By Natalie Hurst

It's 8:58 pm. For the past four years at this time, I've usually been going through my 10 p.m. scripts and reviewing the lead reporter's top story before her live shot. But tonight, like any Monday-Friday in my new lifestyle, I'm instead listening to the theme song for "Emergency!" and 90 seconds away from a new show open: the 9 p.m. news on KBCI's second channel, RetroTV (KYUU).

What's happened? Has 9 become the new 10?

"It's not an age group, it's more a lifestyle that we're … [Read more...]

By Shea Andersen
Although it was a beautiful Saturday, journalists and media professionals crowded inside a U.S. Bank building conference room for the 2009 Fall Conference, organized by the Southwest Chapter of the Idaho Press Club.

The theme of this year's conference was "Back to Basics." Instead of wringing their hands over the fate of the industry, reporters and editors learned about pertinent media law in the Internet age and heard from newsmakers about what it's like to be on their side of the microphone.
… [Read more...]

Glimmers of hope in tough times
By Betsy Russell

When I asked our lead presenter at the recent Fall Conference how things were going at his paper, The Oregonian, I was startled by the answer: They're cutting 70 positions in the newsroom. I shouldn't have been startled. This, of course, is what's going on in our industry right now. My own paper is cutting three more newsroom positions right now, and we're all getting another week's furlough on top of the earlier furlough week and the pay cuts. The Statesman laid off its … [Read more...]

By Kevin Richert

An Ada County magistrate judge has refused to release a search warrant in the Robert Manwill murder case -- saying the document would compromise the defendants' right to a fair trial in the high-profile case. The Idaho Statesman has pressed for the release of the warrant. The following editorial appeared in the Sept. 25 Statesman:

The Robert Manwill disappearance became big news - and the Boise Police Department did nothing to discourage it.

The police held frequent and excruciatingly … [Read more...]

By Shea Andersen

More than 100 people gathered in Boise's Municipal Park in early October to celebrate the life of Chuck Oxley, an Idaho newsman who died in a car accident on October 3. He was 46.

Oxley, like many reporters, worked for several news organizations in Idaho, and made an impression on most of those with whom he worked. At the memorial, several reporters and editors spoke about his good humor, his idealism and his dedication to the craft.

Oxley had made a rare transition back into news … [Read more...]

By Shea Andersen

You might expect public radio to be the last place for a television news personality to land. And Elizabeth Duncan might agree with you. But Duncan, the News Director for Boise State Radio, seems right at home in the station's rabbit warren of desks and recording equipment. She's determined to pep up the station's reporting and presentation, and eagerly awaits the planned move to new offices off the main campus.

Duncan, 45 and the newest member of the state board for the Idaho Press Club, has … [Read more...]

TELEVISION
KTVB

Nick McMullin has been promoted from studio cameras operator to morning editor.   Kim Fields joins KTVB as weekend anchor / reporter from WTVC in Chattanooga, TN.  Nishi Gupta joins KTVB as a reporter from WHOI in Peoria, IL.   Kaycee Murray, Nick Gamb and Jay Howell are no longer with the station.

KBCI

Alana Brophy is the new weekend weather / reporter from KCSG-TV in St. George, UT.  Jen Wahl joins KBCI as a reporter from Arizona State … [Read more...]