Wanna Know Idaho

Wanna Know Idaho

Wanna Know Idaho is a listener-generated podcast from Boise State Public Radio that is driven by YOU! No matter how quirky or serious your question might be, we want to know: What sparks your curiosity about the Gem State, Idaho culture or the people who call it home? Click here to join this curious collective by sharing your question. Make a donation to support Wanna Know Idaho today.

Episodes

How did Idaho's capital move from Lewiston to Boise?

August 13, 2024 • 4 mins
Once you’re old enough to read, it’s hard not to notice the sign: “Welcome to Historic Lewiston, Idaho – Idaho’s First Territorial Capital.”
Listen
Watch
Mark as Played

What's The Deal With Geothermal Energy In Idaho?

December 18, 2020 • 9 mins
Idaho is rich with geothermal activity. The state boasts dozens of natural hot springs for soaking, some close to city centers and others a hike away. But when Wanna Know Idaho listener Ted Eisele moved to Idaho in 1980, it wasn’t the natural hot springs that caught his attention about geothermal. What really blew him away was the fact that Idaho’s state buildings — like the Capitol and the state Supreme Court — were heate...
Listen
Watch
Mark as Played

How Did Goatheads Come To Idaho?

October 23, 2020 • 6 mins
Back in 2016, Wanna Know Idaho listener Marshall Simmonds was out on a summer bike ride with some friends on the Boise Greenbelt. Suddenly, a bike tire popped. Then, another. Soon, Marshall and his friends found themselves walking their bikes back home with 18 popped tires, thanks to a patch of goatheads, or puncture vine, that had made its way onto the trail.
Listen
Watch
Mark as Played

Did Idaho Have Any Housing Discrimination Laws During The Jim Crow Era?

September 1, 2020 • 8 mins
Up until her retirement a few months ago, Debra Smith taught high school English in Meridian. Every year, she had her 11th graders read "A Raisin in the Sun" by Lorraine Hansberry.
Listen
Watch
Mark as Played

How Can I Help Out During Coronavirus?

April 28, 2020 • 10 mins
Michael Kramer-Duffield had just moved to Idaho and was looking for work in the restaurant industry when COVID-19 swept through. He's out of work, but like many of us, getting antsy and knows he could be putting his free time to use.
Listen
Watch
Mark as Played

Has The Treasure Valley Gone To The Birds?

March 3, 2020 • 11 mins
Walking her dogs every evening in Meridian, Wanna Know Idaho listener Morgan Keating began to wonder: what’s up with all these seagulls? And suddenly, birds of all kinds were everywhere. (Cue the cliche Hitchcock montage.)
Listen
Watch
Mark as Played

Abraham Lincoln Never Visited Idaho... So Why Are There Statues In His Honor In Boise?

February 13, 2020 • 8 mins
Yesterday would have been Abraham Lincoln’s 211th birthday.
Listen
Watch
Mark as Played

Why Are There Counties And Cities With The Same Name But The City Is Not In The County?

August 2, 2019 • 8 mins
When Robin Fehlau was planning her move to Boise eight years ago, something peculiar kept throwing off her housing search: homes in Boise County kept on showing up, all of which were miles and miles away from her office.
Listen
Watch
Mark as Played

What's 'Wanna Know Idaho' Been Up To?!

May 20, 2019 • 3 mins
You may have been wondering what Wanna Know Idaho has been up to lately. Rest assured: We'll be back in June! You can always submit a new question here.
Listen
Watch
Mark as Played

'Wanna Know Idaho' Looks At Prehistoric Volcanoes

March 18, 2019 • 11 mins
The region's volcanoes represent the northeastern portion of the Pacific's "Ring of Fire" and 12 million years ago, Idaho saw much more volcanic activity than it does today. The latest installment of Wanna Know Idaho imagines a Gem State covered in lava-spewing volcanoes.
Listen
Watch
Mark as Played

What Was The Treasure Valley Like When There Was Volcanic Activity?

March 1, 2019 • 10 mins
On May 18, 1980, Mount St. Helens erupted.
Listen
Watch
Mark as Played

Place Names And Volcanic Activity: Which Question Should We Answer Next?

February 12, 2019 • 27 secs
Wanna Know Idaho is your crowd-sourced podcast. We're looking for your votes to determine which story we should report next. Each of these questions were submitted by curious folks in the community just like you:
Listen
Watch
Mark as Played

'Wanna Know Idaho' Finds Out Where Zoo Animal Waste Goes

February 4, 2019 • 9 mins
Wanna Know Idaho asked Idahoans to submit questions they want answered about our state. In the latest edition, host Frankie Barnhill seeks to answer the question on everybody's mind - "what happens to the poop at Zoo Boise?" Barnhill joins Idaho Matters to flush out the answer.
Listen
Watch
Mark as Played

What Happens To All The Poop From The Animals At Zoo Boise?

February 1, 2019 • 8 mins
When you search "zoo poo" on the internet, one of the first things that comes up is a link to the Woodland Park Zoo in Seattle. You quickly learn that the facility sells composted animal waste to people in the Pacific Northwest, and at least one person says it makes amazing garden fertilzer.
Listen
Watch
Mark as Played

Zoo Poop, Famous Potatoes And Boise's 'Bench': Which Story Should We Report?

January 14, 2019 • 38 secs
Update!
Listen
Watch
Mark as Played

Why Is The Demographic In The West Central Mountains Primarily 55+?

December 7, 2018 • 13 mins
Melissa Hamilton lives in McCall, Idaho with her young family. She works at the University of Idaho extension office in Cascade, and she identifies as being a member of the West Central Mountains. When she heard Wanna Know Idaho was featuring the region on the podcast, her first thought was not a question. It was a statement she's heard repeated many times:
Listen
Watch
Mark as Played

What Are The Potential Impacts From An Open Pit Mine In Idaho's West Central Mountains?

November 18, 2018 • 14 mins
Wanna Know Idaho traveled to Idaho's West Central Mountains to answer this question from McCall resident Fred Coriell: "What impacts will an open-pit mining operation, like the one proposed by Midas Gold, have on our region?" Cascade-based reporter Monica Gokey has the story for this episode of the podcast.
Listen
Watch
Mark as Played

Here’s What’s Up With Your Question About The Stibnite Mine In Central Idaho

October 30, 2018 • 11 mins
UPDATE: Mining stories are complicated, and we want to take the time to tell this story right. So be sure to subscribe to the podcast so you don't miss our complete Wanna Know Idaho episode on the Stibnite Gold Project coming in November. In the meantime, here's a preview.
Listen
Watch
Mark as Played

Which West Central Mountain Story Should We Tell? Vote Now!

October 11, 2018 • 30 secs
For this round of Wanna Know Idaho – we’re headed to the West Central Mountains. Have you ever wondered…
Listen
Watch
Mark as Played

Why Are Gas Prices So Expensive In Idaho?

October 3, 2018 • 7 mins
Depending on where you live in Idaho, you might find that prices at your local gas station are 30-40 cents higher per gallon than in neighboring Wyoming and Montana. So...what’s up with that?
Listen
Watch
Mark as Played

Popular Podcasts

    Hey Jonas!

    Hey Jonas!

    Hey Jonas! The official Jonas Brothers podcast. Hosted by Kevin, Joe, and Nick Jonas. It’s the Jonas Brothers you know... musicians, actors, and well, yes, brothers. Now, they’re sharing another side of themselves in the playful, intimate, and irreverent way only they can. Spend time with the Jonas Brothers here and stay a little bit longer for deep conversations like never before.

    Stuff You Should Know

    Stuff You Should Know

    If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.

    Dateline NBC

    Dateline NBC

    Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com

    Betrayal Weekly

    Betrayal Weekly

    Betrayal Weekly is back for a new season. Every Thursday, Betrayal Weekly shares first-hand accounts of broken trust, shocking deceptions, and the trail of destruction they leave behind. Hosted by Andrea Gunning, this weekly ongoing series digs into real-life stories of betrayal and the aftermath. From stories of double lives to dark discoveries, these are cautionary tales and accounts of resilience against all odds. From the producers of the critically acclaimed Betrayal series, Betrayal Weekly drops new episodes every Thursday. If you would like to share your story, you can reach out to the Betrayal Team by emailing them at betrayalpod@gmail.com and follow us on Instagram at @betrayalpod and @glasspodcasts. Please join our Substack for additional exclusive content, curated book recommendations, and community discussions. Sign up FREE by clicking this link Beyond Betrayal Substack. Join our community dedicated to truth, resilience, and healing. Your voice matters! Be a part of our Betrayal journey on Substack.

    The Joe Rogan Experience

    The Joe Rogan Experience

    The official podcast of comedian Joe Rogan.

Advertise With Us
Music, radio and podcasts, all free. Listen online or download the iHeart App.

Connect

Explore

iHeart

Live Radio

Podcasts

Artist Radio

Exclusives

News

Features

Events

Contests

Photos

Information

About

Advertise

Blog

Brand Guidelines

Contest Guidelines

Subscription Offers

Jobs

Get the App

Automotive

Home

Wearables

© 2026 iHeartMedia, Inc.

  • Help
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • AdChoicesAd Choices