Idaho Matters

(rarehistoricalphotos.com)The Volstead Act was repealed 85 years ago, allowing Americans from Seattle to Key West to imbibe legally. Idaho Matters looks at the impact of Prohibition in the Gem State and the revelry that followed its repeal.

The Consulate of Mexico in Boise and the Idaho Hispanic Chamber of Commerce are sponsoring the Original Mexican Chocolate and Coffee Fair to demonstrate the role of these products in Mexican culture and economy. Idaho Matters speaks with the Chamber about the event and why we can't live without coffee and chocolate.

(St. Luke's)380,000 babies are born prematurely in the United States, according to the March of Dimes. We speak with two St. Luke's doctors about why this rate is so high and what can be done to lower the chances of a premature birth.

(wikimedia commons)As we approach the Hanukah halftime, Idaho Matters looks at the history of Jews in Idaho with Rabbi Daniel Fink of Congregation Ahavath Beth Israel.

(stem.idaho.gov)Computer Science Education Week runs through December 7 and the Idaho STEM Action Center is emphasizing training in coding, the backbone of computer programming. We speak with STEM AC about the classes and opportunities available to anyone who wants to get started in computer coding.

(idahoptv.org)America's first commercial airmail delivery left from an airfield where Boise State University stands today. We'll learn more about this and other aspects of Idaho's aviation history from IPTV's latest edition of Idaho Experience, "Pioneers of the Air."

(Boise Bicycle Project)Every December, the Boise Bicycle Project coordinates with area schools, social workers and non-profit organizations to distribute bicycles to underprivileged children in the Treasure Valley. 

(ebay/pbs/kera/open culture)The film Green Book tells the story of an African-American musician and a white bouncer traveling through the Jim Crow-era South. The movie's title refers to "The Negro Motorist Green Book" - a travel guide prepared for African-Americans traveling by road between the 1930's and the 1960's. The book instructed travelers as to which motels were friendly, which restaurants served everyone and which towns to avoid. The Idaho Black History Museum is putting one of these books on exhibit and we'll talk about the 'green book' and other displays on exhibit.

(PAUL SANCYA / AP)Elevated levels of lead found in a Boise school in October led to further testing throughout the district. Nearly one in six samples tested positive for unacceptable lead levels in 26 area schools. We'll look at lead levels in school drinking water on Monday's Idaho Matters.

(Southern Idaho food Truck Association / Facebook)Many entrepreneurs are finding it easier to enter the food service industry using a food truck as opposed to traditional brick-and-mortar restaurants. Idaho Matters looks at the popularity and the proliferation of food trucks in the Treasure Valley.

(IDAHO OFFICE FOR REFUGEES)Idaho Matters looks at St. Alphonsus' programs for providing healthcare and support for refugees resettling in the Treasure Valley.

(facebook)The National Rifle Association recently posted a tweet telling doctors with opinions about gun violence to "stay in their lane." This did not sit well with the medical community and the response was instant, including that of Dr. Heather Hammerstedt, president of the Idaho chapter of the American College of Emergency Physicians. Her Facebook posting on the matter stated, "This is my suicides, my mass shootings, my homicides, my toddlers with tragic accidents. This is what I do, covered in blood, my finger in your chest or my hand around your heart or calling your time of death." Dr. Hammerstedt joins Idaho Matters to talk about gun violence from the emergency room.

(idahoshakespeare.org)The 2019 Idaho Shakespeare Festival program has been announced and it includes Petruchio & Katherina, an Agatha Christie classic, 76 trombones, the Ides of March and a lot of blue suede shoes. Charlie Fee and Hannah Read Newbill stop in to give us a preview of this year's Idaho Shakespeare Festival. 

(stock)Host Gemma Gaudette leads a round table discussion of the week's headlines with the region's top journalists. This week Idaho Matters speaks with Betsy Russell from the Idaho Press and Idaho Public Television's Bill Manny and Seth Ogilvie.

(Roberto Machado Noa/LightRocket/pbs.org)Efforts to make conversion therapy illegal in Idaho died in the statehouse last year. Two new films have brought this discussion to the forefront and on Thursday's Idaho Matters, we'll find out why this practice is dangerous and we'll hear about efforts to make it a crime in the Gem State.

(Dryland Doggs LLC / Facebook)Dryland Dogs has created a line of products that will let you hitch your dog to a bike, scooter, cart - even skis - and pull you down the Greenbelt like an Iditarod champion. The owner of the Meridian-based company joins Idaho Matters to talk about this new dimension to outdoor recreation.

(EMILIE RITTER SAUNDERS / BOISE STATE PUBLIC RADIO)Ada County election officials must oversee a recount of the CWI funding levy - the ballot measure failed by 144 votes. Ada County assistant county clerk Phil McGrane discusses the county's unique recount procedure.

(Frankie Barnhill / oldboise.com)Most of us grow out of our toys, but for model train enthusiasts, the tracks go on forever. We'll meet Darrell Sterling, a member of the Old Boise N-Scale Model Railroad Club, and find out why this hobby endures and why the holidays bring out the best in train modeling.

(Katherine Jones / Idaho Statesman)Ivanka Trump and Tim Cook paid a visit to Wilder Elementary to assess the school's STEM program. We'll speak with the area reporters who covered the visit.

(Idaho Education News )Idaho has made small progress in improving the rate of high school graduates going on to college, but there is still room for improvement. Kevin Richert of Idaho Education News joins us to discuss efforts to improve this metric.