Idaho Matters

(Winter Wildlands Alliance)The Winter Wildlands Alliance puts on an annual film festival that focuses cameras on winter recreation in the American West. Idaho Matters visits the Backcountry Film Festival with its organizer and discusses the role of winter sports in the Western culture and economy. 

(Santee Firefighters Association)Idaho Democratic representative Mat Erpelding has introduced legislation that would provide coverage for first responders who suffer from PTSD as a result of their service. The Boise lawmaker joins Idaho Matters with Boise's fire chief to parse out the bill and the importance of addressing mental as well as physical health for first responders.

(Spencer Platt/Getty Images/NPR)A piece of legislation is advancing through Washington that would expand access to treatment for opioid addicts. Idaho Matters looks at the pending bill and how it could help combat addiction in the Gem State.

(PRX/Hans Anderson)PRX producer Hans Anderson shares this creepy tale from his explorations of a new home.

(bigriverparanormal.com)When things go bump in the Idaho night, Big River Paranormal is there to investigate. We'll meet these real-life ghost hunters and find out which parts of the state are most infested with the spirits of the departed.

(Midas Gold)The Stibnite Mining District is loaded with gold, silver, tungsten and antimony. The region had been heavily mined for decades and just as heavily polluted. Operations stopped in 1997 and 12 years later, Midas Gold acquired the site and began to look at ways to resume mining operations in the area. The mining firm says it is committed to responsible and sustainable mining practices but conservationists are wary. Idaho Matters looks at new efforts to harvest minerals at the Stibnite Mining District.

(Idaho State University / Spokane Public Radio)IPTV's Idaho Experience looks at the life of frontier poet Annie Pike Greenwood and some of the forgotten documentation that helps shed new light on her experiences on an Idaho farm. We speak with Idaho Public Television about the latest installment in the series.

(BSPR)Guns &  America is a collaborative effort among ten pubic broadcasting entities across the country. Boise State Public Radio's Heath Druzin is covering gun issues in the Mountain West and he joins us to discuss the role firearms are playing in political branding.

(stock)Host Gemma Gaudette leads a round table discussion of the week's headlines with the region's top journalists. This week, Kevin Richert of Idaho Education News, Betsy Russell of the Idaho Press and Bill Manny of Idaho Public Television join Idaho Matters.

(idahocharitableevents.org)FACES of Hope helps victims of domestic violence with counseling and legal aid. Idaho Matters looks at efforts to mitigate the harm caused by violence and its impact on teens.

(HENRY PHILLIPS/Gear Patrol)The changing of the seasons means the changing of the liquor cabinet and we look at cooler weather cocktails.

(stock)October 27 is the Drug Enforcement Administration's National Drug Take Back Day and Idaho Matters looks at safe ways to dispose of pharmaceutical narcotics.

(storystorynight.org)Starry Story Night puts together seven storytellers for a night of chamber music and narrative entertainment. We talk to the event's organizers about what to expect.

(happydaybrands.com)Happy Day Brands creates chocolate bars, superfood mixes, coffees and teas. The company's mission isn't financial driven so much as an effort to elevate social awareness. Idaho Matters talks with the company's founder about connecting businesses with their communities.

(CREDIT MALATE269 / WIKIMEDIA COMMONS)Chevron has helped put more than $43 million into classroom projects since 2010 with their 'Fuel Your School' campaign. We look at ways this program has helped Idaho students.

(AP)Scooters are everywhere in downtown Boise. Meridian gave scooter sharing a shot and shelved it until the spring. Idaho Matters looks at this new transit phenomenon with representatives of Treasure Valley municipalities.Boiseans Dan and Frankie were riding Lime scooters at State and 31st in Boise when they gave this demonstration. (BSPR)

(City of Boise)Oliver Russell owns and operates PlasticWorks, a community recycling facility that processes products other recyclers wouldn't. Idaho Matters looks at the effort to re-use every last bit of plastic and keep it out of oceans and landfills.

(NPR)Boom Tic Boom is a cinematic jazz ensemble led by drummer Allison Miller. She has been heard on NPR's Tiny Desk Concert and NBC's Late Night With Seth Meyers and she brings Boom Tic Boom to Surel's Place Tuesday evening as part of the outfit's 10th anniversary tour. Miller joins Idaho Matters to talk about following the footsteps of band-leading drummers like Gene Krupa, Shelia E and Buddy Rich.

(Boise Contemporary Theater)A dead neighborhood dog, a man with a paper heart and stranded astronauts are just some of the fare on Boise Contemporary Theater's 2018/19 menu. Idaho Matters talks with BCT about some of the thought-provoking material on tap for this year, including a fish-out-of-water story about a New Yorker in Idaho.

(SCOTT KI / BOISE STATE PUBLIC RADIO)Idaho lawmakers have become critical of the state's mandatory minimum sentencing guidelines as they yield few results in curbing crime and are contributing to the state's bloated prison population. Idaho Matters discusses bipartisan efforts to end to these sentencing guidelines.