Current estimates suggest more than 70,000 wild horses and burros roam the American west. That's more than three times the number land managers say can safely co-exist with other animals on the open range.

In recent years, the Federal Bureau of Land Management has stepped up efforts to move most of those animals off public land, but where do those horses go, and why are advocates concerned that these iconic symbols of the American west are still being slaughtered?

Nevada Public Radio's Paul Boger reports for the Mountain West News Bureau.

Some Western states choose to feed elk occasionally, but Wyoming has the nations largest feeding program.

It started about 100 years ago - when winters were harsh and ranchers were upset that elk were getting into their hay yards. Now there are 22 feedgrounds statewide.

But that whole system is in jeopardy due to a deadly disease that spreads when elk gather. Wyoming Public Radio's Caitlin Tan visited a feedground in late March and has this report for the Mountain West News Bureau.

The American dream has been shaped by many different voices, a countless number of which come from Americana music.

From folk to country to bluegrass, each sound has played an important role in our country's ethos. Which is exactly what Sun Valley Community School teacher Ryan Waterfield will be exploring in her classroom this summer.

And in order to do this, she's enlisted the help of musician Ketch Secor, the lead singer of the Americana string band Old Crow Medicine Show. He and Ryan joined Idaho Matters to talk more.

This episode of Idaho Matters originally aired on April 29, 2024.

Readers fell in love with author Nikki Payne's debut novel, "Pride and Protest," a retelling of Jane Austen's "Pride and Prejudice." It got all kinds of buzz, from Ebony Magazine to Oprah Daily.

Now Payne is back with her latest novel, "Sex, Lies and Sensibility," a modern re-working of Austen's "Sense and Sensibility." She joined Idaho Matters to talk more about her new release.

This episode of Idaho Matters originally aired on November 13, 2023.

Last November Idaho Matters got the chance to sit down with two FBI agents who were on the ground during the Ruby Ridge Standoff in North Idaho back in 1992. They were about to appear on the CBS TV show "FBI True" and agreed to come on Idaho Matters to talk about the incident.

Last month we were honored to learn the Idaho Press Club awarded us a first place award for "Best Audio Interview" for this story. As we continue to bring you award-winning stories, we wanted to share this interview with you again.

This episode of Idaho Matters originally aired on April 1, 2024.

Recently, we learned that the popular Braun Brothers Reunion Festival would celebrate its 40th anniversary in Idaho in August.

It was back in 1984 when Muzzie Braun and his wife launched the popular music festival, and it's been going strong for four decades.

The festival started in Stanley, then moved to Challis, where every year the small town is inundated with over 3,000 fans of the brothers and their music.

Two of the Braun brothers, Cody and Micky, joined Idaho Matters to tell us more about this year's reunion.

Primary election results are in, the Ada County Highway District has rebranded, speed limits could be changing in Meridian, we’re running behind on surplus money and we take a look at water rights in Eastern Idaho.

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:

Wind energy is a big part of the transition from fossil fuels. But that comes with consequences, including the potential for more deadly collisions between birds and turbines. Researchers in our region art trying to solve that problem.

Wyoming Public Radio's Will Walkey reports for the Mountain West News Bureau.

Have you ever thought about abandoning it all and prioritizing yourself?

That's the topic author Heidi Reimer delves into in her debut novel, "The Mother Act." She joined Idaho Matters to talk more.

As one of the oldest art forms, weaving has a place in many cultures.

The skill is not only a practical one but also one of creative expression, tradition and activism, all of which the Sun Valley Museum of Art is exploring in their latest exhibition, "Intertwined: Weaving in the Community."

Tanya Aguiñiga, one of the featured artists in the exhibit, joined Idaho Matters to talk more.