Idaho Matters

(Boise National Forest) According to the Wildland Firefighter Foundation , an average of 17 wildland firefighters die every year while fighting fires and many others are injured. The foundation works to help firefighters and their families during these tragedies and this month they launched their Wildland Firefighter Mental Health Program , which provides counseling services to both firefighters a...

( Berkley ) If you’re looking for the perfect book to kick off an early summer with, look no further! Emily Henry is back with her latest novel, Happy Place which is a story full of humor, friendship, romance and seaside charm. Henry joined Idaho Matters to talk more about her newest book.

(Frankie Barnhill / Boise State Public Radio) It’s Friday, which means it's time to take a look at the news that made headlines this week, including an update on the Lori Vallow Daybell case and why a new coalition that is looking to open Idaho's primaries . Our journalist panel today: Clark Corbin with the Idaho Capital Sun James Dawson with Boise State Public Radio News Nate Eaton , News Directo...

A nighttime rehearsal in central London for the coronation of King Charles III, which will take place this weekend. (James Manning / PA Images via Getty Images) After 70 years as heir to the throne, the Prince of Wales will officially become King Charles III this weekend. Millions of people will be watching the pageantry and ceremony, including two British transplants who are currently in Idaho. C...

( Poder of Idaho) Next week, PODER of Idaho will be hosting its 2nd annual Latinos Unidos Conference . The organization is dedicated to empowering immigrant communities in Idaho. The theme of the conference is “Building Latino Power," which will focus on strengthening equity, justice and economic prosperity for the state's Latino community. Jacky Vazquez, communication manager with PODER and Direc...

(Richard Carter / Flickr Creative Commons) The City of McCall has a longstanding wild deer problem. Idaho Fish and Game said they counted 258 wild deer in city limits several weeks ago, and that number is only growing. That’s why city officials need the public’s input. On Thursday, May 4, the wild deer issue will be a topic of discussion at a town hall meeting. Regan Berkley is a regional wildlife...

(Dustin Jones / Flickr) Our region is known for beautiful mountain trails, but for those with a disability, hiking can be difficult. One state park in Colorado has worked to fix that. Emma Vandeneinde of the Mountain West News Bureau takes us on a hike there with some new technology that they hope to expand to other outdoor areas.

( Twisted Pen Publishing) Brenda Stanley is a writer and journalist who spent more than two decades as a news anchor and investigative reporter with the NBC affiliate in eastern Idaho. Her work has been recognized by the Scripps Howard Foundation and the Hearst Journalism Awards. She joined Idaho Matters to talk about her latest novel, " The Still Small Voice ."

(ZapWizard / Flickr) The impact of a wildfire doesn't go away once the flames are out. By scarring the Earth, a fire can leave an area vulnerable to floods. That’s a real risk this year when the snowpack is high in Colorado, Utah and Idaho, which is already facing threats of flooding across several parts of the Gem state. KUER’s Curtis Booker reports from Utah, which has had a number of big fires,...

A nurse fills a syringe with COVID-19 vaccine. (Orlin Wagner / AP) The Biden administration will end most federal COVID-19 vaccine requirements next week, rolling back a vast assertion of government power that helped bring an end to the worst public health threat in 100 years. So what does that mean moving forward? Dr. David Pate, former CEO of St. Luke's Health System and current member of the Id...

(CCAC North Library / Flickr) "If you know a librarian, hug them." That’s the advice of Erin Downey who says librarians have been caught in the crossfire of politics this year and are having trouble struggling their way through a new political landscape. Downey is the Boise School District Library consultant and she sat down with our Morning Edition host George Prentice to talk about how librarian...

Summer is right around the corner and two Boise dog owners teamed up to write a book about 80 trails, paths and parks that are great to explore with your furry friends. Matt Clark and Diana Burrell love to hike with their dogs and found sometimes they are on a trail and there's either not enough shade, water or the tread wasn't quite right for paws. Their book "The Hiker's Guide: Treasure Valley D...

( Berkley ) Author Laura Hankin is known for delivering witty, smart and funny women's fiction and she is back with her latest novel, The Daydreams . She joined Idaho Matters to talk more about her newest book.

(iStockphoto) Approximately half of all Americans will go through menopause. However, it remains an under-discussed topic, leaving many scared and uninformed about the changes they are experiencing. It also leaves them in the dark when it comes to perimenopause symptoms like hot flashes, night sweats and hormone therapy. Idaho Matters spent an hour talking about this important topic with three exp...

( Idaho Gives) Idaho nonprofits are struggling, especially after demand for their services increased dramatically as part of the COVID-19 pandemic. But this is the time of year when nonprofits get a lifeline from the community with Idaho Gives . It’s a four-day fundraiser where you can help your favorite nonprofit. Kevin Bailey with the Idaho Nonprofit Center says it’s vital, especially for tiny g...

(iStockphoto) One organization in our region is examining water quality and access on tribal lands. Emma VandenEinde of the Mountain West News Bureau took a trip to the border of Arizona and New Mexico to see how.

(Richard Drury / Getty Images) Now more than ever, kids are needing the support of the adults in their life. This is why St. Luke's is hosting a virtual health talk on " How to Show up for Young People with Compassion and Understanding ." This talk will look at how we can create safe environments for kids to share their feelings so that we can better listen and support them, while also helping the...

(iStockphoto) At some point in our life, many of us think about the kind of legacy we would like to leave behind or the things we want our loved ones to know. And what better way to communicate these thoughts and desires than through a letter, which is exactly how some people are choosing to pass on their life lessons and values to the next generation? Jay Sherwin, the founder of the Life Reflecti...

You can pick up a mix of plants at this year's Treasure Valley Pollinator Project that will help beetles thrive! Mix 4 includes ruby grass, blue flax, Bunny Tails and blue fescue. ( Treasure Valley Pollinator Project) Two years ago the folks at the Ada Soil and Water Conservation District were worried. They were watching rampant growth and development spread across the Treasure Valley and that gro...

(Lacey Daley / Boise State Public Radio) A former Boise City Council member is fighting to get her seat back, students are suffering from a mental health crisis , an Idaho Falls therapist has been charged with sexual abuse and a look at why North Idaho College could lose its accreditation . It’s Friday, which means it's time for our Reporter Roundtable when Idaho Matters gets you up-to-date on all...

(CCAC North Library / Flickr) Last year, tests revealed a slight improvement in literacy among Idaho’s K-3 students, but the state continues to lag behind a number of neighboring states and at-risk students lag even further behind their peers. A trio from the College of Idaho got the unique chance to talk about new research on the subject at this month’s World Literacy Summit at Oxford University....

(LA Johnson / NPR) How often are your kids on the internet? How long each day are they looking at their phone or computer or playing internet video games? And this is the more important question: who are they talking to when they’re online? Are they chatting with friends or with people who want to harm your kids? How do you know who they’re talking to and how do you keep them safe from internet pr...

Tilly Erskine. The premier of Open Arms Dance Project's performance of THREADS at the Morrison Center in Boise, Idaho, April 28, 2022. (Gregg Mizuta / Open Arms) Since 2009, the Open Arms Project has been redefining dance and what it means to move and make art. The group includes dancers of all ages and abilities and this week, they will be wrapping up their latest season with two final performanc...

(Akash Ghai / NPR) Tribal communities have historically had a hard time getting clean drinking water and that can affect the health of their babies. Some public health studies have tried to change the narrative. Emma VandenEinde of the Mountain West News Bureau visited a mother near Shiprock, New Mexico to hear about her experience.

A great new miniseries, a fine new film and the weirdest tv series title ever. It's time for What to Watch with our resident movie expert, George Prentice!