Explorez tous les épisodes du podcast The Connector: Idaho Daily News

Today on The Connector, Idaho's state employees could see about a 5% pay raise this summer, that's a recommendation from a legislative committee. Plus, Idaho's Congressional delegation trying again to get the state a third federal judge, a Blaine County employee is prepared to sue the county and a record number of weapons found at Idaho's airport security checkpoints last year.

It could get harder for Idaho voters to pass new laws via referendum or initiative. Plus, Boise Fire is sending resources to aid Los Angeles firefighters, grizzly Bears will remain protected in the lower-48 United States, and forecasters are optimistic about the latest seasonal snowpack data.

Today on The Connector, the first legislation at the Idaho Statehouse this session will be divisive to some, celebratory to others. Chronic Wasting Disease continues to spread in Idaho, and a major development on the east end of Boise's downtown is moving forward but with fewer units than originally planned.

Idaho Gov. Brad Little laid out his spending priorities for the upcoming legislative session Monday, including more money to fight wildfire, $50M in school tuition subsidies and more tax breaks. Educators in the state had mixed reactions. Plus, Boise State softball has one of the 100 best players in the country according to Softball America.

We'll preview Governor Brad Little's State of the State address; we'll tell you how Idaho legislators are debating how best to forecast state sales tax revenues (here's a big hint. It's between gross and net); and with cases of flu and norovirus on the rise in Idaho, we've got some really helpful information from Idaho's Chief Epidemiologist. 

We'll tell you how the ACLU of Idaho has filed a court appeal, alleging constitutional rights of hundreds, if not thousands of indigent defendants have been violated; yes, the Idaho Legislature reconvenes on Monday but some lawmakers are already at work at the Statehouse; and we'll tell you how Chanukah came to a close in festive fashion in the Treasure Valley this week.

There's plenty of change in the weather... so we'll check in with the experts at the National Weather Service Office and the Sawtooth Avalanche Center; physicians who have studied aborad will no find it easier to practice stateside; plus we'll tell you about 2025's newest arrivals.

It’s been 48 years since music host and producer Arthur Ballinger took to the airwaves on Boise State Public Radio. The year was 1977 and at that time, KBSU was a student-run station on Boise State's campus. 

Arthur is planning to retire this year. Julie Luchetta talked with him about his very first time spinning tunes with us and his long career as a late night public radio host. This place sure won't feel the same without him.

We're sending off the year with the sounds of the Yellow Pine Harmonica festival in Valley County, Idaho. Cheers to 2025!

We'll tell you how Idaho is ending the year when it comes to jobs - those who are lucky enough to have a job and an increasing number of those looking for one: we'll hear about final preparations for what many consider to be the biggest game (thus far) in Boise State football history; and we'll preview New Year's Eve festivities; and yes, that includes that giant potato-thing-y.

As we navigate the winter weather this time of year, residents at Zoo Boise also adjust to the cold temperatures and snowfall. Reporter Julie Luchetta visited the zoo after the first big storm earlier this year – let’s join her.

This morning we’ll check in with a local rabbi about the start of Hanukkah & Idaho’s special connection to the holiday. Plus: we learn about the discovery of an apple variety that has pioneer roots here in the Gem State.

We'll hear from a top Idaho Democrat on how, after a pretty lousy 2024, they'll have a new strategy for 2025; there's some very good news for wildlife crossing near Idaho highways' we've got some news about a hope-for expansion of Darigold in downtown Boise; and the stage is set for the big Fiesta Bowl whoop-de-do.

Ammon Bundy is duking it out again in a courtroom... this time in Utah; we've got some interesting labor news for Idaho's employed and unemployed; and on what was one of the busiest travel days of the year, the Boise Airport had some pretty big news Thursday.

This morning: the State Board of Education has restricted diversity, equity and inclusion offices on campus. Plus, the CEO of the Treasure Valley's bus system is a vote away from joining Amtrak's board. And the murder hornet is no more in North America.

We'll tell you about a rare session including Boise City Council and Boise Library trustees' we'll preview an all-important session of the Idaho State Board of Education which is expected to consider restrictions on DEI programs; and we'll listen in to new research on avalanche risk.

Idaho's official electors will be casting final ballots today in the presidential election; some important updates surfaced in yesterday's drought and climate outlook briefing; avalanche risk was top of mind in Ketchum on Monday; and Valley County lawmakers want citizens to have a greater say in management of public lands... particularly federal lands.

There has been another challenge of a book - this time an art book - in the Boise Public Library system: we'll tell you why Monday is an important deadline to secure health insurance for thousands of Idahoans; and the news is not good for salmon recovery in Idaho this year.

In this episode, an ice cream manufacturer is fined for violating child labor laws and a hearing on a controversial housing development is postponed.

Correction: An earlier version of this episode included a story about several Idaho lawmakers sending the Boise State volleyball team a letter thanking them for standing up for women’s sports after their forfeits to San Jose State University. In the story we misidentified the SJSU trans female player.

Will this air stagnation ever clear out? YES, says the weather service: remember Ryan Lee?  He has a new job on his resume; plus, we'll tell you how the City of Boise wants to make permanent a piece of the downtown core to be pedestrian-friendly and car-free.

You'll want to hear the latest from the National Weather Service Office in Boise; faculty at the University of Idaho are pushing back hard against efforts to curb DEI programs; we'll tell you how Idaho's near-total-ban of abortions was debated at the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals on Tuesday; and there were two big rulings Tuesday against that proposed Kroger/Albertsons merger.

Commuters are facing another day of thick fog and stagnant air continues to blanket much of the region, so when will this scour out?  Some of Idaho's top economists are looking into their collective crystal balls to forecast the state's economic outlook; plus what's the real chance for Ashton Jeanty to bring home the Heisman Trophy?

In today's episode, groundwater resources are drying up in the West, attendance boundaries are expected to change for Owyhee elementary school, and the 18th annual Holiday Kids Bike Giveaway.

Today's headlines: An abortion referral injunction is upheld, wildfire resilience, and a preview of this evening's Boise State Football game.

On today's episode, Treasure Valley's irrigation system gets a makeover, Idaho is the nation's leader in small business growth, and the Treasure Valley has entered Inversion Season.

With cold, damp air and thick fog dominating the outlook, we'll chat with the National Weather Service about what we can expect; in the wake of this week's court ruling on Idaho's so-called "abortion trafficking law," we have an update on where the state stands now; there's some new interesting post-election polling on Native American voters; and we'll tell you about an interesting proposal that would allow larger events to sell liquor in some Boise parks.

We'll hear part of an emotional hearing coming from a Statehouse hearing that considered diversity, equity and inclusion programs at Idaho colleges and universities;  the National Weather Service will update us on bone-chilling temps and a frustrating air stagnation advisory; and as we head toward winter, we'll hear how this summer's massive wildfires will impact Idaho wildlife in the backcountry.

A much-discussed, and currently underway construction project will be the topic of yet another public hearing at Boise City Hall later today; we'll tell you how environmental activists may concede that while Idaho may never get rid of mining, they do want the companies to, at least, do it the right way; and we'll hear how Idaho's refugee population has deep concerns for President-Elect Trump's promise to overhaul our nation's immigration process.

Today we visit the Treasure Valley YMCA, where swim instructors are hosting after-hours lessons in the pool for women in the refugee community. The program respects modesty restrictions, works through language barriers and recognizes trauma.

For Thanksgiving 2024, we've got some last minute ideas for side dishes. Yummy.

We've got your Thanksgiving forecast straight from the National Weather Service' three weeks after Election Day, Idaho officials have now officially confirmed the results; we'll tell you about 40 years of the Festival of Trees; and there's a rumor going around that there's a big football game on Friday.

With so many of us on the highway, or about to hit the road for Thanksgiving, we've got the all-important weather outlook; we'll tell you about an increase in our region of so-called "killing derbies," where hunters can get cash prizes for how many wolves or coyotes they kill; plus we'll tell you about an important court ruling that concerns this week's Mountain West Conference women's volleyball tournament.

A big (we're talking really big) evergreen will be put into place today in front of the Idaho Statehouse; we'll tell you how the University of Idaho is poised to rebuild or renovate much of its student housing; and we'll check in with local merchants, preparing for this week's  Small Business Saturday.

The trial challenging Idaho's anti-abortion laws is coming to an end at the Ada County Courthouse; we'll tell you how some members of the State Board of Education aren't thrilled with the legislature's efforts to push back against Diversity, Equity and Inclusion initiatives; and we've got the all-important weekend weather outlook.

It's property tax assessment bill season.  We'll tell you what inside this year's notices; there was more compelling testimony Wednesday in the trial challenging Idaho's anti-abortion laws; and we've got the latest on what we expect from that atmospheric river.

You'll want to hear the latest on our wild weather: testimony continues in the trial of Idaho women challenging Idaho's anti-abortion laws; and they're talking salaries at Boise City Hall (just how much should the mayor and council be paid?)

A high-profile abortion trial resumes today at the Ada County Courthouse; we've got details on a significant atmospheric river heading our way; and we'll tell you about the latest effort to redesign State Street.

We've got details on the most recent reading scores of Idaho school kids; we'll tell where Idaho auditors are hand-counting paper election ballots today; and we'll tell why Idaho lawmakers are about to take a deep dive into Artificial Intelligence.

We'll tell you why a couple of Boise State volleyball players are part of a lawsuit against San Jose State University; we've got the latest from the courtroom where a group of Idaho women are challenging Idaho's anti-abortion laws; and in the shadow of two police shootings in less than a week, we have an exclusive conversation with the Boise Police Chief.

There has been another shooting involving Boise Police, the second in less than a week; there's more dramatic testimony at the Ada County Courthouse where a group of women is challenging Idaho's anti-abortion laws; and there's a mixed bag in the weather outlook.

We'll take you inside an Ada County courtroom where a group of women are challenging  Idaho's anti-abortion laws; Tuesday saw a number of counties certify last week's election results, but it also included an apology; plus we'll tell you about a big boost of EV charging in the city of Boise.

Idaho is marking a somber anniversary today; you may do a double-take when you hear about the first day of the 2025-26 school year in Boise; and you may want to get out your winter clothes- a significant weather-maker is on the way.

Four million dollars awarded in legal suit, but who pays? It's time for those signs to come down, and crews start clearing the Boise River.

We've got details on our Air Stagnation Advisory; we'll tell you the latest on so-called "forever chemicals" in our water supply; there's a scathing report, ripping Idaho's accounting and procurement software program, called Luma; and we'll tell you about this weekend's 'Dare to be Square-dancing" event.

Today, we'll ask if Kamala Harris was successful in any of Idaho's counties: after months of Donald Trump promising a mass deportation of undocumented people, we'll consider what that might do to our food supply; and a citizens committee is recommending a pay bump for Idaho lawmakers.

We've got full coverage and you'll hear the voices of what turned out to be a rather historically good evening for Idaho Republicans.  We'll also hear from Idaho Democrats who aren't pleased but remain committed to their mission.

Of course, we've got the scoop on what you need to know this Election Day; we'll tell you about a survey where a majority of voters said affordable housing was their most important issue this election season; we've got your full Election Day forecast; and we'll tell you how attorneys for Aaron von Ehlinger, the former GOP lawmaker convicted of raping a legislative intern, were in front of the Idaho Supreme Court justices on Monday.

Of course, we have an Election Day preview, with particular emphasis on the security of Tuesday's vote, plus we'll ask if environmentalism will ever again be a bipartisan conversation; the Boise State Broncos will be anxious to hear about Tuesday's announcement from the College Football Playoff Committee's first ranking of season; and we'll tell you about a rare cremation of a grizzly in the Yellowstone ecosystem.

With just a handful of days until the big day, we've got an election update, including a big word of caution from Idaho election officials; as we prepare to fiddle with our clocks again this weekend, we'll revisit Idaho's debate over Daylight Saving Time; and we'll preview tonight's big game at Albertsons Stadium.

There are more tricks than treats in the Halloween forecast; there's an interesting new trend in early, in-person voting in Idaho; plus, we'll tell you about an all-important new water use agreement for Idaho farmers and water managers.