The Buzz at Idaho Public Television

General Manager Peter Morrill The Buzz by Peter Morrill, IdahoPTV General Manager

5/15/2008 - Idaho Debates and KTVB Debates Now Available

I wanted to let you know that The Idaho Debates, a three decade partnership between the League of Women Voters of Idaho, the Idaho Press Club and Idaho Public Television are now available to watch on-line at:

http://idahoptv.org/elections/2008/

In addition, I'm pleased to let you know that the KTVB Debates, produced by KTVB-TV, Boise and their partnership have been made available today to Idaho Public Television. The can also be watched online at:

http://idahoptv.org/elections/2008/

We thank KTVB for their generosity and civic involvement.

5/6/2008 - Science Trek 2008 Success

On April 14, 2008, Dan Harbeke, Director of Public Affairs - Utah/Idaho/Montana - for Union Pacific Railroad, presented a check of support to me for IdahoPTV's SCIENCE TREK 2008. This caps a week of exciting fun around this year's SCIENCE TREK.

Peter Morrill accepts gift from Dan Harbeke

Science Trek 2008 logo

Idaho Museum of Natural History

Now in its second decade, SCIENCE TREK is a collaborative effort between the Idaho Museum of Natural History and IdahoPTV. On Friday night, April 12, 151 young future scientists enjoyed an exciting "Night at the Museum" at the Idaho Museum of Natural History at Idaho State University, Pocatello.

The kids had the opportunity to watch cool science experiments with ISU professors including Dr. Steve Shropshire. After the classes with the scientists, they were off to another building to see "Night at the Museum," which we felt would be quite the perfect movie for the evening. Then to the Student Union Building to have a (past) midnight snack, then down to the Museum to settle in for a sleepover. Lights finally were out at about 2::15 AM! Then the last of the pictures were breakfast (7:15 am), then the little Trekkers packing up and heading on their way home! We would also like to say a heartfelt thank you to those who helped sponsor some of the young scientists who would not have been able to attend this incredible event without you!

4/25/2008 - Major Honors for IdahoPTV!

Over this past weekend, Idaho Public Television was notified of three sets of major honors for our local produced programs and new media initiatives. They include:

Emmy statue 45th Annual Northwest Regional Emmy Award Nominations from the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences, Northwest Chapter:

Human Interest - News Series, "Barbara Morgan"; Marcia Franklin, Producer
Children/Youth (12 and Under) - Program/Special,"D4K"; Joan Cartan-Hansen, Producer; Sue Nass, Contributing Producer
Historic/Cultural - Program/Special, "The Idaho Homefront: Of Camps and Combat"; Jim Peck, Producer
Politics/Government - Program/Special, "Dialogue: Open Idaho"; Joan Cartan-Hansen, Producer
Sports - Program Series, "Outdoor Idaho: Motorized Idaho"; John Crancer, Producer
Interview/Discussion - Program/Special, "Dialogue: Barbara Morgan"; Marcia Franklin, Producer
Informational/Instructional - Program/Special, "Outdoor Idaho: A Middle Fork Journey"; Bruce Reichert, Executive Producer
Advanced Media, Children/Youth/Teens, "D4K Web Site"; Joan Cartan-Hansen, Producer; Sue Nass, Contributing Producer

Worldfest Awards:

Outdoor Idaho: A Middle Fork Journey Special Jury Prize, Sailing/Watersports*
Assassination: Idaho's Trial of the Century Special Jury Prize, History/Archaeology*
Idaho Homefront: Of Camps and Combat Platinum Educational/Instructional adult
Dialogue: Barbara Morgan Platinum Flight/ Space Travel
Open Idaho Gold Legal
Idaho Getaways Bronze Travel/Tourism
D4K Web Extra Gold Interactive-Educational- Children
*Special Jury Prize - Over the years, we have received a few Special Jury Awards for our programs including IN OUR OWN VOICE (Teens and Mental Illness), IDAHO RHAPSODY and OUTDOOR IDAHO: 20th ANNIVERSARY SHOW.

And finally, I was notified by the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences, Northwest Chapter, that I will receive a Silver Circle Award at NATAS' annual award ceremony in early June. The Silver Circle Award is as follows:

Silver Circle logo "The Silver Circle honors media professionals who began their careers in television at least 25 years ago, either in a performing, creative, technical or administrative role within the industry or in an area related to television such as TV journalism education, advertising, promotion, and public relations. The candidates must also have made a significant contribution to the Northwest Chapter television for at least part of their 25-year career. Nominees need not be a member of the Academy to qualify for induction. The Northwest Chapter of NATAS has been honoring and celebrating our Silver Circle members since 1991."

Since inception, only two Idahoans (Robert E. Kreuger and Marty Holtman) have received this honor. Needless to say, I'm pretty speechless about receiving this honor.