Boise's Treefort Music Fest kicked off Wednesday night, as thousands of music fans descended onto downtown. On Thursday, we headed out into the field to get some sound from the second day of the festival. 

The Treefort Music Festival just kicked off its eighth opening day and more than 400 bands will come through Boise this week. Those in the local music scene say the festival has given a boost to bands and venues alike.

 A federal appeals panel has granted the state of Idaho’s request to postpone sex reassignment surgery for a transgender inmate. The inmate’s case now awaits a decision from the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals.  

Idaho House lawmakers will soon debate adding several restrictions to its voter-approved Medicaid expansion program.

Hundreds of bands are descending on downtown Boise for the eighth Treefort Music Festival. Spanning four days, the 2019 edition of the festival is bringing over 400 music acts to the City of Trees. Among the panoply of artists spanning genres is Liz Cooper and the Stampede.

Cooper's style of Americana and roots music has been described by critics as a "gorgeously arranged and performed bouquet of psychedelia-tinged folk rock." Cooper is performing Wednesday evening at an intimate show co-sponsored by Boise State Public Radio and The Record Exchange.

A bill that would change funding streams for the Idaho State Police is bound for a vote on the Senate floor.

As it stands, Idaho State Police gets a sizable portion of its $75 million budget – about $17 million – from the state’s Highway Distribution Account. That’s where money earmarked for bridge repair, roadway upgrades and other improvements comes from.

Bike share company Boise GreenBike has been a partner of Treefort Music Fest for the last few years. This year, the organization is offering free rides up to four hours during the entire event, which runs March 20-24.

Idaho’s top health official says he wants to construct new buildings for an embattled mental health facility near Nampa.