Syringes filled with the Novavax COVID-19 vaccine.(Carsten Koall / Getty Images)

There is now another option for folks looking for the latest COVID-19 shot. On Tuesday, Sept. 3 the FDA approved the Novavax COVID-19 booster.

So what does that mean for folks and how important is it to get this latest shot? Dr. David Pate, former CEO of St. Luke's Health System, joined Idaho Matters to help answer these questions.

Failure on board. (contrastwerkstatt/contrastwerkstatt)

You may know Patrick Hinds as one of the voices behind the tremendously successful podcast "True Crime Obsessed."

What you may not know is that Patrick is also a self professed failure, something he looks at in his new book "Failure is Not NOT an Option." He joined Idaho Matters to talk more about his new book and tour.

Bouquets of flowers sit on the ground in front of the University of Idaho sign after four students were found dead. (Richard Rodriguez / Boise State Public Radio)

Just after Christmas last year, Pennsylvania Police arrested Bryan Kohberger and charged him with the murder of four University of Idaho students.

The case sparked shock and fear in students and parents alike and Idaho became the focus of an intense media spotlight, which at times turned sordid and ugly.

Author J. Reuben Appleman wanted to look closer at the case, the four victims and society's increasing fascination with true crime. His new book "While Idaho Slept: The Hunt for Answers in the Murders of Four College Students" is out now, so Idaho Matters invited him to talk about his new release.

( Grand Central Publishing)

Many Americans may remember Polly Klaas. It was 30 years ago this month the 12-year-old girl was kidnapped at knifepoint from a slumber party, triggering one of the largest manhunts in FBI history.

For Idaho-based journalist and New York Times bestselling author Kim Cross, chronicling the case was not an assignment, it was a calling.

Her book, In Light of All Darkness is coming out just as she is preparing her visit to the Hemingway Center in Boise next week. She sat down to talk with our Morning Edition host George Prentice.

Soloist Elizabeth Kanning( Ballet Idaho)

This month, Ballet Idaho will be kicking off its 51st season with a lineup of new and returning favorites that promise to fill the stage with suspense, drama, magic and of course unforgettable dance.

Artistic Director of Ballet Idaho, Garrett Anderson and principle dancer, Graham Gobeille joined Idaho Matters to talk more about the upcoming season.

(Thanasis Zovoilis / Getty Images)

Planning for the future is important, especially when you're dealing with a disease like dementia.

Managing the day to day difficulties of life can become an insurmountable challenge that impacts not just yourself, but everyone around you. Which is why making a plan now is so important.

Nurse practitioner Rebecca Robinson with St. Luke's Palliative Care Team and Palliative Care Physician and community based hospice provider Dr. Jessica Evert joined Idaho Matters to talk more about the disease and how to plan for it.

A homeless man pushes his belongings along a Los Angeles street.(Mario Tama / Getty Images)

In 2021, over 2,500 people went from housed to homeless in the Treasure Valley.

In July, federal rental assistance money ran out in Ada County and a week later the number of eviction court hearings more than doubled, from 20 a week to 50 a week.

Attempted solutions to homelessness in Boise have been ongoing - from building new apartments, paying for hotel rooms and encouraging low income development opportunities.

This November, voters will decide how Boise will address homelessness when they vote for mayor and two nonprofit groups that work on housing issues have invited the candidates to a public forum on Thursday to answer how they plan to prevent homelessness and create more affordable housing.

Michaela McElroy, the Development Coordinator at Jesse Tree and Zeb Moers, the Development Director at Leap Housing joined Idaho Matters to talk more.

( NASA)

An amazing ring of fire solar eclipse will blaze across the sky later this month and Idaho will be able to see a large part of it.

And the Northern Lights have been wavering in and out of our area, which just adds to the things to watch in the sky! Dr. Irwin Horowitz is the past president of the Boise Astronomical Society and he sat down with Morning Edition host George Prentice to help us find out more.

Downtown Boise( Kelsey Thomson)

Whether you live in Boise or are just a visitor to Idaho's capital it's possible that you've heard of some of the unique attractions the city has to offer.

Alive After Five, Treefort Music Fest, Festival of Trees, Freak Alley, the Greenbelt, the Basque Block, the Black History Museum, the Anne Frank Memorial, the list goes on and on. To help you out, someone has compiled that list into a book called, "100 Things to do in Boise Before You Die."

New York Times bestselling author Amanda Turner lives in Boise and couldn't resist putting the list together. She joined Idaho Matters to talk more about her new book and give us a few recommendations

Idaho Attorney General Raúl Labrador.(Carolyn Kaster / AP)

Invasive mussels have been found in the Snake River, an attorney from the AG's office says she's being retaliated against, more housing units could be coming to Boise, an update on a possible special session of the Idaho Legislature and a look at the legacy of J.J. Saldaña.

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:

Rachel Cohen, South Central reporter for Boise State Public Radio