With everything getting more expensive, we wanted to know if it’s still feasible to have fun in Boise on a budget. Our City Cast Boise team had $50 and one mission: to have the best day possible. While some of us splurged early, others hunted for deals — but was $50 enough for a great day in the City of Trees? Want some more Boise news? Head over to our Hey Boise newsletter where you’ll get a cheatsheet to the city every weekday morning. Help us win “Best Podcast” in the Boise Weekly’s annual Be...
May 21, 2025•30 min
Homes in Boise have been getting smaller — but is that a sign of progress or just another form of shrinkflation? We’re revisiting our conversation about this ongoing trend with Idaho Statesman reporter Nick Rosenberger. From zoning code changes to shifting lifestyles — what could these downsized houses mean for affordability in our city? Want some more Boise news? Head over to our Hey Boise newsletter where you’ll get a cheatsheet to the city every weekday morning. Help us win “Best ...
May 20, 2025•20 min
We’ve been named one of the best communities to raise a family, but are we actually creating a place our kids want to live? Boise City Council just launched a Youth Roadmap survey to find out. City Council member Jimmy Hallyburton joins host Lindsay Van Allen to explore how it could shape community initiatives for years to come and whether young people will really get a say in our future. Here’s the Youth Roadmap survey. City officials are asking that teens, parents, community members, and even ...
May 19, 2025•24 min
We made it to Friday, and host Lindsay Van Allen is joined by political scientist Charlie Hunt to dig into the week’s biggest local stories. Congressman Mike Simpson is making moves on public land protection, but can a bipartisan caucus hold back big development plans? And the Greater Boise Auditorium District elections could shape our city’s event scene. Plus, Meridian is unveiling a new ninja course designed to make sure a little girl’s dream lives on in a powerful way. Want some more Boise ne...
May 16, 2025•30 min
Boiseans take great pride in our state’s iconic outdoor scenery, but host Lindsay Van Allen learns that not everyone is a fan. So, today on the show, Hey Boise newsletter editor Blake Hunter and contributor Rachel Spacek are taking a hike through the silliest one-star reviews of Idaho’s most beloved outdoor locations and trying to guess where the complainers were. Do these critics have legit grievances, or were they expecting luxury in the Foothills? We learned Lower Hulls Gulch Trail does follo...
May 15, 2025•30 min
When the Great Recession hit in 2008, Boisean Heather Wheeler turned clipping coupons into a big-time business, founding The Krazy Coupon Lady. Now, Heather is joining host Lindsay Van Allen with advice for weathering whatever’s coming next. We’re learning how to tell a real deal from a gimmick, what Gen Z can learn from millennials who weathered the last recession, and how to upgrade your coupon game in 2025. Want some more Boise insider info? Head over to our Hey Boise newsletter where you’ll ...
May 14, 2025•24 min
Spring might just be the Foothills’ finest season, if you know where to look. Luckily for us, contributor Heath Druzin has helpful insider tips to get you outside. He joins host Lindsay Van Allen to talk about the best hiking trails, where to find the blooming wildflowers, and what you need to know about trail safety and etiquette. Plus, he reveals a secret trail that has been gate-kept until today. Want some more Boise news? Head over to our Hey Boise newsletter where you’ll get a cheatsheet to...
May 13, 2025•23 min
Wildfire season is just around the corner. And even though the Foothills are still green, fire seasons are getting longer, hotter, and more dangerous. Host Lindsay Van Allen is joined by Idaho Statesman reporter Sarah Cutler, who breaks down what could happen when a major fire hits, what to do when it does, and whether Boise residents and insurance systems are truly prepared. Want some more Boise news? Head over to our Hey Boise newsletter where you’ll get a cheatsheet to the city every weekday ...
May 12, 2025•26 min
It’s Friday, so host Lindsay Van Allen and executive producer Frankie Barnhill are diving into the week’s biggest local stories. First, they chat through the Boise City Council’s decision to make the Pride flag an official city flag, sparking heated conversations and making national news. Then, they remind us about the May 20 library board elections, which are becoming the next front in Idaho’s culture wars. And to head into the weekend, we’re celebrating the warm weekend forecast on a beloved r...
May 09, 2025•29 min
There is a certain beauty culture that has been expected in LDS circles in Utah for generations, but do those ideals actually have the same influence in Boise? Host Lindsay Van Allen and ex-Mormon Quincy Phillips are sharing their experience handling the pressure to be perfect. From MomTok to modesty, they unpack how Mormonism shaped their idea of what’s beautiful in Idaho — and whether it’s really different than the standards in Utah. Want some more Boise news? Head over to our Hey Boise newsle...
May 08, 2025•24 min
If you’re thinking about a home remodel soon, tariffs could be changing your timeline — and your budget. So, we’re checking in with a Treasure Valley-based contractor about what’s going on at these job sites. Mary Peters is the CEO of Sasquatch Contracting, and she’s sharing which home projects are most at risk of sticker shock, and some surprising intel about what raw home materials are still made in the U.S. Plus, she shares insider tips for avoiding tariff price hikes during your remodel. Wan...
May 07, 2025•19 min
What makes a great Boise park? From relaxing hangouts to playground romps, parks in our city are top-notch. But besides the popular Camel’s Back and Ann Morrison Parks — there are some secret green spaces you need to check out. So, to celebrate spring, we’re resharing our top five park rankings with Becca Bailey from Boise With Kids and Marissa Lovell with From Boise. We’re talking BBQ setups, ideal playgrounds, the best places to picnic or play volleyball — and the best places to enjoy a beer i...
May 06, 2025•30 min
Old homes are coming down all over the city, with new denser housing often filling their place. But Idaho Statesman reporter Nick Rosenberger is here to talk about something invisible and dangerous that may be stirred up during demolition: asbestos. Contractors are worried about it, and other states in our region regulate it. So host Lindsay Van Allen wants to know — why is Idaho ignoring it? Want some more Boise news? Head over to our Hey Boise newsletter where you’ll get a cheatsheet to the ci...
May 05, 2025•22 min
We’re back with another Friday news download, starting with a story about Cybertrucks in the Treasure Valley. Owners of the Tesla vehicles are being shamed, and the trucks are being vandalized. Is it justified backlash against Elon Musk and the Trump Administration, or does it cross the line? Meanwhile, state lawmakers quietly ended public pool inspections, raising questions about summer safety. And Idaho Gives is closing out strong, while a local foundation helps students thanks to… the Hokey P...
May 02, 2025•31 min
It’s officially May, and it might be Boise at its best. Host Lindsay Van Allen is joined by producer Evelyn Avitia and contributor Matthew Melton to bring you a guide this month packed with experiences that will make you fall in love with this city all over again. From how to take advantage of the spring weather, to a late evening market for the night owls, and can’t-miss Treasure Valley festivals — we’ve got you covered. Click here to purchase your Taste of Wine Festival ticket! If you're new h...
May 01, 2025•38 min
First came the parking meters in downtown Caldwell, then came the outrage from local residents. The City of Caldwell’s Mayor Jarom Wagoner and four council members are facing a recall effort that’s exposing deep divisions over policing, growth, and trust in city leadership. Producer Evelyn Avitia joins host Lindsay Van Allen to break down who is behind the push, and what it would take to succeed. Want some more Boise news? Head over to our Hey Boise newsletter where you’ll get a cheatsheet to th...
Apr 30, 2025•16 min
In a year of relentless political attacks on LGBTQ+ rights in Idaho, just existing as a trans or nonbinary person can feel exhausting. Trans Joy Boise co-founders Preston Pacey and Bonnie Violet Quintana are joining host Lindsay Van Allen to show how, even in the face of cruel policies and attacks, there’s a local movement happening toward connection, joy, and resilience. Want some more Boise stories and conversation? Head over to our Hey Boise newsletter where you’ll get a cheatsheet to the cit...
Apr 29, 2025•26 min
The dust is settling on the 2025 Idaho legislative session, so what new laws will affect Boiseans? We’re finding out how far-right lawmakers might have made our community a target with the City of Boise’s Kathy Griesmyer. From a policy taking power away from the city over child care, to a bill that will penalize our homeless population, to a standoff over the Pride flag hanging at City Hall — there’s a lot to parse. Plus, host Lindsay Van Allen asks whether diplomacy with the ultra-conservative ...
Apr 28, 2025•25 min
Another Friday is here, and Boise’s showdown with the Idaho Legislature over the Pride flag flying outside City Hall continues. So our Hey Boise newsletter editor Blake Hunter is joining host Lindsay Van Allen to ask big questions about what this standoff says about local power, inclusivity, and our city’s identity. Meanwhile, Governor Little wants to reshape forest policy to fight wildfires, but will it yield the results he wants? And if you need a breather from everything that’s going on, we’v...
Apr 25, 2025•28 min
The Treasure Valley takes its sandwiches seriously, so our Hey Boise newsletter editor Blake Hunter and host Lindsay Van Allen are diving into the city’s best breaded options. From listener favorites to our own go-to orders—plus a new sandwich menu worth waiting in line for. We also get into sandwich pet peeves, picnic prep, and what flavors we think Boise’s still missing. Want some more Boise news? Head over to our Hey Boise newsletter where you’ll get a cheatsheet to the city every weekday mor...
Apr 24, 2025•21 min
Idaho’s teachers are gearing up to elect their next state union leader, and the stakes couldn’t be higher. From the Trump Administration’s dismantling of the Department of Education, to the Idaho Legislature targeting public education, to ongoing debates about DEI and politics in Treasure Valley classrooms — there’s a lot going on. Candidate and special education teacher Alicia Purdy joins host Lindsay Van Allen to discuss her vision to create inclusive, welcoming spaces for every learner while ...
Apr 23, 2025•20 min
Boise resident Matthew Allison has been described as a “goofy, local electronic music enthusiast” by those who have come across him. But how well did his friends actually know him? Last September, Matthew was arrested for creating and spreading violent extremist online content that led to real-world murders. ProPublica reporter James Bandler joins host Lindsay Van Allen to dig into the double life of the man behind a deadly propaganda ring called “Terrorgram” — and why he chose Boise as his home...
Apr 22, 2025•25 min
We’re sharing something a little different this time: it’s our first show recorded in front of a live audience! Last week, host Lindsay Van Allen was joined on stage at the Boise Depot with Mayor Lauren McLean and Valley Regional Transit CEO Elaine Clegg — who is also on the Amtrak board. They tackled a big, thorny question: will passenger rail service ever return to the Treasure Valley? Or is train travel connecting us to Salt Lake, Portland, Denver, and beyond just a nostalgic pipe dream? Want...
Apr 21, 2025•45 min
We’re rounding up the news of the week, beginning with a political rally that drew over 12,000 people to Nampa on Monday. Host Lindsay Van Allen and political scientist Charlie Hunt are discussing why Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vermont) and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-New York) stopped in Idaho. And in Boise, a back-and-forth over a new state law has made the Pride flag outside City Hall a political hot potato, with Attorney General Raúl Labrador weighing in. Meanwhile, Micron is making moves t...
Apr 18, 2025•30 min
Some Boise residents have taken out loans and installed solar power panels on their rooftops in hopes of building equity. But now, Idaho Power has proposed changing the math — dramatically slashing the credits rates that many homeowners expected to rely on. Host Lindsay Van Allen and Idaho Capital Sun reporter Mia Maldonado are diving into the controversy and breaking down what’s at stake for Idaho’s energy future. Want some more Boise news? Head over to our Hey Boise newsletter where you’ll get...
Apr 17, 2025•20 min
Meridian is drowning in chicken sandwiches — spicy, crispy, wrapped — this suburb is packed with poultry. So our host Lindsay Van Allen did what any irrationally curious person would do, and she tried them all. Today on the show, we’re revisiting her ultimate guide to Meridian’s chicken scene, originally recorded last spring. Since this episode was initially published, The Chicken Shanty in Meridian has closed. Lindsay’s since given the crown to Burnin’ Mouth for their Nashville hot chicken sand...
Apr 16, 2025•23 min
After years of hustle and dreaming, the Treasure Valley has finally landed both a men’s and women’s professional soccer team. Host Lindsay Van Allen is joined by Boise Pro Soccer co-founder Bill Taylor to take a look at how Boise is breaking records even before the first kickoff, and what these teams will mean for the City of Trees. Plus, Lindsay bats around potential team names ideas! Want some more Boise news? Head over to our Hey Boise newsletter where you’ll get a cheatsheet to the city ever...
Apr 15, 2025•28 min
The spring housing market has long been considered the best time to buy a home in Boise — but is that still true in 2025? HomeFound Group realtor and co-founder Michael Miller joins host Lindsay Van Allen to break down the ripple effects of tariffs on new construction, what a recession could mean for local prices, and how much politics are shaping where people choose to live in the Treasure Valley. Want some more Boise news? Head over to our Hey Boise newsletter where you’ll get a cheatsheet to ...
Apr 12, 2025•23 min
The city unveiled some new flag designs, and Boiseans were not having it. Our producer Frankie Barnhill is joining host Lindsay Van Allen to break down the critiques and lessons community leaders learned from this experiment. Meanwhile, Avelo Airlines is ditching Boise flights and facing scrutiny for its work with ICE. And, choo choo! We’re gearing up for our live show at the Boise Depot next Tuesday, where we’ll find out if the future of passenger trains in Idaho is on track. See you at our liv...
Apr 11, 2025•30 min
Treasure Valley gardeners are feeling the heat as record high temperatures test their gardens. Today on the podcast, we’re revisiting our conversation with master gardener Gretchen Anderson to find out what the USDA’s new hardiness zone map means for local planting. Plus, host Lindsay Van Allen gets Gretchen’s tips on how to make your garden thrive, despite our changing climate. Want some more Boise news? Head over to our Hey Boise newsletter where you’ll get a cheatsheet to the city every weekd...
Apr 10, 2025•19 min
