© 2024 Boise State Public Radio
NPR in Idaho
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations
Apple's latest iOS (17.4) is preventing our livestreams from playing. We suggest you download the free Boise State Public Radio app & stream us there while we work to troubleshoot the issue.
Listen along with us as This American Life's Serial podcast revisits the case of Army Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl of Hailey, Idaho.Bergdahl walked away from his unit in Afghanistan in 2009 and was captured, marking five birthdays in captivity before his release. Now, he awaits word on whether he will face a full military court-martial.Each week, reporters with the Idaho Statesman and Boise State Public Radio discuss Bergdahl's case, Serial's reporting and what happens when an Idahoan becomes the center of international news.

Will Obama Pardon Bergdahl; Create Oregon Monument?

White House

There are only a few hours left in Barack Obama’s presidency and chances are dimming that he’ll move on two issues with ties to Idaho.

There has been speculation over the last few months of Obama’s presidency that he might create a National Monument across Idaho’s border in eastern Oregon.

Conservation groupshave suggested creating the Owyhee Canyonlands Monument on 2.5 million acres of land in Malheur County. They want to protect petroglyphs, historic sites and the area’s desert heritage.

But in a non-binding vote this year, 90 percent of county residentsopposed the idea, saying it would lock out local landowners with new regulations.

Obama has also handed out multiple pardons in his final days in office, leading to speculation he might grant one to Idaho Army Sergeant Bowe Berdgahl, who asked for one.

Bergdahl, who comes from Hailey, walked off his post in Afghanistan in 2009 and was taken prisoner by the Taliban. He was held for five years. A pardon would stop Bergdahl’s military trial, set for April.

He faces charges of desertion and misbehavior before the enemy and, if found guilty, could get life in prison.

Find Samantha Wright on Twitter @samwrightradio

Copyright 2017 Boise State Public Radio

As Senior Producer of our live daily talk show Idaho Matters, I’m able to indulge my love of storytelling and share all kinds of information (I was probably a Town Crier in a past life!). My career has allowed me to learn something new everyday and to share that knowledge with all my friends on the radio.

You make stories like this possible.

The biggest portion of Boise State Public Radio's funding comes from readers like you who value fact-based journalism and trustworthy information.

Your donation today helps make our local reporting free for our entire community.