Idaho Matters

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 is why environmental and urban historian Quinn Anderson will be exploring the impact of these spaces, as well as how they've changed, in an upcoming lecture with the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute.

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 found his way out. He joined Idaho Matters to talk more about his latest release.

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, delves into this issue in his new book, "The Weight of Nature: How a Changing Climate Changes Our Brains." He joined Idaho Matters to talk more.

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 care for inmates and we have an update on the Olympics.

Our journalist panel today:

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 barriers keeping girls from finishing their education in Togo, Africa: access to a school uniform.

Today, that nonprofit, which is called Style Her Empowered, has grown to serve 20 communities in Togo, and Payton herself was recently named a 2024 CNN Hero. Payton joined Idaho Matters to talk more about her nonprofit and its impact.

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."

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.

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.

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 shared their harrowing family crisis in the new book, "When We Could Not See the Moon," and joined Idaho Matters to talk more about their experience.

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, officials are hopeful that it will not only help feed kids but also decrease the stigma around free meals.

Christy Smith, the Boise District Food and Nutrition Services supervisor, joined Idaho Matters to talk more.