Doing good work in extremely challenging times

President’s Column

By Betsy Russell

Yes, things have been rough. Really rough! But we’re all doing good work, and that matters.

Now it’s time to look over your work from 2020 and think about what you’d like to enter in our Best of 2020 annual awards contest. The best work from journalists in all media in Idaho, along with the work of journalism students and PR folks, is highlighted in this annual statewide contest, and you deserve the recognition!

The contest is opening for entries at our website, [Read more...]

Apply now for IPC’s Don Watkins student, mid-career scholarships

Deadline is Feb. 15

By Joan Cartan-Hansen
 
Need money for that professional training? Have a great idea for a story and no funds to get it to print or on the air? The Idaho Press Club can help.

The Don Watkins Mid-Career Scholarship awards $500 for any Idaho Press Club member to use for any training or project that will improve the working press in Idaho. This could include going to a conference you have wanted to attend or funding toward travel on that enterprise story you have been working on for months. The only catch: … [Read more...]

MEDIA MOVES

BOISE STATE PUBLIC RADIO

At the end of this year, Heath Druzin wraps up his time with Boise State Public Radio as the Audion Fellow for Guns & America. This grant-funded radio project, which began in Summer 2018, examined gun issues across the country. 

The public radio station welcomes newsroom interns Audrey Regan and Gustavo Sagrero.

Boise State Public Radio is the lead partner for the Mountain West News Bureau, which added three new reporters, showcasing its commitment to … [Read more...]

President’s column: It’s been quite a year; we’re still here!

By Betsy Russell

Normally, the Idaho Press Club’s annual membership meeting – at which we take care of such club business as the annual re-election of the board and officers and any bylaws changes – occurs at the same time as our annual awards banquet in the spring. This year, the banquet was canceled due to COVID-19, and we did our awards festivities online.

But then we realized we still had to hold an annual business meeting, so we did it via Zoom. The June 25 meeting was well-attended, positive, and pretty … [Read more...]

‘The urgency of inclusion in newsrooms’ Journalism amid pandemic and protests

By Tom Michael

The coronavirus pandemic and statewide stay-at-home orders this spring changed work life for many journalists. We had to come up with new ways to reach our sources, to upload to our broadcast channel and websites and to share with our audience. After Memorial Day, the nationwide vigils and protests following the killing of George Floyd further complicated the work of a remote and disparate workforce.

 Newsrooms had to pivot to meet new challenges. How do we safely cover street protests? How do … [Read more...]

Media Moves

New faces in your newsroom or communication department? Let everyone know. Send your Media Moves to: email@idahopressclub.org

BOISE STATE PUBLIC RADIO

In March 2020 Troy Oppie joined Boise State Public Radio as a full-time reporter and weekend host. He had been a freelancer and a volunteer for the radio station in the years prior. He began his journalism career in television sports and news at local stations in Seattle, Missoula and Boise. He rejoined journalism this year … [Read more...]

President’s column

Register now for unique training opportunity for Idaho journalist

By Betsy Russell

 Idaho Press Club members — both professional journalists and students — have a unique opportunity to learn about covering the courts from some of the top folks in the field, from journalists to attorneys and federal and state judges. It’s our 3rd annual Journalists Institute on Covering the Courts, in cooperation with Attorneys for Civic Education, the University of Idaho College of Law, the Idaho Supreme Court, and the U.S. … [Read more...]

Headliner event with Gov. Brad Little

DEADLINES COMING UP FAST

RSVP by February 13 

You're invited to the Idaho Press Club Southwest Chapter's breakfast with Gov. Brad Little. He'll share his thoughts on the session and answer your questions on the record.

This event is always popular, and we have limited space, so reserve your spot early! We did sell out last year. Payment is required to attend, even for folks who don't eat breakfast. Register at https://idahopressclub.org/events

When: 7:30-9 a.m., Wednesday, Feb. 19. Breakfast … [Read more...]

The Idaho Press Club offers two scholarships each year

Applications are due on February 15 of each year. The winner is announced at the Press Club’s annual awards banquet 

  •The Don Watkins Scholarship awards $1,500 to graduates of Idaho high schools who have completed at least one year of college and wish to pursue a career in journalism or communications. Full-time students majoring in journalism or working for a college or professional media outlet are eligible to apply. Click here for more details.

•The Mid-Career Scholarship awards $500 for any Idaho … [Read more...]

Mid-Career Scholarship winner report

 Going Behind the Scenes at the Idaho Governor's Cup

 by Audrey Dutton

I got a tip in 2018 to investigate spending by the Idaho Governor's Cup. The Idaho Statesman published the results of that reporting in a story that ran Jan. 3, 2019.

We found that over 10 years, the annual fundraiser cost $6.1 million to put on, while awarding just $2.1 million in scholarships. An interview with a regulatory expert also prompted a question about the event's purpose: Was it a political networking event, or was … [Read more...]

Media Moves

New faces in your newsroom or communication department? Let everyone know. Send your Media Moves to email@idahopressclub.org

COEUR D'ALENE PRESS

 The Coeur d'Alene Press welcomes back Bill Buley as assistant managing editor. For the past seven years, Buley was editor-in-chief of The Garden Island in Kauai. Prior to that, he was city editor at the CDA Press for 12 years.

 KIFI / KIDK TV

Jill Hodson is a new morning producer; she’s a graduate of Utah … [Read more...]