Idaho Matters

(Boise Contemporary Theater)   Many businesses and organizations are being greatly impacted by the coronavirus pandemic, as they’ve had to close their doors as part of the push to social distance. One such organization is the Boise Contemporary Theater, or BCT. It is just one of a number of non-profit arts organizations that’s being affected. So, how can we continue to support the arts during this...

(Ted S. Warren / AP Images)   As we continue to cover the coronavirus pandemic, we know many of you have questions and concerns about how to stay healthy and how to protect your community. The best way to answer those questions with facts is to bring on Idaho’s medical experts.  Starting today, and every Wednesday for at least the next month , we will bring on a panel of doctors and health profess...

(Anna King / Northwest News Network)   Among the essential services remaining open during COVID-19 shutdowns are grocery stores, hospitals, and… livestock auctions. The Mountain West News Bureau's  Madelyn Beck recently reported on this and joins Idaho Matters .  As COVID-19 cases spread through the U.S. and Idaho, we’re committed to keeping you updated and informed. You can get updated info on ca...

(Travis Wise / Flickr Creative Commons)   Today we’re looking ahead to the end of 2020 and into next year, as we dream about enjoying the arts. For years now, The Morrison Center has hosted “Broadway in Boise.” The upcoming season was just announced, which will feature "Hamilton," "Cats" and several more well-known musicals.    Laura Kendall is the executive director of the Morrison Center and joi...

(US Census Bureau) Door-to-door census takers are a hallmark of the once-a-decade national survey. But that goes against the social distancing and isolation orders more and more states—including Idaho—are implementing. Even under these extraordinary circumstances, the U.S. census will be carried out this spring and summer.  But the 2020 census will look different. Joining Idaho Matters live remote...

(James Dawson / Boise State Public Radio) Idaho’s May 19 election will be held entirely by absentee ballot to avoid spreading COVID-19. And with large events being shut down and door-to-door canvassing potentially hazardous, ballot initiative organizers in many states are having to completely shut down their campaigns.    Boise State Public Radio’s James Dawson has been in touch with initiative or...

(Kyle Green / Idaho Statesman) The COVID-19 pandemic is impacting every aspect of our nation, state and economy. It’s also exposing shortcomings and inequalities in job security, health care access, and now, childcare.  The Idaho State Board of Education closed all schools until April 20, but the choice to keep child care programs open across the state is discretionary. And that’s causing a real p...

(Sarah_Ackerman / Flickr) Running out of things to do all cooped up at home? You’re in luck: Boise State Public Radio's Morning Edition host (and resident film critic) George Prentice joins Idaho Matters to share his suggestions for must-see movies to watch in quarantine.  As COVID-19 cases spread through the U.S. and Idaho, we’re committed to keeping you updated and informed. You can get updated...

(Tony Webster / Flickr Creative Commons) The coronavirus outbreak could thrust economies around the world into a deep freeze for up to six months. Countries across the globe have effectively shut down. With that said, the markets are shifting and changing as quickly as the pandemic is.  Jason Norris is the executive vice president of research and portfolio management at Ferguson Wellman and joins...

(Gemma Gaudette / Boise State Public Radio)   School is officially back in session for most Idaho kids, but it sure looks different today than it did just a few weeks ago.  In fact, while our host Gemma Gaudette held this interview from her home office, her kids were hard at work doing live learning sessions online and reading assignments in the living room. Sound familiar at your house too?    Ke...

(United Way Treasure Valley) Last week on Idaho Matters , we told you how the United Way Treasure Valley and the Idaho Community Foundation are working together to get much needed financial help to people who are now experiencing housing insecurity because of the coronavirus pandemic. The fund is working with reputable nonprofits to support folks around the state.    Nora Carpenter is the executiv...

(Idaho Statesman ) Governor Brad Little’s stay home order banned discretionary travel, but some rural communities are still frustrated with visitors coming into their towns. For folks in towns like McCall and Riggins, this influx of visitors is dangerous.  The Idaho Statesman’s Nicole Blanchard told Idaho Matters about the concerns she’s been hearing from anxious residents of these towns: “What is...

(Darin Oswald / Idaho Statesman) Idaho Matters begins today with Governor Brad Little’s noon press conference, outlining his response to layoffs, a tightened state budget and strapped small businesses amid the coronavirus crisis.  Then, we're joined by Boise State Public Radio’s James Dawson , AP’s Rebecca Boone and BoiseDev’s Don Day for context and analysis after a turbulent week in the state's...

(Lacey Daley / Boise State Public Radio) With a statewide stay-at-home order in place for 21 days, what does that mean for the Idaho courts? 4th District Administrative Judge Melissa Moody joins Idaho Matters to help us understand what's closed, what's open and what will continue with new technology. The district covers Ada, Valley, Boise and Elmore Counties. Here's a few helpful resources she cov...

(Emilie Ritter Saunders / Boise State Public Radio) In the middle of the coronavirus pandemic, voting and elections may not be top of mind for many people. But if you want to vote in the May 19 primary, it’s something you should be thinking about. With uncertainty around the future of social distancing and isolation orders, the best bet to ensure you’ll be able to vote in the upcoming election is...

(New Jersey National Guard / Flickr Creative Commons)   Blaine County has been hit hard by the outbreak of COVID-19. Fourteen of the region's medical personnel -- including two emergency room doctors -- have contracted the virus.  Brent Russell is one of those doctors. He works at St. Luke’s Wood River Medical Center in Ketchum, and isn't sure where he picked up the coronavirus. Dr. Russell is rec...

(Petite 4)   Even with the coronavirus outbreak taking up most of the news, Idaho Matters wants to continue bringing listeners some lighter stories.  Joining the show today is Sarah Kornfield Kelly, the chef and owner of Boise’s Petite 4 restaurant, who also happens to be a 2020 semi-finalist in the chef category for the James Beard Awards (basically, the Oscars for chefs!).  As COVID-19 cases spr...

(Rachel / Flickr Creative Commons) Idaho Matters is working on a story about how families are dealing with school closures during the coronavirus outbreak. And we need your help!  Parents : What do your days look like now? Are you creating structure, or are you letting your kids have an extended spring break?  Kids : What do you like about being at home, and what do you miss about school and being...

( idahofoodbank.org) When the Idaho Foodbank opened its doors in 1984, the mission was clear: solve hunger in Idaho. After 35 years that mission is still going strong, as the foodbank has sites in every part of the Gem State.  Each month, the Idaho Foodbank serves almost 200,000 families, seniors and children. But now, in the midst of a global pandemic, the foodbank needs help more than ever, as t...

(Raed Mansour / Flickr Creative Commons)   Extended social isolation. Layoffs. A run on firearms. These are indirect effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. They are also conditions that have suicide experts worried about at-risk Americans.  Guns & America ’s Heath Druzin joins Idaho Matters to talk more about this serious issue, and how to help friends and family suffering from mental health issues...

(New York National Guard / Flickr Creative Commons) As more and more cases of COVID-19 are confirmed around the world and here in Idaho, there is a critical shortage of PPE, or personal protective equipment. Medical professionals are pleading for more supplies as they help people infected with the coronavirus.  NOTE: This drive is considered "essential" business under Governor Brad Little's new st...

(Story Story Night/Facebook) The need to connect and be able to continue to share stories with each other during this time of social isolation is critical and vital to so many of us. So Boise's  Story Story Night has worked quickly to take its stage show – with an audience of upwards of 300 people – to a webinar that will continue to feature storytellers mixed with a community slam. Artistic direc...

(Troy Oppie / Boise State Public Radio) Applications for unemployment insurance in Idaho are up 1300% from just last week.  The spread of coronavirus means businesses are closing for now, and laying off workers. Some closures are voluntary, while Boise has  mandated restaurants to close to dine-in guests . Idaho Labor Department Director Jani Revier told Idaho Matters Tuesday she’s seeing a spike...

(Elaine Thompson / AP Images)   Last week , we asked health leaders your questions about coronavirus. But there were so many good questions, we didn’t get a chance to answer them all.    So Idaho Matters is back this week with Dr. Dave Pate, the former CEO of St. Lukes and a current member of the governor’s Coronavirus Task Force.    Read the full interview here: Gemma Gaudette (host) : You're lis...

(Boise State Public Radio) The coronavirus is reaching deeper into Idaho as the number of confirmed cases continue to rise . In the midst of all this, Facebook is becoming the meeting space for information and community support. Shawn Keenan and Sally Boynton Brown are admins of the Idaho COVID-19 Mutual Aid Facebook Group , and help facilitate the local or regional mutual aid groups that have bee...