Scott Graf

Once A Coffee Desert, Idaho Coffee Scene Has Come A Long Way

Scott Graf — Thu, 25 Apr 2013 13:54:25 +0000

NPR has been bringing you stories about coffee this week.

We’ve learned about coffee habits in Scandinavia, how growers in Central America are going green, and how coffee consumption has changed world history. Now, we learn a little bit about coffee here in Idaho.

Football Partnership Continues To Blossom For Boise State, Japanese School

Scott Graf — Fri, 12 Apr 2013 10:40:00 +0000

Boise State’s football team will hold its annual spring scrimmage on its famous blue turf Saturday. Nearly 7,000 miles away in Japan, the Hosei University football team will also play a spring game. But the schools have more in common than just that. The Broncos and the Tomahawks have an unusual football relationship that’s rooted in the two schools’ academic partnership.

Wildlife Managers Updating Idaho's Elk Plan, Seek Input Online

Scott Graf — Wed, 10 Apr 2013 10:45:00 +0000

Idaho Fish and Game is rewriting its plan to manage the state's elk population. That plan was last updated in 1997. Tonight, the agency will host an online chat to hear from state residents.

Toby Boudreau is the deer and elk program coordinator for the department. He says after 16 years, an updated plan is long overdue.

Meet The Man Who Brought Davis Cup Tennis To Idaho

Scott Graf — Fri, 05 Apr 2013 14:12:28 +0000

In tennis, the Davis Cup is the world's largest annual international team competition. It involves 130 nations including, the U.S. this year.

What began in 1900 as a competition between the U.S. and Great Britain is now in Boise. Greg Patton is the man who's pushed to have the contest hosted in Idaho's capital city.

Idaho Lawmakers Mull Transfer Of Federal Land To State

Scott Graf — Mon, 01 Apr 2013 13:47:59 +0000

Idaho lawmakers continue to move forward with an attempt to get the federal government to transfer some public lands to the state. It's an issue supporters say could happen under centuries-old law. Rocky Barker covers the environment for the Idaho Statesman and has been following this debate in the statehouse. He says Idaho is the latest western state to consider such a move.

Idaho Lawmakers, Cities Want No Part Of Relaxed Marijuana Laws

Scott Graf — Wed, 27 Mar 2013 13:56:37 +0000

Members of the Idaho House this week could vote on a measure that puts the state on record as opposing any form of legal marijuana. Such a vote would put Idaho at odds with the recent push to legalize pot in states like Washington and Colorado. Those who support the measure say approval would be a symbolic victory that would set Idaho apart. Opponents say lawmakers are out of touch on the issue.

Police Investigate Dozens Of Missing Dogs In Magic Valley

Scott Graf — Fri, 22 Mar 2013 15:42:15 +0000

Police in the Magic Valley are investigating the mysterious disappearances of about 40 dogs. Investigators say they don't have any leads.

The first dogs began disappearing late last year. Since then, dogs of different sizes and breeds have been taken from yards, pens and garages. Several have been found dead while most have just vanished.

After 34 years, Idaho Public Television's Leader Set To Retire

Scott Graf — Thu, 21 Mar 2013 13:58:14 +0000

The longtime leader of Idaho Public Television has announced he's retiring.

Peter Morrill will leave the station after starting his work there 34 years ago as a director and videographer.

Tournament Invite Has Boise State Basketball Ahead Of Schedule

Scott Graf — Wed, 20 Mar 2013 13:33:12 +0000

The NCAA basketball tournament continues Wednesday night. And for the sixth time in school history, Boise State is in it. The Broncos play LaSalle, a private Catholic university in Philadelphia, in an opening round game in Dayton, Ohio. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:10 PM MT on truTV network.

Government Sues Over St. Luke's Acquisition Of Nampa Practice

Scott Graf — Wed, 13 Mar 2013 12:31:06 +0000

The Treasure Valley’s largest healthcare provider reacted Tuesday to a decision from the Idaho Attorney General’s office and the Federal Trade Commission to sue over a deal the agencies think would stifle competition.

Why Fewer Air Tankers Means More Big Wildfires

Scott Graf — Wed, 06 Mar 2013 15:41:45 +0000

Wildland firefighters throughout the West had a difficult summer last year. Hotter and drier weather than usual - along with forests full of dead trees - created conditions ripe for large fires. On top of that, the large planes that drop fire retardant were in short supply.

Half Of Firefighters' Requests For Air Tankers Last Year Went Unfilled

Scott Graf — Fri, 01 Mar 2013 21:21:07 +0000

The National Interagency Fire Center in Boise has released aviation figures for the 2012 fire season. The numbers show that about half of the calls for air tankers to assist in fighting wildfires last summer went unfilled.

Boise State Hosts Conference On State Of The U.S. Presidency

Scott Graf — Thu, 28 Feb 2013 17:00:28 +0000

Scholars from around the U.S. are in Boise today to talk about the state of the American presidency. They're taking part in a day-long event at Boise State University to discuss the power of the president, the chief executive’s role in fiscal policy, and bias in the presidential selection process.

New Boise Weekly Editor 'Can't Imagine' City Without The Paper

Scott Graf — Wed, 27 Feb 2013 16:15:28 +0000

It’s Wednesday, so that means a new edition of Boise Weekly is out. Today’s paper is the latest work under the new editor Zach Hagadone.

Hagadone has been reading the Boise Weekly for nearly 15 years. At 32, he's worked with the Associated Press, Idaho Business Review, and even started his own paper in his native Sandpoint. In a recent interview with KBSX, Hagadone told us that alternative weeklies have been somewhat insulated in the changing world of print journalism.

Ice Fishing Tournament Brings Good Fun To Idaho's Magic Reservoir

Scott Graf — Fri, 15 Feb 2013 22:39:57 +0000

Ice fishing enthusiasts have big plans this weekend on Magic Reservoir in southern Blaine County. The lake hosts its annual tournament Saturday and Sunday. Competitors are going for the biggest trout and yellow perch. They’ll weigh their catches throughout the day.

Former AG Says Competency Hearings Like Duncan's Are Rare

Scott Graf — Fri, 15 Feb 2013 16:51:56 +0000

For the last month, attorneys, experts and a U.S. District Court judge have been in a Boise courtroom trying to determine the past mental state of a serial killer.

Five years ago, Joseph Duncan III was sentenced to death in federal court for killing a 9-year-old boy in 2005. He soon waived his right to appeal the sentence, fast-tracking his own execution.

Duncan later changed his mind, and his attorneys Thursday wrapped up their effort to convince a judge their client wasn't mentally fit to make such a decision.

Idaho Snowmobiler Says Despite Tragedy, He's Not Fazed

Scott Graf — Mon, 11 Feb 2013 16:55:42 +0000

Middleton resident Heath Frisby has made a career out of racing and jumping snowmobiles since he was 14. Now, at 28 he's considered one of the best freestyle snowmobilers in the world.

His sport, though, has been hit by tragedy. Texan Caleb Moore crashed during a jump at ESPN's X Games in Colorado. He suffered a brain injury and later died.

Report: Forest Managers Need To Account For Climate Change

Scott Graf — Fri, 08 Feb 2013 18:37:11 +0000

A new report says climate change will be a growing factor in the way America's forests are managed. The research is from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. It predicts the number of acres burned in a typical fire season could double in the next quarter century.

To find out more, we spoke with the Forest Service’s Climate Change Advisor, Dave Cleaves. He says weather is changing and forest managers must adapt.

Fish And Game Director Says Slower License Sales Hurt Services

Scott Graf — Fri, 01 Feb 2013 20:39:28 +0000

The head of Idaho’s Fish and Game Department went before state lawmakers this week to make the agency’s annual budget request. Virgil Moore told lawmakers the sales of Idaho hunting and fishing licenses haven't kept pace with the state's population growth. We spoke with Moore about that trend and how it's affecting his agency's budget. Moore says he's seen the biggest decline in out of state hunting licenses. Click 'Listen' to hear our interview from Morning Edition Friday.

LINE Commission To Deliver Recommendations Next Week

Scott Graf — Fri, 25 Jan 2013 16:59:44 +0000

A year ago, Governor C.L. "Butch" Otter created a task force to examine ways to examining the future of nuclear energy in the state.

The Leadership in Nuclear Energy Commission, more commonly known as the LINE Commission, released an initial list of recommendations in early December. Next week, the group will make public its final recommendations.

On Morning Edition Friday, we spoke with EarthFix reporter Aaron Kunz for a preview.