By Audrey Dutton

Some of the best stories in journalism are the ones that make you wonder, “How’d they find out about that?” or “How’d they get that person to talk?”

This year, the Press Club’s Southwest Chapter brings you the story behind the stories, at the IPC’s annual fall professional development conference.

You’ll leave with tips for tackling sensitive topics, crafting a compelling narrative, dealing with “alternative news,” rising to the occasion when a local story goes national — and, of course, fact-finding and interviewing.

Our lineup includes Brian Holmes of KTVB, members of The Times-News team that covered the Fawnbrook case as it gained national attention, and more.

Special guest speaker is Alex Stuckey, a former Idaho reporter and winner of the 2017 Pulitzer Prize for Local Reporting. Stuckey’s team at the Salt Lake Tribune exposed how BYU and USU mishandled sexual assaults on their campuses. The Pulitzer judges called the work “a string of vivid reports revealing the perverse, punitive and cruel treatment given to sexual assault victims at Brigham Young University, one of Utah’s most powerful institutions.” (Read the stories here: http://www.pulitzer.org/winners/salt-lake-tribune-staff)

New this year: We’re having the event in the afternoon. When the conference ends, we’ll head over to Payette Brewing for beer, conversation and a bite from their food truck — join us!

When: 2 p.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday Oct. 14

Where: BSU Andrus Center, 301 S. Capitol Blvd. in Downtown Boise (entrance is on the corner, across from Trader Joe’s)

Cost: Free for Press Club members who pre-register at www.idahopressclub.org/events. Otherwise, cost is $10 at the door; $15 for non-members. No cost for students.

Questions? Email Southwest Chapter President Audrey Dutton at adutton@idahostatesman.com.

The rule of law and the role of the judiciary

By Betsy Russell

Those who attended last year’s Idaho Press Club fall conference had the opportunity to hear from former University of Idaho College of Law dean, and former Idaho Court of Appeals judge, Don Burnett, on the media’s role in shaping accurate public perceptions of the courts and their role in our American system of justice – something that’s widely misunderstood in our society today. Now, we are working with Burnett, Attorneys for Civic Education, the U.S. District Court for the District of Idaho, the Idaho Supreme Court, the UI College of Law and more on a half-day workshop, to take place in early February, for journalists, journalism professors and students.

Thanks to a small grant from the ACE, we plan to offer a limited number of expenses-paid fellowships for journalists from outside the Boise area to attend the workshop. We’re also welcoming interest from reporters, editors, producers and news directors in both the print and electronic media, college-level journalism instructors and college journalism students in attending this session, which will take place on a Saturday in Boise, most likely at the Idaho Law & Justice Learning Center.

Are you interested in attending? Is there someone you’d like to nominate for one of the fellowships? Please let me know.

We’re looking forward to a valuable and useful program that will help us improve our work and the public understanding of the role of the courts.

Journalist Sarah Jacobsen has joined KBOI/KYUU, from sister station KLEW in Lewiston. 

MOSCOW-PULLMAN DAILY NEWS

Kara McMurray was hired as a newsroom assistant at the Moscow-Pullman Daily News on Sept. 3. She previously worked as a reporter/photographer/editor at the Whitman County Gazette in Colfax, Wash. She is a 2014 graduate of the Murrow College of Communications at Washington State University and is studying online for a master’s in communication management from USC-Annenberg.

Taylor Nadauld has left the Pullman/Whitman County beat to take over the higher education beat for the Moscow-Pullman Daily News. Shanon Quinn has resigned as higher education reporter at the Moscow-Pullman Daily News and is now working in construction and pursuing personal writing projects.

IDAHO STATESMAN

Real-time news editor Holly Anderson left the Statesman to work at St. Luke’s. News reporter Kris Rodine left to work for the state Department of Education. Sports copy editor Ryan Horlen left for a job at the Spokesman Review.

In internal moves, John Sowell is now the Workplace/Economy reporter for the Statesman. Chadd Cripe was promoted to Sports Editor in July; and Michael Katz is now a reporter on the real-time news team.

IDAHO BUSINESS REVIEW

Liz Patterson joined the Idaho Business Review as web editor in mid-September. She develops the online reach of the newspaper through social media and the IBR website. Patterson earned a degree in communications North Idaho College while working for a local marketing firm. She is now pursuing a bachelor’s in psychology at Boise State University. In her free time, she volunteers for the Idaho Humane Society and is involved in advocacy related Boise State student organizations.

THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW

Longtime North Idaho reporter, editorial writer and blogger D.F. Oliveria retired in August, also retiring his “Huckleberries Online” blog, which has become a popular community forum. Oliveria capped at 47-year newspaper career, including 33 years with The Spokesman-Review. In his honor, Coeur d’Alene Mayor Steve Widmyer officially proclaimed Aug. 17 “DFO Day In CdA.”

Greg Lee, who covered prep sports for the S-R for 32 years, retired in September. Lee said he plans to do some part-time work for the newspaper after his retirement. He and Oliveria were among 10 S-R staffers who took advantage of a buyout offer from the paper.