Idaho Matters

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 documentary  about the Gem State’s connection to the moon landings. We also take a l...

(Russel Daniels for KUER) It’s called America’s first extreme sport. It’s certainly old … and extreme.  Mountain West News Bureau  reporter Nate Hegyi takes us to the  Fort Hall Reservation  in Idaho, where Shoshone Bannock tribal members are gearing up for Indian Relay.

(Derek Bruff / Flickr) Last week, a group of 28 state lawmakers in Idaho sent Boise State University’s newly minted president a  letter targeting the school’s diversity programs.  The letter says the programs create “unnecessary costs.” Democratic lawmakers fired back with their own letter to Boise State President Marlene Tromp, who started her new role July 1. Democrats argue multicultural events...

(Frankie Barnhill / Boise State Public Radio) Some Boise State students are preparing a rally at the Idaho Statehouse on Saturday. It comes in response to a letter from GOP lawmakers asking the school's new president to stop certain programs and celebrations for minority students. Gemma Gaudette talks to one student who wants to keep the programs running.

(jurek d. (Jerzy Durczak) / Flickr) It's summer, it's hot , and your kids are out of school. Keeping kids cool, and occupied, is no easy feat for busy families. But what if your family is homeless and doesn't have a nice air-conditioned house to spend the summer in? Boise's Pioneer Neighborhood Community Center Day Shelter is now open.

Thursday marks the opening of one of Zoo Boise's most ambitious projects to date. The 2.5 acre Gorongosa National Park Exhibit will debut to the public. The new exhibit features baboons, hyenas, warthogs, Nile crocodiles and other animals. But Idaho Matters finds out it's much more than just a chance to see exotic animals.

(Frankie Barnhill / Boise State Public Radio) The state of Idaho is still working to implement voter-approved Medicaid Expansion . The debate over expansion has been front and center in the public eye this year. But behind the scenes, health care providers around the state are preparing for the influx of patients, once thousands of more people are eligible for Medicaid. We find out how one hospita...

(Frankie Barnhill / Boise State Public Radio) The Blue Cross of Idaho Foundation says one of every three children in Idaho is overweight or obese, which can lead to health problems such as heart disease, high blood pressure and diabetes. To help stop those risks, the Foundation gives out Community Transformation Grants to Idaho communities to provide access to physical activity and healthy, afford...

(Amanda Peacher / Mountain West New Bureau) Children with special needs in the Magic Valley have a place to turn when they need special equipment, therapy, travel assistance or family counseling. Since 2006, St. Luke’s Magic Valley Health Foundation has helped more than 400 kids with speech therapy, physical therapy, equipment and hippotherapy. Idaho Matters finds out more about this special progr...

(Devri Walls) 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 book characters deal with real-life problems .

(Keith Ridler / AP Photos) Friday means it's time for the Idaho Matters  Reporter Roundtable  where we get you up to date on all the news that made headlines around our region this week.

(Rob Swatski / Flickr) Pancreatic cancer  is hard to find and to treat. We take a look at the  Purple Stride Walk  which  fosters awareness  and  education about the warning signs .

(Bart / Flickr) A recent, and deadly, Boise house fire has a lot of people thinking about  smoke detectors . We chat with  Idaho Statesman  reporter Katy Moeller who covered the story and learned a lot about fire alarms.

(Idaho Humanities Council) Forty Idaho teachers are gathering next week for the Idaho Humanities Council's  Summer Teacher Institute.  The teachers get an in-depth study of a single topic to help them teach that topic in their classrooms. The institute is titled "Are Women People?" The Journey for Voting Rights. The IHC is also holding  three evening programs  open to the public on the women's suf...

(Boise Twilight Criterium ) For the past 32 years, cycling enthusiasts of all abilities have descended on downtown Boise for the annual  ASWD Twilight Criterium . This year's events include everything from biking with gold medalist Kristin Armstrong to eating 2,000 pounds of Idaho french fries.

Matthew Fox-Amato teaches history at the University of Idaho. Oxford University Press has just published his book, called “ Exposing Slavery : Photography, Human Bondage, and the Birth of Modern Visual Politics in America.” Idaho Matters takes a closer look.

Rocky Barker just got back from  Gorongosa National Park , which was hit by a  devastating cyclone  earlier this year. He talks about his trip and about the  new Gorongosa exhibit  about to open at  Zoo Boise .

(Reclaim Idaho) This July marks the anniversary of when supporters turned in their gathered signatures for  Medicaid expansion . Though the expansion was approved by Idaho voters last fall , Medicaid Expansion has yet to take place in the Gem State.

(Michael Kappel / Flickr) Stress affects all of us, but for those who work in healthcare, the risks of stress can be  hazardous . In a job that is inherently stressful, it is important that medical providers have strategies to combat and cope with the physical, mental and emotional stresses of their occupation. We talk with a nurse practitioner about the techniques she and others can use to mainta...

(David Lebech / Flickr) Farm-to-Fork dinners are served on the very farms that grow the evening's food. They are a national phenomenon. But ultra fresh fare isn't all these feasts offer. Correspondent Guy Hand goes to dinner at Peaceful Belly Farms in the Treasure Valley and finds there's more on the menu than a good meal.

(netzanette / Flickr) For many young adults, college is a time full of excitement and exploration. However, this time can also be challenging for students' mental health. For this reason it’s important to know the common warning signs of mental health issues and the resources that are available to students for help.

(Black and Pink / Facebook) We take a close up look at the new podcast  LOCKED  from Boise State Public Radio and the Mountain West News Bureau. We explore the  origins of the podcast , listen to the  first episode  and find out more about the series. 

(Don Harder / Flickr) Idaho Education News  reports the latest Idaho  SAT  test scores have fallen backward for the second year in a row. We break down the numbers with  Kevin Richert .

(Ada County Sheriff's Website) The  Ada County Sheriff's Office  and  Big Brothers Big Sisters  are teaming up to launch the Treasure Valley Youth Mentoring Program.  "Bigs in Blue"  will connect kids and law enforcement.

(Marilylle Soveran / Flickr) Summer means time for fresh berries, from blackberries to strawberries and everything in between. Every August, the Monastery of St. Gertrude in Central Idaho holds its annual Raspberry Festival . In this episode of Edible Idaho , correspondent Guy Hand meets Sister Wilma, then 91, still working in the Monastery's raspberry patch.