Idaho Matters

For four years, a group from Northwest Nazarene University has been using drones to map out burn areas to aid firefighters and research the behavior and environmental impact of wildfires.This summer, the group led by NNU professor Dale Hamilton will use drones to create ariel photo-mosiacs of the Boise Basin and Boise National Forest to help archeolgists research the 150-year-old mining history of Idaho. Dr. Hamilton joins us with one of his students to talk about using drones to learn more about our state.

We assemble our team of Idaho journalists to discuss the week's events in Boise, the Treasure Valley and beyond. This week we have Bill Manny of the Idaho Statesman, Betsy Russell of the Idaho Press-Tribune and Kevin Richert of Idaho Education News join host Tom Michael.

(stock)Four Idaho women filed suit in federal court against the state's attorney general, secretary of state and director of Health and Welfare. At issue is a law that invalidates a woman's living will should she become pregnant.The plaintiffs allege this is a sexist law and point to other states where similar laws have been overturned. We discuss the case with Chelsea Gaona-Lincoln, one of the plaintiffs.

(lagoonpress.com)While most are drawn into theaters by movie posters, Caldwell's Mike Kaplan sees the art that exemplifies the period of the film, the emotions elicited by the filmmakers and the high achievement of the artists themselves. Kaplan joins Idaho Matters to discuss his collections and why these posters tell us much more than just a catch phrase and a cast.

(iStockphoto.com)Health experts are now finding deleterius correlations between loneliness and human health. With advances in the virtual world, Americans are finding themselves increasingly isolated, creating cocoons of insularity. Studies link loneliness to increased levels of stress and inflammation - the kind that leads to diabetes and heart disease.Idaho Matters discusses the physical and psychological impacts of loneliness with Dr. Amy Walters, a licensed psychologist and behavioral specialist at Humphreys Diabetes Center and Erin Olsen, outreach and education specialist at the Idaho Commission on Aging.

(Joe Raedle/Getty Images)In the wake of yet another school shooting, parents around the country are wondering how to discuss this topic with their children. Mass shootings have become a way of life, but the discussions are brand new. We look at ways of discussing this topic without cultivating terrified youth.

(Metro Community Services)Homebuyers are looking for something more practical than the 'McMansions' of the 2000s and tiny houses seem to be a viable solution to urban/suburban housing crunches. Small on the outside, roomy on the inside, affordable with a minimal carbon footprint, these houses are becoming the preferred option in growing communities like Boise's. We look at this trend and talk about a group of high school students who built a tiny house for a good cause with Matt Jones of Metro Community Services.

(birdsofpreyncapartnership.org)The Birds of Prey NCA Partnership is committed to "support the management and conservation of the Morley Nelson Snake River Birds Of Prey National Conservation Area through science, education, outreach, and partnerships." On Thursday's Idaho Matters, we discuss efforts to preserve eagles, hawks, falcons and other native birds of prey.

(ILLINOIS REVIEW )The organization Save Idaho Horse Racing wants to put historical horse racing machines at horse racing tracks. The machines allow the player to bet on the outcome of a randomly chosen race from the past, which is shown on the machine's screen. We discuss the state's inactive horse racing industry and how these machines might save it with Bruce Newcomb, chairman of Save Idaho Horse Racing.

(thinkstock)The Better Business Bureau Northwest + Pacific warns if you see a housing rental ad that looks too good to be true - it probably is and it might steal your identity as well. Veronica Craker of the BBB joins Idaho Matters to parse out some of these scams, what to look for and what's at stake.

(BSPR)Every day, you drive by hundreds of businesses you've never stopped at, shopped at or (sometimes) even noticed. That's where we come in. From reptile markets to running groups, bead stores to bodegas, natatoriums to nude retreats, You Know The Place explores the Idaho stores, shops, clubs and pubs you always pass by, but never seem to visit. Podcast co-hosts Lacey Daley and Joel Wayne join Idaho Matters to talk about Boise's best kept secrets.  

(City of Meridian)Meridian is the second-largest city in Idaho and one of the fastest growing in the nation. Mayor Tammy de Weerd joins Idaho Matters to talk about how that community is handling the influx of residents.

(Boise State University)University of Idaho president Chuck Staben shocked the educational community when he announced his resignation at the conclusion of the 2018-19 academic year. The presidents of the state's three public universities will all have departed within a year of each other. On Tuesday's Idaho Matters, we discuss the changing face of leadership in the Idaho secondary education system with Kevin Richert of Idaho Education News.

(Institute for Local Self Reliance)High speed broadband net access is vital in today's culture. Businesses rely on it for supply, sales, research and promotion. It connects students to classrooms and educational opportunities unheard of just 20 years ago. On Tuesday's Idaho Matters, we discuss efforts to connect rural Idahoans via broadband.

(Treasure Valley Family YMCA)Meridian keeps growing and a new YMCA is opening this month to provide healthy activities and modern facilities for young and old in Northwest Ada County. We talk about the amenities available at the new Y, called "The Hill."

(stock)Gemma Gaudette discusses the week's events with a roundtable of Idaho journalists including Kimberlee Kruesi of the Associated Press-Idaho and Kevin Richert of Idaho Education News.

(Boise State University)Boise State University's Owen McDougal has been researching how acralymides develop in cooked foods. Acralymides can have carcinogenic effects on the human body and in California, a judge recently ruled coffee growers need to label the acralymide content of their beans. Idaho Matters will talk with McDougal about his work on acralymides and potatoes. 

(Magnolia Pictures | WARNER BROS. ENTERTAINMENT INC. | Universal Pictures | Disney / Lucasfilm)The theaters will be filled with action movies this summer - 'Solo,' 'Deadpool 2,' 'Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom' and 'Oceans 8' will keep the lucrative franchises alive for another year and on Friday's Idaho Matters we talk with Boise Weekly film critic George Prentice about which films to pick and which should get a pass.

(BOISE STATE PUBLIC RADIO)The growth in the Treasure Valley can definitely be felt in Garden City and on Thursday, Garden City mayor John Evans joins Gemma Gaudette to talk about how his community is working to accommodate the influx of residents.

(AMANDA PEACHER / MOUNTAIN WEST NEWS BUREAU)Idaho Matters presents two pieces from "Faces Behind the Fires," the Mountain West News Bureau's series about the people who work to put out wildfires - from the fireline to the support staff to the scientists.(NATE HEGYI / MOUNTAIN WEST NEWS BUREAU)Today, we hear about a crew of Native American hotshots from Yellowstone Public Radio's Nate Hegyi and Boise State Public Radio's Amanda Peacher brings us the story of the people who make sure the hotshots stay well nourished.