Idaho Matters

(Melissa Shelby / Idaho Sled Dog Challenge)   For the third year in a row, the McCall Winter Festival will host a dog sled race. But this isn’t just any race. Organized by people involved with the Iditarod, the Idaho Dog Sled Challenge is 300 miles long. And with more than 44,000 feet of elevation change on the course, mushers call this a 500 mile race packed into 300.  “[These dogs] are machines,...

(BigOakFlickr / Flickr Creative Commons)   Thousands of high-paying STEM jobs continue to go unfilled in Idaho. That’s according to the Idaho Stem Action Center, which released updated numbers to the legislature last week.  But with more computer science teachers and students interested in the field, will that storyline change soon?  Dr. Angela Hemingway joins Idaho Matters from the Idaho STEM Act...

(PopTech / Flickr Creative Commons)   RadioLab  explores big ideas every week on WNYC. The nationally-distributed public radio show disrupted both the public radio and podcast space and has inspired many producers in the world of audio storytelling. The show airs on Boise State Public Radio News at noon on Saturdays.    Host Jad Abumrad has spent years perfecting his craft, and will share some of...

(DARIN OSWALD / Idaho Statesman) Idaho’s oil and gas industry continues to spark interest, concern and controversy, especially in Payette County. Natural gas was discovered in southwest Idaho in 2010. Since then several gas wells and one oil well have been built. Now those wells are changing hands -- again. The new owner wants to put past issues of transparency and underpayments by the first owner...

(IMLS Digital Collections & Content / Flickr Creative Commons) During World War II, tens of thousands of Japanese Americans were rounded up and held in camps around the country. One of those internment camps was in south central Idaho. The Minidoka camp housed folks from Washington, Oregon and Alaska.  Now, a traveling exhibit curated by the Smithsonian museum in Washington D.C. will open to t...

(VIA FACEBOOK / Mladi Behar The Bosnian Herzegovinian Cultural Center of ldaho) The Bosnian-Herzegovinian Cultural Center of Idaho has been in Boise since 2000, when thousands of refugees came to the United States fleeing war and conflict. Some settled in the Treasure Valley. Since then, community members have been using traditional dance, music and food to share Bosnian culture with Idaho. Maya D...

(Alexandra Wyman / AP Images) The fashion industry is about more than just clothes. It’s also about scandal, #MeToo moments, human trafficking and murder. At least that’s what the new book “Fashion Jungle” is about. Co-author Rachel van Dyken is from Boise, and joins Idaho Matters to talk about her book, which is based on real events from her co-author and former supermodel Kathy Ireland’s life an...

(ETHAN WEBBER / BOISE STATE PUBLIC RADIO) Legislative session is in full swing here in Idaho. Our own  Jimmy Dawson , Kevin Richert (Idaho Ed News) and Don Day (BoiseDev) explain what's gone down this week in the capitol and beyond.  Have a question or comment for the show? Tweet  @KBSX915  using #IdahoMatters    

(Idaho Statesman) Every three years, hospitals across Idaho take part in a survey to determine the state's biggest health needs. The survey, which pulls data from health sources and interviews, is conducted by the St. Luke's system. The new results are out Friday. The two most significant concerns? Obesity and mental illness. Jean Fitzgerald Mutchie, Lyle Nelson and Dr. Alejandro Necochea joined I...

(George Prentice / Boise State Public Radio) Monday is Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Idaho Human Rights Day. George Prentice talked with the organizers of the MLK Living Legacy Celebration, that will be taking place at Boise State University. Francisco Salinas is the director of the Boise State Office of Student Diversity and Inclusion, and Ryann Banks is a Boise State University Student who is t...

(Bogus Basin)   This week’s snowfall in the Treasure Valley means only one thing: ski season is here.  Idaho Matters  talked with Tamarack Resort’s President Jon Reveal and Bogus Basin’s General Manager Brad Wilson about the season so far.  (Tamarack Resort) First, the snow. It’s been fantastic. Both mountains were able to open early this year on Thanksgiving. “Thanksgiving [and] early December wi...

(Alan Kotok / Flickr Creative Commons)   Ten years ago, the global economy was in the depths of the financial crisis and investors had just finished posting negative returns for the decade. This scared many people. But if you stayed in the market, your return was more than 250% or 13.5% per year. So, ten years later as we are weeks into a new year and a new decade, what does the financial outlook...

(Joel Wayne / Boise State Public Radio) Hot springs were practically made for winter, which is why we're presenting this episode of our  You Know The Place  podcast. Join hosts Lacey and Joel on their trip up to Kirkham Hot Springs in Lowman and a quirky bar in Idaho City.  Have a question or comment for the show? Tweet  @KBSX915  using #IdahoMatters  

(Rachel Cohen / Boise State Public Radio) The J-1 visa program was intended to promote international understanding, hosting international workers for positions like camp counselors and au pairs. Hospitality workers make up a large percentage of visa holders, and Idaho's tourism industry relies on these folks for seasonal work. Our Twin Falls reporter Rachel Cohen fills in  Idaho Matters  on the wo...

(Georgia Innocence Project)   In 1993, a Georgia man named Kerry Robinson was accused of raping a woman at gunpoint. He served 18 years in prison – but he was innocent. Greg Hampikian is a biology professor at Boise State University and has spent a decade working to free Robinson through the Georgia Innocence Project. Hampikian calls this "the biggest work of his career."  "This has been a big bat...

(Treefort Music Fest / Flickr Creative Commons)   There's a new business in downtown Boise, dedicated to something many people do at home or in a private space: meditation. We talk with the owners of Source about meditation and the business side of this practice.  Have a question or comment for the show? Tweet  @KBSX915  using #IdahoMatters  

(City of Tetonia) The small town of Tetonia, Idaho will celebrate their 9th annual Snow Plane Rally this weekend. Not sure what a "snow plane" is? Despite it's name, the devices never leave the ground, but move over the snow on skis powered by propellers. Event organizers Jacque Beard and Brent Robson joined  Idaho Matters  to talk about the history of the event and why it's important for their to...

(STR / AP Images)   The National Interagency Fire Center in Boise has sent wildfire supression crews to help fight the Australian Bushfires. NIFC spokesperson Jessica Gardetto talks more about how countries share resources and how changing fire seasons are impacting the need for firefighters internationally.  Have a question or comment for the show? Tweet  @KBSX915  using #IdahoMatters    

(DARIN OSWALD / Idaho Statesman) The third annual Women's March falls on the 100th anniversary of women's suffrage. This year, the event will be a gathering at the Idaho State Capitol on Saturday from 9-10:30 a.m. Idaho Matters checks in with event coordinator Keri Steneck about this year's Boise event.  Have a question or comment for the show? Tweet  @KBSX915  using #IdahoMatters  

(Wassmuth Center for Human Rights)   The Wassmuth Center for Human Rights is getting ready to unveil a new program for local businesses and organizations who want to build a diverse workforce. The Center’s executive director Dr. Dan Prinzing joins Idaho Matters to tell us more about the Human Rights Certification Program and why it’s being implemented.  Have a question or comment for the show? Twe...

(Josh Plueger, Offutt Air Force Base / Flickr Creative Commons)   Jeff Galloway has been a major name in the running community since before his appearance in the 1972 Olympics. Since then, Jeff’s books, personal coaching and training groups have reached thousands. He's visiting the Treasure Valley this week for a series of talks, and joins  Idaho Matters  to share his tips on running and training....

(Milo Burcham)   Twenty-five years ago, wolves were reintroduced in Idaho. Ranchers feared for their livestock while wolf supporters celebrated their return. The controversial decision still is playing out today. We talk with Suzanne Stone of the Wood River Wolf Project and former Idaho Statesman environmental reporter Rocky Barker about this historic anniversary. Have a question or comment for th...

(Rick Bowmer / AP Images) Currently in Idaho, faith healing is legally exempt from medical neglect laws. The Campaign to Protect Idaho Kids has been working on a project to change this. Later this week the organization is hosting a panel discussion on this issue at the Idaho State Capitol. Two of the panelists will be Boise Police Chief Mike Masterson and Canyon County Sheriff Kieran Donahue. Both...

(Idaho Walk Bike Alliance) "Filmed By Bike: The World's Best Bike Movies" is a Portland project making its way to Boise on Friday, January 17. Cynthia Gibson, the executive director of the Idaho Walk Bike Alliance and film creator Alyeen Crotty join Idaho Matters to talk about the history of the festival and why they’re making a stop in Boise.  Have a question or comment for the show? Tweet  @KBSX...

(SHUTTERSTOCK) Join Boise State Public Radio's  George Prentice  as he breaks down the Academy Award nominations. He'll tell  Idaho Matters  about any surprises in the nominations and who he thinks will take home the Oscars next month. Have a question or comment for the show? Tweet  @KBSX915  using #IdahoMatters