Remembering Harriet Beecher Stowe and Harriet Tubman
Apr 30, 2024
A statue of Harriet Tubman at the Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad Visitor Center in Maryland.(Craig James)
When it comes to American history, especially around the 1850s, two women stand out as lightning rods for dramatic change in society.
Harriet Beecher Stowe's best-selling anti-slavery novel had a profound effect on how White people saw African Americans that some say helped lead to the Civil War.
Harriet Tubman rescued dozens of black people from slavery through the “Underground Railroad” and never stopped fighting for the rights of African Americans and women.
History professor Dr. Richard Bell from the University of Maryland joins Idaho Matters to talk more about these two amazing women.
Why author Patrick Hinds is embracing failure
Apr 30, 2024
Failure on board. (contrastwerkstatt/contrastwerkstatt)
You may know Patrick Hinds as one of the voices behind the tremendously successful podcast "True Crime Obsessed."
What you may not know is that Patrick is also a self professed failure, something he looks at in his new book "Failure is Not NOT an Option." He joined Idaho Matters to talk more about his new book and tour.
Exploring the plants of Craters of the Moon
Apr 29, 2024
Maybe a hot, rocky landscape. A gray, empty, volcanic area where nothing grows and plants can't survive.
Well, it turns out a lot of plants can survive in this desert in Eastern Idaho, and Dr. Lynn Kinter knows firsthand. She's been studying plants for more than 35 years.
Dr. Kinter is an adjunct graduate faculty member in the department of Biological Sciences at Boise State University and she joined Idaho Matters to talk more.
'Sex, Lies and Sensibility:' An author interview with Nikki Payne
Apr 29, 2024
( Berkley)
Readers fell in love with author Nikki Payne's debut novel, "Pride and Protest," a retelling of Jane Austen's "Pride and Prejudice." It got all kinds of buzz, from Ebony Magazine to Oprah Daily.
Now Payne is back with her latest novel, "Sex, Lies and Sensibility," a modern re-working of Austen's "Sense and Sensibility." She joined Idaho Matters to talk more about her new release.
Finding Basque history in the trees of Idaho
Apr 29, 2024
( John Bieter)
Throughout Idaho, there is a rich history of Basque culture, a piece of which can be found in many of the forests across Idaho in the form of tree carvings.
Known as arborglyphs, these markings were commonly left by sheepherders, providing a glimpse into the past of an often overlooked population. And for years now, Boise State University professor John Bieter has made it a priority to document these fading artifacts.
Bieter joined Idaho Matters to talk more about this work and the significance of arborglyphs.
The secret life of migrating birds
Apr 29, 2024
(timber1212 / Flickr)
Though Idaho is still experiencing a bit of cold weather, the song of migrating birds is proof that spring is in the air.
And as the days continue to get longer, we'll start to see more of these returning travelers in larger numbers. From cranes to swans to swallows, birds big and small are making their way back to the Gem State, some traveling thousands of miles—a journey that many experts are still working to understand.
Including Heidi Ware Carlisle, the Education and Outreach Director of Intermountain Bird Observatory. She joined Idaho Matters to talk more about migrating birds.
Idaho Matters Reporter Roundtable: April 26, 2024
Apr 26, 2024
A temporary memorial featuring Deputy Tobin Bolter’s patrol vehicle is set up in front of the Ada County Sheriff's Office (7200 W. Barrister Dr in Boise). Star Police, Kuna Police and Eagle Police substations also have dedicated memorial spots.( Ada County Sheriff's Office / Facebook)
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.
'Becoming Madam Secretary:' An author interview with Stephanie Dray
Apr 25, 2024
(Berkley )
This episode of Idaho Matters originally aired on March 18, 2024.
New York Times bestselling author Stephanie Dray is back with a look at one of the most influential figures of the 20th century, Frances Perkins. It's a name you may not be familiar with, but you should be.
Tips for supporting children with ADHD
Apr 25, 2024
(Practical Cures / Flickr)
This episode of Idaho Matters originally aired on November 16, 2023.
With ADHD and other diagnoses on the rise, today's youth are experiencing chronic levels of anxiety and depression. That's why it's important to make sure these children feel supported and understood. Dr. Sharon Saline is a licensed clinical psychologist, an award-winning author, and a top expert on ADHD, anxiety, and mental health challenges. She joined Idaho Matters to talk more.
'Kingdom Keepers Inheritance:' An author interview with Ridley Pearson
Apr 25, 2024
( Disney Hyperion)
This episode of Idaho Matters originally aired on March 4, 2024.
New York Times bestselling author Ridley Pearson is back with his latest installation of the Kingdom Keepers series and he joined Idaho Matters to talk about his newest book.
Idaho Matters Doctors Roundtable: April 24, 2024
Apr 24, 2024
(Theknightcenter / Flickr)
Last month, Saltzer Health officially closed their doors, leaving many employees, doctors and patients scrambling.
Dr. David Pate, the former CEO of St. Luke's Health System, joined Idaho Matters to take a look at the gap this has left in the Gem State's health care, as well as the latest public health concerns that are making headlines.
The creative process of author V.E. Schwab
Apr 24, 2024
(Jenna Maurice / Tor Books)
Vampires, magic, faustian bargains ... author Victoria Schwab has written about it all. She's penned over 20 books and has an incredible following of readers.
She joined Idaho Matters to talk more about her creative process and what readers can expect to see from her next.
How are climate change and an aging infrastructure affecting wildfire risk?
Apr 23, 2024
(Katherine Blunt)
It has been close to 9 months since the deadly fire in Maui destroyed the town of Lahaina and it’s been five years since a fire decimated the town of Paradise, California. Could an aging utility infrastructure, along with wildfire risk, be a major culprit behind these disasters?
Wall Street Journal reporter and author of the book “California Burning" Katherine Blunt joined Idaho Matters to talk more about these fires.
'Once Persuaded, Twice Shy:' An author interview with Melodie Edwards
Apr 23, 2024
( Berkley)
Jane Austen's classic second change romance novel, "Persuasion" is getting a modern twist in author Melodie Edwards new novel, "Once Persuaded, Twice Shy."
She joined Idaho Matters to talk more about her latest release.
'HBCU Made:' A conversation with Ayesha Rascoe
Apr 23, 2024
( Algonquin Books)
This episode of Idaho Matters originally aired on February 6, 2024.
You may know Ayesha Rascoe from her ten years of reporting for Reuters News Agency or from her time as a White House correspondent covering three different presidents, or maybe she wakes you up on Sundays as the host of NPR's Weekend Edition Sunday.
It’s a collection of essays from everyone from Oprah Winfrey to Branford Marsalis to Stacey Abrams who write about how attending a historically black university helped shape who they are today. Rascoe joined Idaho Matters to talk more about her new book.
'Spinning Tea Cups:' An author interview with Alexandra Teague
Apr 23, 2024
( OSU Press)
This episode of Idaho Matters originally aired on November 28, 2023.
University of Idaho professor Alexandra Teague is out with her latest work and this time it's a very personal look at what some would say was a quirky childhood.
The memoir "Spinning Teacups" takes us across America from Florida to Idaho and many stops in between. Teague joined Idaho Matters to talk more.
Supreme Court to weigh in on abortion care in Idaho
Apr 22, 2024
( Canva)
The U.S. Supreme Court will take up an Idaho case on Wednesday that could have widespread implications around the country.
It involves an Idaho abortion law and a lawsuit filed by the Biden Administration, which argued hospitals that receive Medicare funds are required by federal law to provide emergency care, which could potentially include abortion, no matter if there's a state law banning abortion.
Idaho code allows physicians to perform abortions to prevent the death of a patient. But Boise OBGYN Dr. Sara Thomson said doctors have an ethical duty to intervene before their patients’ health deteriorates to a life-threatening emergency.
The question before SCOTUS is whether EMTALA openly and directly conflicts with a portion of Idaho's abortion law. Idaho's law has limited exceptions to providing abortions and physicians feel they cannot provide "stabilizing care" when a person needs it.
Defining what stabilizing care is is going to be a large part of the argument, but the other part is whether or not the federal government has reached too far in regards to EMTALA.
"Did the federal agency that is responsible for enforcing EMTALA go too far by making this argument that EMTALA means required abortion care? I think that the conservative justices are really going to be interested in that kind of question," said McKay Cunningham, the director of the On-Campus Experiential Learning at the College of Idaho.
EMTALA was enacted in 1986 by Congress to ensure public access to emergency services regardless of ability to pay.
"A patient who is pregnant and has an emergency medical condition, the doctors are going to look at her say 'Okay, if we do not address this emergency medical condition and it may require termination, we are not going to be able to save potential bodily functions," said Peg Dougherty, the Deputy General Counsel for St. Luke's Health System. "We are not going to be able to save her reproductive organs. Those are health matters that would be able to preserve the patient's health if our doctors were able to do that."
The Idahoans United for Women and Families coalition said their poll of about 600 residents shows three out of five Idahoans believe abortions should be legal in some or almost all cases. Spokesperson Melanie Folwell said 12% believe abortions should never be legal.
The coalition is campaigning to introduce an initiative regarding the legality of abortion on the 2026 ballot. To do so, the coalition will have to gather signatures representing at least 6% of eligible voters in the most recent election, coming from at least 18 of Idaho's 35 legislative districts.
Cunningham and Dougherty joined Idaho Matters to help break down the law and the arguments coming up in the Supreme Court.
Editor's note (correction): We did reach out to the Idaho Attorney General’s Office about the EMTALA case, once in January and in April but our emails got lost in the Spam folder and were never received. We spoke with the AG’s Office after this story aired, the issue has been fixed, and we’ve extended a new invitation to come on Idaho Matters and break down the arguments on Idaho’s side of this case.
Idaho Matters Reporter Roundtable: April 19, 2024
Apr 19, 2024
U.S. Supreme Court building(Ian Hutchinson / Unsplash)
Idaho’s law banning gender-affirming care for youth has gone into effect, big staffing cuts have been made in the Idaho Falls school district, SCOTUS is set to take up another case involving the Gem State and we take a look at some sad news from the legislature.
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 Gives works to support local nonprofits
Apr 19, 2024
( Idaho Gives)
Every year, the Idaho Nonprofit Center organizes what's known as Idaho Gives. It's a chance for people to come together to support the more than 9,000 groups in Idaho.
Kevin Bailey is the CEO at the center and he sat down to talk with Morning Edition host George Prentice about this years Idaho Gives.
Kevin Bacon returns to Payson High for a special farewell
Apr 19, 2024
Kevin Bacon(Silva. S / Flickr)
A high school in our region will get some Hollywood glitz for prom day this month. Kevin Bacon is coming to Utah's Payson High, where part of Footloose was filmed.
This is the movie's 40th anniversary and the school building will be torn down next year. So students and faculty have been working for months to bring home the bacon.
KUER's Ciara Hulet was at Payson High when the news went public, and has this report for the Mountain West News Bureau.
The Declaration of Independence: The history and legacy
Apr 18, 2024
A replica of the Declaration of Independence showing how the document looked the day it was signed, as part of the National Archives exhibit, in Washington, D.C. (Robert Miller / Flickr)
The Declaration of Independence is a defining document in the birth of the United States.
But how much do we really know about it? Was this historical document seen primarily as a celebration of a new country or more of a divorce decree?
At issue were two laws passed last year that said student IDs could no longer be used to register to vote and that students without an Idaho drivers license would have to get an Idaho ID card or other accepted form of identification.
BABE VOTE and the League of Women Voters sued over the laws, and in a five-to-zero decision, the justices decided that the legislature has the power to set reasonable conditions on the right to vote.
Kendal Shaber, a board member of the League of Women Voters, and Olivia Luna, a BABE VOTE volunteer and student at Boise State, joined Idaho Matters to talk more about this issue.
What to Watch: A drama, a biopic and a new series
Apr 18, 2024
FILE - In this Feb. 16, 2007 file photo, British singer Amy Winehouse poses for photographs after being interviewed by The Associated Press at a studio in north London. Friday, July 23, 2021 marks the 10th anniversary of the death of the iconic British pop singer, who died at her home in Camden. Her death was attributed to accidental alcohol poisoning. (AP Photo/Matt Dunham, File)(Matt Dunham/AP / AP)
If you're looking for something to watch this weekend, we have a variety of choices for you! From the #1 Box Office movie "Civil War" to a biopic about Amy Winehouse to a retrospective of Conan O'Brien, we have something for everyone!
Our resident movie critic, George Prentice, joined Idaho Matters to help us figure out What to Watch.
Idaho Matters Doctors Roundtable: April 17, 2024
Apr 17, 2024
(AP Images)
A disease caused by rats is on the rise and when is the best time to get the latest COVID vaccine?
Dr. David Pate, former CEO of St. Luke's Health System, joined Idaho Matters to talk more about all of this.
Nonprofit encourages cultural exchange through art
Apr 17, 2024
Two people shake hands.(webgirltj / Flickr)
Next week, a new exhibit will be coming to Idaho, sharing images and stories from around the world in an effort to connect communities and encourage cultural exchanges among our future leaders.
An endeavor that Global Ties Idaho has been supporting for more than a decade as they work to create lasting impact.
Carole Schroeder, the executive director of Global Ties Idaho, and Maya Duratovic, a Global Ties Idaho board member, joined Idaho Matters to talk more.
Classical guitarist Jack Sanders comes to Idaho
Apr 17, 2024
Jack Sanders( Craig Ferre)
For more than 30 years, the Piatigorsky Foundation has been providing communities across the country with unique access to classical music.
And Thursday, April 18, the organization will be here in Idaho for a special concert featuring classical guitarist Jack Sanders. He joined Idaho Matters to talk more about the importance of sharing this music.
The Boise Philharmonic welcomes a new executive director
Apr 17, 2024
Brandon VanWaeyenberghe and his dog Barley.( Zenith City Photography)
This May, one of Idaho's most beloved performing arts organizations, the Boise Philharmonic, will be welcoming a new executive director, Brandon Vanwaeyenberghe.
With more than ten years of experience in the world of orchestra, he is sure to bring something special to the Philharmonics next season of music. Vanwaeyenberghe joined Idaho Matters to talk more about his new role.
Supporting the mental health of Idaho youth with upstream prevention
Apr 16, 2024
(Ute Grabowsky / Photothek via Getty Images)
Across the United States, kids are struggling with their mental health and here in Idaho, we're seeing the same problem. One which was made even more stark after the suicide of four Boise students late last year.
Now as the community joins together in support of our kids, one group is working on a way to address the mental health struggles of our youth before they reach a crisis point.
Managing flooding on the Boise River Greenbelt
Apr 16, 2024
(James G. Edmondson2014 / Flickr)
As the weather warms up, snow is melting and water is filling up the Boise River, sometimes overflowing the river banks.
That can mean flooding on the Greenbelt, and Boise Parks and Recreation spends a lot of time each year managing closures and keeping the public up-to-date on what's closed and what's open.
And when the flooding is over, the department has a short window to repair and stabilize the river banks. Sara Arkle, parks resources superintendent, joined Idaho Matters to talk more about this work.