to shore up the session officially next week.

For decades, the Women's and Children's Alliance has provided shelter and supportive services to individuals impacted by domestic violence and sexual assault. And now the organization — along with community partners — is launching a new effort called WORTH to expand education, build skills and prevent violence. Because everyone is worthy of safe and healthy relationships in all aspects of their li...

As Mother’s Day approaches this weekend, Idaho Matters shares a story about motherhood and how one woman found her life changing completely. This piece is from HumaNature from Wyoming Public Media.

The past year has in many ways been defined by loss, and that includes the loss of live music. And among the things that we're looking forward to so much is beautiful music performed live by some of our favorite local artists. And here in Idaho, that has to include Leta Harris Neustaedter. Idaho Matters shares her interview from Boise State Public Radio Morning Edition host George Prentice on Bois...

(AP Images / AP Images) Two Idaho doctors consider the future of COVID-19 as an endemic, as well as the expected availability of vaccinations to children. Idaho Matters explores these and other listener questions. Our doctor panel today: Dr. Steven Nemerson, Chief Clinical Officer for Saint Alphonsus Health System Dr. David Pate, member of the governor's coronavirus task force

Students begin to gather on the steps of the Idaho Capitol to protest House Bill 337 Monday, April 26, 2021 in Boise. (DARIN OSWALD / IDAHO STATESMAN) Idaho students — at both the high school and college level — have been active during the Gem State's 2021 legislative session. One of the measures they've spoken out against is House Bill 377, which bans school spending that in some way forces stude...

Idaho Matters shares an episode of HumaNature from Wyoming Public Media. The podcast explores the story of a man whose broken back inspired him to start a running adventure.

Nonprofits are an integral part of Idaho’s economy. There are thousands of charitable organizations in the Gem State, with more than 50 thousand nonprofit employees and even more volunteers. Each spring, the Idaho Gives campaign spotlights these groups and encourages folks to donate generously. Idaho Matters shares an interview from Boise State Public Radio Morning Edition host George Prentice wit...

In this photo taken June 16, 2020, Michelle Mitchell, head of the tribes' education department on the Flathead Indian Reservation, stands for a portrait in Pablo, Montana. Native American tribes in Montana are trying to shield their vulnerable elders from the coronavirus pandemic with a public-awareness campaign that enlists musicians to tell tribal youth to wash their hands and wear masks."Our gu...

Idaho students fill the gallery as H377 is debated and passed by the Idaho Senate Monday, April 26, 2021 at the Idaho Statehouse in Boise. (DARIN OSWALD / Idaho Statesman) Across the country — and right here in Idaho — there is tremendous debate and much is being written about education and what our children should be taught in schools about American history, American government and what it means...

The planets Saturn, center-left, and Jupiter, center-right, are shown between a wind turbine and Milky Way just after midnight, Monday, July 27, 2020, near Vantage, Wash. Star-gazers who are out searching for the Comet Neowise before it fades from view can direct their gaze to the skies opposite the comet for good views of the two planets. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren) (Ted S. Warren/AP / AP) Idaho is...

For much of the last year, it felt like we may never hear the phrase "the show must go on" again. But in 2021, the Idaho Shakespeare Festival has a plan to return to their outdoor stage this summer. The beloved Boise nonprofit had to cancel its season last year due to COVID-19. Idaho Matters check-ins with Producing Artists Director Charles Fee as they prepare to raise the curtain once more.

Members of the House ethics committee confer with their attorney, William Myers III, on the first day of a hearing into allegations that Rep. Aaron von Ehlinger (R-Lewiston) raped a volunteer staffer. (James Dawson / Boise State Public Radio) Editor's note: This episode discusses sexual assault. If you are a survivor or know someone who is, there is help. Here's the number to the National Sexual A...

The Idaho Ethics and House Policy Committee voted unanimously to expel fellow lawmaker Rep. Aaron von Ehlinger Thursday, April 29, 2021 after citing a pattern of sexual predation among Capitol Mall staff and subordinates. (DARIN OSWALD / Idaho Statesman) UPDATE 2:49 p.m. Thursday: Since this was originally published, Rep. Ehlinger resigned from the legislature. After a tense and often disturbing d...

(Terry Reilly / Facebook) The legacy of Terry Reilly Health Service started and grew in the living room of a modest house in Nampa. Terry Reilly and his wife Rosie started a neighborhood center in their own home that offered tutoring for the children of seasonal farmworkers. And when Terry noticed the health needs of these families weren’t being met, he listed the volunteer help of Dr. Clarence Mc...

( DARIN OSWALD / Idaho Statesman ) During the global COVID-19 pandemic, public transit around the world has taken a hit. Concerns over transmission of the coronavirus has made passengers wary of taking trains and buses and caused a lot of public transit officials to scramble to prop up systems financially. Valley Regional Transit is the largest metro transit agency in Idaho, and serves the Treasur...

Producers Peter Spears, from left, Frances McDormand, Chloe Zhao, Mollye Asher and Dan Janvey, winners of the award for best picture for "Nomadland," pose in the press room at the Oscars on Sunday, April 25, 2021, at Union Station in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello, Pool) (Chris Pizzello/AP / Pool AP) Last weekend, the film "Nomadland" broke boundaries at the Oscars, when director Chloe Zhao...

FILE - In this Jan. 22, 2021, file photo, empty vials of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine are seen at a vaccination center at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, in Las Vegas. The makers of COVID-19 vaccines are figuring out how to tweak their recipes against worrisome virus mutations — if and when the shots need an update. (AP Photo/John Locher, File) (John Locher/AP / AP) Two Idaho doctors...