Community Corner
🌱 Patch AM: Could a new Boise-area med school finally fix Idaho’s doctor shortage?
Spotted on the Boise calendar: Christmas Comedy Show w/ Uproar Entertainment (ages 13+)
Hi there, Boise! We've got your morning read ready! Read on to stay connected. ☕️️
In today's newsletter:
- Could a new Boise-area med school finally fix Idaho’s doctor shortage?
- How Boise’s new 20 mph slow zones will change your drive
- How Boise first responders turned St. Luke’s into a holiday light show
Also on today's calendar: Christmas Comedy Show w/ Uproar Entertainment (ages 13+) and 7 more events.
Find out what's happening in Boisefor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Today's riddle: What did one astronaut stranded on the moon say to another? 🤔 (Answer below!)
Find out what's happening in Boisefor free with the latest updates from Patch.
- Friday: Cloudy with showers around, with a high of 57 and low of 31 degrees.
- Saturday: Rather cloudy and cooler, temps: high: 44, low: 36.
- Sunday: Rain and drizzle in the a.m., with a high of 51 and low of 46 degrees.
📰 News we're reading
1. Idaho State Board of Ed approves first step in new Boise area medical school (boisestatepublicradio.org) — State education leaders have taken the first formal step toward a new Boise-area medical school program, aiming to ease Idaho’s severe doctor shortage. The University of Idaho plans to partner with the University of Utah, invest $600,000 in early planning, and await legislative funding decisions that could bring 30 new medical students to the Treasure Valley each year starting in 2028. 
2. Boise reduces default speed limit to 20 mph in new slow zone pilot program (idahonews.com) — Boise drivers will see a new 20 mph default speed limit as the city launches a Slow Zone Pilot Program aimed at improving safety for pedestrians and cyclists. Beginning in January, streets in the North End between Fourth and 28th, and State to Hill, will drop from 25 to 20 mph, with new signage and crossing flags on Harrison Boulevard as officials evaluate neighborhood safety impacts.
3. First responders, Santa bring holiday cheer to St. Luke's Children's Hospital (kivitv.com) — Families with kids at St. Luke’s Children’s Hospital in Boise got a big boost Thursday night as Santa rode in on Boise Fire Ladder 5 for the annual “Shine a Light” celebration. Boise police, firefighters, and other first responders filled the streets with lights, gifts, and support to remind young patients and their families they’re not facing the holidays alone.
4. Turning food waste into hope: Rolling Tomato's mission to feed those in need (boisestatepublicradio.org) — A Boise State Public Radio Giving Tuesday feature spotlights Rolling Tomato, a nonprofit that rescues surplus food and redirects it to people in need. Since 2017, the group has expanded its efforts and expects to provide 350,000 pounds of recovered food this year, earning on-air messaging support as one of 122 highlighted nonprofits.
5. RMACC's 16th Annual HPC Symposium to be Held May 12-14, Boise, Idaho (insidehpc.com) — Boise State University will host the Rocky Mountain Advanced Computing Consortium’s 16th High Performance Computing Symposium May 12–14, 2026, bringing researchers, students, and tech companies to the Student Union Building. The event highlights cutting-edge computing trends, offers keynotes and panels, and gives students a chance to attend at reduced cost and showcase their work in a poster competition.
📸 Around Boise
Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!
🗓 Upcoming Events in Boise
Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!
★ Featured events ★
- Christmas Comedy Show w/ Uproar Entertainment (ages 13+)
The Comedy Lounge, 2417 Bank Dr, Boise
7:00 pm
Friday December 19
Want to see your event featured? Click here!
Other local events
- Eureka O'Hara from Rupaul's Drag Race In Boise!
The Balcony Club , 150 N 8th St , Boise
8:00 pm - The Snow Ball Benefit Show
Shrine Social Club , 1118 W Idaho St , Boise
5:30 pm - Line Dance at The Farm
The Farm Dance Hub and Event Center , 5137 N. Glenwood St. , Garden City
7:00 pm - Two Step Tuesdays
The Farm , 5137 N Glenwood St. , Garden City
7:00 pm - Country Swing Dance at The Farm
The Farm Dance Hub and Event Center , 5137 N. Glenwood St. , Garden City
7:00 pm - Line Dance at The Farm
The Farm Dance Hub and Event Center , 5137 N. Glenwood St. , Garden City
7:00 pm - Candlelight: Tribute to The Beatles
The Egyptian Theatre , 700 W Main St , Boise
6:30 pm - Candlelight: Queen vs. ABBA
The Egyptian Theatre 700 West Main Street Boise, Idaho 83702
8:45 pm - NYE Masquerade Ball
The Comedy Lounge , 2417 Bank Dr , Boise
8:00 pm
Friday December 19
Saturday December 20
Tuesday December 23
Friday December 26
Saturday December 27
Sunday December 28
Wednesday December 31
📣 Boise Shout Outs!
Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!
🗓 Events Nearby
- Ice Skating at The Village
The Village at Meridian , 3597 E Monarch Sky Ln #225 , Meridian
12:00 pm - Friday Cocktail and Lounge Night at Split Rail Winery!
Split Rail Winery , 3200 W Chinden Blvd , Garden City
12:00 pm - Pokémon Club
Meridian District Library , 1375 E Phenomenal Street , Meridian
4:30 pm - Comedy in the Cowboy Room - Fri & Sat
Western Collective , 111 W 33rd St , Garden City
7:00 pm
Friday December 19
Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.
Thank you 👏👏👏 to the local businesses for making Boise PatchAM possible:
- The Comedy Lounge — (208) 991-2296
Boise's Full Time, Professional Comedy Club
Click here to show your appreciation! 💚
Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.
💬 Chatter
What your neighbors are talking about on social media
- This little guy showed up in the yard today.
(12/17) I’m located near cloverdale and ustick. Hoping to find his owners here. Please reach out if you have info or have some ability to care for a… (Nextdoor West Cloverdale) - FOUND!!
We’re so happy Murphy is home!! Hi neighbors! We found this sweet little boy at the intersection of Taft and Sycamore in the Collister neighborhood… (Nextdoor North End West)
- G2 Secure Staff posted a job opening for Ramp Agent in Boise. Apply here.
- Target posted a job opening for Seasonal: 4am Inbound (Stocking) (T0617) in Boise. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Boise here.
Ok Boise! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!
-- The Patch AM Team
P.S. The answer to today's riddle: I don’t think you know the gravity of this situation.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!
👉 Help make Patch AM better
- Help us grow by suggesting local news sources.
- Shape this newsletter with your feedback.
- List items for sale or services offered
We use a combination of real people and machines to tell you what’s happening around town. Learn more about Patch AM.
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.