Idaho Matters

(Kimberlee Kruesi / AP Images) The Boise City Club's mission is "things happen when people start talking." Every year, they recognize a member of the community to celebrate achievements in civil discourse with the Stimpson Award. This year the award will go to Jim Weatherby, former Director of the Public Policy Center at Boise State University. The Boise City Club President joins Idaho Matters to...

(Joshua Lindgren - BSPR) The Boise metro has grown by more than 100,000 people since 2010 . One of the most significant side effects fo this explosive growth has been a decrease in housing affordability. And it seems like everyone is talking about it. Now, the James A. and Louise McClure Center for Public Policy at the University of Idaho is sponsoring a discussion about growth from a variety of a...

(Emilie Ritter Saunders / Boise State Public Radio) Early voting has begun in several Idaho counties, which can provide insight into voter turnout before election day comes comes November 5. One of the highest profile races is the Boise mayoral race, where incumbent Dave Bieter seeks a fifth term in office. Idaho Press reporter Margaret Carmel covers city hall, and gives her take on the upcoming e...

(Idaho Horror Film Festival - Facebook) As Halloween approaches, the Idaho Horror Film Festival hopes to get folks in a spooky mood at the Egyptian Theater in downtown Boise. The multi-day event aims to bring in horror fans of all ages, with 50 short films, workshops for filmmakers and more. We talk with the executive director of the film festival, now in its sixth year. Have a question or comment...

(Ethan Webber / Boise State Public Radio) The Velma V. Morrison Center has become a cultural icon for Boise and Idaho for decades. The performing arts venue welcomes Laura Kendall as their new executive director as their season kicks off. She joins Idaho Matters to talk about her ambitions for the Morrison Center , 35 years after the venue opened its doors. Have a question or comment for the show?...

(Ethan Webber / Boise State Public Radio) This week the Reporter Roundtable talks about the upcoming mayoral races in Boise and Meridian, fighter jet altitude limits, farmers and the trade war and more. Listen to reporters Bill Manny with Idaho Public Television, Scott McIntosh with the Idaho Statesman and Madelyn Beck with the Mountain West News Bureau recap the biggest headlines of the week on I...

(Saalt - Twitter - @Saaltco) More than half the population in the United States will need access to menstrual products in their lifetime.  That adds up to thousands of dollars over a woman’s lifetime of buying pads and tampons,  which can create financial hardship . On Saturday, folks are gathering at the Idaho statehouse in Boise to rally against the "period tax," Idaho's 6% sales tax that applie...

(Boise State University) In July, 28 GOP  Idaho house members sent a letter  to Boise State University criticizing the school’s diversity and inclusion programs at the school. Now, Boise State’s College Republicans and Young Democrats are sponsoring a forum with legislators about the issue. Presidents of the student politcal clubs join  Idaho Matters  to preview the event next Tuesday, October 22 ...

(RIDLEY PEARSON/FACEBOOK) This interview originally aired June 20, 2019.  Author Ridley Pearson has built a career on writing suspense novels for young adult readers. His latest project is writing a comic book portraying the children of Superman and Batman for DC Comics. Pearson is also a guest author on the PBS television series,  Kid Stew , featured on  Idaho Public Television.   Pearson joins ...

(MARK DUNCAN / AP Images) The Bureau of Land Managment announced earlier this year that the agency's headquarters would move from Washington D.C. to Grand Junction, Colo. Proponents of the move believe this will make the agency more efficient, since most of the land the BLM manages is West of the Mississippi. But critics say the move will give preferential treatment to the fossil fuel industry.  M...

(NASA/JPL-CALTECH) This segment originally aired February 1, 2019. Researchers believe the Jupiter moon of Europa could possibly be habitable. The natural satellite has an enormous ocean twenty times deeper than earth's and is covered by a thick, icy shell. JPL's  Dr. Samuel Howell  joins  Idaho Matters  to talk about NASA's Clipper Mission to Europa. Have a question or comment for the show? Tweet...

(Thomas Peipert / AP Images) Refugees have come to Boise from across the globe, resettling after traumatic events like genocide and famine. But once they settle, how does psychological stress affect them on a physiological level? Three Boise State University researchers exploring these questions join  Idaho Matters  to discuss their study. Have a question or comment for the show? Tweet  @KBSX915  ...

(Night Vale podcast - Twitter - @NightValeRadio ) Welcome To Night Vale  is one of the most downloaded podcasts in the world. Set in a desert town where paranormal activity is every day, the podcast takes the form of a community radio station with broadcasts that highlight the strange and mysterious things happening there. With more than 100 episodes, the show’s cult status has been well cemented...

(Boise State University) According to a new report from the Pew Charitable Trusts, Idaho higher education ranks 49th in the nation when it comes to how much revenue is collected for each student. So does that mean Idaho’s colleges and universities are underfunded? Idaho EdNews dug deeper into the report and breaks down their findings on Idaho Matters.   Have a question or comment for the show? Twe...

(SWIMBA/FACEBOOK) This interview originally aired June 18, 2019.  The Southwest Mountain Biking Association has helped build trails in the foothills of Boise and has helped grow the local mountain biking community. Their next mission is to increase diversity within that community by reducing fears and concerns around the sport. Idaho Matters talks with the group's executive director about these is...

(St. Luke's) A team of nurses and respiratory therapists based in Boise was recently named the top neonatal and pediatric team in the country by the Association of Air Medical Services. The team focuses on neo-natal and pediatric transport, serving moms and babies around the state. We talk with one of the members of the team to learn more about their work. Disclosure: St. Luke's is a sponsor of Id...

(Ross D. Franklin / AP Images) Former Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar will be in Idaho next week for the annual Sherman J. Bellwood Lecture at the University of Idaho. Salazar led the nation’s efforts develop and implement the framework for America’s energy independence under the Obama Administration. He joins Idaho Matters to discuss his lecture Oct. 22 in Boise focusing on climate change a...

(Idaho Statesman) The Booth Marian Pritchett School has a 96-year history in Boise. Its goal is keeping pregnant girls and parenting teens in school, but their infrastructure needed an upgrade. After years of fundraising, the new school will open as part of the Salvation Army's updated community center.  Idaho Matters  speaks to the organization about how the new school will keep young parents edu...

(this is my brave/youtube) ' This Is My Brave ' is a community  performance of storytellers  who share their experiences to try to reduce the stigma attached to mental illness. The next performance is October 19. Idaho Matters speaks to two storytellers about their stories and how they want to change lives. Have a question or comment for the show? Tweet  @KBSX915  using #IdahoMatters.

(Witco - Facebook) Finding a new job can be difficult and it can be particularly challenging for individuals with disabilities. Non-profit company Witco has made it a goal to place these individuals in good jobs where they can support themselves. However, the company is in danger of losing some of its funding, which would mean a drop in the number of employees the company can place. CEO Maureen St...

(Courtesy Sherri Ybarra) Last week, Superintendent of Public Instruction Sherri Ybarra called a meeting of her "Red Tape Committee," a group of 18 education leaders formed to reduce red tape in the Department of Education. But the public and the press were kept out and the meeting was held behind closed doors. Clark Corbin from Idaho Ed News joins Idaho Matters to talk about why the meeting was ke...

(Lacey Daley / Boise State Public Radio) It's campaign disclosure time. For the Boise City mayoral race, all the candidates have reported what they've raised so far. Boise State Public Radio reporter James Dawson takes a look at the stories behind the numbers. Have a question or comment for the show? Tweet  @KBSX915  using #IdahoMatters.

(Tess Goodwin / Boise State Public Radio) Pediatric palliative care is designed to help medically fragile patients by focusing on providing relief from the symptoms and stress of an illness. The goal to improve the quality of life for both the child and the family. St. Luke’s joins  Idaho Matters  to examine their new program. Disclosure: St. Luke's is a sponsor of Boise State Public Radio. Have a...

(COURTESY OF THE IDAHO STATESMAN) This segment originally aired May 21, 2019.  Idaho's average teacher pay has declined by 6.4% since 2009, adjusted for inflation. Some advocates says this makes it difficult for the state to retain experienced teachers. We learn more about this issue, and what the Idaho Education Association thinks should be done about it.  Have a question or comment for the show?...

(Ethan Webber / Boise State Public Radio) Senator Jim Risch (R-Idaho) refuses to answer questions about President Donald Trump, a legislator pushes to defund Boise State University, and a new Boise City Council debate. The Reporter Roundtable recaps these headlines and more on Idaho Matters. Have a question or comment for the show? Tweet  @KBSX915  using #IdahoMatters.