Idaho Matters

(communitykindnessmovement.com)Idaho is already pretty kind. Now there's a Community Kindness Day to help instill a culture of kindness in everyone. Idaho Matters takes a closer look.

(Idaho Humane Society)Animal hoarding is a complex and layered issue. Now a case in Boise is bringing the issue to light. Idaho Matters talks to Dr. Jeff Rosenthal with the Idaho Humane Society about the issue and about the Society's new building.

(Vianney Le Caer/Invision / AP Photos)It's the time of year where we start seeing ads about upcoming movies that might be Oscar contenders. Boise Weekly Film Critic George Prentice got a sneak peek of some of these films at the Toronto International Film Festival and fills us in on what's worth seeing at the theatre. Will "A Star Is Born" sweep the Oscars?

(Dave Bieter's Facebook Page / City of Boise)Boise Mayor David Bieter joins us in studio to discuss the state of the city. During this year's annual speech about Boise, Bieter covered a wide range of issues, including proposing five policy proposals to impact housing affordability. He also has a plan to combat homelessness. He sat down with Idaho Matters to talk about his future vision for Boise.

(AP-Photo/HO)Every year in the U.S. hundreds of babies die from sleep-related causes. That includes everything from Sudden Infant Death Syndrome to soft pillows and blankets. Every year, babies in Idaho die from these causes. Because some of these deaths can be prevented, health providers in the Gem State are putting together programs to make sure babies stay safe when they sleep. Idaho Matters talks with St. Luke's Hospital Director of Advocacy and Community Education Sherry Iverson about this issue. We also talk about National Child Passenger Safety Week. St. Luke's is providing free car seat checks around the state, find a list here.

(Matt Guilhem / Boise State Public Radio)World-renowned architect Moshe Safdie has been commissioned to design the new Boise Library main branch. Boise State Public Radio's Matt Guilhem had the opportunity to sit down and discuss design with the designer and find out more about his ongoing fascination with libraries.

(credit: youtube)'This Is My Brave' is a community performance of storytellers sharing their experiences in an effort to reduce the stigma attached to mental illness. Through song, poetry and the spoken word, performers address the sometimes uncomfortable topics surrounding mental health and we talk with one of the performers about the upcoming performance.

(credit: realestateboiseid.com)The historic homes along Warm Springs will be highlighted in the 16th Annual Heritage Homes Tour on October 7. Sponsored by Preservation Idaho, the event draws attention to various neighborhoods in Ada County to maintain the architectural legacy of Boise's past. We speak with organizers of the tour and look at why it is important to preserve homes in the region.

(CREDIT COURTESY BOISE RESCUE MISSION)The combination of rising housing rates and increased drug abuse has facilitated growth in the area's homeless population and a greater need for healthcare services. We look at providing medical services for homeless Idahoans with representatives from Interfaith Sanctuary and the Boise Rescue Mission.

(CREDIT: BLM/flickr)The Trump Administration is issuing leases on public lands in 10 western states for oil and gas drilling. Critics have accused the administration of rushing the leases without adequate public input and on Friday, a federal court sided with environmentalists by ordering the reinstatement of public participation. We look at the impact this could have on Idaho's wilderness with Boise State professor of public policy John Freemuth.

(cvltnation.com)'No Greater Law' investigates the practices of the Followers of Christ, a religious sect that believes prayer, not medicine, can heal the ill and injured. The rural Idaho adherents face a mortality rate 10 times that of the state's average and we talk with the film's director about the sect and making the documentary.

Who takes care of caregivers when they burnout from giving care? Physician burnout is very real and we look at efforts by St. Luke's and the Ada County Medical Society to alleviate the stresses felt by members of the medical community.

(diana dejesus/facebook)Diana DeJesus moved to Boise from West Palm Beach to recruit for the University of Idaho's law school but she found a passion in connecting people and businesses in her off time. Her Instagram account, Boise Bucket List, has accumulated nearly 30,000 followers and DeJesus joins Idaho Matters to talk about making those B2B connections and how social media changed the networking game.

(Story Story Night)Story Story Night "fosters powerful connections that change lives" through live storytelling. The storytelling is presented as "slams" - as competitions between presenters. This season culminates in the "Slammer of the Year" competition this Tuesday at the Meridian Speedway. We meet the organizers of Story Story Night and learn about the connection between storytelling and auto racing.

(stock)Host Gemma Gaudette leads a round table discussion of the week's headlines with the region's top journalists. This week we are joined by Idaho Public Television's Melissa Davlin and Seth Ogilvie and BoiseDev's Don Day.

(ted.com)TEDx is searching for speakers in the Boise area and we'll speak with a TED coach about preparing presentations and we'll meet a speaker who can attest to the months of practice that go into delivering a TedX Talk.

The Idaho Women's Charitable Foundation has contributed nearly $4 million to nonprofit organizations in Southwest Idaho and beyond. The IWCF is sponsoring a symposium addressing poverty and homelessness in the region and we speak with organizers and participants with the event.

(Boise Police Department)This interview was originally broadcast May 30, 2018.The Boise Police Department offers a free course on how to respond to active shooter scenarios in public. The class fills quickly and we discuss some of those techniques with BPD Officer Kevin Wittmuss.

(PHOTO: Roger Patterson)Idaho State University professor Jeff Meldrum specializes in studying the bipedal locomotion of humans and he thinks this knowledge can be applied to the search for Bigfoot. We talk with Dr. Meldhrum about his quest to find this elusive creature.

(ADAM COTTERELL / BOISE STATE PUBLIC RADIO)This interview was originally broadcast July 10, 2018.As the population swells in the Treasure Valley, so too will the homeless population. We look at efforts to develop housing options for the valley's homeless.