On retiring after a long journalism career

President's Column

By Betsy Russell

(Note: This column first appeared in the Idaho Press)

BOISE — It’s been quite a career.

I first decided I wanted to be a newspaper reporter when I was in the eighth grade, inspired by a fabulous junior high school journalism teacher. I edited both my junior high and high school newspapers, stirred up some controversy in the process, and started writing for my local … [Read more...]

Contest deadline is coming up Jan. 20

Get your entries in!

Now is the time to enter your best work of the year in the Idaho Press Club’s “Best of 2022” annual awards contest. The deadline is fast approaching on Jan. 20. If you haven’t done this already, it’s time to review and enter your best work of the year; you deserve the recognition!

Our Contest Committee this year conducted an extensive review and update to our categories. You’ll find an array of changes, including new categories for Spanish-language media and more. All entries are submitted online … [Read more...]

Apply now for Don Watkins student and mid-career scholarships

The Idaho Press Club annually awards $1,500 scholarships to Idaho college journalism students, along with a $500 mid-career scholarship for any training or project that will improve the working press in Idaho. Both are endowed scholarships, named in honor of Don Watkins, the former press secretary to Idaho Gov. John Evans who mentored scores of Idaho reporters and who died in 1981. The deadline to apply for both the student and mid-career scholarships this year is Feb. 15.

Interested in applying? Or know a deserving journalism … [Read more...]

Diversity fellowships available for SEJ conference

The national conference of the Society of Environmental Journalists will be in Boise this year, from April 19-23, and SEJ and The Uproot Project, a network for journalists of color who cover environmental issues as well as students and others aspiring to cover this beat, are partnering to offer diversity fellowships (worth up to $2500) to support attendance. The fellowships cover travel, lodging, the conference and a one-year SEJ membership, and are being offered to encourage journalists of color who have been historically underrepresented … [Read more...]

Media Moves

THE TIMES-NEWS, Twin Falls

Following 4 1/2 years as an editor at USA TODAY, where he led a national team of more than 20 editors and reporters, Steve Kiggins became the Times-News newsroom’s top editor on Nov. 14. He has won national, regional and state reporting awards over three decades in journalism, working mostly in Wyoming and Utah.

Jesse Gwin joined the Times-News on Oct. 31 as a sports reporter, covering primarily high school sports in the Magic Valley.

BOISE STATE PUBLIC RADIO

This past year … [Read more...]