City Cast Boise

City Cast Boise

City Cast Boise is the award-winning daily news podcast that connects us to the city we love. With a companion newsletter, Hey Boise, it’s the place where curiosity and passion for Boise meet. Every weekday morning, our hosts will introduce you to your neighbors — from newcomers to born-and-raised Boiseans. It’s like eavesdropping on a great conversation overheard at your favorite downtown coffee shop, except in this case you’re invited to join in. We’ll engage with you online and on the podcast, with stories that spark passion and delight — but sometimes also frustration and anger. With a clear-eyed vision of the challenges and triumphs of our rapidly changing Boise, the podcast will make you feel more connected to this city we share. *1st place for “Best Interview” at Idaho Press Club 2024 Awards, in addition to 2nd place for "News Talk - Audio, and 3rd place for "Election Report - Audio".

Episodes

July 15, 2025 21 mins
For years, Californians have been arriving in Idaho in droves, and it’s had a lasting impact. We’re revisiting a conversation host Lindsay Van Allen had with local realtor Michelene Cromwell about why Californians are moving here, if the trend is slowing, and how their presence has changed everything from housing prices to political dynamics. Want some more Boise news? Head over to our Hey Boise newsletter where you’ll get a cheat...
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Bike bars were once a booming party on wheels, pedaling from bar to bar in downtown Boise. But after a crackdown from the city — including a full ban of on-board booze — the rides have become quieter and fewer. Host Lindsay Van Allen is joined by Boise Weekly’s Kate Noden to dig into how local regulations transformed the industry, and whether it’s the end of the road for the pedal pubs.  Want some more Boise news? Head over to our...
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Today on City Cast Boise, we’re finding out how Interfaith Sanctuary cleared a fresh hurdle after a marathon public meeting, as they seek to open a new homeless shelter on State Street. Will neighbors’ concerns actually go away, and how will a new anti-camping law affect unhoused Boiseans? And the West Ada School District faces another racism lawsuit. Then, host Lindsay Van Allen and executive producer Frankie Barnhill poke fun at ...
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July 10, 2025 30 mins
The sun is beaming and patio season is officially on, but which local spot truly delivers the most enjoyable outdoor experience? Our City Cast Boise team is diving into the ultimate patio showdown, from the coziest corners, to the ideal people-watching spots, and the best party vibes! We’re bringing you nine finalists, but only one spot can win — listen to find out the hottest patio in town. Want some more Boise recommendations fr...
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With fewer international visitors to the U.S. this year, the summer is actually shaping up to be a surprisingly good time to fly. So, to help you plan your next trip on a budget, we’re re-running a conversation that our executive producer Frankie Barnhill had with Scott Keyes from GOING. He’s got the inside scoop on scoring cheap flights out of Boise. Want some more Boise insider info? Head over to our Hey Boise newsletter where y...
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Boise likes to think it’s the belle of the Treasure Valley ball, but is the crown starting to slip? Today on the show, the City Cast Boise team is having a friendly but passionate debate about which city is truly the best in our metro. We’re talking commute times, parks, free parking, nightlife, and politics. Maybe — just maybe — Meridian and Caldwell are starting to outshine the City of Trees?  Want some more Boise intel? Head ov...
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Boise’s West End is filled with vacant lots, but not for long. The College of Western Idaho is teaming up with a private developer to bring its long-stalled Boise campus to life, sidestepping a major hurdle: voter approval. It’s a bold move, so host Lindsay Van Allen is joined by Idaho Statesman growth and development reporter Nick Rosenberger to break down what kind of ripple effect this development could have on the neighborhood....
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Lindsay Van Allen and all 12 other City Cast podcast hosts (from Austin, Chicago, DC, Denver, Houston, Las Vegas, Madison, Nashville, Philly, Pittsburgh, Portland, and Salt Lake City) compete head-to-head in a high-stakes showdown to answer the question that’s been burning up our company-wide Slack for weeks: which city is the best for a summer weekend trip? From naked bike rides to ‘the country’s best farmers market,’ pickle fest...
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Idaho’s strict abortion bans have made national headlines, and now a citizen-led initiative is fighting back. Idahoans United for Women & Families Executive Director Melanie Folwell joins host Lindsay Van Allen to explain what the campaign is doing to bring reproductive rights to the ballot, why the Idaho Supreme Court just sided with them, and how they’re trying to make up lost time in gathering signatures.  Want some more Boise ...
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July 1, 2025 28 mins
There is something magical about July in Boise: the days are long, ⁠the river is cool⁠, and the sunsets are cinematic! Host Lindsay Van Allen, ⁠Hey Boise newsletter⁠ editor Blake Hunter, and friend of the show Rachel Spacek are here to help you make the most of the month. From ⁠Botanical Garden summer concerts⁠, to breezy picnic hangouts, and the ⁠tastiest ways to beat the heat⁠, their ideas are sure to kick off your summer bucket ...
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June 30, 2025 25 mins
Tucked between the river and the foothills, ⁠Barber Valley feels like Boise's backyard⁠ — where new high-density growth meets beloved trailhead living. Executive producer Frankie Barnhill turns the mic on host Lindsay Van Allen to see what all the hype is about and dig into what makes this area one of the city's most quietly compelling neighborhoods.Want some more Boise news? Head over to our ⁠Hey Boise newsletter⁠ where you’ll get...
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It's been a news-packed week, so host Lindsay Van Allen and producer Frankie Barnhill are here to break down the biggest local stories. They dive into the controversial ‘Hetero Awesome Fest’ that raised more eyebrows than funds, thanks to a podcaster’s racist remarks. And a Utah senator seems set on pushing through a deeply unpopular public land sale proposal, while Idaho’s congressional delegation continues to catch flak for supp...
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We’ve all heard the rumors that Hidden Springs is allegedly a hotspot for swingers, so we're separating fact from fantasy. Candice Cook and Erik Zink with the ⁠Impulsive Duo⁠ join host Lindsay Van Allen to pull back the curtain on everything you’ve wondered about non-monogamy in the Treasure Valley. She asks the couple how they navigate jealousy, misconceptions, and what the upside-down pineapple truly means.Want some more Boise ne...
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Last week’s U.S. Supreme Court decision on trans rights has left many LGBTQ Idahoans wondering what the future holds, by exposing big questions about who gets to make deeply personal health care decisions. Jenna Damron from the ACLU of Idaho is breaking down what the decision means for trans kids in our state and what rights still exist after this ruling.   Looking for more info? Jenna recommends checking out this site for info on...
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A proposal in Congress could force the sale of millions of acres of Idaho’s public lands, including parts of the Boise Foothills and some of the state’s most iconic peaks. That section of President Trump’s tax and spending cut bill is being framed as an affordable housing fix, but it’s not a guarantee that any of these acres would be used for housing—let alone affordable housing. Host Lindsay Van Allen is talking with Idaho Statesm...
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When a protester engaged with a drag queen named Cookie Pusss at Canyon County Pride earlier this month, it seemed at first like any other video of a protester heckling a queer person. Instead, the queen asked a question that was so disarming, it completely flipped the script and even went viral on social media. JD Hawley, aka Cookie Puss, is joining host Lindsay Van Allen to unpack what led up to the tasty question, how that curio...
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City Cast hosts are on the pulse of what’s happening in our communities. So Lindsay Van Allen and all 12 other hosts sat down with City Cast CEO David Plotz to talk about creative local problem solving that might work in your hometown too and to commiserate about stressors affecting most of our cities, from unaffordable housing to bike lanes. Learn more about the sponsor of this June 20th episode: Babbel - Get up to 60% off at B...
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The Table Rock cross is a familiar part of our skyline. But its origins are tangled in an era of fear and secrecy, when city leaders targeted and arrested gay men — just for existing. So to help us mark Pride Month, we’re re-sharing a conversation our Hey Boise newsletter editor Blake Hunter had with producer Frankie Barnhill — to peel back the curtain on this long forgotten scandal.  Want some more Boise history? Head over to our...
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Driving in Boise feels like a constant whiplash between “after you” and “get out of my way!” So, what is behind all of this traffic chaos? Host Lindsay Van Allen is joined by comedian and podcaster Matthew Melton and our Hey Boise newsletter editor Blake Hunter to call out their most rage-inducing traffic gripes. From drivers being dangerously polite, to tailgaters on the connector, and Boiseans inability to manage a zipper merge —...
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In a surprising development, the Idaho Democratic Party out-fundraised their Republican counterpart by a wide margin in 2024. Idaho Statesman reporter Sarah Cutler is sharing her reporting on fundraising gains in the party, and why rural districts are a new focus for them. Plus, how one Boise lawmaker with a legacy name is trying to reinvent the image of an Idaho Democrat. Want some more local political news? Head over to our Hey ...
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