Murphy Woodhouse

Boise

Mountain West News Bureau Reporter at Boise State Public Radio (Boise, ID)

Reporter, #MtnWestNews/@KBSX915. Looking to tell important stories in the West. Know something the public ought to hear? Hit me up: https://t.co/E1ECkWsfik

Articles

Thousands in Idaho join nationwide “No King” protests against President Trump

3 days ago | boisestatepublicradio.org | Julie Luchetta |Murphy Woodhouse

On Saturday, thousands of people gathered in front of the Statehouse steps in Boise to protest the Trump presidency. They joined millions across the country marching in “No King” protests, organized to counter what is perceived as authoritarian actions from the administration.
Two federal agencies propose the creation of a wildland fire agency

1 week ago | upr.org | Murphy Woodhouse

Two federal agencies recently outlined a proposal to create a single federal wildland fire agency. It would be called the U.S. Wildland Fire Service, according to budget documents from the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Department of Interior. The agency would consolidate the wildland fire programs of the USDA and Interior within the latter.
USDA, Interior outline proposed ‘U.S. Wildland Fire Service’

1 week ago | boisestatepublicradio.org | Murphy Woodhouse

Two federal agencies recently outlined a proposal to create a single federal wildland fire agency. It would be called the U.S. Wildland Fire Service, according to budget documents from the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Department of Interior. The agency would consolidate the wildland fire programs of the USDA and Interior within the latter.
Federal forecast suggests a very heavy fire season may be approaching

1 week ago | upr.org | Murphy Woodhouse

Federal forecasters say there is above-average potential for significant wildfires all the way through the end of September across a vast swath of the Western U.S.In the monthly season outlook, green means below-average significant fire potential, white means average, and red means above average. Starting in July, the northern half of the West is a sea of red. In August and September, Washington, Oregon, Montana, California, Nevada, and Wyoming have above-average potential.
Latest federal forecast suggests a very heavy fire season could be on tap

1 week ago | boisestatepublicradio.org | Murphy Woodhouse

Federal forecasters say there is above-average potential for significant wildfires all the way through the end of September across a vast swath of the Western U.S.In the monthly season outlook, green means below average significant fire potential, white means average and red means above average. Starting in July, the northern half of the West is a sea of red.
Forest Service chief calls for fires to be extinguished ASAP. Fire scientists have concerns

2 weeks ago | boisestatepublicradio.org | Murphy Woodhouse

Tom Schultz, the head of the U.S. Forest Service, is calling for wildfires to be extinguished “as swiftly as possible this season.” But aggressive suppression policies are widely believed to be one of the key culprits in the current wildfire crisis. Decades of aggressive suppression have led to dramatic changes in ecosystems across the West, and allowed for the buildup of trees, shrubs and other wildfire fuel.
Evaluating scientific studies, prison staffing shortages, and more...

2 weeks ago | wyomingpublicmedia.org | Chris Clements |Caroline Llanes |Hannah Habermann |Hanna Merzbach |Jordan Uplinger |Kamila Kudelska | +3 more

Today on the show, some conservatives in our region say efforts to hand over parcels of federal land to states aren’t enough. They want to see most federal land go to states. A new study says the abortion pill mifepristone is more dangerous than previously known. Wyoming lawmakers shared the study on social media, but how do we know if it’s true? And, over half of Wyoming’s school districts have now adopted a four day school week. Those stories and more.
Wildfire numbers spur new guidance on how to prepare for disaster

3 weeks ago | upr.org | Murphy Woodhouse

In recent years, there have been a number of fast-moving, destructive wildfires in which residents had little or no warning to evacuate. Federal officials have new recommendations for how communities should prepare for such disasters. In 2018, the Camp Fire burned Paradise, Calif., to the ground and killed 85 people. Many were trapped by the inferno before evacuation orders were even issued, and gridlocked traffic and flames made evacuation impossible for others.
Feds offer new guidance on how to prepare for fast-moving blazes

3 weeks ago | boisestatepublicradio.org | Murphy Woodhouse

In recent years, there have been a number of fast-moving, destructive wildfires in which residents had little or no warning to evacuate. Federal officials have new recommendations for how communities should prepare for such disasters. In 2018, the Camp Fire burned Paradise, Calif., to the ground and killed 85 people. Many were trapped by the inferno before evacuation orders were even issued, and gridlocked traffic and flames made evacuation impossible for others.
A home insurance crisis is building in the Mountain West. State leaders are struggling to respond

1 month ago | knpr.org | Murphy Woodhouse |Rachel Cohen

On an unseasonably warm spring day, Sandy Nabbefeld and her husband Dave were sitting in the shade of the porch of the Dirty Shame, a popular restaurant and watering hole in Crouch, Idaho. The small town is an hour and change north of Boise, tucked into the western edge of the stunning Garden Valley, near the confluence of the south and middle forks of the Payette River. Pine-thick mountains rise many hundreds of feet in all directions.