Idaho Matters

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**Idaho Matters**

Idaho Matters is a wonderful way to stay up to date, meet people and understand there’s much more to this great state. Hosted by Gemma Gaudette on Boise State Public Radio News, it features arts and politics, growth and education, and the interesting stories that make Idaho unique. Send us your questions, comments or story ideas by emailing idahomatters@boisestate.edu or sending us a voicemail using the “Talk To Us” feature on the free Boise State Public Radio app.

Latest Episodes:

**New technology introduces water cremation** Mar 20, 2023
Show notes

(Daniel Lévesque / Flickr)
It’s hard to say what happens to our souls after we die. But it’s a little more straightforward to know what happens to our bodies.
Some people now have a new option that’s seen as more environmentally friendly. Alex Hager with the Mountain West News Bureau takes a look at a funeral home offering a technology that uses water instead of fire.

**Idaho Matters Reporter Roundtable: March 17, 2023** Mar 17, 2023
Show notes

(Jim and Jamie Dutcher / The Hidden Life of Wolves)
Ada County declines request for funds to help pay for emergency housing, an update on the Lori and Chad Daybell murder case, there's a shortage of direct care workers, a look at how Idaho counts wolves, 'inappropriate' behavior from a junior high social worker was kept secret and the latest bill targeting 'obscene' materials in libraries has cleared the House committee.
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.
Our journalist panel today:
Kalama Hines with EastIdahoNews.com
Audrey Dutton, Senior Investigative Reporter with the Idaho Capital Sun
Ian Max Stevenson covers the City of Boise and climate change for the Idaho Statesman
Melissa Davlin, host of Idaho Reports on Idaho Public Television
James Dawson with Boise State Public Radio News
Nicole Blanchard with the Idaho Statesman
Christina Lords, Editor-in-Chief of Idaho Capital Sun

**Schools and nonprofits sue Idaho Attorney General over federal grant program investigation** Mar 16, 2023
Show notes

Empty classroom with no students(iStockphoto)
A program that gave federal coronavirus grant money to groups and schools in Idaho is under scrutiny from state lawmakers and the Idaho attorney general.
The Community Partner Grant Program was designed to address learning loss in kids ages 5-13 that happened due to disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Around 80 Idaho groups got the grants, from school districts in Marsing and Nampa to the United Way to the Boys and Girls Club, and spent it on kids.
But the Idaho Capitol Sun reported last month that some lawmakers in the Idaho Legislature raised concerns about the program. They’re worried that some of the money might have gone to kids under the age of five, instead of to kids 5-13, those lawmakers asked Idaho Health and Welfare, which was in charge of the program, for an audit of where the money went.
Fast forward to last week, when Idaho Attorney General Raul Labrador sent what's known as “Civil Investigative Demands” or CID's to all the groups that got the grant demanding all the records, including personnel lists involved with the program.
Yesterday 35 of those school districts and non-profits filed a complaint against Attorney General Labrador saying his actions were " an over-reach of government power."
Greg Chaney, a former republican member of the Idaho House and an attorney representing the plaintiffs, and Norm Stewart, the Superintendent of Marsing schools, who received one of the grants, joins Idaho Matters to talk more.
Just a quick note, we invited Attorney General Labrador or someone from his office to come on the show today but due to the short notice they told us they couldn’t make it. We’re hoping to have them on at a later date to talk about this case. We will post his comments once we receive them.
Updated at 2:03 p.m.:
The Idaho Attorney General's Office gave us this statement Thursday afternoon:
“This investigation is in its preliminary phase. A civil investigatory demand is a fact finding tool. The authority to issue a CID comes from Idaho Code Sections 48-1908, 48-1203 & 1204, and 48-611(11). We have had productive and cooperative conversations with several entities. Those who have cooperated understand that the purpose of the investigation is not to punish childcare providers but to enlist their help to determine whether state law was followed. We will zealously defend the powers the legislature has given us to ensure compliance with Idaho law.”

**A look at the research: The latest on gender-affirming care in Idaho** Mar 16, 2023
Show notes

(Matt Guilhem / Boise State Public Radio)
Idaho could become the latest state in the country to ban gender-affirming care for anyone under 18.
Last month, House lawmakers passed a bill that would make it a felony for a doctor to prescribe hormones or puberty blockers for trans minors. It also bans sex-reassignment surgery – something that isn’t done in Idaho.
Lawmakers supporting the bill paint these treatments as ineffective and harmful with high rates of regret. But as James Dawson reports, research shows the opposite.

**Promoting gender equity with Ballet Idaho** Mar 16, 2023
Show notes

Dancer: Ashley Baker( Quinn Wharton / Photo courtesy of Ballet Idaho)
Earlier this month, Ballet Idaho was recognized for its role in promoting gender equity within the world of dance by the Dance Data Project.
The project assesses “how dance companies measure up in terms of commissioning female creators, promoting women to leadership positions, and fostering a transparent and accountable culture."
Ballet Idaho's Artistic Director, Garrett Anderson and company dancer and choreographer,Ashley Baker joined Idaho Matters to talk more about this special recognition.

A look at Hemingway's love affair with the Wood River Valley Mar 16, 2023

Show notes

Ernest Hemingway first visited Sun Valley in the fall of 1939, and he kept returning for the rest of his life. He worked on "For Whom the Bell Tolls" and "A Moveable Feast" in the Wood River Valley.

Some of his best years were in Idaho. But his final days were also in the home that he and his wife Mary lived in, along the Big Wood River.

The Hemingway House is managed by The Community Library as a "contemplative, creative, non-commercial space." It is the site of ongoing research and a residency program for writers, scholars, and artists.

Morning Edition host George Prentice dropped by to visit the house and took Idaho Matters along for the trip.