REBROADCAST | Idaho Downwinders added to federal compensation program — the shocking history behind it

About this episode

This episode discusses the inclusion of Idaho downwinders in the federal compensation program for radiation exposure and the historical context 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…

People in this episode

Host: Rett Nelson

Topics covered

• radiation exposure
• federal compensation
• cancer
• nuclear tests
• Idaho downwinders
• historical events

Keywords

• Idaho downwinders
• federal compensation
• radiation exposure
• nuclear tests
• cancer compensation
• Donald Trump
• U.S. Department of Justice

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: U.S. Department of Justice, Idaho Statesman, Congressional Research Service

Places: Idaho, Nevada

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