Happening in Boise

The Happening Network

Happening in Boise is your weekly breakdown of what’s actually going on around the city—local news, community events, public safety updates, new restaurants, real estate, weather, schools, and everything Boise residents are talking about. Hosted with humor, honesty, and a very Boise-specific point of view, this isn’t stiff broadcast news—it’s real local info with personality. If you live in Boise or just want to keep a pulse on the Treasure Valley, this is your weekly shortcut.

  1. Happening in Boise: Heatwaves, High Taxes, and Highway Hell

    2d ago

    Happening in Boise: Heatwaves, High Taxes, and Highway Hell

    Get the unfiltered lowdown on the Treasure Valley with Happening in Boise, where we trade the sugar-coated brochures for an honest look at our fast-growing city. This episode covers everything from the Wassmuth Center's 30th-anniversary celebration of human rights to the "streamlining" of Idaho school funding and the frustrating reality of rising property taxes. Join Mark and Joleen as they navigate the highs of Boise's local culinary wins and the lows of a 96-degree heatwave, alongside some truly questionable driving on Eagle Road. Whether you're tracking Boise State's transition to the Pac-12 or just looking for a reason to love the city despite the relentless road construction and the scent of "onions and ambition," we provide the balanced, semi-cynical perspective you need to survive the week. Subscribe for your mostly reliable guide to everything Idaho, from local sports heartbreaks to the best ways to avoid heatstroke this Juneteenth.

    12 min
  2. Happening in Boise: Rats, Rulings, and Rooftops

    Jun 8

    Happening in Boise: Rats, Rulings, and Rooftops

    Join Mark and Joleen on Happening in Boise for a deep dive into the local headlines you actually care about, from the high-stakes federal trials over Idaho's abortion and bathroom laws to the absolute absurdity of a local hoarding case involving freezer-dwelling "street rats." This week, we're dissecting the "mathematical trap" of the Boise real estate market, evaluating the city's $1.5 million move for affordable housing near the mall, and mourning a tragic recovery mission at the Payette River. Whether we're discussing the opening of Spitfire Tacos, the heat-radiating benches at a Boise Hawks game, or the eternal "performance art" of construction on State Street, we provide a balanced yet cynical look at life in the Treasure Valley. Stay informed on the upcoming 94-degree heatwave, the latest dining trends in Eagle and Nampa, and why your neighborhood orange cones are officially winning the war on progress--all while we collectively wait in line for that twenty-dollar taco.

    16 min
  3. Happening in Boise: River Ramps, Micron Lords, and the Meridian Exodus

    Jun 1

    Happening in Boise: River Ramps, Micron Lords, and the Meridian Exodus

    Join Joleen and Mark for the June 1, 2026, edition of Happening in Boise, your unfiltered guide to navigating life in the Treasure Valley's beautiful, expensive simulation. This episode tackles a chaotic weekend on Highway 55 where "extreme river retrieval" became an accidental local sport, alongside a deep dive into Micron's massive $50 billion expansion and its "city-sized" impact on Southeast Boise. We provide essential updates on the Nampa gang shooting sentencings and the Boise School District's summer initiatives, while tracking the local restaurant exodus toward Meridian's growing food scene. From Boise State's inaugural Pac-12 kickoff times to the "Micron Effect" driving median home prices over $522,000, we deliver a balanced yet sharp look at the headlines actually shaping Idaho. Stay tuned for a reality check on I-84 construction and a sunny weather forecast, because while the valley is a work in progress, at least the coffee--and our commentary--is worth the price of admission.

    13 min
  4. Happening in Boise: Rooftop Rejections and May Snowflakes

    May 26

    Happening in Boise: Rooftop Rejections and May Snowflakes

    This week on Happening in Boise, Mark and Joleen break down the headlines with their trademark mix of grounded reporting and a healthy dose of local skepticism. From the Idaho Statesman journalists walking off the job to the absurdity of a Memorial Day snowstorm that ruined everyone's gardening plans, we explore the reality of living in a Treasure Valley that feels increasingly like an expensive hallucination. We cover the somber news of recent holiday weekend accidents and the Payette River stabbing updates before diving into the "refined" world of Boise's newest rooftop bars and the Boise School District's struggle with declining enrollment. Whether you're interested in the Boise Hawks rebranding as "Battle Beavers," the upcoming Greek Food Festival, or just need a realistic look at the $490,000 median home price, this episode serves as your essential guide to navigating life in Idaho's capital. Join us as we explore the "emerging metro" of Boise--where the rent is high, the weather is bipolar, and the only thing more certain than road construction is a twenty-five dollar Wagyu burger.

    14 min
  5. Happening in Boise: Jet Crashes, Free Rides, and the Wind from Hell

    May 18

    Happening in Boise: Jet Crashes, Free Rides, and the Wind from Hell

    Welcome to Happening in Boise, your source for the local news that matters, delivered with a healthy dose of skepticism and just enough edge to keep things interesting. In this episode, Mark and Joleen unpack a chaotic weekend featuring a mid-air collision at the Mountain Home air show, 60-mph wind gusts that turned trash cans into migratory birds, and the latest burglary to keep the city "spicy." We're also diving into the "Youth Ride Free" bus program, the high-stakes game of Monopoly that is the May 2026 real estate market, and whether the Michelin-star prices at The Avery are worth the mortgage payment. Whether you're looking for the scoop on the Boise Hawks' opening night or trying to navigate the orange-cone nightmare on State Street, join us for a balanced yet cynical look at the City of Trees--because surviving a Boise spring requires a good hoodie and an even better sense of humor.

    11 min
  6. Happening in Boise: May 11, 2026 Edition

    May 11

    Happening in Boise: May 11, 2026 Edition

    Welcome to Happening in Boise, the podcast documenting our city's rapid evolution into the "next Austin"--a transition that often feels like a slow-motion car crash you can't help but watch. In this episode, Mark and Joleen break down the Boise Centre's ambitious multi-sport expansion and a significant milestone for the Boise Police Department, who have reached 18 months without a lethal shooting. We dive into the Boise School District's long-term planning amidst declining enrollment, the arrival of Seattle-based "Cactus" in the old BoDo P.F. Chang's spot, and the disappointing playoff exit for the Steelheads. As the Ada County median home price hits a staggering $654,000, we explore the reality of a housing market that feels more like a fever dream than a local economy. From navigating the construction "IQ tests" on Linder Road to a preview of the Idaho Potato Marathon and the 208 Night Market, join us for a grounded yet candid look at the growth, grit, and "grey shipping container" architecture reshaping the City of Trees.

    11 min
  7. Happening in Boise: Silent Classrooms, River Stabbings, and Why Everyone's Moving Here

    May 4

    Happening in Boise: Silent Classrooms, River Stabbings, and Why Everyone's Moving Here

    Welcome to Happening in Boise, the podcast where we navigate the rising rents, endless traffic, and occasional absurdity of life in the Treasure Valley. This week, Mark and Joleen dive into the headlines that actually matter--from the "Horseshoe Bend Knife Fight" legal saga and the mandatory 60 seconds of silence coming to Idaho schools to a record-breaking meeting between the world's tallest and shortest dogs. We explore Boise's new status as the nation's most "magnetic" real estate market, break down the sell-out success of Athletic Club Boise, and weigh in on whether the city really needs another high-end champagne room or just more loaded potatoes at the upcoming Spud Daddy. Balanced with local insights and a healthy dose of skepticism, this episode covers State Street construction nightmares, Mother's Day planning, and the "Idaho Gives" campaign to help you stay informed while you're stuck behind a tractor on Chinden. Join us for a candid look at the growth, the politics, and the beautiful chaos of the Boise metro area--just try to keep your Subaru on the road while you listen.

    14 min
  8. Happening in Boise: Governors, Glassware, and Grumpy Sheep

    Apr 27

    Happening in Boise: Governors, Glassware, and Grumpy Sheep

    In this episode of Happening in Boise, Mark and Joleen break down a week in the Treasure Valley that oscillates between the solemn and the surreal, starting with a look at the political legacy of former Governor Dirk Kempthorne and the long-overdue compensation movement for Idaho's Downwinders. We dive into the logistics of the Anderson Ranch Dam expansion--raising the wall six feet to accommodate our ever-growing population--and provide a warning about the "biblical" return of cannibalistic Mormon Crickets to Owyhee County. From the 2,500-sheep traffic jam on Highway 55 to Boise Brewing's silver medal at the World Beer Cup, we balance the hard news of the Parma Fire levy struggle with the high-octane energy of the Boise State Spring Game and the Idaho Steelheads' playoff push. Whether you're navigating the volatile spring weather, hunting for vinyl on Record Store Day, or just hoping to win the St. Jude Dream Home raffle to survive the local housing market, this episode offers a witty yet grounded briefing on the unique chaos of Idaho life.

    13 min
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About

Happening in Boise is your weekly breakdown of what’s actually going on around the city—local news, community events, public safety updates, new restaurants, real estate, weather, schools, and everything Boise residents are talking about. Hosted with humor, honesty, and a very Boise-specific point of view, this isn’t stiff broadcast news—it’s real local info with personality. If you live in Boise or just want to keep a pulse on the Treasure Valley, this is your weekly shortcut.

Information

  • Creator
    The Happening Network
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    28
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © The Happening Network
  • Show Website
    Happening in Boise