It's Worth Mentioning

On June 6, 1933, Richard Hollingshead opened the first drive-in movie theater in New Jersey. Fourteen years later, on May 14, 1947, Hugo Jorgensen and Ed Moran opened Motor Vu Drive-in at 2095 North Yellowstone Highway in Idaho Falls, the first venue of its kind in Idaho.Weeks after Motor Vu began its 79th year, we’re doing a deep dive on its history and the industry itself.This week on “It’s Worth Mentioning,” Rett Nelson speaks with Motor Vu Drive-in co-director Jennifer Spalding about what’s ahead this season. They discuss the theater’s 79th anniversary, its beginnings and the first movie ever shown there.RELATED | One of Idaho’s last drive-in theaters is closing. Its beginnings and why one woman says there’s a local resurgenceThey also discuss the father of the drive-in industry and his motivations for opening the first theater. Then, they talk about the industry’s rise to popularity in the 1950s.Spalding shares her childhood memories of going to the drive-in and how she got involved when her aunt and uncle, Linda and Ryan Rumsey, bought it in 2019 — 11 years after it permanently closed.Nelson and Spalding examine the nationwide decline of the drive-in theater, which began in the 1970s. Since its peak in 1958, when there were around 4,000 drive-in theaters nationwide, the number has dwindled somewhere between 250 and 330, according to Fox Business.Today, Motor Vu is one of only four drive-in theaters left in Idaho and the only one remaining in eastern Idaho. Spalding gives her take on why it’s so beloved and its future in Idaho Falls.If you’re a fan of cinema, classic movies or nostalgia, this is an episode you don’t want to miss. For a look at upcoming movies and showtimes, or to learn more, visit the Motor Vu online.This video from 2024 gives viewers a behind-the-scenes look at the Motor Vu.Watch previous episodes of “It’s Worth Mentioning” here. Check out the show on Facebook. If you have a tip, guest idea or comment, email rett@eastidahonews.com.

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/

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/

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/