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City Cast Boise

Allergy season can make us feel like we have no control. Out of the blue, you’re suddenly sneezing, and wheezing, and your eyes are so itchy that you feel helpless to Mother Nature’s whims. While you can’t control the seasons, you 

control and reduce allergens in your home.

 are the antigens that trigger your body’s immune responses to fight off the perceived threats. Allergens often come in the form of pollen, dust mites, and mold spores. They can enter your home through open windows and on the clothes you wore outside.

But never fear, Hey Boise is here with you your room-by-room guide to setting up your allergen-free home:

, especially if your doggie who loves to play outside cuddles with you nightly (guilty!).

 that are hypoallergenic or dust mite-proof.

Vacuum rugs regularly, particularly with a machine that uses 

Ventilation is key for your self-care space. An exhaust fan will help reduce moisture buildup.

Wash shower curtains and bathroom mats often. Spray and scrub surfaces weekly.

When was the last time you cleaned your fridge? Yeah, same. Scrub out the mold hiding in cracks and crevices, and replace moldy rubber seals around doors.

If possible, install an exhaust fan over your stove to remove cooking fumes.

Consider placing air purifiers throughout the house. You can find affordable purifiers at your local store — 

Avoid using wood-burning fireplaces as the smoke and gas can worsen respiratory allergies.

 — but consider the time of day and wind speeds. Nighttime is typically the worst time to open windows. 

Check the pollen count during peak allergy season

Wipe down dog and cat fur with a towel or disposable wipes.

Wash clothes soon after returning from outdoors. 

If you live in a humid region, consider a 

What tips do you have for allergy season? 

Take these simple steps to control allergens in your home this season. Your sinuses will thank you!

Prepare Your Boise Home For Allergy Season

Tips and tricks for living your best Boise life, by locals, for locals.

Boise Life Hacks

COVID-19 is no longer considered a public health emergency

, it remains an illness that many people contract regularly, and acquiring treatment can be expensive and difficult to navigate. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has partnered with the pharmaceutical company Pfizer 

, a common treatment medication that typically costs upward of $1,400, which means you can get it for free or at a discounted price. Here’s what you need to know.

 to help fight COVID-19 infections. It works by keeping the virus from multiplying in your body. The company ran a clinical trial with over 2,000 people infected with COVID-19 and says that 

the drug reduced the risk of hospitalization or death by 86%

 that are taken orally twice daily for a total of five days. There is also a reduced dose for individuals with kidney disease. Your healthcare provider can prescribe the dosage and pack that is best for you.

You first need to get a prescription for Paxlovid from your doctor. Once you have a prescription, you can sign up for the free or reduced-cost medication option 

, or by calling 1-877-219-7225. You’ll need to provide some personal information such as your name, date of birth, and address. If you need assistance filling out the information, a local pharmacist should be able to help you.

Can You Get Paxlovid if You’re Uninsured?

Yes. The Paxcess program allows individuals without insurance, as well as those covered by Medicaid or Medicare, to get Paxlovid for free.

There might be a small cost if you have health insurance through a commercial provider, but it’s worth signing up through Paxcess, as it could help drastically reduce the cost of Paxlovid.

Paxlovid helps fight COVID-19, but it can be expensive. Here’s how to get it for free or at a reduced cost in Boise.

How To Get COVID-19 Treatment Paxlovid for Free

How to Get Paxlovid for Free in Boise

This is the second part of a deep dive into Idaho’s abortion landscape and where it might head in 2024. The 

first part covered two lawsuits regarding the state’s main ban

While the future of Idaho’s abortion landscape hinges on the near-total ban the U.S. Supreme Court is considering, two other laws and subsequent lawsuits are still developing in the background.

Matsumoto v. Labrador, ‘Abortion Trafficking’

In yet another groundbreaking post-Roe law, Idaho Republican legislators sought to make it a crime to transport a minor out-of-state to receive an abortion without their parent’s consent. The state calls such interstate travel “abortion trafficking.”

Nampa attorney Lourdes Matsumoto, the Northwest Abortion Access Fund, and the Indigenous Idaho Alliance — all of whom sometimes assist minors in accessing abortions in other states where it’s legal — sued, saying the law violates the First, Fourth, and 14th Amendments.

district judge temporarily blocked the “abortion trafficking”

 law from being enforced. She wrote that the plaintiffs were likely correct in saying the law violated First and 14th Amendment rights and that it was overly vague, but threw out the Fourth Amendment argument for a right to intrastate travel.

Idaho still has a six-week abortion ban, which includes 

the Texas-style provision allowing a person’s family members to sue a doctor

 who provides them with an abortion. Even though this ban isn’t as strong as the ban currently in court, the system to report adds an extra feature to Idaho’s abortion landscape that few other states have.

While the future of Idaho’s abortion landscape hinges on the near-total ban the Supreme Court is considering, two other laws and subsequent lawsuits are still developing in the background.

Idaho's 6-Week and 'Abortion Trafficking' Bans

The 6-Week and 'Abortion Trafficking' Bans

What Boiseans have been wondering. We break down why things in Boise are the way they are and how they work.


Boise, Explained

. So you might have concerns about a mysterious respiratory illness reported 

in dogs across the Mountain West, Oregon, and in other states

. How can you protect your dog, and what are the symptoms? I’ve got you covered below.

Although medical experts have not been able to figure out the cause of the respiratory illness, the symptoms 

are similar to canine influenza or kennel cough

. Some symptoms to look out for include labored breathing, coughing, sneezing, nose or eye discharge, lethargy or decreased appetite, and pneumonia.

The illness is spread from dog to dog, so it’s best to stay away from boarding houses, pet daycares, and dog parks. Dogs should also not share toys or bowls with others. If you’re going away for the holidays and normally board your dog, try to find a family or friend to dog sit. You also want to keep up to date 

Though no identifiable cases have occurred in Idaho, cases in neighboring Oregon date back to August. Many of the dogs who catch this respiratory illness survive. Veterinarians 

 as experts work to identify the cause of the illness.

Do you have any other tips? Has your dog been sick lately? 

A mysterious illness is infecting dogs across Idaho. The illness is spread from dog to dog, so it’s best to stay away from boarding houses, pet daycares, and dog parks.

Protect Your Dog From Mystery Illness In Boise

How to Protect Your Dog From New Mystery Illness

The Idaho State Department of Agriculture is working to contain the latest threat from 

that were detected in the Snake River near Centennial Waterfront Park by Twin Falls on Sept. 19. Lab results have confirmed the presence of its free-floating larvae.

 Quagga mussels are one of the most aggressive invasive species in the U.S. for their ability to damage infrastructure and clog irrigation pipes, drinking water intakes, and dams. Their destruction would also be expensive — potentially costing the state $100 million in repairs. Quaggas reproduce at faster rates than native mussels, so they are very difficult to eliminate after they’ve set up shop.

Idaho has spent millions since 2009 to keep the invasive mussels out, and 

, the Columbia River Basin was the only major river system in the U.S. without the presence of quaggas or the similarly invasive zebra mussels.

Gov. Brad Little called their discovery a 

 and the window to mitigate the spread is narrow.

, a chemical substance developed specifically for destroying mollusks. The product will be released in the Snake River and split up into two 96-hour periods to kill parts of the ecosystem in affected areas.

ISDA is asking the public to stay out of the water on either side of the Perrine Bridge and to call them to decontaminate your boat, kayak, paddleboard, or fishing equipment if it’s been in the Snake River within the past 30 days.

The Idaho State Department of Agriculture is working to contain the latest threat from invasive quagga mussels that were detected in Idaho’s Snake River. This is a major problem, which could cost the state millions in repairs.

Invasive Quagga Mussels, and Why They're a Problem

Get to know the natural side of Boise: the plants, animals, weather and more that make our city unique.

Boise Urban Almanac

Urban Almanac

Boise is saying “ew” to yew. The new zoning code approved by the City Council last month included the 

, an ornamental shrub that’s been commonly used for landscaping Boise.

In short, it’s very toxic. The needles, seeds, and most of the berries it produces contain taxine alkaloids that can slow the heart until death. It only 

, but the main problem is that an alarming number of Idaho wildlife has died after consuming yew, including in the Treasure Valley. The ban is an effort to keep humans and wildlife safe.

Don’t worry, the city is not going to punish you. They simply want to help Boiseans replace existing yew with a safer option. There is currently no plan for how the city will do that, so here are a few options if you want to start replacing a yew plant in your yard.

Not sure what yew looks like? Here’s a helpful video from the Idaho Statesman about 

Note that touching the plant is safe, just be sure not to ingest any parts.

To remove, start by pruning big branches so it’s easier to access the main trunk. You can then dig it out with a shovel or by wrapping it with a rope and pulling at the base of the plant. Yew can re-sprout from the roots, so make sure you remove them.

The dead branches of a yew are still toxic, so throw them into the garbage.

If you’re a dog owner, there are many other things around Boise that can be toxic to dogs, so we put together a helpful guide.

Things That Are Toxic to Dogs

The decorative landscaping plant yew is now banned in Boise. Here's what to do if you have an existing one.

Why Boise Banned Yew Plants

Boiseans really love their dogs, and will do pretty much anything to keep them safe. Most dog owners have at least one story of their pup eating something suspicious and spending the day worried about their wellbeing. While things like chocolate are known toxins, here are a few other things that are bad for your pooch.

 around Southwest Idaho, especially in the hotter summer months when blooms are more likely to pop up.

Hemlock: It blooms prolifically in the summer and is also 

: Not toxic on its own, but if your pup is running through the foothills this summer, they may get a cheat stuck in their paw or ear. It can be extremely painful for your dog and expensive to remove, so best to avoid cheatgrass.

 can be painful for our pup’s paws! Try to keep your dogs away from goathead plants where possible.

Mushrooms: There are a select few that are safe, but why take a chance?

Boise may be a city, but there are plenty of critters to be aware of as a pet parent.

Snakes: This one’s particularly important during hikes in the Boise foothills. There are lots of local dog trainers who can help with serpent-related issues like 

Wildlife: It might look cute on TikTok, but avoid a harmful situation or passage of disease by keeping your pets away from wild animals. Coyotes have been known to have 

 with pets around Boise so consider keeping your dog on a leash during hikes, especially 

They’re out in bigger numbers than usual

Just because you like it doesn’t mean they will.

Avocado: Great for tacos, terrible for dogs.

Grapes: Even in their raisin form and especially in their wine form. Find a different drinking partner.

Milk: They can’t process lactose and will likely cause diarrhea.

What to Do When a Dog Comes Into Contact with One of These

Firstly, do not panic. Make sure to bookmark the 

 and use it as a reference if you believe your dog has ingested or come into contact with something toxic. The next best thing to do is to call your veterinarian and ask questions — they will be the best resource for useful information and will help you decide if your pup needs medical assistance.

. These can be expensive, so it’s best utilized as a last resort.

Did you know of one that we missed? Help out your fellow dog-lovers and share it with us.

Share Something That's Toxic to Dogs

While things like chocolate are known toxins, here are a few other things that are bad for your pooch.

Toxic Threats to Boise Dogs

Have a Dog, Boise? Watch Out for These Toxic Threats

Boise *loves* dogs. But how dog-friendly are we really? We’re finding out during our Dog Days of Boise series. 

Dog Days of Boise

For at least the next month and half, we’ll all be talking about the heat. With temperatures likely to go above triple digits off and on for weeks, this is an important time to 

estimated half of Americans who die from heat-related causes

 every year are without homes. The lack of access to cool spaces, water, and treatment for heat stroke and exhaustion is fatal.

And two factors make it more than probable that more people will continue dying without significant change: Summers are getting hotter due to climate change, and more people go without housing every year.

Boise’s in a unique position. We’re small enough, with few enough people chronically unhoused, to build a practice of ensuring that as few people die of heat-related deaths as possible. Here are some ways we can move toward that goal:

The responsibility to keep our community healthy is a shared one, and thanks to incredible work from mutual aid organizations, the wheel is already working.

 from community members and distributes food, survival gear, clothes, and more every Monday at 5 p.m. at Rhodes Skate Park. Look at what they’re asking for, and offer what you can.

Boise Kitchen Collective offers free home cooked meals

 to anyone who needs them at Rhodes Skate Park, on Wednesdays at 5:15 p.m. They also ask for support and donations beyond meal-makers.

 does the same in Lloyd Square in Nampa every Monday at 5:30 p.m.

It’s amazing what a conversation can do — if you see someone in the heat outside for a long time, ask them what they might need. If you can get them water, do that; better yet, if you work at a business with a lobby or have an empty couch, offer them a space to get out of the grueling heat, even just for a couple hours.

Keep some frozen water bottles (or even popsicles) at home or at your office, and bring them with you when you go outside. Lowering internal body temperature can help fight off the worst of the dangers posed by heat.

Prepare and keep “Summer Lovin’ Kits”

 to hand out. These kits are recommended by the folks at Interfaith Sanctuary, and include anything you also might need on an outing in the heat: a hat, sandals or flip flops, sunscreen, sunglasses, reusable water bottles, and more.

For at least the next month and half, we’ll all be talking about the heat. With temperatures likely to go above triple digits off and on for weeks, this is an important time to make sure our unhoused neighbors are able to stay cool and hydrated.

How to Help Unhoused Boiseans in the Heat

How to Help Unhoused Neighbors in the Heat

A few weeks ago, I was driving between the towns of Fairview and Mountain Home and saw a temporary, light-up sign that said: “Caution: Slick Roads.” I wasn’t near any water, but the cause was evident: Mormon crickets were on the road in such large numbers that their carcasses were actually making the road slick.

Mormon crickets live on a cycle of several years, so in recent history, they only came out in big numbers every few years. However, 

Our neighbors to the south, especially in Nevada, have endured millions of Mormon crickets in the past few weeks. Outbreaks are bolstered by drought, and can have devastating impacts on residences, desert ecosystems, and farmland (

The precipitation we’ve received this year has provided ample food supply for the crickets, which aren’t actually crickets, but a species of katydid. Usually, by July, Mormon cricket swarms are mostly wrapped up.

Idaho Department of Agriculture told the Idaho Statesman

 that the long winter pushed back the usual schedule of insecticide use against Mormon crickets. That’s why, even this weekend, you could find the insects crossing roads in southwest Idaho.

What Are Mormon Crickets?

Idaho Supreme Court upheld Idaho’s abortion bans

. Now, there are no built-in exceptions that allow for legal abortions in the state, though there are limited defenses known as “affirmative defenses” in the case of rape or incest, or if the pregnant person’s life is at risk.

Now, more people than ever are turning to medication abortions. Medication abortions are nonsurgical, and are performed by prescribing pills that a patient can take at home during early pregnancy. Even before the U.S. Supreme Court overruled Roe v. Wade in June 2022, 

abortion pills accounted for over half of all abortions in the U.S.

 on a federal level, and are taking center stage as the next target of the anti-abortion movement. But as of now, the 

U.S. Postal Service is still allowed to deliver mail-order abortion medications

, even to states where abortions are illegal.



So what are abortion pills? The medications are typically taken in one of two regimens: either 

, or mifepristone, followed by misoprostol. Note: they are not “Plan B,” or any other form of contraceptive.



Mifepristone stops the maintenance of a pregnancy

misoprostol is then used to induce uterine contractions

 and sheds the lining of the uterus, and the pregnancy with it. Misoprostol is commonly used to induce labor or facilitate medical miscarriages as well.

In 2000, the 

U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved mifepristone

 for early abortions, up to eleven weeks. Since then, abortion pills have become more common. Data continues to show that abortion pills have a 

complication rate of only 2.2 per 1,000 people

mutual aid collective Idaho Abortion Rights

 advocates and educates for abortion access, including abortion pills.

Legally, abortion pills are in a murky situation for Idahoans. While it’s still legal to order and possess abortion pills, Idaho pharmacists can’t fill a prescription for them, and Idaho physicians can’t prescribe them for abortions. That's why anti-abortion activists and politicians will likely continue to push for the shipping of these medications to be illegal, cutting off the messenger.

public health

Prepare Your Boise Home For Allergy Season

How to Get Paxlovid for Free in Boise

The 6-Week and 'Abortion Trafficking' Bans

Latest articles

Prepare Your Boise Home For Allergy Season

How to Get Paxlovid for Free in Boise

The 6-Week and 'Abortion Trafficking' Bans

How to Protect Your Dog From New Mystery Illness

Invasive Quagga Mussels, and Why They're a Problem

Why Boise Banned Yew Plants

Have a Dog, Boise? Watch Out for These Toxic Threats

Latest articles

How to Protect Your Dog From New Mystery Illness

Invasive Quagga Mussels, and Why They're a Problem

Why Boise Banned Yew Plants

Have a Dog, Boise? Watch Out for These Toxic Threats

How to Help Unhoused Neighbors in the Heat

What Are Mormon Crickets?

What to Know About Abortion Pills in Idaho