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.
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.
Homeless Art Collective finds a permanent home
Feb 09, 2023
Show notes
For those experiencing homelessness fulfilling immediate needs around food, shelter and safety are incredibly important. However, it’s also important, that as people, we are able to fulfill needs that aren't just centered around survival, but also joy.
That's why the Art Collective at Interfaith Sanctuary is so crucial. The program provides a space for artists and makers to gather and create. And this Saturday the collective will be celebrating the grand opening of their permanent retail space for artists experiencing homelessness.
(Interfaith Sanctuary)
Interfaith Sanctuary's Executive Director Jodi Peterson says it all got started by a guest who was staying at the shelter.
Art by Jose Miguel Bocanegra(Interfaith Sanctuary)
"He had been flying a sign to get some cash and just started to feel really invisible. Like people just didn't really look at him and stuff and it made him sad. And so one day he decided he would set up his easel with a canvas on the same street corner, and suddenly people started rolling down their window and talking to him. And one woman actually showed up one day with canvases for him to paint on. And then they started asking if he could make paintings for him. And so it really turned him around and really got him on the right track. And he wanted that feeling for others in the unhoused community that he knew were also artists. So he asked if I would help him create like some way to connect our unhoused population with art," says Peterson.
That lead to the Homeless Art Collective.
Ashley is part of the Collective and says it's helped her work through staying at the shelter.
"Being able to go into the art room and spend a couple of hours to do a couple of pieces, a couple of dreamcatchers or whatever that helps me keep it helps keep me distracted from the struggles that I'm going through right now," says Ashley.
Ashley Parks(Interfaith Sanctuary)
She says all the excitement over her fiber art has been exciting.
Peterson says the Art Collective is vital for her guests' wellbeing.
"I think in order for us to help create an opportunity for someone to find their way back out of homelessness. They have to feel connected and they have to have balance and support. And you can't just do that by opening up a shelter door and saying, lay down, go to sleep, have a meal, see you later," says Peterson.
The grand opening of the permanent retail space for the Homeless Art Collective kicks off Saturday.
A look at some of the most controversial issues in public education today
Feb 09, 2023
Show notes
Public education faces a large number of controversies, everything from Critical Race Theory, censorship and arguments over school funding and school choice. Some of the controversies stem from different groups having different ideas about what public education is for and what it should be trying to accomplish.
Dr. Phil Kelly is a retired professor at the College of Education at Boise State University and Dr. Jennifer Snow is a professor of curriculum, instruction, and foundational studies at BSU’s College of Education and they’ll be talking about these issues February 14 at Boise State University.
Helping students and families in need
Feb 09, 2023
Show notes(iStockphoto.com)
Concentrating in the classroom can be hard if you’re struggling with basic needs like food, clothing or a stable home environment.
That's why school districts all over the Treasure Valley are partnering in an initiative called "Community Schools," which helps provide resources for students and families in need.
In Nampa alone there are five Family Community Resource Centers that take part in this initiative and they are working to raise awareness so that they might help more families.
Nampa School District Director of Federal Programs, Niall Trimble and Family Community Resource Center Coordinator at Nampa High School, Madisyn Parker join Idaho Matters to talk more about the program.
Snow enthusiasts are urged to stay safe during avalanche season
Feb 09, 2023
Show notes(Philippe Desmazes / AFP/Getty Images)
The Mountain West is seeing more snow than it has in years, which means more powder-hungry skiers and snowmobilers heading for the backcountry. But that means risking an avalanche and there have already been several deadly avalanches this winter. Wyoming Public Radio’s Caitlin Tan reports for the Mountain West News Bureau.
Colorado River crisis could lead to drier future for some states
Feb 08, 2023
Show notes Igor Sorokin(Flickr)
Water officials across the West have been negotiating a crisis on the Colorado River. Drought is putting pressure on the seven-state basin, and the nation’s two largest reservoirs recently reached record lows. The Mountain West News Bureau’s Will Walkey looks at how higher-elevation states are being affected by the prospect of a drier future.
Habitat for Humanity helps Idahoans stay housed
Feb 08, 2023
Show notes(William Hartnett / Flickr)
Idaho’s lack of low income housing is no secret and the need continues to grow. Last year a report from the National Low Income Housing Coalition projected the state needs more than 24,000 more homes for the most economically disadvantaged Idahoans.
As costs go up more people are priced out of a home or end up living in substandard housing.
Boise Valley Habitat for Humanity is trying to change that. They have built more than 80 homes and helped many more folks who are growing older and want to stay in their houses.
This week they’re in Washington DC meeting with our congressional leaders to advocate for affordable housing solutions and to ask them to support the Neighborhood Homes Investment Act.
Janessa Chastain is the Executive Director of Boise Valley Habitat for Humanity and joins Idaho Matters to talk more.
Idaho Students share their opinion on State of the Union address
Feb 08, 2023
Show notesPresident Joe Biden delivers the State of the Union address to a joint session of Congress at the U.S. Capitol, Tuesday, Feb. 7, 2023, in Washington.(Patrick Semansky / AP)
It wasn’t just inside-the-beltway pundits who were deconstructing Tuesday night’s State of the Union address. In fact, two Boise High School students, who are diving into domestic and world politics during their senior year, were also listening intently to President Joseph Biden’s address to Congress and the nation. But instead of politics, their big takeaways were more “kitchen table” issues.
Morning Edition Host George Prentice sat down with Grace Brighten and Marcos Miranda-Chavez.
Idaho Matters Doctors Roundtable: February 8, 2023
Feb 08, 2023
Show notes(Emilie Ritter Saunders / StateImpact Idaho)
With the official end of the Coronavirus Public Health Emergency coming in May it means a complex set of policy changes, as well as a new move forward for the United States.
Dr. David Pate, former CEO of St. Luke's Health System and current member of the Idaho Coronavirus Task Force, joins Idaho Matters to help break this down.
'Just my Type' author chats with Idaho Matters
Feb 07, 2023
Show notes( G.P. Putnam's Sons)
Last time we spoke with author Falon Ballard she had just released her first novel "Lease on Love." And it was a hit, receiving praise from USA Today, US Weekly, POPSUGAR and BuzzFeed, just to name a few. Now she is back with her second novel, "Just My Type."
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