We have three big events coming up the first week of January, and registration for two of them is open now (there’s no registration required for the third one, the legislative kickoff). You won’t want to miss them. Here they are:

On Wednesday, Jan. 5, from 2-4 p.m. MT, there will be a free online seminar on Idaho public records and open meetings law hosted by Idahoans for Openness in Government and Idaho Attorney General Lawrence Wasden. It’s open to elected officials, government staff, reporters and members of the public. Please register online if you’d like to participate; it also will be archived on YouTube for viewing later (but if you participate during the session, you can submit questions). There’s more info and a registration link here: http://www.openidaho.org/upcoming-seminars/

On Thursday, Jan. 6, the Idaho Press Club will present an online trauma training session for journalists from 12:30 to 1:45 pm MT; it’s free for IPC members and $15 for non-member journalists. Advance registration is required; there’s more info and a registration form online here: https://idahopressclub.org/events/

On Friday, Jan. 7, the Idaho Press Club will host a 2022 Legislative Kickoff, which takes the place of the AP Legislative Preview that’s been held before legislative sessions in recent years. This will run from 8:30-11:30 a.m. MT in Room EW 42 of the state Capitol, and also will be streamed on Idaho Public TV’s Idaho InSession service. It’ll be an on-the-record session with Gov. Brad Little and legislative leadership from both houses and both parties. The governor will speak and take questions from 9-9:55 a.m.; legislative leaders from 10-10:55; and from 11-11:30, we’ll have introductions to the Capitol Correspondents Association and Idaho InSession and a tour of the Statehouse for new CCA members.

There’s more info online at the same Idaho Press Club events site linked above.

All this comes as we’ve also opened our Best of 2021 Annual Awards Contest for entries; it’s time to look over your best work from the year and enter it in the contest. The deadline to enter is Jan. 21.

Now, a word about the trauma training session, which is something new for us, and something our Idaho Press Club board felt strongly about offering to Idaho journalists in this difficult time.

The program, facilitated by the Dart Center for Trauma and Journalism, is entitled, “Stress, Trauma and Self Care for Journalists.”

Audrey Dutton, chair of our Training Committee, puts it this way: “Top of Form

Journalists, you’ve been through a lot. Here’s something that could help.”

Conditions in the last two years in Idaho and throughout the U.S. have placed extraordinary pressure on journalists, and the stress, trauma and burnout are real. The Idaho Press Club wants our members to have as many resources as possible for their well-being as we go through these unusual times for our industry and our nation.

The program covers basics of self-care and collegial support, including the impact of covering trauma and tragedy; exposure to and the impact of toxic imagery, harassment and threats; techniques for self-care; and peer support.

It’s a virtual program that will be offered via Zoom. Those who register will be sent an optional survey that will help the Dart Center design the program to match our needs here in Idaho.

Kudos to Audrey for making this happen and to all of you for continuing to do the important work you do.         

Betsy Russell is the Boise Bureau Chief for the Idaho Press, and is the president of the Idaho Press Club.

The deadline for contest entries this year is Jan. 21, but don’t wait until the last minute; you can enter right now and get it done (with one exception: General Excellence dates for the Publication Division will be announced on Jan. 15). This contest recognizes the best work in Idaho in 2021, and your work deserves this recognition!

All entries in this year’s contest must have been broadcast, telecast, or published in Idaho during the 2021 calendar year.

Entry fees this year are the same as last year: $20 per entry for current Idaho Press Club members, $15 for student members and $45 for non-members. You can join or renew your Press Club membership at the time you submit your contest entries; that likely will save you or your news organization money, and as a member, you’ll be supporting all the Press Club’s work to promote excellence in journalism, freedom of expression and freedom of information in Idaho for the next year.

This year’s contest includes numerous categories in these divisions: Student (print or broadcast); Publication (daily or weekly); Periodicals; Photography; Online; Television; Audio; Public Relations; and All Media Awards.

Questions? Call Martha at (208) 389-2879 or contact us at email@idahopressclub.org.

By Joan Cartan-Hansen

Have a great idea for a story and no funds to get it to print or on the air? Need money for professional training?  Apply for the Idaho Press Club’s Don Watkins Mid-Career Scholarship.

The 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. The only catch: You must share what you learn with Press Club members through a discussion at a conference or an article in an upcoming edition of the Communicator. Any Press Club member is eligible for this scholarship.

To apply, send your resume and a proposal for how you would spend the money to us via e-mail to email@idahopressclub.org. Applications are due February 15 of each year. The winner will be announced as part of the Press Club’s annual awards program in April. 

The Idaho Press Club offers scholarships for college students too. Graduates of Idaho high schools who have completed at least one year of college and wish to pursue a career in journalism or communications are eligible for the Don Watkins Memorial Scholarship of up to $1,500. Full-time students majoring in journalism or working for a college or professional media outlet are also eligible to apply.

If interested, submit a one-page resume; a 500-word essay explaining your interest in a journalism or communications career; samples of your journalistic work, whether published or unpublished; and a copy of your transcripts, including GPA, through the most recent fall term. Applications may be submitted electronically via email to email@idahopressclub.org. If you have video files, please upload them to YouTube or a similar site and send the link.  The deadline is also February 15^th.

For more information about either scholarship, call IPC Executive Director Martha Borchers at (208) 389-2879, or contact her by e-mail at email@idahopressclub.org.

Joan Cartan-Hansen is a producer, reporter, writer and host at Idaho Public Television, and is a board member of the Idaho Press Club who also chairs our Scholarship Committee.

Dave Rosenthal is now Managing Editor of the Mountain West News Bureau, a collaboration of public radio newsrooms led by Boise State Public Radio. Rosenthal guided other collaborations, including Side Effects Public Media and Great Lakes Today. Previously he worked for the Baltimore Sun, leading its investigative reporting unit. 

Mountain West News Bureau reporters Savannah Maher (New Mexico) and Amanda Peacher (formerly Idaho) left to join the national radio program Marketplace, while Maggie Mullen (Wyoming) left for WyoFile. Bert Johnson joined the team, representing northern Nevada, and Nate Hegyi took on the role of roving reporter, across the multi-state region. Bureau reporters Robyn Vincent and Madelyn Beck continue to represent Colorado and Idaho, respectively. 

Troy Oppie became the local Boise host of NPR’s All Things Considered, adding to his hosting duties of Weekend Edition on Saturdays.

Gustavo Sagrero, newsroom intern, left Boise State Public Radio for a one-year fellowship at KUNR, the public radio station in Reno. Abby Cheng joined as newsroom intern from the College of Idaho.

IDAHO STATESMAN

Ryan Suppe joins the Idaho Statesman on Dec. 27 as a state politics/investigative reporter. He previously worked at the Idaho Press.

Shaun Goodwin also will join the Statesman on Dec. 27 as a utility journalist. He’ll focus on topics at the top of readers’ minds. He had been covering pro soccer as a freelancer for the Kansas City Star.

Jacob Scholl left the Statesman in early December for a position at KSL in Salt Lake City.

Hayat Norimine was promoted from state politics reporter to accountability editor. Jim Keyser was promoted to assistant editor, with responsibility for sports, breaking news and entertainment.

Alex Brizee joins the Statesman on Jan. 3 as a breaking news/criminal justice reporter. The University of Idaho graduate previously covered local government for The Post and Courier’s Myrtle Beach (South Carolina) bureau.

IDAHO EDUCATION NEWS

Blake Jones joined Idaho Education News in April. He had been a reporter at the Idaho Press in Canyon County. He’ll cover the politics and policy creation of Idaho’s K-12 public schools. He’ll be a daily fixture at the Statehouse during the 2022 legislative session and he’ll cover the 2022 election season. He replaces Clark Corbin, who left for the Idaho Capital Sun at the beginning of 2021. 

Kyle Pfannenstiel joined Idaho Education News in November. He previously reported on rural health care for the Post Register in Idaho Falls. He will cover policy implementation in K-12 public schools. Kyle replaces Nik Streng, who was hired as a high school sports coverage coordinator for the Oregonian. 

Sami Edge left Idaho Education News and moved to Portland. She will continue to contract with Idaho Education News into 2022. Editor Jennifer Swindell is looking to fill her full-time position, which includes covering equity and diversity issues in public education. Contact Jennifer for more information. 

Devin Bodkin was promoted to assistant editor at Idaho Education News. He’ll continue to report on eastern Idaho education news but he’ll also take on more management duties. 

KTVB TV

Longtime anchor Kim Fields announced that she will be leaving KTVB and the news industry after a dozen years at Channel 7 to spend more time with her family. Kim has over two decades of experience in the field of journalism, as a producer, reporter, and anchor. Her last day was Thursday, Dec. 16.

“After spending 22 years of my life in a newsroom, 12 of which at KTVB, it’s time for me to embark on a new adventure and to spend more time with my family,” Kim said. “Thank you for inviting me into your homes all these years. It has been a privilege and absolute joy.”

KIVI TV

Reporter Madison Hardy joins KIVI on Jan. 5; she comes from a reporting position at the Coeur d’Alene Press. Rachel Garceau has left Good Morning Idaho to become the public information officer for Central District Health.

KSAW TV

Stephanie Garibay has left for a position with the Scripps station in Las Vegas, jumping up 150 markets. Evelyn Avitia, a University of Idaho graduate, is among new hires at KSAW, as is Isabella Bright, a USC Annenberg graduate.

THE JUDICIARY

Idaho Press Club board member Debora Kristensen Grasham has been selected to become a U.S. Magistrate Judge and will succeed current Chief Magistrate Judge Candy Dale when Dale retires April 1. Grasham is an attorney and senior litigation partner with Givens Pursley in Boise; she is a recognized expert on media law who long has represented Idaho news media outlets in court. She also has extensive trial court experience in commercial and employment law.

Our contest recognizes everything from spot news coverage to investigations to the Rookie of the Year. Photography and videography, opinion writing, design, sports reporting, media innovation and general excellence are all among the categories available for entering. There’s outdoors reporting, election reporting, headlines, COVID-19 pandemic coverage, and public affairs programs. Reviews, features and columns. Public affairs programs, documentaries, and best use of social media.

Our contest recognizes the best work from journalists in all media in Idaho, along with the work of journalism students and PR folks. 

Look over the categories at our website, www.idahopressclub.org, look back at the fine work you’ve done in this incredibly challenging year, and enter the contest. We’ll look forward to celebrating with you in the spring; we are crossing our fingers for an in-person awards banquet, tentatively set for April 30, 2022.

Also in the works right now: Our Training Committee is looking into offering a high-quality, online training session for our members on stress, trauma and self-care for journalists, something our entire board agrees is much-needed in this stressful era in newsrooms around the state. Stay tuned for more info soon.

And the deadline for our Don Watkins Memorial Scholarship for college students, and our Don Watkins Mid-Career Scholarship for any of us, is Feb. 15. Details are on our website; the mid-career scholarship provides $500 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: You must share what you learn with Press Club members through a discussion at a conference or an article in an upcoming edition of the Communicator. Any Press Club member is eligible for this scholarship.

The student scholarship, for up to $1,500, is for 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 also eligible to apply.

Kudos to all Idaho journalists for the important work you do. It matters!

By Betsy Z. Russell

When Idaho Lt. Gov. Janice McGeachin called a “press conference” at an eastern Idaho elementary school on Oct. 14, she promised in her announcement to “set the record straight regarding the litigation in which the Lt. Governor’s office has recently been engaged.”

That would be the Idaho Press Club’s public records lawsuit against her, on behalf of four different Idaho reporters from three different news outlets, which McGeachin not only lost, but for which she was fined $750 for “bad faith” violations of the Idaho Public Records Act and ordered to pay the Press Club’s attorney fees and costs.

At the eastern Idaho event, McGeachin took no questions from the press. Instead, she railed against media coverage of her unsuccessful fight against releasing public records regarding her education task force. She was joined by Coeur d’Alene attorney Art Macomber, who has announced he’s running for Idaho Attorney General; Macomber assailed the current Idaho Attorney General for “bad lawyering” in the records case, though McGeachin hired outside attorney Colton Boyles of Sandpoint to represent her.

McGeachin also blamed the Attorney General’s office for her court loss, and held up a printout of a June 7 email between the AG’s office and her office, claiming the email was proof that the whole thing was the Attorney General’s fault, as she had consulted with his office prior to hiring her outside counsel.

“The Attorney General’s office notified us that they would no longer defend their position because of the composition of the task force, which had been publicly known for more than one month,” McGeachin said. “And I have the email right here in my hand to indicate that. The Attorney General’s office welcomed us to seek a second opinion from outside counsel. Subsequent legal counsel followed the previous arguments laid out by the Attorney General’s office. If you have questions on this advice, I’ll refer them to the Attorney General’s office.”

So I filed a public records request for that email. And that’s not exactly what the email says. Instead, it shows that a deputy attorney general suggested the only public records exemption under Idaho law that might apply to the records requested by Idaho Capital Sun reporter Audrey Dutton was one regarding substituting initials for a minor’s full name. Aside from that, the office advised McGeachin to “produce the full spreadsheet to Ms. Dutton as soon as possible and no later than the end of the business day tomorrow. If you disagree with our advice, you may wish to seek a second opinion from other counsel.”

McGeachin subsequently obtained her private counsel, and argued that the records were exempt from disclosure under a slew of unrelated public records exemptions. 4th District Judge Steven Hippler wrote in his Aug. 26 ruling in the case that McGeachin’s attempts at withholding the documents from public view were baseless and frivolous and that some of the exemptions she cited — including one specific to hunting and fishing licenses — were so irrelevant that it appeared the lieutenant governor “may have blindly selected them at random.”

Jordan Watters, chief of staff for the lieutenant governor, wrote in his response to my request that emails between the two offices were “protected by attorney-client privilege and are therefore exempt from disclosure,” but did release the one email that McGeachin specifically cited and held up at her public event, which would typically waive that privilege. “Other than the single email referenced above, no other emails between the office of the Lt. Governor and that of the Attorney General have been or will be released by this office,” he wrote.

Here is the email that was released:

From: Kolts, Rachel
Sent: Monday, June 7, 2021 1:12 PM
To: Jordan Watters
Cc: Snook, Andrew; Julie Weaver
Subject: Ms. Dutton’s public record request –CONFIDENTIAL/PRIVILEGED
Attachments: 2021-06-07_Ltr from Olson re public records request.pdf

Follow Up Flag: Follow up

Flag Status: Completed

Hi Jordan, I received your voicemail but have not had the opportunity to return your call. I also received the attached letter this morning.

As it currently stands, the only exemption within the Public Records Act that would likely survive a challenge would be the one provided for in Idaho Code section 74-106(4)(h), allowing for a minor’s name to be redacted to show only the minor’s initials and not the minor’s full name. It is unlikely that the legislative exemption we previously discussed with you could survive a challenge if relied upon. The factors indicating that it could be available are no longer applicable. Specifically, the analysis we provided earlier was prior to the Task Force being named and convened. Based on what we now understand to be the construction and makeup of the Task Force, it does not appear to meet the criteria of the legislative exemption.

We recommend that your office review the full spreadsheet for any redactions pursuant to 74-106(4)(h) and produce the full spreadsheet to Ms. Dutton as soon as possible and no later than the end of the business day tomorrow. If you disagree with our advice, you may wish to seek a second opinion from other counsel.

Rachel L. Kolts
Deputy Attorney General Contracts & Administrative Law Division
Office of the Attorney General”

That email, by the way, was sent six weeks before the Press Club filed its lawsuit.

Betsy Russell is the Boise bureau chief for the Idaho Press, and is the president of the Idaho Press Club.

J Bates is one of the newest members of the Idaho Press Club board.  He is the News Director for Idaho News 6, covering the Treasure Valley on KIVI and the Magic Valley on KSAW.  Born in Rexburg, he has worked at every station in Boise, as well as at stations in Pocatello and Salt Lake City.  His first job was in Cadillac, Michigan.  He became Idaho News 6’s News Director in 2018.
 
Interviewed by Joan Cartan-Hansen
 
Where did you go to college?
 
Weber State University for undergrad; Gonzaga University for a Master’s
 
What made you decide to go into television journalism?
 
I was working in radio and television paid better. I loved sports, the camera kind of liked me and someone called in sick.  True story.
 
One of your jobs has been as a digital director.  What does a digital director do?
 
I oversaw the editorial process on our digital platforms including social, website, mobile apps and streaming.
 
What is the best part about being a news director?
 
When someone comes into my office and  says, “I have an idea.”
 
What is the hardest part about being a news director?
 
Remembering to eat lunch.  Kidding, kind of. It’s how quickly your schedule can fill up from what you want to do, with what you have to do when someone walks in and says, “I have an idea.”
 
Where do you think local news will be in 20 years?
 
I think it will be more firmly planted in the pillars of good journalism but on platforms that haven’t even been considered yet. Staffed by people who see it as a cause and not a career.
 
Why did you join the Idaho Press Club board?
 
I take pride in being a leader on where journalism could end up, so I wanted to share my enthusiasm with the state and not just my newsroom.  I am a professor trapped in a News Director’s body and see this as an opportunity to raise the level of journalism in the state.
 
And most importantly, does the “J” stand for something?
 
It’s actually just J.  It’s was my father’s middle name, his father’s first name and his father’s middle name.  The assumption is somewhere around 1890 someone in the line wasn’t able to write “John” which is also a common name in our family tree.
 
Is there anything else you’d like your fellow Press Club members to know?
 
My sense of humor can be VERY dry.
 
Joan Cartan-Hansen is a producer/reporter/writer/host with Idaho Public Television and the treasurer of the Idaho Press Club.

COEUR D’ALENE PRESS

The Press recently created a new position, regional design editor, and filled it with Grant Purdum. Grant has worked for a number of newspapers across the West, most recently for Gannett as a designer based in Spokane. He’s a Washington State University grad.

Nine-year veteran Press education reporter and feature writer Devin Weeks left to work in the communications department at Kootenai Health, the regional hospital with 3,600 employees. Devin was replaced by Hannah Neff, who had been a copy editor at The Press for one year.

IDAHO BUSINESS REVIEW

Alx Stevens is the new managing editor at the Idaho Business Review. Former managing editor Sharon Fisher became a digital nomad in October, then left Idaho Business Review and is freelancing for journalism and corporate clients as she travels the world.

IDAHO STATESMAN

Rachel Spacek joined the Statesman in May to cover local governments in western Ada County and Canyon County, plus the Latino community. She previously worked at the Idaho Press. Sally Krutzig joined the Statesman in May to cover growth and development. She previously worked at the Post Register.

Becca Savransky joined the Statesman in June as an education reporter through a partnership with Report for America. The position is funded by philanthropy. She previously worked at SeattlePI.

Kyle Land joined the Statesman in July to cover the city of Boise, after previously working at the Albuquerque Journal in New Mexico. Kevin Fixler joined the Statesman in June as an investigative reporter. He most recently worked at the Santa Rosa (California) Press Democrat. Paul Schwedelson joined the Statesman in September as a local government and breaking news reporter. He previously worked at the Idaho Press. Gustavo Sagrero joined the Statesman in September as a sports clerk and news intern. He also works at Boise State Public Radio.

Bryan Clark joined the Statesman in October as an opinion writer. He previously worked at the Post Register in Idaho Falls. Nicole Blanchard was promoted in June to investigative reporter. She still covers outdoor recreation and the environment.

Hayley Harding left in April for a job at the Detroit News. She previously covered the city of Boise.

Nicole Foy left in July for a job at the Austin (Texas) American-Statesman. She previously was an investigative reporter and covered the Latino community.

KIVI 6/KNIN Fox 9/KSAW TV

Obaiy Hashem, producer for Fox 9, has left to work on the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. Jake Brasil has left KSAW in Twin Falls to work as PIO for the Boys and Girls Club in the Magic Valley.

Rachel Garceau has left Good Morning Idaho, which airs on both KIVI and KSAW, to become the PIO for Central District Health.

Evelyn Avitia, a University of Idaho graduate, started Oct. 18 as a multimedia journalist for KSAW in Twin Falls. Isabella Bright, a graduate from USC’s Annenberg School of Journalism, started on Nov. 1 as a multimedia journalist for KSAW in Twin Falls.
 

IDAHO PRESSTeddy Feinberg was named managing editor in June; he previously was news editor at the Bakersfield Californian. Feinberg was selected after a national search. He replaces Holly Beech, who worked at the Press for a decade before leaving for a position with the Idaho Office for Refugees.

Laura Guido joined the Press as city editor in September. She most recently worked as a reporter, editor and designer at the Woodinville Weekly, and previously worked for the Whidbey News-Times and the Columbia Basin Herald. Digital Editor Madison Guernsey joined the Press in May. He was with the Idaho State Journal for six years and also worked for the Lewiston Tribune.  New reporters at the Idaho Press include Alexandra Duggan, who started in October; she is a University of Idaho graduate and a Meridian native. Reporter Erin Banks Rusby joined the staff in June; she holds a master’s degree in journalism from the University of California-Berkeley and formerly freelanced for publications including the Idaho Business Review.

Reporter Carolyn Komatsoulis joined the Press in May; a Boston University graduate, she most recently reported for the Columbus Telegram/Schuyler Sun in Columbus, Nebraska and previously worked for the Berkshire Eagle and Voice of America.

Former reporter Erin Sheridan left the Press in June and now works for Interfaith Sanctuary. Former reporter Paul Schwedelson departed in September to join the Idaho Statesman; former reporter Rachel Spacek departed in May to do the same.
BOISE WEEKLY

Jeanne Huff, community engagement editor for the Idaho Press, has been promoted into a dual role where she now also serves as editor of the Boise Weekly. The Weekly (and the Idaho Press features staff) has also welcomed new reporter Bowen West, who comes from Missoula. 

KTVB TV

Jessica Hagan took the helm as President and General Manager, coming from KING5, KTVB’s sister station in Seattle, where she most recently served as Director of Sales. Katija Stjepovic came to KTVB for her first full-time reporting role from KSTU in Salt Lake.

Tyson White, chief photographer, left for opportunities outside of news. Natalee Allen was promoted from Executive Producer to Assistant News Director. Shirah Matsuzawa was promoted from MSJ/reporter to Weekend Anchor/Producer. (MSJ stands for multi-skilled journalist.)

Joey Pretchl, MSJ/reporter, took a position as a communication specialist with an Oregon school district. Zoran Tesic transferred from Tegna’s Memphis station to take the chief photographer position. Tristan Lewis joined KTVB as an MSJ/reporter coming from the Tegna station in Bryan, TX after spending time at Local News 8.

Logan Smith joined as an editor for Wake Up Idaho but will soon be moving to a visual producer role for The 208. Melissa Mione transferred from the production team at KTVB to a newscast producer. John Mark Krum also transferred from production to a news editor.

Jeremy Stiles moved from a broadcast producer to a full-time digital producer. Tyson Miller, broadcast/digital producer, left KTVB for an opportunity outside of the business. Tami Tremblay, Saturday Morning News anchor/reporter, left KTVB to spend more time with family.

Chase Biefeldt, MSJ/reporter, moved back home to report at WBIR in Knoxville, Tennessee. Andrew Baertlein began his journalism career as a MSJ/reporter after graduating from the Edward R. Murrow College of Communication at Washington State University. Melissa Stoner hung up her marketing director hat to pursue other opportunities.

Brielle Anderson, producer, left the news business. Lucas Gebhart, producer, left for the Boise Metro Chamber of Commerce. Brenda Rodriguez came to KTVB as a MSJ/reporter and Saturday Morning news anchor/producer from Redwood News and has also begun local reporting in Spanish.

Katie Yeatts came to KTVB from Chicago for a producer job. She previously worked for Big Ten Network and Marquee Sports Network. Morgan Romero returned to KTVB as an anchor/investigative reporter after several years in Portland at KGW.

Mark Johnson announced he will be retiring in December. Brian Holmes will continue on The 208 at 5 p.m. and begin also anchoring the News at 10 at that time.

Doug Petcash will be moving to the News at Noon, continuing Viewpoint, and anchoring the News at 6 as soon as KTVB finds the perfect Wake Up Idaho anchor to join Maggie and Larry. Celina Van Hyning will be making a move our sister station in Spokane to produce for KREM morning news and their digital platforms.

Darren Damon left KTVB for a position at Bilbao & Co. Bridger Cowan just joined the Wake Up Idaho team as an editor. Paul Boehlke will be leaving for the Idaho Farm Bureau. Ky Tucker will be returning to Boise for a producer role from KING5 in Seattle.

IDAHO MOUNTAIN EXPRESS

The Mountain Express is currently recruiting for a general assignment reporter, a full-time position in the resort community of Sun Valley. For details, see idahopressclub.org under the “Jobs” tab.

For the second straight year, the COVID-19 pandemic has prompted us to shift our gala annual awards banquet to an enjoy-from-home online contest reveal instead, and it’s coming up on Saturday, May 1^st at noon MT.

You can still dress up in your finery if you choose, and please feel free to share the news about your successes online with the hashtag #idahopressclub. We’ve all worked incredibly hard in the past year under extremely challenging conditions, and the accolades for doing good journalism in Idaho are extraordinarily well-deserved.

Our contest includes divisions ranging from daily and weekly publications to television, online journalism, photography, audio, all-media awards, public relations, and student journalists’ work. And even in this difficult year, we had more than 1,000 entries across all divisions and categories, beating last year’s level. Our contest was judged by our peers around the country, just as we help judge journalism contests for other states. The competition was stiff – some categories had more than two dozen entries competing for the awards!

Whether you won a first-place plaque, took second or third place, won an honorable mention, or just competed in this talented field, your hard work is deserving of praise. On May 1, we honor all Idaho journalists. Your work has kept Idahoans informed when they needed it most, and helped spread light in a very dark year.

On May 1, just go to idahopressclub.org at noon MT (or any time thereafter), to find out the results of this year’s “Best of 2020” Annual Awards Contest. Full results will be unveiled there for all divisions and categories.

The actual plaques and certificates will either be shipped or delivered to you or your newsroom in the coming weeks; if you have any questions about that, our executive director, Martha Borchers, can help.

So check the results, fire off a tweet, lift a cup, snap a selfie, take a victory lap, cheer your colleagues, and celebrate on Saturday. And don’t forget the hashtag (#idahopressclub)!

Betsy Z. Russell is the Boise bureau chief for the Idaho Press and is the president of the Idaho Press Club.

We skipped the bacon this year. But we got the quotes

By Audrey Dutton

Last year’s Idaho Press Club legislative headliner events were among the last large gatherings some of us attended before the pandemic struck Idaho.

This year, we took the annual Governor’s Breakfast and Legislative Luncheon to Zoom.

That didn’t exactly ease our Zoom fatigue, and we missed seeing each other in person, chatting and enjoying the breakfast and lunch buffets. But this approach did have some perks:

— We could open the event to journalists and Press Club members around the state.

— We didn’t have to charge for admission.

We also scheduled the events within a week of each other — for the first time in at least a decade. This gave us the opportunity to press the executive and legislative branches for answers on the same issues, at about the same time.

Southwest Chapter board member Mike Sharp moderated the live Q&A with Gov. Brad Little on Wednesday, March 3, and with House and Senate leaders from both parties on Monday, March 8.

Dozens of you joined the calls, asking these state leaders about everything from pandemic response to education and tax policy to housing costs and minimum wage.

In case you missed the events, Southwest Chapter board member James Dawson recorded them for you. For video or audio recordings of the Governor’s Breakfast, click here. For an audio recording (mp3) of the legislative headliner event, click here.

Audrey Dutton is a senior reporter for the Idaho Capital Sun and is the president of the Southwest Chapter of the Idaho Press Club.