Idaho Matters

Every summer we're reminded not to leave children unattended in parked cars, and every summer we hear tragic stories of children passing away in hot cars.  Idaho Matters  discusses the issue with Sherry Iverson, St. Luke's director of advocacy.

(Gem County Economic Development) President Trump's trade disputes over tariffs and NAFTA provisions have created headaches for numerous sectors of the American economy. Idaho's number one exports to China are manufactured goods and electronic components and we look at how these trade policies are impacting Idaho exports and how tariffs are affecting raw material prices for manufacturers.

(CREDIT SADIE BABITS / BOISE STATE PUBLIC RADIO) The State of Idaho is facing a potentially crippling overcrowded prison population and officials are scrambling for ways to alleviate it. A suggestion to house inmates at National Guard barracks was shot down by Governor Otter. A $500 million expansion project is in discussion. In the meantime, many inamtes are being shipped out of state under contr...

(credit tested in idaho) Idaho Commerce is teaming up with the state's manufacturers of outdoor recreational gear to take advantage of the state's rugged terrain and test consumer equipment. From backpacks to snowshoes, kayaks and camp stoves, Tested in Idaho "shines light on Idaho-based recreation technology companies who take their work to the field."  We speak with a representative from Idaho C...

The Wizard World Comic Con  visits Boise this weekend with the Golden Goose of sci-fi guests: William Shatner, aka Captain James T. Kirk (and LAPD patrol officer TJ Hooker, Boston criminal defense attorney Denny Crane and eponymous 911 phone center presenter.)  "The Shat" joins Idaho Matters to talk about a career in front of the camera and meeting his fans throughout the country.

(James Dawson / Boise State Public Radio) The Boise community gathered outside city hall Monday in a show of unity and defiance against violence. Mayor David Bieter spoke to those gathered, thanking Boiseians for their support and urging all to stand up to hatred and violence. Mayor Bieter joined Gemma Gaudette in studio to talk about the healing process facing the community.

(St. Luke's) Traditionally, youth behavioral health services meant either short, outpatient treatment sessions or longer-term inpatient institutionalization.  St. Luke's Children's Day Treatment Center provides a program in the middle, a mid-morning through early-evening program to aid youths, 12-17, coping with depression, anxiety disorders, PTSD and other non-violent diagnoses. Idaho Matters wil...

(City of Boise) Plans for a new Boise Public Library were unvieled last week, we talk about architect Moshe Safdie's design and how it will expand the library's services.

(Idaho Tourism) Long-time Boiseans remember when downtown was a ghost town by 10 p.m. These days, BoDo after midnight is alive with food and revelry. We take a look at what's going on downtown after the witching hour.

(JAMES DAWSON / BOISE STATE PUBLIC RADIO) Idaho Matters discusses the horrific attack that took place in Boise Saturday evening. We're joined in studio by Boise Police Chief William Bones, City of Boise spokesperson Mike Journee, Boise State Public Radio reporter James Dawson, Idaho state senator Grant Burgoyne, International Rescue Committee development manager James Brownson and St. Luke's Hospi...

(Tom Michael / Boise State Public Radio) A musical called The Band’s Visit  is the biggest hit on Broadway right now. It’s based on an Israeli film of the same name. At the Tony Awards this month, the play was nominated 11 times and took home 10 awards . One of the biggest sweeps in recent memory. One of its producers is Tom Perakos, who has lived near Hailey, Idaho, for decades. He is also produc...

We assemble a panel of Idaho journalists to discuss the week's events in Boise, the Treasure Valley and beyond. This week we have Kevin Richert of  Idaho Education News , Melissa Davlin from  IPTV's Idaho Reports  and Scott McIntosh of T he Idaho Press .

(Lacey Daley / Boise State Public Radio) Boise State Public Radio concludes its series on growth,  Our Changing Idaho .  Today, BSPR's James Dawson looks at examples of responsible, sustainable growth that can be applied in the growing regions of Idaho.

Rental rates in the Treasure Valley are rising steadily and many fear affordable housing in the valley is a thing of the past. We talk about rental rates, inventory and the impact it could have in retaining residents and attracting newcomers.

(Matt Guilhem / Boise State Public Radio) We hear the fourth installment of ' Our Changing Idaho ' and talk to BSPR reporter Matt Guilham about a small Idaho town that is neither growing like many Idaho cities, nor shrinking like many American small towns.

(NPR/Ted S. Warren/AP) We look at efforts by the Idaho chapter of the Nature Conservancy to preserve the natural landscape of Yellowstone Park.

(Boise Period Project) The  Boise Period Project  gathers menstrual hygiene products to create period packs for the local homeless community in Boise. They aim to end the stigmas that surround both periods and homelessness. We talk with the project about an often over-looked need of homeless women.

(McCall City Source) For the third year in a row , the city of McCall will institute its ban on alcohol during and around the Fourth of July. The city forbids the consumption of alcoholic beverages at lakefront parks in the resort corridor from Saturday, July 1 through Wednesday, July 5. McCall officials say it is imperative in keeping the peace after business owners complained the celebrations we...

(CREDIT BRUCE REICHERT / IDAHO PUBLIC TELEVISION) The  Land Water Conservation Fund  was established in 1965 by Congress to provide funds and grants to governments at all levels to purchase of lands for preservation and conservation. The program is funded by off-shore drilling leases and seperation fees. In 2015,  Congress chose not to renew the LWCF , and it will run itself out sometime this fall...

(AMANDA PEACER / MOUNTAIN WEST NEWS BUREAU) Boise State Public Radio continues its series looking at the growth in Idaho and the various social, economic and environmental impacts on the people and institutions of the state. The  third installment  of  Our Changing Idaho  airs on Wednesday's  Idaho Matters .

Idaho's new trespassing law was one of the most controversial bills of the 2017-18 legislative session. It increased the penalties for trespassing on private property and changed the codification of signage. We parse out the bill and look at other new laws going into effect from the previous session.

(PBS) Idaho students saw an improvement in scores on the state's standardized test over the previous year. In the same period, college entrance exam test scores took a dip. We look at why we're seeing disparities in test scores for Idaho high schoolers.

(midochondrial disease news) Last month, St. Luke's Mountain States Tumor Institute performed Idaho's first allogeneic stem cell transplant. The technique involves the transplanting of stem cells from a donor's bone marrow to a recipient, in this case a leukemia patient.  We speak with a St. Luke's oncologist about the procedure.

(FRANKIE BARNHILL / BOISE STATE PUBLIC RADIO) Boise State Public Radio continues its series looking at the growth in Idaho and the various social, economic and environmental impacts on the people and institutions of the state. The  second installment  of  Our Changing Idaho  airs on Tuesday's  Idaho Matters .

Researchers are finding a disturbing uptick in poached birds and other wildlife in Southwest Idaho. We speak to one Boise State researcher who sees the dangerous affects this could have on the state's ecosystem.