Idaho Matters

(stem.idaho.gov) Computer Science Education Week runs through December 7 and the  Idaho STEM Action Center  is emphasizing training in coding, the backbone of computer programming. We speak with STEM AC about the classes and opportunities available to anyone who wants to get started in computer coding.

(idahoptv.org) America's first commercial airmail delivery left from an airfield where Boise State University stands today. We'll learn more about this and other aspects of Idaho's aviation history from IPTV's latest edition of  Idaho Experience , " Pioneers of the Air ."

(Boise Bicycle Project) Every December, the  Boise Bicycle Project  coordinates with area schools, social workers and non-profit organizations to distribute bicycles to underprivileged children in the Treasure Valley. 

(ebay/pbs/kera/open culture) The film  Green Book  tells the story of an African-American musician and a white bouncer traveling through the Jim Crow-era South. The movie's title refers to " The Negro Motorist Green Book " - a travel guide prepared for African-Americans traveling by road between the 1930's and the 1960's. The book instructed travelers as to which motels were friendly, which restau...

(PAUL SANCYA / AP) Elevated levels of lead  found in a Boise school in October led to further testing throughout the district. Nearly one in six samples tested positive for unacceptable lead levels in 26 area schools. We'll look at lead levels in school drinking water on Monday's  Idaho Matters .

(Southern Idaho food Truck Association / Facebook) Many entrepreneurs are finding it easier to enter the food service industry using a food truck as opposed to traditional brick-and-mortar restaurants. Idaho Matters looks at the popularity and the proliferation of food trucks in the Treasure Valley.

(IDAHO OFFICE FOR REFUGEES) Idaho Matters looks at St. Alphonsus' programs for providing healthcare and support for refugees resettling in the Treasure Valley.

(facebook) The National Rifle Association recently  posted a tweet  telling doctors with opinions about gun violence to "stay in their lane." This did not sit well with the medical community and the response was instant, including that of Dr. Heather Hammerstedt, president of the Idaho chapter of the  American College of Emergency Physicians . Her  Facebook posting  on the matter stated, "This is...

(idahoshakespeare.org) The  2019 Idaho Shakespeare Festival  program has been announced and it includes Petruchio & Katherina, an Agatha Christie classic, 76 trombones, the Ides of March and a lot of blue suede shoes. Charlie Fee and Hannah Read Newbill stop in to give us a preview of this year's Idaho Shakespeare Festival. 

(stock) Host Gemma Gaudette leads a round table discussion of the week's headlines with the region's top journalists. This week  Idaho Matters  speaks with Betsy Russell from the  Idaho Press  and  Idaho Public Television 's Bill Manny and Seth Ogilvie.

(Roberto Machado Noa/LightRocket/pbs.org) Efforts to make conversion therapy illegal in Idaho died in the statehouse last year. Two new films have brought this discussion to the forefront and on Thursday's  Idaho Matters , we'll find out why this practice is dangerous and we'll hear about efforts to make it a crime in the Gem State.

(Dryland Doggs LLC / Facebook) Dryland Dogs  has created a line of products that will let you hitch your dog to a bike, scooter, cart - even skis - and pull you down the Greenbelt like an Iditarod champion. The owner of the Meridian-based company joins  Idaho Matters  to talk about this new dimension to outdoor recreation.

(EMILIE RITTER SAUNDERS / BOISE STATE PUBLIC RADIO) Ada County election officials must oversee a recount of the CWI funding levy - the ballot measure failed by 144 votes. Ada County assistant county clerk Phil McGrane discusses the county's unique recount procedure.

(Frankie Barnhill / oldboise.com) Most of us grow out of our toys, but for model train enthusiasts , the tracks go on forever. We'll meet Darrell Sterling, a member of the  Old Boise N-Scale Model Railroad Club , and find out why this hobby endures and why the holidays bring out the best in train modeling.

(Katherine Jones / Idaho Statesman) Ivanka Trump and Tim Cook paid a visit to Wilder Elementary to assess the school's STEM program. We'll speak with the area reporters who covered the visit.

(Idaho Education News ) Idaho has made small progress in improving the rate of high school graduates going on to college, but there is still room for improvement. Kevin Richert of Idaho Education News joins us to discuss efforts to improve this metric.

(College of Western Idaho) Election officials will review the votes for the College of Western Idaho's funding levy, which failed by 144 votes.  Idaho Matters  looks at the potential results.

(Story Collider) Story Collider  turns science into the spoken word. We'll find out why this global trend has people riveted to tales of science.

(usbr.gov) Elmore County has applied to appropriate water  from the Anderson Ranch Reservoir which supplies a substantial portion of Ada County's water. This could set a precedent for water rights and sharing and we look at this request from Elmore County and parse out its impact on the Treasure Valley.

(onlyinyourstate.com) The Small Business Development Center helps small businesses get off the ground and grow. We'll talk with the SBDC's regional director and a local business owner who enjoyed success with their help.

(LACEY DALEY / BOISE STATE PUBLIC RADIO) The  Boise Valley Economic Partnership  is crunching data in an effort to chart and predict growth patterns in the Treasure Valley. We'll look at how they are doing that and what they are finding.

(danezsmithpoet.com) Poet  Danez Smith  spits rhymes reflecting their exasperation as a black, gay, HIV-positive Minnesotan. They will be in Boise Tuesday evening presenting at The Egyptian as part of  The Cabin's Ghosts & Projectors Poetry Reading Series  and Smith joins  Idaho Matters  to talk about what inspires them and how to use poetry as a political tool.

(MICRON TECHNOLOGY) The Department of Justice has  filed charges against two Chinese  memory chip manufacturers accused of stealing proprietary information from Boise-based Micron.  Idaho Matters  speaks with the  Wired  magazine   reporter who has been covering this story.

(Brent Lewis/The Denver Post via Getty Images/NPR) The CDC reported  185 youth deaths  as a result of the flu last season. One in three parents will not get flu shots for their kids. We'll look at the dangers of not getting annual flu shots for both your kids and the community.

(youtube) Story Story Night 's  2018-2019 Flagship Season  will look at all things "elemental" as performances are presented as reflections of life through the prism of earthly elements.  The season debuts Tuesday  with "Carbon" and  Idaho Matters  will speak with author  Reema Zaman .