Idaho Matters

(Louis du Mont / Flickr) Last month, the chairwoman of the Idaho GOP , Dorothy Moon, sent out a newsletter taking issue with an initiative petition currently circulating in Idaho.   If the petition gets enough signatures, it would put a choice on the ballot, allowing voters to decide if they want to require open primaries in Idaho and change to a ranked choice voting system. As of Wednesday, Jan....

( White House) Former president Donald Trump faces several court cases in the next few months and is invoking parts of the U.S. Constitution in his defense. Trump says he is immune to prosecution for anything that happened while he was president. He also says his criminal prosecution interferes with the presidential election. How does the Constitution weigh in on these points? Dr. David Adler, the...

(Tanya Partem / Children's Home Society of Idaho) In Boise's east end, a very old stone building has a unique history of helping children in need. The Children's Home Society of Idaho has been giving kids who have lost their parents a place of shelter and safety. It was founded in 1908, and over the course of 50 years, it gave more than 6,000 children a home. Now, hundreds of children each year go...

Meredith Stead is sworn into office January 9, 2024 ( City of Boise) It’s been a busy week in Boise's City Council as newly elected members stood next to their colleagues to be sworn into office. This is the youngest council in the city’s history. They chose to make Colin Nash the new president, and council member Meredith Stead was chosen to be the new city council Pro Tem. Stead is no stranger t...

Masks hang from an IV pole at a hospital. (Jenny Kane / AP) Hundreds of Americans are still dying each week from COVID-19, according to CDC data. For the last four weeks, the average death rate in the U.S. due to COVID was 1,488. By comparison, there were 163 weekly deaths from the flu. And COVID-19 levels are once again on the rise as a new variant makes up more than 60% of all cases right now. D...

(Brad Washa / Boise National Forest) Acting Deputy Secretary of the Interior Laura Daniel-Davis said Tuesday the Biden administration was giving $138 million to Idaho and other states to protect against wildfires.   The money will be used for everything from wildland firefighter training to reducing the risk of fire and restoring areas that have already burned, including deer and elk habitat in so...

Molly Maybach in pursuit event, 30 Dec. USBA Trials, Colcheraine, Minn. ( Ethan Sims) Imagine skiing cross-country as fast as you can until you’re tired, then holding absolutely still and trying to hit a target more than 150 feet away. That’s what biathletes do over and over every time they compete .   Idaho is known for producing world-class biathletes, from Boise native Sara Studebaker-Hall, who...

(Amehime / Shutterstock) Biden administration officials have been visiting the West a lot to promote spending packages like the Inflation Reduction Act. They've already directed over $50 billion to the region. But are residents of small towns noticing? The Mountain West News Bureau's Will Walked reports.

(Trumpetvine / Flickr) Dry January, or giving up alcohol for the month, is a huge trend that many people undertake at the start of every year. In fact, according to health experts, “sober curious” is likely to be one of the top health and wellness trends of 2024. Bestselling author of “ This Naked Mind ,” Annie Grace joined Idaho Matters to talk about what it means to be sober curious .

(Philippe de Feluy / Flickr) Conservation groups are trying to stop wolf trapping in Idaho, saying the practice threatens endangered grizzly bears . Thirteen groups filed a lawsuit saying traps and snares for wolves could also kill grizzlies and they asked a federal judge last week to stop the practice when bears are not hibernating. With around 80 of the protected bears in Idaho, according to the...

Young adults cooking in Life's Kitchen. ( Life's Kitchen) Serving second chances: that's the mantra of Life's Kitchen , a nonprofit that has taught culinary and life skills to over 900 young adults over the past two decades. Along with 575,000 hours of job training in the kitchen, Life's Kitchen also cooks meals in their restaurant for more than one million people in need. The organization has bee...

(Ricky Mouser / Flickr) For years, the MK Nature Center has been a special place for kids to discover and learn about wildlife. Now the center is expanding its educational footprint with more classes for adults in things like nature photography and protecting Idaho's rivers. Victoria Runnoe, the superintendent of the Morrison Knudsen Nature Center and conservation education supervisor with Idaho F...

(<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/npcmedia/">Stéphane PERES</a> / Flickr) You’ve seen them around town. They’re called "mobile bars" and they show up at special events providing alcohol at social gatherings and celebrations. It's a growing industry and these bars are becoming more and more popular. But they come with special laws that many folks may not know about and Idaho's Bur...

(<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/thomashawk/">Thomas Hawk</a> / Flickr) On Friday , the U.S. Supreme Court allowed Idaho to enforce our state’s abortion ban, even in medical emergencies, while a legal fight continues. The justices said they will hear arguments in April and they put a hold on a lower court ruling that had blocked the Idaho law in hospital emergencies based on a l...

(<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/glenscott/">Glen Scott</a> / Flickr) Over the past few years, more and more businesses have been striving to find ways to help the environment and 2024 will be no different . St. Luke's Health System is continuing the discussion on climate health in the new year and on Wednesday they’re talking about ways to make your home or business more climat...

( boisepridefest.org) The latest judgment on an Idaho abortion case, an update in a Boise Pride lawsuit , budget changes in the Idaho Legislature, a plan to conserve old-growth forests , and a radio giant passes away. It’s Friday, which means it's time for our Reporter Roundtable when Idaho Matters gets you up-to-date on all the news that made headlines this past week. Our journalist panel today:...

(James Dawson / Boise State Public Radio News) A new year means a new Idaho Legislative Session where a group of 105 legislators will make decisions that will affect every aspect of life in the Gem State. From taxes to education to Medicaid to housing to abortion - lawmakers are planning bills and laws that will have a direct impact on our daily life. The session starts Monday, Jan. 8, and every y...

(Fran / Flickr ) Across the country, libraries are becoming a battleground for culture wars, with children at the center. In Idaho, some residents and lawmakers want libraries to restrict access to books. Aspen Public Radio’s Caroline Llanes reports on one controversy for the Mountain West News Bureau. This story was produced with help from the Public Media Journalists Association Editor Corps. It...

(<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/pascoschools/">Pasco County Schools</a> / Flickr) An artist collective in our region wants to help more people think about their impact on the environment and DO something about it. Aspen Public Radio’s Kaya Williams reports for the Mountain West News Bureau on one collaboration. This story was produced with assistance from the Public Media Journ...

(<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/mpcaphotos/">MPCA Photos</a> / Flickr) The City of Boise reports levels of the COVID-19 virus in its wastewater have risen steadily since early December. Between Dec. 1 and 27, the 14-day average of COVID levels rose about 65%. So, what’s this mean for the rest of cold, flu, and COVID season ? Dr. David Pate , former CEO of St. Luke's Health Syst...

( Big Brothers Big Sisters) If your New Year's resolution is to make a difference maybe being a mentor to a young person is something that would work for you. January is Big Brothers Big Sisters National Mentoring Month and all you need is a loving heart to make a difference in a youth’s life. Angela Sanchez with Big Brothers Big Sisters joined Idaho Matters to tell us more about it and about some...

(<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/leicamini/">Bill Green</a> / Flickr) Kernza is a new grain that shows promise as an environmentally sustainable crop. Some brewers and distillers are using it to develop climate friendly beers and spirits. KUNC's Rae Solomon reports for the Mountain West News Bureau.

(<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/therealtetsuko/">Kiyo_Tatsu</a> / Flickr) As the fight over Idaho's abortion ban continues in and outside of the courts, a small group of people became concerned that the use of contraceptives may have gotten pulled into the political fight. They believe contraceptives are essential to reducing unplanned pregnancies and want to find a way to expa...

(<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/tylerryan/">Shaun Fennell</a> / Flickr) Owning firearms and having mental health issues can be a deadly mix. But some want to address the stigma of seeking help – and help gun owners stay healthy. Kamila Kudelska reports for the Mountain West News Bureau.

(<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/visionshare/">Lou Gold</a> / Flickr) Wolves now have a larger territory in our region. Colorado has started releasing wolves along the western slope – part of a voter-approved reintroduction plan. But some area residents are worried about the impact. KUNC’s Scott Franz reports for the Mountain West News Bureau.