Idaho Matters

(Idaho Ed News) The Idaho State Board of Education has targeted literacy proficiency as a metric that needs to improve throughout the Gem State. However, their efforts have failed to reach the targeted goals, with under half of all kindergarten and first graders and under two thirds of second and third graders reaching proficient levels. Kevin Richert of Idaho EdNews joins Idaho Matters to discuss...

(Ballet Idaho) Ballet Idaho's annual production of "The Nutcracker" has become a holiday tradition for many. But this year, the 1892 ballet has gone through a bit of a refresh with a whole new set and hundreds of new costumes.  Idaho Matters talks with producers of the show about what audience members should expect in the 2019 production, which runs Dec. 19-23 at the Morrison Center in Boise.  Hav...

(Emilie Ritter Saunders / Boise State Public Radio)   Monday, the U.S. Supreme Court decided not to hear a consequential case called Boise v. Martin. The case hinged on whether an ordinance against sleeping in public is constitutional. What does this mean for Boise -- and for cities in the West like Los Angeles, San Francisco and Seattle with more acute homelessness problems? We dig into this issu...

(Lady Bizness - Facebook) This segment originally aired March 5, 2019.   Alisha Donahue and Jynx Jenkins are  Lady Bizness  - a comedy duo that pokes fun at both the most routine and ridiculous aspects of everyday life. They perform at Liquid Lounge this month and they join us in studio to talk about what is so damn funny about Boise. Have a question or comment for the show? Tweet  @KBSX915  using...

(Ethan Webber / Boise State Public Radio) This segment originally aired September 30, 2019. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is known for its devout followers, with many raised within the church remaining actively religious. Comedian Krystal Moore never fully felt like part of this community, but now draws on her experience to connect and bond with other former members of the church...

(Ethan Webber / Boise State Public Radio) This segment originally aired November 1, 2019. In 1600, a Basque-born nun named Catalina de Erauso escaped the nunnery in Spain where they lived and began to dress as a man. They boarded a ship to South America where they spent 17 years fighting as a male conquistador. De Erauso returned to Spain where both the king and the pope gave them permission to li...

Interfaith Sanctuary is hosting their 14th annual Xtreme Holiday Xtravaganza at the Egyptian Theater in downtown Boise on December 22 or 23. The fundraiser helps keep the lights on and the shelter open 24/7. We learn about the event and the homeless shelter's needs this year.  Have a question or comment for the show? Tweet  @KBSX915  using #IdahoMatters

(Otto Kitsinger / AP Images) The Idaho House will have a new leader in the 2020 legislative session. Mat Erpelding resigned from his position as House Minority Leader and his District 19 seat in Boise last week, and has taken a new role as a lobbyist for the Boise Chamber of Commerce.  Idaho Matters talks with the former Democratic lawmaker about his decision to leave electoral politics seven year...

(Ethan Webber / Boise State Public Radio) This week’s Reporter Roundtable panel of Rebecca Boone with the Associated Press, Mike Sharpe from KIVI and Nicole Foy of the Idaho Statesman talk you through the biggest headlines from the week. On tap? Higher education tuition freezes, new numbers of sexual victimization in juvenile detention facilities, mental health on social media for teens and much m...

(Frankie Barnhill / Boi) This segment originally aired July 18, 2019. What happens when you give organic produce to pregnant women for six months? Until now, no one had tried it.  A new Boise State study  shows women who ate organic produce had lower  pesticide metabolites  in their urine than women who ate regular fruits and vegetables. Gemma Gaudette digs into the study. Have a question or comme...

(DEVRI WALLS) This segment originally aired July 15, 2019. Comic Con  is a multi-day event that will bring thousands of fans to San Diego this week. To be asked to be a speaker is a high honor and this year Treasure Valley author  Devri Walls  has been asked to talk about how she creates  fantastic villains  in her  books .  Idaho Matters  talks to Devri about Comic Con and about how her fantasy b...

(Joe Atkinson) This segment originally aired February 7, 2019. Cordi and Joe Atkinson  have been caring for birds of prey for nearly four decades. From hunting with falcons to rehabilitating injured eagles, the Atkinsons have become the faces of predatory bird preservation. The Atkinsons join  Idaho Matters  to discuss their work and the role the birds play in the Idaho ecosystem. Have a question...

(CRATERS OF THE MOON NATIONAL MONUMENT) This segment originally aired July 17, 2019. In 1969 , sending lunar astronauts to Idaho’s  Craters of the Moon  National Monument seemed like a no brainer. Its barren rock and surreal landscape were good practice for pilots headed to the moon. But it turns out  NASA  had a bigger goal in mind when it sent astronauts to Idaho.  Idaho Matters  explores a  new...

(Ethan Webber / Boise State Public Radio) This segment originally aired November 12, 2019. Every year, Idaho Philanthropy Day honors companies, nonprofits and individuals for their philanthropic efforts. There is also a category for youth engagement.  Idaho Matters  talks with three extraordinary young people who have done a lot to support nonprofit work, all while keeping up with their studies. ...

(Ethan Webber / Boise State Public Radio) This segment originally aired October 3, 2019. In three weeks, Boise Police Chief Bill Bones will retire from his position after 27 years with the department.  Idaho Matters  talks to Chief Bones for an "exit interview" about his time with the BPD, his thoughts on changes in the department over the years, what he's looking forward to in retirement and the...

(Lonesome Larry Project) When Topher Jones was in 5th grade, his class raised sockeye salmon to learn about the endangered species. The lesson inspired the driven student to make a difference and help save the sockeye.  Idaho Matters  talks with the 11-year-old founder of the Lonesome Larry Project , which sells socks to support research and conservation of the fish.  Have a question or comment fo...

(Thomas Hawk / Flickr) In a new survey conducted by Boise State University researchers, residents of the Treasure Valley indicated that growth and traffic congestion were primary areas of concern. Idaho Matters talks with political scientist Jeff Lyons of Boise State about the survey, and how it might be used to influence decision makers and elected officials. Have a question or comment for the sh...

Every year the Boise Bicycle Project helps grant underprivileged children the wish of owning their own bike. They refurbish old bikes donated to the nonprofit and then hand them out to children who request them. This year they've received more than 700 requests, which is 200 more than they expected. Now, they're asking the community to help them out by donating used kids bikes.  Have a question or...

(Ethan Webber / Boise State Public Radio) The United States Marine Corps has been helping bring holiday joy to children since 1947 with the Toys For Tots program. Idaho Matters talks with USMC Sergeant Zeballos about the Boise branch of the program and why they need support during the 2019 holiday season.  Have a question or comment for the show? Tweet  @KBSX915  using #IdahoMatters

(Alley Repertory Theater / via Facebook ) "La Cage Aux Folles" is a Tony award winning musical, which was the basis for 1996 film "The Birdcage."  Alley Repertory Theater in Boise is staging the play , and before their next performance two of the lead actors stopped by Idaho Matters to talk about the significance of the play in the LGBTQ community. Have a question or comment for the show? Tweet  @...

(Bronco BEAM) Three Boise State students are helping the problem of food insecurity and waste with a modern solution: they built an app. Bronco BEAM gives alerts to users whenever there is extra food from events around campus -- food that otherwise would be thrown away. Idaho Matters speaks with the three developers to find out why they decided to create the app. Have a question or comment for the...

(NPR ) NPR reporter Kirk Siegler has spent the last few years investigating the urban-rural divide in the western United States. He's just moved from Los Angeles to set up in Boise so he can move closer to his reporting. He talks with Idaho Matters about the stories he hopes to tell from here. Have a question or comment for the show? Tweet  @KBSX915  using #IdahoMatters

(Emilie Ritter Saunders / Boise State Public Radio) Known for 50 years as the Mountain States Tumor Institute, the Boise facility is now being renamed the St. Luke’s Cancer Institute.  Idaho Matters speaks with two generations of doctors from the center about how cancer treatment has changed over the last five decades.  Note: St. Luke's is a sponsor of Idaho Matters. Have a question or comment for...

(Hatem Moussa / AP Images) Earth's moon is well known for its surface being littered with craters. But can we learn anything from these collision points? That is a question that Gwen Barnes, a professor at the University of Idaho, has been attempting to answer. She talks with Idaho Matters to explain her research and preview her talk Friday at Boise State University. Have a question or comment for...

(Ethan Webber / Boise State Public Radio) From historic Boise and Caldwell runoff elections to the surprise retirement of Idaho Rep. Mat Erpelding (D-Boise), the Reporter Roundtable brings you the biggest headlines of the week. We're joined by reporters Melissa Davlin with Idaho Public Television, Scott McIntosh of the Idaho Statesman and Margaret Carmel with the Idaho Press. Have a question or co...