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.
What to watch with Idaho Matters: A preview of potential Oscar winners
Dec 08, 2022
Show notes( Hannah Gardoski)
It's the holiday season, which is a great time to curl up with loved ones and watch something good. So grab your blanket and some popcorn because we've got recommendations!
Morning Edition host and resident movie critic George Prentice joined Idaho Matters to talk about some movies you won't want to miss.
Idaho Matters Doctors Roundtable: December 7, 2022
Dec 07, 2022
Show notesDoctors say don't delay getting the flu shot this year.(FatCamera / Getty Images)
RSV continues to spread across the country and the virus, which commonly hits children, has been filling up hospitals and overwhelming health systems.
The flu and COVID-19 are not helping, with levels of both rising in many areas. As hospitals become more stressed experts are becoming increasingly worried about the long-term effects of the coronavirus, especially on the brain.
Dr. David Pate, the former CEO of St. Luke's Health System, joins Idaho Matters to talk more about RSV and long-COVID.
Coping with stress through the holidays
Dec 07, 2022
Show notes(alans1948 / Flickr)
Holidays are fun and festive and stressful! Getting everything done, while interacting with family members, can be a challenge and can spike your stress levels.
Laurie Strand is a counselor and the founder of Resiliency Rising in the Sun Valley region. She sat down with our Morning Edition host George Prentice to talk about the stress of the holidays and how to handle it.
Homegrown radio station helps showcase Idaho musicians
Dec 07, 2022
Show notes(Brandie B. Minchew / Flickr)
It’s always been a challenge for musicians to get their songs played on the radio, especially if their music doesn’t fall into a handful of popular categories that dominate the radio dial.
But the internet has opened up new avenues for artists who couldn’t find a home in the past. Jake Santiago wanted to find a way to showcase artists, especially Idaho musicians.
So he started up his own internet radio station a few months ago called Alaric Radio and he’s been picking up steam and listeners ever since.
Read the full transcript of the episode below:
GEMMA: From the studios of Boise State Public Radio News, I'm Gemma Gaudette. You're listening to Idaho Matters. So it's always been a challenge for musicians to get their songs played on the radio, especially if their music doesn't fall into a handful of popular categories that tend to dominate the radio dial. However, the Internet has opened up new avenues for artists who couldn't find a home in the past, and Jake Santiago wanted to find a way to showcase artists, especially Idaho musicians. So he started up his own Internet radio station a few months ago. It's called Alaric Radio, and he's been picking up steam and listeners ever since. So let's take a quick listen.
JAKE: We have three great featured artists today. Our first artist is T.K. Crazy. He is an Idaho resident. T.K. performs in the local Idaho area. He has a deep admiration from where he's from here in Idaho. T.K., thank you so much for your submission. Here is your song. Rep your state. [MUSIC PLAYS]
GEMMA: And Jake is joining us live now. Hey, Jake. Welcome to Idaho Matters.
JAKE: Hey, Gemma. Thank you so much for having me.
GEMMA: So how did you get the idea to start your own local radio station?
JAKE: So as many things start, sometimes it's just by mistake. I actually am. I'm an actual artist myself. I came out with a song a few months back called Werewolf Origin Story, and it's just titled Alaric, My radio DJ Name. And, you know, it's kind of submitted out there. I got it on a few radio station, things like that. And I went down to the Meridian Downtown Trunk or Treat, and I was just kind of telling people about my music and everything else. And one of the bigger stations doesn't matter who kind of just shunned me away almost for asking about like where I could submit for independent music. And so it really bothered me.
GEMMA: That's interesting. So I'm assuming that's what then made you decide like, Well, you know what? I'll do this myself.
JAKE: Correct. So that night actually, I went on Facebook just saying, Hey, trying to get some more songs for some inspiration, because at that time I was going to write a new song, kind of just put my emotions out there like everybody else. And then I start thinking I was like, I got about 20 or 25 submissions overnight and I woke up to them all and I said, Why am I not celebrating these wonderful artists? And not not all of them are from Boise. I'm actually international now, so I have France coming to me, Canada, Germany, all that. But I'm I'm pretty laser focused on trying to find some more Idaho musicians.
GEMMA: Yeah. So what kind of music do you play on the stage on the show?
JAKE: As of right now, I do have rock and roll mostly, and then I am accepting hip hop and rap, but I am open to all genres, so.
GEMMA: Okay. And you, as you mentioned, So you let anybody submit their music to you, right? And have you been surprised by the number of people who who are submitting, but but also who are making music out there?
JAKE: Yes. Well, as I mentioned, I do get submissions from everywhere and it is an open it's tunes by Alaric dot online. You can put your music submission there. You can listen to previous shows. You could read about me personally. I have a little bio on there. And then I also do some skits. So I do skits, probably every other show, maybe every two shows, depending on my time, of course. But they're a lot of fun. And the local artists that I've had on like. TK Crazy, Axiom Tha Wyze. This week I'm going to have the Real Zero. They're all great artists and I'm just trying to get them on the air so people recognize them, come together as a community and celebrate them.
GEMMA: And you really, as you said, you want to see more local musicians, right? Even though you've got people from France, as you said. You also want to make sure local musicians get an opportunity.
JAKE: Absolutely. Actually, I was just going to mention that I was going to be at it's called New Colony. Now they're doing a name changeover, but they were craft brewers of Boise and they're having a ska punk band show this Friday that I will be attending with my booth, my Alaric radio banner to anybody that wants to come talk to me. It starts at 6:00.
GEMMA: And I also heard that you're going to have a free event at the Knitting Factory as well.
JAKE: Yes. So this is actually my friend Michael Swan's resurrected tattoo. He's the owner of that tattoo shop. This is his art convention. So he's going to have about 25 to 30 very unique vendors. It's not going to be the usual suspects. This is all geared towards art. There's going to be live performances by quite a few people. There's going to be a celebrity there. There's going to be raffles, there's going to be prizes, there's going to be food and, of course, some drinks for the adults as well.
GEMMA: Well, I have to say, I love it that you have found this niche and that you're showcasing local talent in this way. So I appreciate you coming on the show today.
JAKE: Thank you so much, Gemma. Absolutely. And I am recently an LLC, so I am here to stay.
GEMMA: I love it. Well, welcome. We have been speaking with Jake Santiago. He is the host and creator of Alaric Radio. We will, of course, put a link to the radio station on our website so you can find it easier.
Boise Mayor places OPA Director on administrative leave
Dec 06, 2022
Show notes(Lacey Daley / Boise State Public Radio)
The Boise Police Chief is asked to resign, a former Boise Police captain is confirmed to have made numerous racist comments along with participating in a conference for white supremacists, prompting an investigation into those allegations. Now, Boise Mayor Lauren McLean has put the Director of Police Accountability on administrative leave.
BoiseDev.com has been following all of these stories and when readers reached out and asked why the city was taking such quick action on former Captain Matthew Bryngelson, but took little to no action on a series of complaints against the former police chief, BoiseDev started asking questions.
Don Day, founder of BoiseDev joined Idaho Matters to talk about some of these questions.
Nampa names its snowplows and it's adorable!
Dec 06, 2022
Show notes
It’s the first week of December and we’ve already have some pretty good snowstorms, which have caused havoc with driving conditions.
The Nampa Street Division has a fleet of snowplows ready to take on the white stuff this year and for the very first time, those snow plows have names. Nampa held a name-that-snowplow contest and elementary students from around the city got to pick names like “Frosty the Snowplow” and “Darth Blader.”
Don Barr, Street Superintendent for the city of Nampa, Amy Bowman, Director of Communication for the city, Chelsea Bailey, a first grade teacher at Roosevelt Elementary and one of her students, Drezdyn Englund joins Idaho Matters to talk more about this special project.
Taking care of the Boise Foothills trails
Dec 06, 2022
Show notes(Frankie Barnhill / Boise State Public Radio)
As temperatures drop and Idaho starts to see more snow, some trails are being closed to help protect popular recreation spots within the Boise Foothills.
Boise Parks and Recreation Director, Doug Holloway, joins Idaho Matters to talk more about the closures and why they're important.
Julia Tai will conduct Handel's 'Messiah' for Boise Philharmonic
Dec 06, 2022
Show notes
Julia Tai is one of the most dynamic young conductors on stages across the planet, conducting in Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Germany, Mexico and here in the Northwest – Seattle. Plus, she's the music director of the Missoula Symphony Orchestra and much more.
Tai will be conducting the Boise Philharmonic for this year's holiday performances of Messiah. She sat down with our Morning Edition host George Prentice to talk more.
New faces mean big changes for 2023 Idaho Legislature
Dec 05, 2022
Show notes( J. Stephen Conn / Flickr)
Next year’s session of the Idaho legislature will look very different after November's election replaced almost half of the 105 legislators at the Idaho statehouse.
That could make for a very dynamic legislative session, at a time when lawmakers will be looking at a variety of issues that will affect all Idahoans. Boise State Public Radio News Reporter James Dawson joined Idaho Matters to more about the upcoming legislative session.
Idaho political reporter Betsy Russell stepping down after 40-year career
Dec 05, 2022
Show notes( Brian Myrick / Idaho Press)
For anyone who follows the Idaho Legislature, the Eye on Boise blog is an invaluable tool for keeping up with Idaho politics.
The blog can be found online at the Idaho Press and the reporter behind it, Betsy Russell, often writes dozens of blog posts each day when the legislature is in session. The rest of the year, she keeps up on every aspect of Idaho news.
Last month Betsy announced that she was retiring after nearly 40 years covering Idaho politics, though she’ll still do a little part-time work for the Idaho Press. She joins Idaho Matters to talk about her time as a reporter.
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