Boise Weekly | Nathaniel Hoffman

Idaho Government Seeks Coverage via News Feeds and Social Networkingnew

What is the affect of media consolidation and changes in the industry on government agencies? What does it mean for agencies if their meetings are not covered? Some have turned to their own forms of outreach, including "Twitter-ganda."

Boise Weekly | Nathaniel Hoffman | 04-09-2009 | Media

Tags: public agencies, media, Twitter

Public Utilities for Health Care: A New Model for Reformnew

A Boise State professor has come up with a new model for state-based health care reform: make insurance companies into public utilities, like power and gas. Will anyone listen?

Boise Weekly | Nathaniel Hoffman | 03-05-2009 | Science

Tags: Idaho, public policy issues, insurance reform, Uwe Reischl, public utilities

Evicted Again: Boise Refugees Down to Two Week's Rentnew

Refugee families resettled in Boise from Iraq and Bhutan are perilously close to the end of their housing allowance and few have found jobs. Aid agencies are not sure how to help.

Boise Weekly | Nathaniel Hoffman | 02-18-2009 | International

Tags: Immigration, Iraq, Refugees, Bhutan, Idaho, evictions, Boise

Welcome to Washington, Mr. President; Now Let's Do This Thingnew

On his first day in office, we offer Obama an epistle from Idaho: Don't scare us, fix our energy and immigration problems, give us health care and change the tone on science and facts.

Boise Weekly | Nathaniel Hoffman | 01-21-2009 | Commentary

Tags: Immigration, Barack Obama, energy, environment, same-sex marriage, Obama inauguration

Idaho ICE Raid Sparks Dialoguenew

In the wake of an immigration raid at a Nampa, Idaho factory, a Latina group sits down to enchiladas with ICE.

Boise Weekly | Nathaniel Hoffman | 12-10-2008 | Immigration

Tags: Immigration, ICE, business & labor

High-End Jean Maker Sues Boise Shop in Counterfeit Investigationnew

A high-priced, global jean manufacturer is suing a Boise boutique for carrying allegedly counterfeit and knock off jeans. The tip-off in Boise led to a large counterfeit jean bust in Los Angeles earlier this year.

Boise Weekly | Nathaniel Hoffman | 12-10-2008 | Fashion

Tags: fashion, knock-offs, Idaho, jeans, counterfeit, True Religion Brand Jeans

Legislating Energy Affordability in Idahonew

While utilities in surrounding states fund programs to help the poor pay their power bills, in Idaho that is considered discriminatory. One group of advocates for low-income people aims to change that and utility regulators are warming to the idea.

Boise Weekly | Nathaniel Hoffman | 12-10-2008 | Economy

Tags: energy, utilities, Idaho, economic issues, Low Income Rate Assistance Program

Chips of Wrath: Unemployment Rising Before the Crisisnew

In the face of near uniform economic analysis from the nation's mainstream media, we set out to find a big picture economist willing to buck conventional wisdom: the economic downturn is a mere blip on the capitalist EKG monitor.

Boise Weekly | Nathaniel Hoffman | 11-27-2008 | Economy

Tags: capitalism, unemployment, Marxism, economic issues, economists

Cut Your Own Meat: Idaho's Underground Lamb Tradenew

It took months, but I eventually found a small sheep operation willing to sell live livestock. One afternoon, I brought a big, fat sheep home and tied it up in my back yard. But there were a few problems: What is the city code on livestock, what to do with the entrails and, almost as important, what would people think?

Boise Weekly | Nathaniel Hoffman | 11-25-2008 | Food+Drink

Tags: food, farming, animal issues, Idaho, sheep, slaughter, lamb

Golf Course Mowers to Challenge Noise Regulations in Idahonew

Noise complaints at an exclusive Boise golf course lead to a Constitutional challenge of the county noise ordinance.

Boise Weekly | Nathaniel Hoffman | 11-05-2008 | Policy Issues

Tags: golf, Idaho, lawnmowers, Boise, noise ordinance

Obama Rings in a New Era, Despite Losing Badly in Idahonew

The state appears poised to gain a Democratic congressman and analysis of early down ballot returns from the Gem State.

Boise Weekly | Nathaniel Hoffman and Teresa Shipley | 11-05-2008 | Politics

Tags: 2008 presidential election, Barack Obama, 2008 downballot elections, John McCain, Idaho, Bill Sali, Walt Minnick

Boise Weekly Hip Hop Voter's Guidenew

After eight years of Bush, expectations are low, the next president will need some flow, five men in the race in Idaho, pick one on your ballot at the poll: Candidate profiles in a hip hop vein.

Boise Weekly | Nathaniel Hoffman | 10-30-2008 | Politics

Tags: 2008 presidential election, Barack Obama, John McCain, hip-hop

Redistricting Idahonew

A look at the 2010 Census in Idaho and how it might affect legislative and congressional seats, using GIS software to show which legislative districts are most out of whack.

Boise Weekly | Nathaniel Hoffman | 10-15-2008 | Politics

Tags: redistricting, Idaho, Census Bureau, legislative districts