After three years of making this daily podcast about all things Boise, this is our final episode of the show. Every story we’ve shared on this podcast has shown us something new about this city. In this final episode, we’re looking back at what this journey has taught us, how it’s changed the way we see Boise, and what we hope for its future.  So what’s next for the team? Host Lindsay Van Allen will keep posting about stories that are important to Boiseans on TikTok and Instagram, so be sure to follow her there. Executive producer Frankie Barnhill is taking a break from daily news for now, to winterize her garden and plot her next one. Producer Evelyn Avitia is dreaming up her next adventure and still posting about fashion. And our newsletter editor Blake Hunter is noodling on a possible fresh email you’ll definitely want in your inbox, and continuing their literary work with Paper Plane Press.  This is our last episode for the foreseeable future. Even though we’re closing up shop in Boise, it's not impossible that City Cast could return one day. If you stay subscribed to this podcast, you'll be the first to know. Learn more about the sponsor of this October 24th episode:  Visit Walla Walla

Coffee culture says a lot about a city, and Boise's scene is evolving. Our producer Evelyn Avitia sipped her way through the newest coffee shops to find the best spots for getting work done, grabbing a fall flavored pick-me-up, and soaking up the coffeehouse vibes with friends. She’s telling host Lindsay Van Allen which new coffee shops are really worth a visit.  Spots mentioned:  Coffee With A Twist Salt & Light Coffee Lounge Jitters by Jayne Hidden Grounds Coffee Roast & Vine Want some more Boise news? Head over to our Hey Boise newsletter where you’ll get a cheatsheet to the city every weekday morning. Learn more about the sponsor of this October 23rd episode:  Visit Walla Walla Reach us at boise@citycast.fm.

Between rising costs and tighter budgets, our city is not as inexpensive as it used to be. So, we are revisiting the time our City Cast Boise team took on a challenge to see how far $50 could go, and if it was still possible to have a great time in Boise without breaking the bank. And if you hadn’t heard the news, City Cast Boise is closing down operations at the end of the week. We want to hear from you before we say goodbye! Have a favorite episode? Or maybe we’ve shared a story that changed your mind or that made you feel more connected to our city. Please leave us a voice message at 208-546-9485. Want some more Boise news? Head over to our Hey Boise newsletter where you’ll get a cheatsheet to the city every weekday morning. Learn more about the sponsor of this October 22nd episode: Visit Walla Walla Reach us at boise@citycast.fm.

As Christian nationalism gains ground in Idaho, many are wondering: Does this movement reflect the heart of Christianity, or has faith been hijacked for politics? We’re resharing a conversation with Boise’s Benjamin Cremer, a pastor who is critical of this movement. He and host Lindsay Van Allen are exploring what happens when religion and power intertwine, and how it’s changing life in our state.  And if you hadn’t heard the news, City Cast Boise is closing down operations at the end of the week. We want to hear from you before we say goodbye! Have a favorite episode? Or maybe we’ve shared a story that changed your mind or that made you feel more connected to our city. Please leave us a voice message at 208-546-9485. Want some more Boise news? Head over to our Hey Boise newsletter where you’ll get a cheatsheet to the city every weekday morning. Learn more about the sponsor of this October 21st episode: Visit Walla Walla Reach us at boise@citycast.fm.

West Ada’s school board races have drawn unusual attention. With fresh challengers stepping forward, incumbents dodging public forums, and questions swirling about the district’s transparency and values, executive producer Frankie Barnhill is asking host and local parent Lindsay Van Allen about what this election might reveal about where the community stands. Early voting starts today! Click here to find where you can cast your ballot. Want some more Boise news? Head over to our Hey Boise newsletter where you’ll get a cheatsheet to the city every weekday morning. Learn more about the sponsor of this October 20th episode:  Visit Walla Walla Reach us at boise@citycast.fm.

We have some sad news to share today: City Cast Boise and Hey Boise are suspending operations. Our last episode and newsletter will be released on Oct. 24.  Next week, we’ll be sharing a mix of fresh and beloved conversations, to celebrate this community and our city. And we want to include you in our final episode! Tell us how City Cast Boise has been a part of your life. From your favorite episode, to a story that changed your mind, or something that made you feel more connected to our city. Please email us at boise@citycast.fm or leave us a voice message at 208-546-9485. This show has been such a meaningful part of our lives and we know it’s meant something to so many of you too. As host Lindsay Van Allen so eloquently says in today’s episode: Thank you for listening, for trusting us with your stories, and for helping us make this show everything that it was. 

According to a new bombshell report, survivors inside women’s prisons in Idaho say they endured years of sexual abuse from staff. But when they sought help, complaints disappeared, investigations went nowhere, and retaliation became routine. Investigate West journalist Whitney Bryen joins host Lindsay Van Allen to break down her year-long investigation, look at how this culture of abuse and cover-up was allowed to thrive, and discuss what it will take to change it.  Want some more Boise news? Head over to our Hey Boise newsletter where you’ll get a cheatsheet to the city every weekday morning. Learn more about the sponsor of this October 16th episode: Babbel - Get up to 55% off at Babbel.com/CITYCAST And when you join our City Cast Boise Neighbors program, you’ll get great perks like ad-free listening, access to members-only events, and much more. Become a member for just $10/month here.  Interested in advertising with City Cast Boise? Find more info HERE. Reach us at boise@citycast.fm.

Long before it became one of our city’s favorite Halloween destinations, the Old Idaho Penitentiary was a place of punishment, rebellion, and resilience. Now its crumbling cells and quiet corridors tell both ghost stories and hard truths about Boise’s history. Host Lindsay Van Allen is learning more from the Old Idaho Penitentiary's Samuel Anderson and Anthony Parry with the Idaho Historical Society. For more stories about the Old Pen, check out Samuel and Anthony’s “Behind Gray Walls” podcast. Want some more Boise news? Head over to our Hey Boise newsletter where you’ll get a cheatsheet to the city every weekday morning. Learn more about the sponsor of this October 15th episode: Babbel - Get up to 55% off at Babbel.com/CITYCAST And when you join our City Cast Boise Neighbors program, you’ll get great perks like ad-free listening, access to members-only events, and much more. Become a member for just $10/month here.  Interested in advertising with City Cast Boise? Find more info HERE. Reach us at boise@citycast.fm.

Boise has passed two previous open space levies, totaling $20 million in the last 25 years. So, why does the city want another $11 million, and how would the extra tax revenue be used? Host Lindsay Van Allen is joined by Conservation Voters for Idaho Executive Director Alexis Pickering to break down the levy on the ballot, what the money would go toward, and how voters are responding. For info on early voting, how to register, and how to check your ballot ahead of Nov. 4, click here.  Want some more Boise news? Head over to our Hey Boise newsletter where you’ll get a cheatsheet to the city every weekday morning. Learn more about the sponsor of this October 14th episode:  Babbel - Get up to 55% off at Babbel.com/CITYCAST And when you join our City Cast Boise Neighbors program, you’ll get great perks like ad-free listening, access to members-only events, and much more. Become a member for just $10/month here.  Interested in advertising with City Cast Boise? Find more info HERE. Reach us at boise@citycast.fm.

Today on the show, host Lindsay Van Allen and our ⁠Hey Boise newsletter⁠ editor, Blake Hunter, are going deeper on the headlines of the week. After 20 years with the same mayor, Garden City is ⁠finally getting a leadership shakeup⁠. Who will be their next mayor? Meanwhile, Boise State’s hunt for a new president ⁠still hasn’t produced a full slate of finalists⁠. And there’s a perfectly unserious ⁠.5K race this weekend ⁠with donuts at the halfway mark, plus we’re counting down the days for a ⁠new bakery to open⁠.  Want some more Boise news? Head over to our ⁠Hey Boise newsletter⁠, where you’ll get a cheatsheet to the city every weekday morning. Learn more about the sponsor of this October 10th episode:  ⁠Summit Innovations⁠ ⁠Black Rock Resort⁠ - Use promo code CITYCAST for 20% off, a $50 resort credit, and 2pm late checkout. And when you join our ⁠City Cast Boise Neighbors program⁠, you’ll get great perks like ad-free listening, access to members-only events, and much more. Become a member for just $10/month ⁠here. ⁠ Interested in advertising with City Cast Boise? Find more info ⁠HERE⁠. Reach us at ⁠boise@citycast.fm⁠.

Fall might be showing off right now, but we’re not convinced it’s the city’s best time of year! So, the City Cast Boise team and friend of the show Matthew Melton are diving into a seasonal showdown. They’re debating our city’s year-round offerings, from hot springs to snowy escapes to Treefort and river floats, to see which of Boise’s four seasons stands above the rest.   Want some more Boise news? Head over to our Hey Boise newsletter where you’ll get a cheatsheet to the city every weekday morning. Learn more about the sponsor of this October 9th episode: Summit Innovations Black Rock Resort - Use promo code CITYCAST for 20% off, a $50 resort credit, and 2pm late checkout. And when you join our City Cast Boise Neighbors program, you’ll get great perks like ad-free listening, access to members-only events, and much more. Become a member for just $10/month here.  Interested in advertising with City Cast Boise? Find more info HERE. Reach us at boise@citycast.fm.

With food costs up and tariffs starting to bite, we thought it was the perfect time to revisit our favorite money-saving conversation with Boisean Heather Wheeler, who turned her coupon skills into a thriving business. The Krazy Coupon Lady is sharing her tips for spending smarter and keeping your budget strong enough to survive the next squeeze. Want some more Boise news? Head over to our Hey Boise newsletter where you’ll get a cheatsheet to the city every weekday morning. Learn more about the sponsor of this October 8th episode: Summit Innovations Black Rock Resort - Use promo code CITYCAST for 20% off, a $50 resort credit, and 2pm late checkout. Interested in advertising with City Cast Boise? Find more info HERE. Reach us at boise@citycast.fm.

Garden City neighbors are saying a proposed apartment complex is a "monstrosity" in the middle of their quiet streets, while developers argue that it is exactly what the area needs. Host Lindsay Van Allen is joined by Idaho Statesman reporter Carolyn Komatsoulis to examine the backlash, and look at whether this battle is about the design of this particular development — or the deeper transformation of Garden City itself. Want some more Boise news? Head over to our Hey Boise newsletter where you’ll get a cheatsheet to the city every weekday morning. Learn more about the sponsor of this October 7th episode:  Summit Innovations Black Rock Resort - Use promo code CITYCAST for 20% off, a $50 resort credit, and 2pm late checkout. And when you join our City Cast Boise Neighbors program, you’ll get great perks like ad-free listening, access to members-only events, and much more. Become a member for just $10/month here.  Interested in advertising with City Cast Boise? Find more info HERE. Reach us at boise@citycast.fm.

Between federal cuts to Planned Parenthood, shrinking Medicaid reimbursements, and Idaho’s looming budget shortfall, our state’s health system safety net is looking shaky. Host Lindsay Van Allen and States Newsroom reporter Kelcie Moseley-Morris are examining how these shifts could reshape our healthcare and what choices people still have. Want some more Boise news? Head over to our Hey Boise newsletter where you’ll get a cheatsheet to the city every weekday morning. Learn more about the sponsor of this October 6th episode:  Summit Innovations Black Rock Resort - Use promo code CITYCAST for 20% off, a $50 resort credit, and 2pm late checkout. And when you join our City Cast Boise Neighbors program, you’ll get great perks like ad-free listening, access to members-only events, and much more. Become a member for just $10/month here.  Interested in advertising with City Cast Boise? Find more info HERE. Reach us at boise@citycast.fm.

Host Lindsay Van Allen and friend of the show Ashley Townend are diving into the week’s biggest stories. Idaho’s Medicaid expansion is once again in the crosshairs, as the legislative DOGE task force scrambles to deal with our budget shortfall. At the same time, our state has earned an unsettling distinction of having one of the highest rates of uninsured children in the country.  And if you’re looking for a break, we’re looking forward to a local cider festival and a new BCT play featuring another friend of the show.   Want some more Boise news? Head over to our Hey Boise newsletter where you’ll get a cheatsheet to the city every weekday morning. And when you join our City Cast Boise Neighbors program, you’ll get great perks like ad-free listening, access to members-only events, and much more. Become a member for just $10/month here.  Interested in advertising with City Cast Boise? Find more info HERE. Reach us at boise@citycast.fm.

We heard rumors about Hemlock’s alleged $80 baked potato — and we had to know more. Our Hey Boise’s newsletter editor Blake Hunter and host Lindsay Van Allen are just a couple of Idaho kids who grew up on russets, so they made reservations to see what kind of culinary magic or madness would make a tater cost that much. The local restaurant, which opened in the spring on the ground floor of the Inn at 500, made quite the impression with their fine dining style spud.  Want some more Boise food news? Head over to our Hey Boise newsletter where you’ll get a cheatsheet to the city every weekday morning. And when you join our City Cast Boise Neighbors program, you’ll get great perks like ad-free listening, access to members-only events, and much more. Become a member for just $10/month here.  Interested in advertising with City Cast Boise? Find more info HERE. Reach us at boise@citycast.fm.

With the leaves turning and the evenings getting darker, the fall season has officially cast its spell over the Treasure Valley. Host Lindsay Van Allen, producer Evelyn Avitia, and From Boise’s Marissa Lovell gathered the can’t-miss events and treats to make your October magical. From pumpkin patch activities at Jordan’s Garden Center, to Fright Nights at the Idaho Penitentiary, and tasty seasonal treats at Lowe Family Farmstead— you’ll have a packed calendar this month. If you're new here, welcome! We’ve put together a starter pack for you, with episodes and articles to welcome you to the City Cast Boise community.  For even more tips on how to make the most of October in Boise, check out Hey Boise’s take on what to do this month.  And when you join our City Cast Boise Neighbors program, you’ll get great perks like ad-free listening, access to members-only events, and much more. Become a member for just $10/month here.  Interested in advertising with City Cast Boise? Find more info HERE. Reach us at boise@citycast.fm.

Around town, it feels like everyone knows someone who was recently laid off or is struggling to find a good job. But Idaho and Boise’s unemployment rates remain low, even compared to other states, and wages have increased. So, where’s the disconnect? Host Lindsay Van Allen and our executive producer Frankie Barnhill are digging into the numbers, to find out what they can — and can’t — tell us about Boise’s job market.  Be sure to check out job search resources from the Idaho Department of Labor. What’s been your experience looking for a good job in Boise? Reach us at boise@citycast.fm. Want some more Boise news? Head over to our Hey Boise newsletter where you’ll get a cheatsheet to the city every weekday morning. And when you join our City Cast Boise Neighbors program, you’ll get great perks like ad-free listening, access to members-only events, and much more. Become a member for just $10/month here.  Interested in advertising with City Cast Boise? Find more info HERE.

What happens when a political party built on small government becomes obsessed with control? In Idaho, that shift is turning Republicans against libraries, public health, and even fellow Republicans. We’re re-sharing a June conversation host Lindsay Van Allen had with Greg Graf, a lifelong conservative who says the party’s gone too far.   Want some more Boise news? Head over to our Hey Boise newsletter where you’ll get a cheatsheet to the city every weekday morning. Interested in advertising with City Cast Boise? Find more info HERE. Reach us at boise@citycast.fm.

From a high-profile lawsuit to stop the state’s controversial school voucher law, to a troubling study about Idaho’s water system, KTVB’s Brian Holmes and host Lindsay Van Allen have plenty to talk about on this Friday’s news roundup.  Plus: Lindsay recommends checking out a wellness festival this weekend at JUMP. And Brian tells us about Bogus Basin Road’s cattle grate upgrade. (What will the trolls think?) Want some more Boise news? Head over to our Hey Boise newsletter where you’ll get a cheatsheet to the city every weekday morning. Learn more about the sponsor of this September 26th episode:  Flyinvet Babbel - Get up to 55% off at Babbel.com/CITYCAST And when you join our City Cast Boise Neighbors program, you’ll get great perks like ad-free listening, access to members-only events, and much more. Become a member for just $10/month here.  Interested in advertising with City Cast Boise? Find more info HERE. Reach us at boise@citycast.fm.