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  • NEW EPISODE | After Idaho political career, longtime attorney helping others ‘look to Lincoln’

    NEW EPISODE | After Idaho political career, longtime attorney helping others ‘look to Lincoln’
    Feb 23 2026
    Despite losing a bid for Idaho governor with less than one percentage point and failing twice to represent Idaho in Congress, David Leroy says he doesn’t have any “political work left undone.”

    The 78-year-old Boise man is a longtime Idaho attorney with an extensive political career in the state. It began in the 1970s as Ada County prosecutor, followed by a term as Idaho Attorney General. He was elected to the position in 1978 at age 31 — the youngest attorney general in the nation at that time.

    Four years later, he was elected Lieutenant Governor on the Republican ticket. He served under Gov. John Evans, a Democrat from Malad.
    He lost the gubernatorial race against Cecil Andrus in 1986 by only eight-tenths of a percent.

    After serving as the U.S. Nuclear Waste Negotiator under President George H.W. Bush, he became a candidate for Idaho’s first Congressional District in 1994. He finished second in the Republican primary behind Helen Chenoweth.
    He ran for the same Congressional seat in 2017 and lost to Russ Fulcher, who currently serves as one of Idaho’s U.S. Representatives.

    Leroy is also a historian and the founder of the Idaho Lincoln Institute. America’s 16th president signed the bill that created the Idaho territory on March 4, 1863. The mission of Leroy’s nonprofit is to promote Lincoln’s ideals and “help chart a new course to orient and enliven the Idaho electorate as a rallying point for the rest of the Nation.”

    This week on “It’s Worth Mentioning,” Leroy looks back on his political career and some memorable experiences. He shares what it was like being the nation’s youngest attorney general and leading the state with a governor from a different party.
    He also discusses his narrow election loss in the 1986 gubernatorial race and what missed opportunities he would’ve liked to have.

    He kicks off the show paying tribute to former state legislator and fellow history-lover, Linden Bateman, R-Idaho Falls, who passed away last month at age 85. Leroy was serving as attorney general when Bateman was in office.

    RELATED LINK: https://www.eastidahonews.com/2026/01/former-state-legislator-known-across-idaho-as-mr-history-passes-at-age-85/

    Leroy also discusses his political hero, Abraham Lincoln, and his surprising connections to Idaho, which extend far beyond the legislation he signed that led to its creation.

    RELATED LINK: https://www.eastidahonews.com/2025/03/historian-says-lincoln-won-civil-war-with-the-idea-of-idaho-and-early-governor-might-have-prevented-assassination/

    If you’re an Idaho history buff or political junkie, this is an episode you don’t want to miss!

    Watch previous episodes here. If you have a tip or a guest idea, email rett@eastidahonews.com.
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    1 Std. und 5 Min.
  • REBROADCAST | Freshman legislator discusses her ties to former Idaho governor and Congressman

    REBROADCAST | Freshman legislator discusses her ties to former Idaho governor and Congressman
    Feb 18 2026
    EDITOR’S NOTE: This episode was originally published on Nov. 9, 2025. We are reposting it ahead of President’s Day.

    Monica Church is just over a year into her first term as a state legislator. The Boise Democrat is the granddaughter of two former beloved politicians from Idaho.

    Frank Church, who served in the U.S. Senate from 1957-1981 and is the namesake for the Frank Church Wilderness Area, is her grandfather on her mother’s side.

    Her paternal grandfather is Cecil Andrus, the state’s only four-term governor who served nonconsecutive terms. He was first elected in 1970 and served until 1977. His second term was interrupted with a nomination to serve as U.S. Secretary of Interior. He successfully ran for governor again in 1987 and served until 1995. The White Clouds Wilderness Area was renamed the Cecil Andrus Wilderness Management Area in 2018.

    Monica’s political roots in Idaho go back even further to Chase and Barzilla Clark, two brothers who both served as mayor of Idaho Falls and Governor of Idaho at separate times during the 1930s and 40s.

    We thought it was worth catching up with Monica about her rich, political heritage. On this week’s episode of “It’s Worth Mentioning,” she discusses how Frank got involved in politics, Andrus’ chaotic beginnings as a major political figure, and the time he spent five days on the Salmon River with President Jimmy Carter.

    It’s a politically-themed show just in time for President’s Day.

    Watch previous episodes here. If you have a tip or a guest idea, email rett@eastidahonews.com.

    RELATED LINKS: https://www.eastidahonews.com/2025/01/remembering-jfks-visit-to-eastern-idaho-amid-trumps-effort-to-declassify-assassination-files/

    https://www.eastidahonews.com/2024/09/idahos-last-democratic-governor-left-office-30-years-ago-a-look-back-at-left-wing-leadership-in-one-of-americas-most-republican-states/

    https://www.eastidahonews.com/2025/01/remembering-jimmy-carters-trips-to-idaho-and-his-friendship-with-former-governor-cecil-andrus/

    https://www.eastidahonews.com/2025/04/remembering-two-of-idahos-most-decisive-elections-and-how-they-changed-the-political-landscape/

    https://www.eastidahonews.com/2022/05/how-an-idaho-falls-democrat-became-the-states-16th-governor-and-started-a-political-dynasty/

    https://www.eastidahonews.com/2022/07/the-story-of-idahos-18th-governor-and-the-political-statement-that-denied-him-a-second-term/
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    47 Min.
  • After decades in show business, Jay Osmond and his wife are now radio hosts in eastern Idaho

    After decades in show business, Jay Osmond and his wife are now radio hosts in eastern Idaho
    Feb 2 2026
    From "The Andy Williams Show" as a kid to sold-out concerts worldwide, Jay Osmond has performed alongside his brothers for more than 50 years.

    He and his wife, Karina, recently moved to Idaho Falls and are the hosts of a new radio show on Arrow 107.1.

    On this episode of "It's Worth Mentioning," Rett Nelson speaks with the couple about the radio program, their ties to the area and why they love eastern Idaho.

    Karina shares the story of how they met. Jay shares behind the scenes stories about his long career in show business. A devout member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Jay recalls conversations he and his family have had with the Queen of England and Elton John about their faith.

    Jay shares how he became the drummer and the experience that caught the attention of the Beatles.

    He also discusses his new stage musical, which is currently being licensed for performance in the U.S. Karina says they may or may not be in talks with a major theater in our region.

    Jay ends the show with a tear-filled tribute to his brother, Wayne, who passed away last year at age 73.

    If you're a fan of the Osmonds or music in general, this is an episode you don't want to miss.

    If you have a topic or guest idea for an upcoming episode, email rett@eastidahonews.com.

    RELATED LINKS: https://www.eastidahonews.com/2025/12/community-invited-to-make-a-donation-at-giving-machines-in-idaho-falls/

    https://www.eastidahonews.com/2025/01/utah-musician-wayne-osmond-dies-at-73/
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    42 Min.
  • NEW EPISODE | Blackfoot man once floated Snake River with Robert Redford before working as assistant to local Congressman

    NEW EPISODE | Blackfoot man once floated Snake River with Robert Redford before working as assistant to local Congressman
    Jan 26 2026
    Richard Stallings, a Pocatello man who represented eastern Idaho in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1985-1993, passed away in October at the age of 85.

    Cary Jones of Blackfoot served as his assistant on energy, environment, and natural resources during his years in office.

    On this season two premiere episode of “It’s Worth Mentioning,” Rett Nelson speaks with Jones about his memories serving with Stallings. Jones recalls how he and Stallings first connected politically, Stallings’ political accomplishments and why the Pocatello Democrat appealed to voters during a time when a popular Republican president, Ronald Reagan, carried the vote in 49 states, including Idaho.
    He also shares several experiences during that time that he says made it a fun time be in politics and provides some perspective on politics today.

    Years earlier, Jones worked for Idaho Gov. John Evans as his special assistant for natural resources. During this time, Jones spent time with Hollywood icon Robert Redford — who passed away in September at age 89 — on a float along the Snake River. Jones kicks off the discussion sharing his memories of Redford and this experience.
    If you’re a fan of political or Hollywood history, this is an episode you don’t want to miss.

    If you have a topic or guest idea for an upcoming episode, email rett@eastidahonews.com.

    RELATED LINKS: https://www.eastidahonews.com/2025/10/richard-stallings-former-congressman-from-eastern-idaho-passes-at-age-85/

    https://www.eastidahonews.com/2025/09/blackfoot-man-reflects-on-time-with-movie-icon-robert-redford/
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    42 Min.
  • REBROADCAST | Idaho's first black elected official remembers upbringing in Pocatello, time in office

    REBROADCAST | Idaho's first black elected official remembers upbringing in Pocatello, time in office
    Jan 19 2026
    Note: This episode originally published on Sept. 28, 2025.

    Monday is Martin Luther King Jr. Day and we're commemorating the occasion with a look at black history in eastern Idaho.

    This week on "It's Worth Mentioning," Rett Nelson speaks with Delphia Bradley. She moved to Idaho Falls in 2023 to escape harassment and racism. After operating a meal delivery service, Bradley now has a traveling art exhibit about African-American culture. The exhibit will be coming to Idaho Falls soon, where she hopes to eventually open an African-American cultural arts center.

    Bradley discusses the topic of racism and her experience living as a black woman in eastern Idaho.

    Then, we speak with Les Purce. The Pocatello man became the first black elected official in Idaho in 1973 and recently retired as the president of Evergreen State College in Olympia, Washington.

    It's an episode you don't want to miss.

    Season two is currently in production. If you have a topic or guest idea for an upcoming episode, email rett@eastidahonews.com.

    RELATED LINKS: https://www.eastidahonews.com/2024/10/local-woman-wants-communitys-help-highlighting-art-music-and-history-at-new-african-american-cultural-center/

    https://www.eastidahonews.com/2024/01/woman-finds-refuge-in-eastern-idaho-with-vegan-meal-delivery-business/

    https://www.eastidahonews.com/2025/07/pocatello-royalty-cuts-ribbon-on-newly-refurbished-purce-park/

    https://www.eastidahonews.com/2025/09/festival-honoring-once-forgotten-historic-neighborhood-reminds-community-of-its-roots/

    https://www.eastidahonews.com/2024/10/a-pocatello-mans-journey-from-high-school-athlete-to-heavyweight-boxing-gold-medalist/
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    47 Min.
  • REBROADCAST | The man who tricked government officials into making Idaho Falls the home of what is now INL

    REBROADCAST | The man who tricked government officials into making Idaho Falls the home of what is now INL
    Jan 12 2026
    Note: This episode was originally published on Oct. 19, 2025.

    Thomas Sutton’s main goal weeks into his inauguration as mayor of Idaho Falls was to ensure Idaho Falls became the headquarters for the Atomic Energy Commission, the agency that managed the predecessor to Idaho National Laboratory.

    A great deal of schmoozing and lobbying by Sutton and others paved the way for the city’s future growth and the INL campus becoming the largest employer in the region.

    This week on “It’s Worth Mentioning,” Rett Nelson speaks with Sutton’s great-granddaughter about his golden moment in history and the unique connections she’s discovered about her deceased relative.

    Season two is currently in production. If you have a topic or guest idea for an upcoming episode, email rett@eastidahonews.com.

    RELATED LINK: https://www.eastidahonews.com/2025/04/how-former-mayor-helped-idaho-falls-become-home-to-nations-leading-nuclear-energy-research-facility/

    RELATED LINK: https://www.eastidahonews.com/2024/02/how-a-naval-proving-ground-became-a-national-lab-thats-changing-the-worlds-energy-future/
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    42 Min.
  • REBROADCAST: The famous Wyoming cabins that were featured in a popular hollywood western

    REBROADCAST: The famous Wyoming cabins that were featured in a popular hollywood western
    Jan 5 2026
    Note: This episode was originally published on Oct. 12, 2025.

    Two cabins in Jackson, Wyoming are what’s left of a set for a Hollywood western filmed in the area during the 1950s. One of them is five miles north of Jackson in Kelly and the other is under the ownership of History Jackson Hole, a museum in town.

    This week on “It’s Worth Mentioning,” Rett Nelson speaks with local researcher Samantha Ford and dives into the history of these cabins, the film in which they were featured and why Jackson was selected as the production site.

    If you’re a cinephile or a fan of old movies, this is an episode you don’t want to miss!

    Season 2 is coming in 2026. If you have a topic or guest idea for an upcoming episode, email rett@eastidahonews.com.
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    30 Min.
  • How ‘the father of Mormon Cinema’ lost his faith and found it again outside the LDS Church

    How ‘the father of Mormon Cinema’ lost his faith and found it again outside the LDS Church
    Dec 29 2025
    Editor’s note: This is part two of a previous conversation. Part one was published on Dec. 14 and is available here: https://www.spreaker.com/episode/it-s-been-25-years-since-release-of-film-that-made-richard-dutcher-the-father-of-mormon-cinema--68984469

    Richard Dutcher was introduced to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at age 8. In 2000, the release of his film, “God’s Army,” created a marketplace for LDS-themed movies and earned him the nickname “the father of Mormon Cinema.”

    In 2007, it came as a shock to fans when Dutcher, the man behind four Mormon films, announced he was leaving the LDS Church.
    This week on “It’s Worth Mentioning,” Rett Nelson continues his discussion with Dutcher about his faith journey. Dutcher shares what led to the decision to leave his faith, and how that decision affected him personally and professionally.

    Dutcher also discusses how he found faith again, some of his other film projects and what he’s up to now.
    If you’re a person of faith and enjoy faith-based films, this is an episode you don’t want to miss!
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    54 Min.