Idaho Matters

(Patrick Sison / AP Images) The United States has been battling the opioid epidemic for years, with much of the focus on medical doctors and how they prescribe these medications. However, dentists work with one of the most sensitive parts of the human body and will often prescribe painkillers for their patients. Idaho Matters looks at what responsibility falls on dentists and their practices, and...

(Eric Risberg / AP Images) Cannabis is illegal in Idaho, even as states surrounding us legalize medicinal or recreational marijuana. But recently there have been several CBD shops that have opened within the state, creating some murky legal waters for consumers to navigate. We talk with a Concordia University School of Law professor to better understand the legality of Idaho's new CBD vendors. Hav...

(Lacey Daley / Boise State Public Radio) When Boise mayoral candidates released their campaign finance reports earlier this month, Boise State Public Radio reported that Amber Pence , Boise’s former chief lobbyist, was still employed by the city when she began to work on incumbent Mayor Dave Bieter's campaign. Now, we've obtained emails that confirm there was an overlap of job duties. We get the l...

(Courtesy Adriel Martinez) Adriel Martinez is one of six men and women challenging incumbent Dave Bieter in the race to see who should be the Mayor of Boise. Martinez isn't a stranger to politics. In 2015, he ran an unsuccessful race against Boise City Councilman Scot Ludwig. Now, Martinez has his eye on Boise's top job. Martinez sat down with  Morning Edition  host George Prentice. Read the full...

(Opera Idaho - Facebook) Opera Idaho has been a Gem State staple for close to 50 years, but they are about to do something they never have before: perform a Frederick Handel production. "Acis & Galatea" will be on stage this November and features Emmy Award Winner Karim Sulayman. Idaho Matters talks with the tenor and conductor Robert Franz about what makes this opera unique. Have a question o...

(MICHAEL DWYER / AP Images) Breast cancer is a disease that impacts one in eight women and well as one in 880 men. Lots of research has been conducted into treatments for breast cancer, but there are ways that you can lower your risk of getting it through certain lifestyle changes. St. Luke's Hospital surgeon Rhiana Menen joins Idaho Matters during Breast Cancer Awareness Month to explain how diet...

(David J. Phillip / AP Images) Have you found yourself distracted by your phone while driving? Although the state of Idaho banned texting while driving several years ago, the City of Meridian has become the latest municipality in the state to go a step further. The city council just voted to ban hand-held devices, even while stopped at a light. We hear from one of the Meridian City Council members...

(Courtesy Cortney Nielsen) Cortney Nielsen is one of the seven men and women running to be Boise's mayor. She's a political novice. She says she's running for Boise's top job because people want, in her words, "fresh, new ideas." She spoke with Morning Edition host George Prentice. Read the full transcript below: GEORGE PRENTICE: Cortney Nielsen is one of seven individuals running for mayor in the...

(Student Veterans of America) One of the biggest draws of the military for young Americans is the promise of a low-cost college experience. Veterans are becoming a growing segment of college students, but there can be some challenges when transitioning from the military to student life. In advance of Veterans Day, we talk with an Army vet at the University of Idaho about her experience from soldie...

(Ethan Webber / Boise State Public Radio) Refugees have a lot of things to sort out in a quick period of time when they arrive in Idaho, but one of the most important things is finding sustainable and dignified work. Saint Alphonsus Hospital in Boise has started a pre-apprenticeship program to help train refugee workers as “environmental services” employees, a role that keeps the hospital clean an...

(Courtesy Wayne Richey) Wayne Richey is, perhaps, the most provocative candidate on the ballot in the race for who should be the mayor of Boise. Richey advocates for making Boise less attractive, so that fewer people move to the area. He blames new residents for driving up the cost of living. Richey spoke about his candidacy with Morning Edition host George Prentice. Read the full transcript below...

(Nate Hegyi / Mountain West News Bureau)   It’s that time of year when many of us head out to corn mazes, pumpkin patches...or haunted houses. But some people want more than the typical haunted house. How about getting waterboarded, electrocuted or even force-fed maggots? That’s the world of extreme haunted houses. Mountain West News Bureau reporter Nate Hegyi visited one in Utah, and shares his f...

(Ethan Webber / Boise State Public Radio) The gloves are off in the race to become Boise's next mayor. Our panel of reporters dig into the latest on the upcoming November 5 election, as well as a cellphone ban that's gone into effect in Meridian. Plus, could proposed Medicaid waivers affect family planning services in Idaho? Catch up on all the news you might have missed this week with the Idaho M...

(Courtesy Rebecca Arnold) Rebecca Arnold is no stranger to the public eye. She's currently the president of the Ada County Highway District Commission and spent nearly a dozen years on the board of the Idaho Association of Highway Districts. But now, she has her eye on Boise City Hall. Arnold spoke about her candidacy with Morning Edition host George Prentice.   Read the full transcript below: GEO...

(Ian Malepeai / Story Story Night - Facebook) Story Story Night creates events for people to hear stories and share real-life experiences. They are holding a special event where the stories will all feature a united theme: the constellation Orion. The event named “Starry Story Night” will take place October 29, at JUMP in downtown Boise. Event organizers join Idaho Matters to explore the story eve...

(Ethan Webber / Boise State Public Radio) The holidays are just around the corner, and are usually a time for cheer, giving and family. But this time of year can also give way to overwhelming emotions for those who have lost a loved one. Many people struggle to cope with these feelings, which is why Boise artist Danica Thurber has set up a workshop to help people through the tough times -- using a...

(City of Twin Falls) With November 5 quickly approaching, South Central Idaho has several important issues that will be on the ballot on election day. From a Twin Falls jail bond measure, to the Blaine County school board elections and more, Boise State Public Radio reporter Rachel Cohen joins Idaho Matters to preview these elections. Have a question or comment for the show? Tweet  @KBSX915  using...

Of the seven men and women running for Boise mayor this year, the most surprising candidate is Brent Coles. After serving as Boise Mayor from 1993-2003, Coles resigned from office. He was subsequently indicted on charges of fraud and misuse of public funds and sent to jail. Coles spoke about his return to the public eye with Morning Edition host George Prentice. Read the full transcript below: GEO...

(John Minchillo / AP Images) Gun control has become a topic driving national politics over the last several years. With a 2020 presidential election looming over the political scene, candidates will have to create a compelling argument on a divided issue. Guns & America reporter Heath Druzin attended an event based around the subject of gun control and joins Idaho Matters to expand upon the di...

(Town of Meridian) The City of Meridian has been led by Mayor Tammy de Weerd for 15 years, but she has decided against running for a fifth term. This leaves voters there with five candidates to replace the longtime mayor. But who is favored to win, and can they live up to de Weerd’s legacy? BoiseDev reporter Don Day breaks down the race for Meridian's top job. Have a question or comment for the sh...

(Frankie Barnhill / Boise State Public Radio ) Fall has a lot of symbolic events, from the changing leaves to pumpkin carving to autumn arangements. The gourd is often seen in some autumn arrangements, but these fruits are used for much more. Ron Swank of the Idaho Gourd Society joins Idaho Matters and carves a thunder gourd live in studio, which is named after the sound it creates. Check out the...

(Mark Von Holden / AP Images) Adverse childhood experiences, otherwise known as ACEs, are traumatic experiences that occur during childhood. These events can greatly affect a person’s life trajectory, but there is increasing effort being put into limiting these issues. Dr. Ron Larson joins Idaho Matters to discuss how people develop resiliency and why studying it can benefit many people. Have a qu...

(Allison Joyce / AP Images) When families are unable to have children, some parents turn to surrogacy. Boise has become a hub for this option, which is growing in popularity. That's why filmmaker Beth Aala decided to make a documentary about the subject. She joins Idaho Matters to talk about “Made In Boise," which is now going to be distributed on PBS October 28. In Idaho, you can watch it at 10:0...

(Franklin Reyes / AP Images) Small scale solar production has become a popular way to decrease carbon emissions, but may people also view it as an investment. When solar panels are installed, there is an opportunity to sell any excess power back to the power company. But Idaho Power would like to change the way folks receive credits.  Idaho Matters talks to a solar advocate about why these changes...

(IDOC) This segment originally aired June 6, 2019. Yoga therapist  Kaelyn Rogers  spent a year-and-a-half traveleing the world, studying yoga and contemplating how she could bring that experience back to Boise to the benefit of the community. Rogers' solution was to bring  yoga into IDOC facilities  and train inmates. She joins  Idaho Matters  with Deputy Warden Randy Valley from the Idaho State C...