City Cast Boise

We’re examining what happened to the downtown YMCA project and why so much of it has been abandoned. Could it be the next Boise Hole? And we’re looking at what can only be the weaponized incompetence of the attorney general’s office in one of the state’s abortion ban lawsuits. Plus, we’ve got some subversive and holiday cheer picks of the week. Want some more Boise news? Head over to our Hey Boise newsletter where you’ll get a cheatsheet to the city every weekday morning. Learn more about the sponsor of this November 15th episode: Inn at 500 Interested in advertising with City Cast Boise? Find more info HERE. Reach us at boise@citycast.fm. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Gov. Brad Little and State Superintendent Debbie Critchfield are pushing Idaho schools to restrict cellphones in classrooms, and are even offering districts money to ban them. Some Treasure Valley schools have already instituted cell phone bans, meant to keep kids focused in the classroom. But do these bans remove a harmful distraction, or do they stop kids from accessing a helpful tool? Want some more Boise news? Head over to our Hey Boise newsletter where you’ll get a cheatsheet to the city every weekday morning. Learn more about the sponsor of this November 14th episode: Inn at 500 Interested in advertising with City Cast Boise? Find more info HERE. Reach us at boise@citycast.fm. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With election results beginning to settle, the question on everyone’s mind is: what will a second Trump presidency mean for Boise? From mass deportation, to the downstream effects of tariffs on Idaho farmers and abortion bans, host Lindsay Van Allen and Boise State University political scientist Charlie Hunt are sifting through which of campaign promises are likely — and unlikely — to affect our community.  Want some more Boise news? Head over to our Hey Boise newsletter where you’ll get a cheatsheet to the city every weekday morning. Learn more about the sponsor of this November 13th episode: Inn at 500 Interested in advertising with City Cast Boise? Find more info HERE. Reach us at boise@citycast.fm. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Let’s be real: we’re probably all doomscrolling too much. And one of the best cures for this is getting outside! Late autumn camping can actually be one of the best times to set up a tent under the stars in Idaho — if you know how to do it. That’s why we’re resharing host Lindsay Van Allen’s conversation with contributor Heath Druzin, who has expert insider tips on the places to go, gear you need, and hot springs to hit while fall camping. Want some more ways to unwind around Boise? Head over to our Hey Boise newsletter where you’ll get a cheatsheet to the city every weekday morning. Learn more about the sponsor of this November 12th episode: Inn at 500 Interested in advertising with City Cast Boise? Find more info HERE. Reach us at boise@citycast.fm. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The new Idaho law banning certain books was pitched as a way to “protect kids” by the legislature. But in Eagle, it’s adults who are being restricted from accessing reading materials. Idaho Library Association’s Molly Nota joins host Lindsay Van Allen to break down what’s next now that two library board members have been removed by the Eagle City Council, leaving the library board without a quorum. Meanwhile, the community is grappling with constitutional questions about free speech.  Want some more Boise news? Head over to our Hey Boise newsletter where you’ll get a cheatsheet to the city every weekday morning. Learn more about the sponsor of this November 11th episode: Inn at 500 Interested in advertising with City Cast Boise? Find more info HERE. Reach us at boise@citycast.fm. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For this Friday news roundup, host Lindsay Van Allen and Boise State Public Radio’s Jimmy Dawson are digging further in to statewide election results. Idaho had a significant red wave this week, with several legislative seats flipping from Democrats to Republicans during a year of record turnout. We’re processing Prop 1’s decisive failure, and wondering what a new addition to the state constitution will mean. And, we’re considering what could come next with the Republican supermajority in the upcoming 2025 legislative session. Want some more Boise news? Head over to our Hey Boise newsletter where you’ll get a cheatsheet to the city every weekday morning. Interested in advertising with City Cast Boise? Find more info HERE. Reach us at boise@citycast.fm. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With the election and its implications still fresh on everyone’s minds, we’re talking with two political scientists about some of the biggest national and local political scandals in recent history. Jaci Kettler and Charlie Hunt both teach at Boise State University and are the co-hosts of the new “Scandalized” podcast. They’re digging into salacious tales of the past — from Rod Blagojevich to Mark Sanford — and the arrest of former Idaho Sen. Larry Craig in 2007. What can these stories teach us about our politics?  Want some more Boise news? Head over to our Hey Boise newsletter where you’ll get a cheatsheet to the city every weekday morning. Interested in advertising with City Cast Boise? Find more info HERE. Reach us at boise@citycast.fm. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The polls closed just a few hours ago, but the results are already changing how our city, state, and nation will look in the coming years. Host Lindsay Van Allen and executive producer Frankie Barnhill are diving into who won, what changed, and what it means for Boise. Want some more Boise election news? Head over to our Hey Boise newsletter where you’ll get even more intel on who won and what it means.  Interested in advertising with City Cast Boise? Find more info HERE. Reach us at boise@citycast.fm. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For the first time in over three decades, the Idaho Democratic Party is running a candidate in every legislative district in the state. In rural districts where Republicans have dominated, this is especially notable. Lauren Necochea is the state party chair, and she’s talking with our host Lindsay Van Allen about the Democrats’ new strategy. Could they actually flip some Republican seats this election, and what could this strategy yield for the future? Want some more Boise election coverage? Head over to our Hey Boise newsletter where you’ll get a rundown of election results and what they mean on Wednesday. Interested in advertising with City Cast Boise? Find more info HERE. Reach us at boise@citycast.fm. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With all the recent growth in the Treasure Valley, our roads are busier than ever. So what’s the Ada County Highway District doing to help with the congestion? Today, executive producer Frankie Barnhill and Idaho Statesman reporter Nick Rosenberger dig into ACHD’s new 5-year plan to find out what it could mean for your daily commute. Want some more Boise news? Head over to our Hey Boise newsletter where you’ll get a cheat sheet to the city every weekday morning. Interested in advertising with City Cast Boise? Find more info HERE. Reach us at boise@citycast.fm. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week we’ll be sharing results from our local elections and discussing what they mean for Boise. But we can’t help but wonder… what’s going on with our City Cast colleagues in swing states? As America white-knuckles its way into one of the closest presidential elections in modern history, City Cast CEO David Plotz sits down with the hosts of our shows in swing state cities: Madison, Philly, Pittsburgh, and Las Vegas. In this special episode, our crew of hosts gives you a locals’ look inside how their cities are preparing for the presidential election and its aftermath. From a peek inside the Pennsylvania election warehouse where mail-in ballots will be counted, to a glimpse at how Dane County, Wisconsin’s early voting is going, you’re invited to hear what the swing states are talking about…with each other. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Happy Friday! Host Lindsay Van Allen and Boise State Public Radio’s George Prentice are chatting about the big news of the week. They’re looking at the rising financial impact of a lawsuit against the City of Boise. Then they’re diving into the far-right PragerU curriculum that could soon show up in our schools. Plus, they’re prepping for Election Day with essential tips — and sharing a thrilling pick of the week.  Want some more Boise news? Head over to our Hey Boise newsletter where you’ll get a cheatsheet to the city every weekday morning. Learn more about the sponsor of this November 1st episode: BetterHelp - get 10% off at betterhelp.com/CITYCAST Inn at 500 Interested in advertising with City Cast Boise? Find more info HERE. Reach us at boise@citycast.fm. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

November in Boise means crisp days on the Greenbelt, delicious local food at farm-to-table restaurants, and the beginning of the holiday season. We’ve curated a list of must-do activities to get the most out of Boise this month, including insider tips to shop local and some genius hacks for making Thanksgiving meal planning simple. Plus, did we find best chai in the valley?  If you're new here, welcome! We’ve put together a starter pack for you, with episodes and articles to welcome you to the City Cast Boise community.  Want some more ideas for what to do in November? Head over to our website where you’ll find even more things to do this month, and subscribe for our free Hey Boise newsletter. Learn more about the sponsor of this October 31st episode: BetterHelp - get 10% off at betterhelp.com/CITYCAST Inn at 500 Interested in advertising with City Cast Boise? Find more info HERE. Reach us at boise@citycast.fm. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Have you heard of the Boise Murder House? The 1910 home in South Boise has been the subject of local urban legends and ghostly tales for decades. But according to Mark Iverson from IdaHistory, the true story of this notorious home is even more sinister than the eerie rumors.  Want some more true local stories? Head over to our Hey Boise newsletter, where you’ll get a rundown of what’s going on in the city every weekday morning.  Learn more about the sponsor of this October 30th episode: BetterHelp - get 10% off at betterhelp.com/CITYCAST Inn at 500 Interested in advertising with City Cast Boise? Find more info HERE. Reach us at boise@citycast.fm. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Why are Idahoans moving to other states? From the rising cost of living in Boise, realtor Tom Wheeler and host Lindsay Van Allen explore some of the factors fueling this trend — from the rising cost of living in Boise, to the shifting political landscape — and what it could mean for our state. Plus, we look at the role and responsibility realtors have in setting the tone for a community.  But it’s not like everyone is leaving the Gem State … Be sure to check out our episode about why so many Californians have settled in the Treasure Valley.  Want some more Boise culture and news? Head over to our Hey Boise newsletter where you’ll get a cheatsheet to the city every weekday morning. Learn more about the sponsor of this October 29th episode: BetterHelp - get 10% off at betterhelp.com/CITYCAST Inn at 500 Interested in advertising with City Cast Boise? Find more info HERE. Reach us at boise@citycast.fm. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices