Cases of COVID-19 are on the rise once again. In California, cases are rising so quickly that the state is set to meet or surpass the number of cases seen in the summer of 2022, according to the California Health Department.

Here in Idaho, we're also seeing more COVID cases. So what's going on, and how will this potentially impact the start of school for kids in the Treasure Valley?

Dr. David Pate, former CEO of St. Luke's Health System, joined Idaho Matters to help answer these questions.

Idaho’s fiscal year started on July 1. The state government is already ramping up for next year’s Idaho legislative session, and state agencies have just a few weeks left to send their budget proposals to legislators, who will spend our tax dollars.

Jason Norris keeps a close eye on Idaho's economy. He’s the director of portfolio management at Ferguson Wellman Capital Management, and he was born and raised in Boise, so he knows all about the Gem State and how our economy works.

When we talked to Jason in January, he gave us his predictions about Idaho's unemployment rate, a possible recession, inflation and how Idaho is doing after the height of the COVID pandemic.

We wanted to bring him on to see how the economy has changed over the last few months, so he joined Idaho Matters for a mid-year economic outlook for Idaho.

In the two years following Idaho's near-total abortion ban, a new coalition has formed to put new legislation on the ballot.

The group, which is called Idahoans United for Women and Families, is taking action, listening to the concerns of Idahoans as they work to put an important piece of legislation on the 2026 ballot. One that would reinstate access to reproductive healthcare in the state.

Morning Edition host George Prentice sat down with the group spokesperson, Melanie Folwell, to talk more about this effort.

Earlier this month, officials in Idaho announced where they want to build new electric vehicle charging stations in communities like Bliss, Fruitland, Pocatello and Jerome. This endeavor is part of a federal program to expand the nation’s charging infrastructure, which wants to offer public charging stations every 50 miles along a national network.

It’s a lack of available charging stations that has kept many from buying an EV, according to a new survey by AAA Idaho.

Only 18% of adults say they’re ready to buy an electric car, and more than 50% of them say it's because there aren’t enough charging stations and they’re afraid they’ll run out of ‘charge’ before they get to where they’re going.

Matthew Conde, AAA Idaho Public and Government Affairs Director, joined Idaho Matters to talk more about the new study.

This summer, the Idaho Botanical Garden celebrated a special anniversary honoring 40 years of community building and an appreciation of nature.

Now, as more and more visitors find their way to this gathering space, the nonprofit is making big plans for its future.

Erin Anderson, Executive Director of the Idaho Botanical Garden, joined Idaho Matters to talk more.

Earlier this month, weather sensors were placed throughout a Boise neighborhood to document how heat is impacting our urban areas.

The project, which is being spearheaded by a youth-led research team with the Idaho Conservation Corps, aims to show how additional tree canopy could provide a possible solution to rising temperatures here in the Treasure Valley.

Lisa O'Flaherty, the state director of the Idaho Conservation Corps, along with youth-crew member Logan Clark-Rivera, joined Idaho Matters to talk more.

Last week, work began in the foothills to make improvements to the popular Hillside to Hollow Reserve in order to establish a more accessible trail.

Lisa Duplessie, foothills and open space superintendent with the Parks and Recreation Department, joined Idaho Matters to talk more about these improvements.

An hour north of the Mexico border and 30 miles from the Coachella valley lies Bombay Beach.

The township is located on the shoreline of California’s largest lake – the Salton Sea. But the saline lake has faced similar challenges to Utah’s Great Salt Lake. Receding shorelines. Exposed lake beds. An uncertain future.

KUER’s Saige Miller reports for the Mountain West News Bureau.

Lawmakers react to President Biden's decision to step down, an update on the recent explosion at Yellowstone National Park, less students are participating in FAFSA this year and a look at exceptions to Idaho's abortion ban.

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:

This week, levels at Lucky Peak began to lower in preparation of a new project that will help to restore the Turner Gulch Boat Ramp. Which means if you're looking to get out on the lake you may want to do so sooner rather than later.

Christopher Silbernagel, operating project manager of Lucky Peak, joined Idaho Matters to talk more about this project.