City Cast Boise logo
January 30, 2024

Boise's Biggest Obstacles Right Now, According to Mayor McLean

City Cast Boise

Boise's Biggest Obstacles Right Now, According to Mayor McLean

00:00:00
View all City Cast Boise episodes

Mayor Lauren McLean is now officially in her second term, after getting a big thumbs up from voters. But with a continued housing crisis, a rise in pedestrian deaths, and unanswered questions about the new zoning code — how will she wield her political clout? Executive producer Frankie Barnhill and Hey Boise newsletter editor Blake Hunter interview the mayor for an extended conversation on her 2024 priorities. 

Warning: This episode does include a brief mention of suicide. If you or anyone you know is struggling with thoughts of suicide, you can always call the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988. There's help available 24 hours a day.

Here’s the development tracker Mayor McLean mentioned, and here’s the Camel’s Back example she mentioned of how the new zoning code could change the city in 2024. 

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.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Subscribe To Our Newsletter

Hey Boise

Thank you Boise, we’ve loved the conversation we’ve been having with you for the past three years. City Cast Boise and Hey Boise have suspended operations. Our last newsletter and podcast episode was Oct. 24, 2025.

Latest Episodes

See all
October 24, 2025

What We’ve Learned About Boise

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...

City Cast Boise podcast episode art
October 23, 2025

Are These New Coffee Shops Really Worth The Hype?

Coffee culture says a lot about a city, and Boise's scene is evolving. Our producer Evelyn Avitia sipped her way through the newest coffe...

City Cast Boise podcast episode art
October 22, 2025

How To Spend the Day in Boise for Under $50

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 B...

City Cast Boise podcast episode art
October 21, 2025

The Boise Pastor Crusading for Separation of Church and State

As Christian nationalism gains ground in Idaho, many are wondering: Does this movement reflect the heart of Christianity, or has faith be...

City Cast Boise podcast episode art
October 20, 2025

The School Board Race That’s Dividing West Ada

West Ada’s school board races have drawn unusual attention. With fresh challengers stepping forward, incumbents dodging public forums, an...

City Cast Boise podcast episode art
October 17, 2025

Saying Goodbye to City Cast Boise

We have some sad news to share today: City Cast Boise and Hey Boise are suspending operations. Our last episode and newsletter will be re...

City Cast Boise podcast episode art
October 16, 2025

How Idaho’s Prisons are Protecting Sexual Predators

According to a new bombshell report, survivors inside women’s prisons in Idaho say they endured years of sexual abuse from staff. But whe...

City Cast Boise podcast episode art
October 15, 2025

Inside the Eerie Legacy of the Old State Penitentiary

Long before it became one of our city’s favorite Halloween destinations, the Old Idaho Penitentiary was a place of punishment, rebellion,...

City Cast Boise podcast episode art
October 14, 2025

What Voters Need To Know About Boise’s $11M Levy

Boise has passed two previous open space levies, totaling $20 million in the last 25 years. So, why does the city want another $11 millio...

City Cast Boise podcast episode art
October 10, 2025

BSU Can’t Find a President, a Mayoral Race with Big Stakes, and a New Bakery

Today on the show, host Lindsay Van Allen and our ⁠Hey Boise newsletter⁠ editor, Blake Hunter, are going deeper on the headlines of the w...

City Cast Boise podcast episode art