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by Rett Nelson
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- Yesterday32 min
Before the funeral, this former elected official opened up about Dirk Kempthorne’s remarkable life
Friends and colleagues are remembering Dirk Kempthorne as “a man who truly loved our state” and who could help people “feel uniquely and genuinely seen.” Former Governor Butch Otter compared him to fictional characters Atticus Finch from “To Kill a Mockingbird” and Jefferson Smith from “Mr. Smith Goes to Washington.”Idaho’s 30th governor passed away on April 24 after a battle with colon cancer. His lying-in-state ceremony was held on Friday in the rotunda of the capital building in Boise. His funeral was held on Saturday at the Cathedral of the Rockies in Boise.This week on “It’s Worth Mentioning,” Rett Nelson speaks with longtime attorney, historian and former elected official David Leroy about Kempthorne’s life and legacy. As a political colleague, Leroy shares his thoughts on Kempthorne’s passing and some memories of his personal interactions with the former Idaho leader.They discuss Kempthorne's 24-year political resume, beginning with his attendance at Idaho State University in the 1970s, where he was elected student body officer.Kempthorne's first foray into elected office after college was as mayor of Boise in 1985. After seven years in that role, he successfully ran for the U.S. Senate. He returned home after one term to run for governor.Kempthorne served as Idaho's 30th governor from 1999-2006. The last few months of his second term was interrupted by a federal appointment. President George W. Bush nominated him to serve as U.S. Secretary of the Interior, which Kempthorne accepted. He served in that capacity from 2006-2009.This conversation was recorded ahead of Kempthorne’s funeral, which is now available on-demand here.Watch previous episodes here. Check out the show on Facebook. If you have a tip, guest idea or comment, email rett@eastidahonews.com.RELATED LINKS: https://www.eastidahonews.com/2026/05/idahoans-honor-late-us-interior-secretary-and-former-gov-dirk-kempthorne/https://www.eastidahonews.com/2026/05/at-kempthornes-funeral-dad-and-pop-dirk-remembered-along-with-the-public-servant/https://www.eastidahonews.com/2026/02/lessons-from-lincoln-idaho-historian-reflects-on-leadership-and-americas-250th/
- 1 weeks ago52 min
Caught in history: The untold story behind an iconic Teton Dam photo
After seeing a wall of water pummel Rexburg, Brian and Brent Gibson, along with nine of their friends, congregated on the corner of Main Street and North 2nd East for a now-iconic photo.It was around 3 p.m. on June 5, 1976 — hours after the collapse of the Teton Dam. This summer, the Gibson brothers and the rest of the gang will reunite to retake the photo 50 years later.Today on “It’s Worth Mentioning,” Rett Nelson explores the story behind the photo ahead of its 50th anniversary.His first guest is the photographer, Steve Wasden. Wasden lives in Pocatello today, but his dad once owned a business in Rexburg, and he shares his memories of what happened that day.In an era before cell phones, he explains why he had a camera and the circumstances that led the group to gather for the photo.Wasden recalls his experiences with the aftermath and the cleanup, and catches us up on life since then.He shares his thoughts about reuniting with his classmates 50 years later, and why the disaster is worth remembering.Then, the Gibson brothers join us to share their memories, thoughts, and stories.If you live in eastern Idaho, you’ve likely heard about the Teton Dam collapse, and this is a unique story you don’t want to miss!Watch previous episodes here. Check out the show on Facebook. If you have a tip, guest idea or comment, email rett@eastidahonews.com.RELATED LINK: https://www.eastidahonews.com/2026/03/remembering-the-teton-dam-collapse-inside-the-failure-and-fight-to-rebuild/
- 2 weeks ago44 min
A WWII painting sparked an unlikely friendship between an Idaho teacher and a hero’s son
Jess Johnson has had a meaningful long-distance friendship with a man on the other side of the country for about a year, and it all started with an inconsequential decision.The Mackay High School history teacher was traveling with his wife last summer. On a whim, they found an audiobook about the USS Indianapolis, a battle cruiser during World War II that hauled components of the atomic bomb that the United States later dropped on Hiroshima, Japan.Among the 1,200 men on board was Lt. Commander Earl Henry. The Tennessee man was the ship’s dentist, but he was also a lifelong bird-lover and painter. In 1944, he painted an image of an American Eagle attacking a serpent in front of a giant American flag. The painting, titled “American Eagle in the Pacific,” is now a historic piece of art because it foreshadowed America’s victory the following year.Henry and about 300 other men were killed in August 1945 when the ship was torpedoed by a Japanese submarine. Before the attack, Henry shipped the painting home to his wife, which is how it survived.As Johnson heard this story, he was riveted and it inspired him to order the painting. That purchase led to a phone call that began a personal friendship with Earl Henry’s son, and a connection that extends into the lives of his students.On this episode of “It’s Worth Mentioning,” Rett Nelson sits down with Johnson in his classroom to talk about this experience.Johnson shares where his love of history began and the historical significance of the Indianapolis.He discusses Henry and his painting, his decision to buy it, the initial phone conversation with Earl Henry Jr. and how it led to a lasting friendship that is now interwoven into his classroom.We hear from some of the students later in the show, and Earl Henry Jr. joins us to talk about his father’s upbringing, his love of birds and painting, and how he ended up serving on the Indianapolis.Henry Jr. talks about his father’s historic painting and his motivations for creating it.Henry Jr. was about eight weeks old when his father was killed, but he saw his dad’s now historic painting for the first time when he was 5 years old. He shares what that experience was like and why it stood out to him.After a long business career, Henry Jr. is now the curator of his father’s work. He fills customers’ orders, and he shares his perspective on the initial phone call with Johnson and why he felt inclined to call him.He also discusses his involvement in the students’ lives and his father’s legacy.If you’re a World War II history buff, this is a heartwarming episode you don’t want to miss!Watch previous episodes here. Check out the show on Facebook. If you have a tip, guest idea or comment, email rett@eastidahonews.com.
- 3 weeks ago58 min
REBROADCAST | Idaho Downwinders added to federal compensation program — the shocking history behind it
EDITOR’S NOTE: This episode originally aired on November 30, 2025.A recent report indicates that Idaho downwinders stricken with cancer can now get federal compensation.Last week, the Idaho Statesman reported that Idaho is now included in the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act. The act is a federal law that “provides partial restitution” to people who developed certain illnesses after being exposed to radiation from the U.S. nuclear weapons program, among other projects, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.Between 1951 and 1962, the federal government conducted nuclear tests in Nevada. The radiation affected people up to hundreds of miles away in Idaho and other surrounding states. Most of the tests were underground, but about 100 were atmospheric tests where the “atomic weapons exploded at or above ground level, resulting in radioactive material being released into the atmosphere,” according to a report prepared by the Congressional Research Service.Now, through December 2027, people across Idaho can apply for $100,000 in compensation if they or a family member had one of the eligible cancers and lived in the state between 1951 and 1962. Survivors can apply for equal shares of the payment if the person has died. It was a provision included in President Donald Trump’s “One Big, Beautiful Bill,” which was signed into law last summer. People who need assistance can contact U.S. Senator Mike Crapo’s office. The Idaho Downwinders Facebook page also has additional information.This week on “It’s Worth Mentioning,” Rett Nelson revisits the nuclear weapons testing program that resulted in the plight of the downwinders and the decades-long battle to receive compensation.In this conversation from November 2025, he’s joined by author Ryan Uytdewilligen, a whose 2022 book highlights a specific round of testing that took place place between March and June of 1953. On a desert site about 65 miles north of Las Vegas, 11 atomic bomb detonations were part of Operation Upshot-Knothole.The largest of these detonations, a warhead known as Harry, yielded 32 kilotonnes of radioactive energy — more than double the amount produced from the bomb that was dropped on Hiroshima, Japan, during World War II.About a year later, the desert near St. George, Utah, which was downwind of the nuclear fallout, was selected as the filming location for a major Hollywood film.Uytdewilligen discusses the reason for the testing and the government’s response to locals’ concerns. He reveals the name of the movie and the actors involved — you’ll recognize the names — and why a desert in proximity to a nuclear testing site was selected as the filming location. He also discusses the longterm impact of that decision.If you’re a cinephile and enjoy post-war history, this is an episode you don’t want to miss!Watch previous episodes here. Check out the show on Facebook. If you have a tip or a guest idea, email rett@eastidahonews.com.RELATED LINKS: https://www.eastidahonews.com/2026/04/after-long-fight-idaho-downwinders-stricken-by-cancer-can-get-compensation/https://www.eastidahonews.com/2025/09/federal-act-providing-compensation-for-downwinders-reinstated-decades-after-nuclear-tests-in-idaho-and-other-states/
- 4 weeks ago35 min
100 years strong: Iona farm and RV supply company celebrate a century of operation
Two local organizations are celebrating 100 years of operation.This week on “It’s Worth Mentioning,” Rett Nelson speaks with Tim Haderlie, owner of Haderlie Farms in Iona — a 3,000-acre spread that grows wheat, barley and alfalfa. The farm, established in 1915, was recently recognized as an “Idaho Century Farm” by the Idaho State Historical Society. This award recognizes farms throughout Idaho that have been in operation for a century or more.Haderlie gives his thoughts on his farm being one of 11 recipients of the award in 2025. He tells us about the family operation and current challenges amid an emergency drought declaration.He also discusses the farm’s history and talks about his grandfather, Henry Haderlie, who bought the initial 80 acres, and how it’s grown and evolved through the years.Tim shares his memories growing up on the farm and what he finds most rewarding about agriculture. Then, he discusses the future and passion the baton to his kids and grandkids.In the second half of the show, Mark Hult, president of State Trailer RV & Outdoor Supply, joins us to talk about the company’s 100th anniversary.The RV parts supplier and service center has operated two locations in eastern Idaho — one in Idaho Falls and one in Pocatello — since 2008. But the company was founded in Salt Lake City in 1926.Hult is hosting a centennial celebration at the Idaho Falls store on May 1.He talks about reaching this milestone, the company’s history, his memories of working alongside his dad as a kid, how he took over the reins and its growth and expansion.Being around for 100 years is definitely “worth mentioning,” and this episode is a centennial celebration you don’t want to miss.Watch previous episodes here. Check out the show on Facebook. If you have a tip or a guest idea, email rett@eastidahonews.com.RELATED LINKS: https://www.eastidahonews.com/2025/07/local-farm-honored-for-over-100-years-of-agricultural-legacy/https://www.eastidahonews.com/2026/04/idaho-declares-drought-emergency-for-all-44-counties-as-snowpack-hits-record-lows/https://www.eastidahonews.com/2025/07/local-farm-honored-for-over-100-years-of-agricultural-legacy/
- Apr 13, 202638 min
Behind the ceasefire: The global oil battle driving gas prices
Days after a ceasefire was reached between Iran, Israel, and the U.S., the future of the conflict remains uncertain.The center of the conflict is the Strait of Hormuz, through which 20% of the world’s oil passes during peacetime. The ability of ships to pass through the Strait has a significant impact on gas prices.This week on “It’s Worth Mentioning,” Rett Nelson speaks with AAA Idaho Public Affairs Director Matthew Conde. Conde provides some perspective on the recent ceasefire agreement and whether gas prices will decrease in the near future.Conde discusses current gas prices and when they were at their highest, before getting into the historical trend with fuel costs when prices were very low — under $1 a gallon. Why were they that low? What led to the gradual price increase? A lot of it had to do with the formation of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC).He talks about its founding, the motive of the founding countries, which include Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and Venezuela, and the U.S. response.Conde shares where Idaho gets its oil and the process involved.In 2020, the U.S. briefly resumed oil drilling to achieve energy independence. Although that’s been the goal of several US presidents over the years, Conde discusses whether that’s feasible and what it would take to see a significant, long-term decrease in gas prices.Finally, will we ever see gas prices below $1 again?It’s a conversation that impacts everyone, which is why “It’s Worth Mentioning.”Watch previous episodes here. Check out the show on Facebook. If you have a tip or a guest idea, email rett@eastidahonews.com.RELATED LINKS: https://www.eastidahonews.com/2026/04/trump-threatens-strait-of-hormuz-blockade-after-us-iran-ceasefire-talks-end-without-agreement/https://www.eastidahonews.com/2026/04/us-israel-and-iran-agree-to-a-2-week-ceasefire-but-much-remains-unclear-and-some-attacks-continue/
- Apr 6, 202650 min
Inside Righteous Slice's rise to world-class pizza
Andrew Crawford and Rivka Sears can hardly believe they're now among the top pizza-makers in the world.The two employees of Righteous Slice in Rexburg just returned from the International Pizza Challenge in Las Vegas. Crawford took third place in the Traditional American Division out of 100 competitors. Sears took the top spot in the Best Neapolitan Pizza category out of 80 participants.On this week's episode of "It's Worth Mentioning," Rett Nelson sits down with the duo to talk about the contest. They give their reaction to their performance and discuss what the tournament was like.Crawford and Sears, both in their 20s, share their career aspirations. Crawford currently works as the general manager at Righteous Slice. His parents started making Neapolitan pizza when he was 9 years old and opened the restaurant at 175 West 2nd South, Ste. 100, eight years later. Making pizza is a skill he's honed over the years, and he shares whether more pizza is in his future.Similarly, Sears -- a vocal performance major at Brigham Young University-Idaho -- talks about whether her participation in one of the most prestigious pizza contests has convinced her to change careers.Then, Rett Nelson sits down with the owners of Righteous Slice, Bill and Cheryl Crawford, to talk about their pizza-making journey. Although they've operated the Rexburg store for eight years, Bill served in the U.S. Air Force for 13 years. He shares how he got interested in the pizza business and what led him to open a restaurant in Rexburg.Bill and Cheryl also discuss how the concept of pizza was born, how World War II played a role in its popularization in America and its evolution as one of the nation's most popular fast-food choices.They also discuss the restaurant's future and their plans for a new location.If you're a foodie who enjoys pizza, this is a delicious, hot-and-ready episode you don't want to miss!Watch previous episodes here. Check out the show on Facebook. If you have a tip or a guest idea, email rett@eastidahonews.com.RELATED LINKS: https://www.eastidahonews.com/2025/01/this-rexburg-restaurant-is-one-of-the-best-places-for-new-york-pizza-says-new-york-times/https://www.eastidahonews.com/2018/08/he-flew-f-16s-and-stealth-bombers-but-found-his-true-calling-at-a-pizza-shop/https://www.eastidahonews.com/2022/02/east-idaho-eats-at-righteous-slice-pizza-is-art-and-its-made-with-passion-and-love-for-customers/
- Mar 30, 202657 min
Remembering the Teton Dam collapse: Inside the failure and fight to rebuild
The collapse of the Teton Dam spilled 80 billion gallons of water into eastern Idaho, killing 11 people and 13,000 head of livestock. Many people were made homeless by the disaster and tens of thousands of acres of land were destroyed or heavily damaged.Although there were concerns about the dam’s design from the beginning, construction moved forward anyway with devastating results. Fifty years later, it remains one of the most-studied dam failures in the world, and there’s a proposal on the table to rebuild it.This week on “It’s Worth Mentioning,” Rett Nelson looks back at June 5, 1976, and commemorates the 50th anniversary of the historic failure.Nathaniel Gee, a dam safety expert and author of an upcoming book about the disaster who has ties to Rexburg, discusses the contentious political backstory of its construction.Richard Robison, nephew of the man who oversaw the dam’s construction, says his uncle was the last man standing on the crest of the dam at the moment of failure. He had multiple behind-the-scenes tours while it was under construction, and he shares his memories.Gee and Robison provide their perspective on whether the dam should be rebuilt.Our final guest is Trent Walker. He grew up in Rexburg — his parents owned a popular restaurant in town at the time — and recently retired as an audio engineer for the Tabernacle Choir. He’s working on an album about the Teton Dam Disaster, putting the words of those who lived through the historic event to music.Walker discusses this project and shares one of the songs from the album at the end of the episode.If you grew up in eastern Idaho, you’ve heard about the Teton Dam collapse. It’s a jam-packed episode you don’t want to miss!Watch previous episodes here. Check out the show on Facebook. If you have a tip or a guest idea, email rett@eastidahonews.com.RELATED LINKS: https://www.eastidahonews.com/2026/01/remembering-the-teton-dams-contentious-backstory-50-years-after-its-collapse/https://www.eastidahonews.com/2026/02/former-rexburg-man-remembers-uncle-uncle-who-oversaw-construction-of-the-teton-dam/?fbclid=IwY2xjawQzgxpleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFwYUpZalQxbk0xMUZkb1plc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHjdjZfInqcf_VahGxfvDykriBCl-QjWfc728ovfqG0wf01YmuotM4PJgT3up_aem_cn1SDOjRqM_B-mNSEVZJYA
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About It's Worth Mentioning
A podcast for trivia buffs and history nerds that takes listeners back in time. Each episode features a guest or topic that's tied to Idaho's past.
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