Idaho Matters

(David J. Phillip / AP Images)   Since the COVID-19 pandemic, many Idaho parents have found themselves in an unexpected new role: that of homeschool teacher. And for many families, it’s been difficult at times to juggle parenting, teaching and work. So how about some free professional guidance to make sure our children aren't falling behind while at home?     The Idaho Association for the Educatio...

(Frankie Barnhill / Boise State Public Radio)   This interview originally aired Apr. 27, 2020. When the coronavirus began to spread in Idaho in March, folks who could retreated to their homes. But even with the governor’s stay-at-home order, getting outside for walks is something elected officials and health experts encourage folks to do. That inspired Boise artist  Wendy Blickenstaff. She lives i...

(John Locher / AP Images) After starting the week with a promising downward trend in new COVID-19 cases, Idaho saw it's deadliest single day this week. Still, health districts are considering opening bars and schools while downtown Boise is losing a corporate tenant. At the same time, unprecedented wildfires  spurred by climate change, poor fire policy and building practices are burning through co...

(Apache 8 / Courtesy of Family of Woman Film Festival)   Thirteen years ago, a new film festival tradition began in our own Sun Valley, Idaho. And since then, every year the ‘ Family of Woman ' film festival has highlighted inspiring films about women’s issues from all over the world.  In partnership with the United Nations group that deals with women’s rights, this festival is now in it’s thirtee...

(Otto Kitsinger / Idaho Statesman)   A growing list of arts, history and culture institutions, including the  Boise Philharmonic ,  Idaho Botanical Garden ,  Opera Idaho  and  Treefort Music Fest , are committing to action steps within their own organizations as part of a greater community-wide effort to effect change to systemic racism. Our Morning Edition host George Prentice sat down with two a...

(Elaine Thompson / AP Images)   This interview originally aired on June 8, 2020. Since the killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis two weeks ago, protests demanding an end to police brutality and racial injustice have swelled across the country. Of course, the right to peacefully assemble and petition the government are both protected rights under the First Amendment. But even while protesters chan...

(Kevin Morris / Flickr Creative Commons)   After years of decline, prostate cancer deaths are creeping back up, and some medical experts point to a change made in 2018 by the U.S. Preventive Services Taskforce on how to best screen for the disease. Dr. Joe Williams is a board certified urologist and a founding member of Idaho Urologic Institute and Surgery Center of Idaho, as well as the president...

(A While Ago In Idaho)   Idaho’s history is full of weird, surprising, or quirky stories. But many of them are stuck in the archives — until now.  Artist Kelly Knopp and Idaho State Historical Society's Amber Beierle have teamed up on a   new children's book called “A Little While Ago in Idaho .” The two authors join Idaho Matters to talk about the project.  Have a question or comment for the show...

(Darin Oswald / Idaho Statesman) After several days of new COVID-19 case numbers below 200, Idaho health officials are holding their breath hoping the decline will be sustained. But, if the spikes we saw after Memorial Day and the 4th of July are any indication, we very well could see our numbers increase with the Labor Day holiday now in the rearview.  So, what does this mean for you and your fam...

(The New York Times) This interview originally aired July 27, 2020.  “The Daily” is a five day a week audio show from the  New York Times . It’s heard by more than two million listeners each week and carried by more than 200 public radio stations. It began as a podcast that launched after the 2016 election.  Boise State Public Radio began airing "The Daily" Monday-Thursdays at 6:00 p.m . Idaho Mat...

(COMMUNITY COUNCIL OF IDAHO) This interview originally aired July 14, 2020.  As Idaho’s COVID-19 numbers continue to skyrocket, one thing remains the same: Latino and Black people are three times more likely to become infected as their white neighbors, according to new data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Nicole Foy is a reporter with the Idaho Statesman and has been following...

(David Staats / Idaho Statesman) This interview originally aired Mary 28, 2020.  [Idaho Matters is working on a new series about growth and affordability in the Treasure Valley, and we want to share your story. Here's how to get in touch. ] When the coronavirus pandemic hit and left thousands of Americans out of work, one question kept popping up: what about rent? How can tenants pay for their hou...

(Idaho Power / Facebook)   This interview originally aired June 2, 2020.  In the 1950s and 60s, towns across the American west were razed and relocated to make way for major hydroelectric projects. These towns were essentially drowned by the reservoirs and rivers that replaced them.    Bob Reinhardt is a history professor at Boise State University and has just begun a research project to collect o...

(Katherine Jones / Idaho Statesman) This week on the Idaho Matters Reporter Roundtable,  we catch up on the latest with chaotic school reopenings (both K-12 schools and college campuses), dissect the state's latest unemployment data, and get an update on a petition from 12 Boise bars lobbying health officials to allow them to reopen.  Our journalist panel today:  Troy Oppie, Boise State Public Rad...

(Challenged Athlete Foundation / Facebook)   Each year, Idaho athletes hit the trail for the Smoke and Fire 400. This is a 430 mile, 40,000 feet elevation gain gravel bike race through tough Gem State terrain. And this year, four athletes with the Challenged Athletes Foundation will be participating.  Joining Idaho Matters to talk more about the foundation and the race is Willie Stewart, one of th...

( Ed Cannady / Idaho Salmon Partnership)   North of Ketchum and south of Stanley is a large alpine lake full of cobalt blue water. The beauty of Pettit Lake is stunning, but under the water lies a long and deep struggle for the survival of Snake River sockeye salmon. Last month, nine of the endangered fish returned to Pettit to spawn, marking a bright spot in the sockeye’s long story. Without the...

(Molly Wampler / Boise State Public Radio)   A big project is getting ready to begin on Idaho’s popular Highway 55, and it’s going to impact drivers for more than two years.  Joining Idaho Matters today to talk about the project are Vince Trimboli, communications manager with Idaho Transportation Department and Alex Deduck, project engineer with ITD. Have a question or comment for the show? Tweet ...

(Idaho Fish & Game / Flickr Creative Commons)   When white settlers took land from what is now known as the Coeur d’Alene Tribe in North Idaho, the oral history of the land and its people was put in danger. Now, there’s a new effort to connect tribal youth with their elders through language and storytelling, incorporating indigenous knowledge of the environment with science.  Their medium? A n...

(Boise Art Museum / Facebook)   The annual Art in the Park event is Boise Art Museum’s single biggest fundraiser of the year. But this year, due to COVID-19, the arts market that usually happens in Julia Davis park, is moving online.  Joining Idaho Matters today to talk about how this is all going down is Melanie Fales, executive director of the Boise Art Museum. As COVID-19 cases spread through t...

(Darin Oswald / Idaho Statesman) In the last couple of weeks Idaho has seen a downward trend in new coronavirus cases, but August is barely in the rearview and was the state's deadliest month so far. At the same time, the Lewiston Tribune is reporting a spike in cases on the Nez Perce Reservation as K-12 schools reopen in various forms across the state, and universities try to keep campuses safe ....

(idaho DEQ )   The Eastern Snake Plain Aquifer is a critical drinking water source for southern and eastern Idaho. More than 300,000 Idahoans rely on the natural underground storage to provide clean, safe water every day. But due to a combination of farming and agricultural practices in the Magic Valley, the water source is in danger of contamination.  That’s according to an updated report from th...

(U.S. Census Bureau)   Have you filled out the census yet? By law, every person living in the U.S. is required to fill out the once-a-decade federal survey. And the deadline of September 30 is coming up. Turns out, Idaho is doing quite well so far when it comes to getting folks to respond to the census. But how is the state doing when it comes to participation from traditionally undercounted group...

(MS507, Young Women’s Christian Association records / Idaho State Archives) We’re excited to share the most recent episode of Boise State Public Radio's  Wanna Know Idaho podcast. The podcast explores the curious elements of life in Idaho… with you, our listeners! This month, we answer listener Debra Smith's question: “Did Idaho have any housing discrimination laws during the Jim Crow era?” Smith...

(clappstar / Flickr Creative Commons)   Girls on the Run is a program for girls age 8-13 years old that promotes empowerment by teaching life skills through lessons and running. Because of COVID-19, the program here in southwest Idaho was shut down in March. However, as Girls on the Run gets set to celebrate 20 years in the state, the organization has been hard at work re-imagining how the program...

(Steve Helber / AP Images)   This interview originally aired Apr. 7, 2020. You don’t have to be sick or even know someone who is to feel the effects of the coronavirus. This virus has gone viral in other ways: scary news about chaotic financial markets, suspended sports events, closed schools and new infection numbers dominate the radio, TV and our conversations. Panic. Stress. Fear. Our kids are...