On Nov. 12, a group of experts will convene to talk about timely dual challenges facing Idaho and the west: Wildfire smoke and community health.

Idaho Matters talks with Luke Montrose of Boise State University and Curtis Noonan from the University of Montana who are organizing the second annual digital symposium on the topic.

Thanksgiving is 21 days away and Christmas is 37 days from today. After COVID-19 shuttered shops and pushed shoppers online to national chains, the Downtown Boise Association hopes you'll think local this holiday shopping season.

Idaho Matters checks in with DBA Executive Director Jennifer Hensley to learn more.

It’s getting colder, and just in time for the temperatures to begin to drop some blockbusters are on the horizon. Idaho Matters speaks with resident film critic and Boise State Public Radio host George Prentice about some new movies to keep on your radar.

Election night is behind us and the results are in. In Boise and the Wood River Valley, incumbents had a big night. How about in other parts of the state?

Boise State Public Radio reporters Rachel Cohen and Troy Oppie join Idaho Matters to break down some key races in Idaho.

Editor's note: Conservation Voters for Idaho is a financial sponsor of Boise State Public Radio.

After federal regulators approved the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for kids ages 5-11, Idaho prepares to begin administering shots to this age group. Meanwhile, the state's hospitals remain in crisis standards of care as case rates show some encouraging signs.

Idaho Matters is back with our weekly Doctors Roundtable. Guests today:

It’s Election Day in Idaho, and though it's not a presidential race the stakes are high for local mayoral, city council and even school board races.

Idaho Matters checks in with Kevin Richert of Idaho Education News about some unusually expensive school board races in the state.

"A Shot to Save the World: the Inside Story of the Life or Death Race for a COVID-19 Vaccine" is a new book by Wall Street Journal reporter Gregory Zuckerman. It follows scientists’ once in a lifetime race to create a COVID-19 vaccine.

Idaho Matters digs into the details of his reporting.

If you’re a parent of a pre-teen, there’s a new book to get on your radar. Boise author Mindy Thompson’s “The Bookshop of Dust and Dreams” is set in New York in 1944, a time when war shaped so much of American family life.

Thomspon speaks with Idaho Matters to tell us more about her new fantasy novel that is geared for kids, but will be a fun read for anyone who enjoys an escape.

It has been a difficult week in Idaho and a lot of us are still trying to come to terms with the events of the past few days. As always, the Idaho Matters Reporter Roundtable panelists are here to discuss headlines — and what you may have missed — from this week.

This week's panel includes:

Boise is still mourning the loss of two community members who were killed from a shooting Monday at the Towne Square Mall. 26-year-old Jo Acker was killed in her role as a mall security guard and 49-year-old Roberto Padilla Arguelles of Rupert died later from his injuries at the hospital.

Gun violence is not new to Idaho. But as we think about what can be done to stop more shootings in the future, we need to understand how we got here.

Heath Druzin joins Idaho Matters to help us think about this is. He’s a freelance reporter with a background of covering gun violence.

Editor's note: The audio conversation includes a mention of suicide. If you are struggling, there is help. Call 800-273-8255.