Idaho Matters

Across the United States libraries have found themselves in the middle of controversy due to the books on their shelves. And here in Idaho we’re seeing the same thing, not just in our libraries, but in our schools and statehouse as well. Our Morning Edition host George Prentice sat down with the co-owner of “Rediscovered Books” and “Once and Future Books," Laura Delaney to talk more about the role...

(iStockphoto.com) In 2021 antisemitism peaked, increasing 34% from previous years, reaching an all-time high. That’s according to the Anti-Defamation League , an organization that monitors anti-semitic behavior and incidents. Instead of intimidating the Jewish community though it's brought them closer together, at least here in Idaho. And that will be part of the celebration as the public gathers...

Rhodes Scholar, Kaya Evans. (Joe Hughes) This year Idaho native Kaya Evans became one of just 32 people in the United States to be named a Rhodes Scholar. The scholarship is one of the oldest international awards of its kind, allowing recipients to study at Oxford University. Evans graduated from the College of Idaho in 2021 and joins Idaho Matters to talk more about this prestigious honor.

Some precious metals dealers have seen a recent uptick in people interested in alternative currencies as inflation has risen. One company is taking advantage of that trend by creating a new way to spend, buy and sell gold. The company that makes it is using new technology to simplify buying and reselling a precious metal. The Mountain West News Bureau's Will Walkey reports.

(M_Heigl / Flickr) The movie “The Whale” is gaining critical acclaim around the globe. It stars Brendan Fraser and tells the story of a reclusive English teacher who is trying to reconnect with his teenage daughter. The movie is an adaption of a 2012 play written by Idaho native Sam Hunter, who also wrote the screenplay for the film. Our Morning Edition host George Prentice got to sit down with Hu...

(Otto Kitsinger / AP Photo) The BPD investigation is underway , Vallivue's School District is overcrowded , Idaho homeowners could see some property tax relief , an update in the Daybell case and a look ahead to the 2023 legislature . 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 journa...

( Intermountain Healthcare) Hospitals in Idaho are seeing a large influx of people suffering from respiratory illnesses, including RSV, which most often affects children. Health officials are responding to the increased need for help. St. Luke's has created a Suction Clinic in Boise for children and the health system is working on similar clinics in Meridian and the Magic Valley. Leaders at St. Lu...

Present-day range and approximate size of llamas throughout South America. ( Drawing by Colleen Campbell) In 1912 a llama named Spook was living in New York's Central Park Zoo, far from his home in the South American highlands, and his story along with others like him are the basis for a new article that traces the llama diaspora through and beyond South America. Emily Wakild, the Cecil D. Andrus...

This very large natural avalanche occurred out the Warm Springs drainage west of Ketchum. ( Sawtooth Avalanche Center) The Sawtooth Avalanche Center has been very busy since it opened up two weeks ago for the winter season. Here’s just a sample of what’s happened in the last week: On Monday, a skier was caught and carried by an avalanche on an out-of-bounds run on Bald Mountain. A large avalanche...

In 2018, the Northwestern Band of the Shoshone Nation purchased land in Southeastern Idaho. For decades it was used for farming. But that hid a much darker history. The Mountain West News Bureau’s Will Walkey reports on efforts to restore the land.

Unless it's strep throat, antibiotics are unlikely to help you get over a sore throat. (iStockphoto.com) There’s another virus causing problems in Idaho. Strep throat is now making the rounds, along with COVID-19, RSV, and the flu. Plus, if you’ve already had COVID and think the worse is over, think again. New research is showing that the long-term after effects of the c oronavirus can really mess...

As you’re traveling around Boise and shopping for the holidays, you may have noticed shop windows painted with snowy trees, snowmen and bright red and green holly. We wanted to know who paints all those great scenes so we tracked down winter window painter Alyse Madison. For the past 30 years, she has been painting her cheerful winter scenes on local shop windows. She joins Idaho Matters to talk m...

(Idaho Shakespeare Festival) As the year winds down and we think back on 2022 and forward to the new year, what better time to sit down with the head of the Idaho Shakespeare Festival to talk about how things went this year and what wonders they have in store for 2023. Charlie Fee is the Producing Artistic Director of the festival and he sat down with our Morning Edition host George Prentice to ta...

This episode of Idaho Matters originally aired on July 27, 2022. When our summer intern Jack Bevan heard rumors that Yellowstone National Park could explode soon and start a new ice age, he had to find out if there was any truth to it. First, he set out to find if Yellowstone or any other volcanic formations in the northwest, like Mount St. Helens, were likely to blow up soon and he found himself...

(Ridley Pearson / Facebook ) This episode of Idaho Matters originally aired on October 10, 2022. Ridley Pearson is a number one New York Times best-selling author of more than 50 award-winning novels that include " Peter and the Scratchers " and " The Kingdom Keepers" series. He recently came out with a new book, " Cautionary Tales ". Pearson joins Idaho Matters to talk more about his new release.

( The Open Field) This episode of Idaho Matters originally aired on November 21, 2022. When one thinks of Paulina Porizkova, one might remember her as the Sports Illustrated cover model from the 1980s or the wife of Cars frontman Rick Ocasek. Or maybe you know her now from her popular Instagram account. Now, Porizkova is revealing herself in a raw new book, No Filter: The Good, the Bad, and the Be...

This episode of Idaho Matters originally aired on November 10, 2022. Sleep-related problems affect somewhere between 50 to 70 million Americans, which is a public health concern, according to the American Sleep Apnea Association. Dr. Aric Prather is a world-renowned sleep scientist and expert clinician who believes he’s cracked the code to helping even the most restless sleepers get a good night’s...

(GwynethJones -The Daring Librarian! / Flickr) This episode of Idaho Matters originally aired on September 20, 2022. Mark Twain, William Shakespeare, Harriet Beecher Stowe; these authors share more than just a legacy of classic literature and a place in school curriculums. They’re authors whose works have been banned from classrooms over the years for content some deemed controversial or obscene....

The 2015 dig covered a block of River Street in downtown Boise. ( Dr. William White) This episode of Idaho Matters originally aired on October 4, 2022. Have you ever lost something in your backyard? A coffee cup? A child’s toy? Decades later, the things left behind in a backyard can tell archeologists a lot about who lived there and the image they wanted to project to the world. That’s what Dr. Wi...

(Christine Lynch / Flickr) This episode of Idaho Matters originally aired on September 21, 2022. Research shows 96% of children under the age of four have used a mobile device, and in this day and age it's almost impossible for parents to monitor and protect their children at every turn when it comes to electronics. That's where Catherine Pearlman, a licensed clinical social worker and parenting e...

( Viking Penguin) This episode of Idaho Matters originally aired on November 7, 2022. Half American is a new book written by civil rights expert and Dartmouth history professor Matthew Delmont. It looks at American history in a whole new light, from the perspective of African Americans who fought in World War II, both abroad and at home. Delmont joins Idaho Matters to talk more about his new book.

( Elizabeth Miranda) This episode of Idaho Matters originally aired on September 12, 2022. For decades Grammy winning singer and songwriter Melissa Etheridge has been baring her soul with songs that include I'm The Only One , Come To My Window and I Want To Come Over , just to name a few. She joined Idaho Matters to talk about her biggest hits, life and her most recent tour.

( Hannah Gardoski) It's the holiday season, which is a great time to curl up with loved ones and watch something good. So grab your blanket and some popcorn because we've got recommendations! Morning Edition host and resident movie critic George Prentice joined Idaho Matters to talk about some movies you won't want to miss.

Doctors say don't delay getting the flu shot this year. (FatCamera / Getty Images) RSV continues to spread across the country and the virus, which commonly hits children, has been filling up hospitals and overwhelming health systems. The flu and COVID-19 are not helping, with levels of both rising in many areas. As hospitals become more stressed experts are becoming increasingly worried about the...

(alans1948 / Flickr) Holidays are fun and festive and stressful! Getting everything done, while interacting with family members, can be a challenge and can spike your stress levels. Laurie Strand is a counselor and the founder of Resiliency Rising in the Sun Valley region. She sat down with our Morning Edition host George Prentice to talk about the stress of the holidays and how to handle it.