Idaho Matters

(<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/130735182@N04/">Helen Saarinen</a> / Flickr) One Idaho nonprofit is using the power of yoga and movement to help those in marginalized communities improve crucial aspects of their health and wellbeing. Kaelyn Rogers is the executive director and program developer of Upward Inertia and she joined Idaho Matters to talk more.

( Idaho's Jewish Festival Facebook) It's been seven years since the last "Deli Days" in Boise, where people got together to promote awareness and celebrate Jewish culture. Well, the beloved event is back with a new name, " Idaho's Jewish Festival ," and will take place this year on Sunday, Sept. 1. Oliver Thompson, the director of Idaho's Jewish Festival, and singer-songwriter Nani Vazanaone, who...

( Acre Books) In a new memoir, award-winning author Jessica E. Johnson is delving into her past as she experiences one of life's biggest transitions, becoming a parent. Johnson joined Idaho Matters to talk more about her latest novel, "Mettlework: A Mining Daughter on Making Home."

An electron microscope image of Listeria monocytogenes bacterium. Health officials have announced a recall of liverwurst and deli meat products in connection with a national listeria outbreak. (Elizabeth White/AP / Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) Africa has declared a public health emergency as a new strain of the Mpox virus hits the continent. So what does this mean for the rest of th...

(Canva ) Parenting is one of the hardest jobs there is, and the stress can feel overwhelming, so where can parents turn to get advice? Idaho Children's Trust Fund has partnered with long-time radio personality Ken Bass and his wife Michelle, a licensed clinical social worker, to create a podcast that dives into these issues. Ken and Michelle, along with Roger Sherman, the executive director of the...

( City of Boise) After a months-long search, Mayor Lauren McLean has selected Chris Dennison as the next chief of police for the Boise Police Department. Our Morning Edition host, George Prentice , sat down with the mayor to talk more about this decision and what made Dennison the right choice for our city.

A wildfire burning in Utah in 2021. (Madelyn Beck / Mountain West News Bureau) According to the National Interagency Fire Center , 77 large active wildfires are burning in the United States today. A fact that is very apparent due to the amount of smoke in the air. And this smoke can have a big impact on our health. Which is why St. Luke's is holding a Climate and Health session focused on wildfire...

Stewart Gulch Park in Boise recently finished a series of improvements, including accessible pathways, seating, turf and more. ( Boise Parks and Recreation) As our cities continue to grow, so too does our need for green spaces. Areas like public parks play an important role in our communities, providing both urban and environmental benefits. These benefits, however, can be easy to overlook. Which...

(Self Publishing) In 1997, everything was falling into place for Peter Young. He'd landed his dream broadcasting job, married his wife and started a family. From the outside, life was picture perfect, but behind closed doors, things couldn't be farther from the truth. In his new memoir, " Stop The Tall Man, Save The Tiger ," Young chronicles his experience being brainwashed into a cult and how he...

The book cover of "The Weight of Nature" by Clayton Page Aldern. ( Dutton) This episode of Idaho Matters originally aired on April 16, 2024. The Earth's changing climate, from hotter days to more dangerous weather events, could be impacting our brains in ways we are only just learning about. Clayton Page Aldern, a journalist who also holds a master's degree in neuroscience and public policy, delve...

Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris and her running mate Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz wave as they board Air Force Two. (Julia Nikhinson / AP) There's been a surge of interest in the presidential election , more than 200 sexual assault nurses are being trained by the state, Idaho may be in need of new bedbug regulations , a temporary ruling has been made on gender-affirming car...

Esmeralda, a student part of the SHE nonprofit, wears the uniform that grows. ( Style Her Empowered) Back in 2017, Payton McGriff, a college student at the University of Idaho, started a project that would change her life and, ultimately, the lives of hundreds of other girls. Born out of a class assignment, the Idaho native came up with a nonprofit that aimed to remove one of the biggest financial...

( Berkley) Acclaimed novelist Elyssa Friedland is back with another smart summertime read! And this one offers up a fun family drama you won't want to miss. Friedland joins Idaho Matters to talk more about her latest novel, " Jackpot Summer ."

(<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/sue90ca/">Sue Thompson</a> / Flickr) With all the smoke in the air, many people are hunkering down at home for the weekend, so what better time to check out a new TV show? Resident movie critic and Morning Edition host George Prentice joined Idaho Matters to give us some recommendations on What to Watch on the small screen.

(Alex Proimos / Flickr) COVID-19 cases are continuing to rise all across the United States, with experts saying it's being driven largely by the emergence of a new dominate strain. Dr. David Pate , former CEO of St. Luke's Health System, joined Idaho Matters to talk more about what this means for Idaho.

(<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/fiatlux/">fiatlux</a> / Flickr) Imagine sending your child off on an adventure to a foreign country and waiting to hear from them, letting you know they've arrived safely, but that call never comes. Former Meridian Mayor Tammy de Weerd and her husband Jan know that sinking feeling well because they experienced it three years ago. The de Weerds sh...

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA (<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/aukirk/">Austin Kirk</a> / Flickr) It can be hard to focus on an empty stomach, which is why, starting in the fall, the Boise School District will be offering free breakfast to its students. This new initiative comes after the approval of a $2.1 million budget for the upcoming year, and as the program gets started, official...

Seniors play basketball. (Hans Kolster/Muscateer Photography / Flickr) Last month, the Caldwell School Board approved a $100 pay-to-play athletic fee . And this isn't a new issue. The West Ada School District also has a pay-to-play policy, as do numerous school districts around the country. But does this policy price certain students out of being able to participate in athletics? Kevin Richert, se...

Dr. Bill Smith is a clinical professor and director of the Martin Institute at the University of Idaho. (University of Idaho, 123rf) Much like a couple billion people across the planet, Dr. Bill Smith is glued to the Summer Olympic Games In Paris. But it’s a big part of his scholarship. He’s a clinical professor at the University of Idaho whose courses include Advanced UN Studies, Diplomatic Histo...

Successful prosecutions will lead to some key sentencings in the coming months. ( U.S. Department of Justice, 123rf) The effort to cripple one of the most notorious gangs in Idaho history is heading where law enforcement had hoped: a federal courtroom. And the man in charge at the U.S. Attorney’s office in Idaho know the case all-to-well. “I was the lead prosecutor on the case before I became U.S....

United States' Alyssa Mendoza hits Brazil's Jucielen Cerqueira in their women's 57 kg preliminary boxing match at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024, in Paris, France. (Ariana Cubillos / AP) There’s a possible conflict of interest between the AG’s office and the Secretary of State’s office, school choice is once again a topic of debate, the Boise School District is making an effort to...

(<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/mtnclimer67/">andy jalakas</a> / Flickr) Blaine County has officially completed its first climate action plan , with county officials calling it a monumental endeavor. The plan is designed to enhance climate change mitigation and adaptation outcomes on a regional level, with the goal of setting a course for sustainability in the future. Andrew Me...

(Barnaby Wasson / Flickr ) As summer winds down, many families are settling back into a routine as they gear up for a new school year. However, for parents sending their kids off to school for the first time, it can be hard to know how to prepare them for that transition. Amber Jayne , an early childhood education specialist, joined Idaho Matters to give us a few tips and tricks.

(<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/105445956@N06/">Veterans can</a> / Flickr) As the country gets closer to celebrating 250 years of independence , many across the nation are making special preparations for the anniversary. Here in Idaho, those preparations include a unique look at our state's history. Janet Gallimore, the executive director of the Idaho State Historical Society,...

( Yellow Pine Harmonica Festival Facebook) Over the next few days, the road to one of Idaho's smallest towns will be busy as people make their way to the annual Yellow Pine Harmonica Festival . The event , which kicks off today, is an important one for the tight-knit community. Longtime supporters of the fest, Brent Palmatier, TeJay Rogers and Jason Stephens join Idaho Matters to talk more about t...