Idaho Matters

Over a 20 year period ending in 2023, Idaho's population grew abut three times faster than the U.S. average. With that growth came a lot of changes to the Gem State, especially in rural areas. 

The Community Canvas project in Elmore County is bringing beauty to the walls of businesses, parks and sheds for free. 

January is National Mentoring Month, a time to focus on the role that consistent, supportive adults can play in the lives of young people. 

Roughly two-thirds of teenagers are using AI chatbots, like ChatGPT, when they need someone to talk to. People are drawn to AI for mental health because it's free and accessible, but experts stress it does not replace the empathy found from real people. 

You can get a grant to fund your own 250th anniversary project from the City of Boise.

Thinking about buying your own small farm? Maybe raising some goats and artichokes? This dream can be hard to put into reality, but we'll tell you how!

A beloved literary spirit gets a modern reimaging, confronting her past, while carving out a future that is all her own. 

Each week we bring you the news that made headlines, but this Friday we're taking a look back at the year's biggest stories.Our journalist panel today: Clark Corbin with the Idaho Capital Sun James Dawson with Boise State Public Radio News Kevin Richert, Senior Reporter and Blogger with Idaho Education News

Literacy expert Colleen Driggs breaks down the science behind strong reading skills in her new book, offering practical strategies for helping children become confident, capable readers.

A new biography takes an intimate look at how Carol King reshaped American music, overcame personal struggles and left an undeniable mark on generations of fans and artists. 

It's Friday, which means it's time for our Reporter Roundtable when Idaho Matters gets you up to date on all the news that made headlines this past week.

What if the food left behind when restaurants close could fight hunger instead of filling landfills — meet "Rolling Tomato," the nonprofit rescuing thousands of pounds of surplus food to feed Idahoans in need.

When former college sweethearts collide again, love and ambition mix for an unforgettable story. 

As 2025 winds down, we're crowing our Best Movie of the Year, previewing a Christmas Day musical and celebrating 50 years of SNL holiday laughs. 

As we bring 2025 to a close, Idaho Matters takes a look back at the year through the lens of public health.

As Idaho faces a looming budget shortfall, lawmakers, law enforcement and legislators are grappling with how to balance the books without putting communities and public safety at risk. 

A new nonprofit in Idaho is helping hopeful parents remove financial barriers to adoption, addressing one of most common obstacles families face.

There's a hidden treasure of decked out holiday trees just waiting to be found near the Old Idaho Penitentiary.

Short winter days can trigger seasonal affective disorder — especially in children — but resources from FYIdaho are available to help families cope. 

It's Friday, which means it's time for our Reporter Roundtable when Idaho Matters gets you up to date on all the news that made headlines this past week.

Catch, southwest Idaho's leading homelessness nonprofit, is reshaping the region's approach to housing with housing-first strategies that are helping families rebuild and find hope.

The Geminid meteor shower is set to light up the sky this weekend with up to 120 dazzling meteors per hour. 

Amy Lea is back with her latest novel promising a high-stakes rom-com with sharp humor, crackling tension and heart-melting moments. 

The Centers for Disease Control is changing its recommendations for when to give babies the hepatitis B vaccine and the World Health Organization has weighed in on GLP-1 weight loss drugs.

Dive into "The Botanist's Assistant" — a smart, funny and suspenseful mystery where science and secrets collide in a deadly mix!

Celebrating two decades of his holiday benefit concerts, Curtis Stigers teamed up with Jodi Peterson-Stigers to reveal big changes ahead for Interfaith Sanctuary. 

The new Gem State Housing Alliance is uniting Idaho leaders and developers to address the state's housing affordability crisis and boost homebuilding in 2026.

It's Friday, which means it's time for our Reporter Roundtable when Idaho Matters gets you up to date on all the news that made headlines this past week.

Idaho Public Television's latest documentary reveals how a local sculptor has immortalized Challenger astronaut Christa McAuliffe in bronze. 

The Boise Bicycle Project is gearing up for its biggest holiday giveaway yet, over 600 kid-dreamed bikes, and they're calling on the community to help turn those dreams into a reality. 

City of Good and the Boise Farmers Market are tackling Idaho's food insecurity by bringing local, accessible produce to those who earn too much to qualify for SNAP through their mobile market. 

Norovirus is on the rise, there is an increase in AIDS in eastern Idaho and raw milk is making people sick in the Gem State. 

This weekend, Idaho IceWorld is turning into a holiday stage for "Jingle Blades," the Boise Figure Skating Club's festive showcase!

Boise State's groundbreaking program for rural and non-traditional students has gone dark after funding dried up, raising alarms as colleges nationwide battle declining enrollment. 

Boise's art scene is serving up some Christmas cheer with three festive productions that journey from a WWI truce to the Nutcracker to a bold, burlesque-inspired reimagining of the tale. 

Do you ever feel like there's just not enough time in the day? Well, one author says that simple daily rituals can help you reclaim your time, reduce stress and help you better enjoy your life.

A report about a project to upgrade an education program has lawmakers taking a closer look at how state agencies spend their cash.

How is money, especially Dark Money, affecting Idaho politics?

After a devastating setback, one Olympic athlete fights to turn her life around in "Revolve." 

AAA Idaho says holiday travel is surging again this Thanksgiving, with hundreds of thousands of Idahoans expected on the roads amid rising reports of driver frustration and road rage. 

31 infants across the United States have been hospitalized in connection with a botulism outbreak, including one suspected case in Idaho. 

Books on the Vine has morphed from just a bookstore to an art gallery, painting studio and fun place to hang out.

The Chef brings us the secrets of preparing two of the staples for your Thanksgiving dinner.