On Oct. 1, Idaho Public Television held its annual volunteer appreciation event at its studios in Boise. Volunteers were treated to dinner, thanked for their service, and shown previews of upcoming local and national programs that their volunteer work makes possible.
According to Shane Chariton, IdahoPTV major giving director, volunteers worked a combined 5,509 hours this past year. Using a $24.69 value of a volunteer hour (calculated annually by Independent Sector), that’s the equivalent of $136,017 donated as volunteer work — funds that were able to be put toward programs and activities that support IdahoPTV’s mission: to encourage lifelong learning, connect Idaho communities, and enrich the lives of all Idahoans.
Terry “The Mule” Lee (pictured) was named Idaho Public Television’s volunteer of the year. “It’s not often that volunteers can keep up with our award-winning production crew — but Terry worked 204 hours this year alone, carrying equipment and assisting the crew on Outdoor Idaho shoots for many of the shows you’ll enjoy this year. His hard work in the field year after year is much appreciated!” Chariton says.
“The staff of Idaho Public Television wishes to thank all of our wonderful volunteers,” Chariton says. “We are incredibly grateful for each and every one of you and your volunteer support throughout the year!”
Idaho Public Television invites the public to attend a free preview of the new PBS KIDS animated series Let’s Go Luna! at one of several theaters around the state.
Let’s Go Luna! follows the hilarious adventures of three friends — Leo, a wombat from Australia; Carmen, a butterfly from Mexico; and Andy, a frog from the U.S. — as they traverse the globe with their parents’ traveling performance troupe, “Circo Fabuloso.” At each of the Circo’s stops, Luna the Moon guides the trio as they get to know the local region and its people.
The preview events are free, but attendees are encouraged to register in order to assure adequate seating. Previews will be held at the following locations:
In conjunction with the upcoming PBS series Native America, Idaho Public Television is hosting a preview and panel discussion to take a closer look at Idaho’s Native American Indian tribes.
Along with a preview of the premiere episode of Native America, IdahoPTV producer Aaron Kunz will moderate a panel discussion with representatives from Idaho’s Native American tribes and experts from Idaho universities. The discussion will explore the impact Native tribes have on Idaho’s economy and the role education plays in the opportunities available to tribal students.
The public is invited to join us for this preview and panel discussion:
The panel discussion will be live-streamed on the IdahoPTV Facebook page.
Kunz is producing two short video segments that will premiere during the preview event and air on IdahoPTV. One documentary will focus on the economic impact of Idaho’s tribal communities — with their casinos, convention centers, fisheries and recreational opportunities — on neighboring communities. The other will explore the ways tribal leaders and school districts are encouraging students to pursue higher education and then return to the reservation to be the next generation of teachers.
About the Series ‘Native America’: At the intersection of Native knowledge and modern scholarship is a new vision of America and its people. Native America is a four-part PBS series that challenges everything we thought we knew about the Americas before and since contact with Europe. It travels through 15,000 years to showcase massive cities, unique systems of science, art and writing, and 100 million people connected by social networks and spiritual beliefs spanning two continents. The series reveals some of the most advanced cultures in human history and the Native American people who created it and whose legacy continues, unbroken, to this day. The series explores this extraordinary world through an unprecedented combination of cutting-edge science and traditional indigenous knowledge—featuring sacred rituals filmed for the first time, history changing scientific discoveries, and rarely heard voices from the living legacy of Native American culture. ‘Native America’ airs Oct. 23 and 30 at 9 PM and Nov. 13 at 9 & 10 PM on Idaho Public Television.
In mid-September, the Idaho Public Television signal broadcasting from the translator near Hagerman, Idaho, will be re-channeled.
Between Sept. 18 and 30, viewers in the area who receive IdahoPTV via an over-the-air antenna will lose their signal and will need to perform a rescan of their digital TV sets or tuners in order to receive the updated channels.
Information on performing a rescan is located here: fcc.gov/rescan.
If the rescan does not display the new channel, it may be necessary to follow these additional steps:
Turn off the television set or converter box
Unplug the power to the TV or box
Disconnect the antenna from the TV or box
Wait 10 minutes
Plug the power back into the TV or box
Rescan the channels with the antenna still unattached
When the scan is complete, reattach the antenna and rescan channels again.
Last year, as part of the FCC’s nationwide Broadcast Spectrum Incentive Auction, telecommunications company T-Mobile purchased spectrum in the 600 MHz block across the continental United States to bolster their cellular network. The Hagerman translator sits in the middle of T-Mobile’s purchased spectrum and is required to change channels or terminate operations entirely. IdahoPTV was successful in applying for and receiving a new channel assignment to continue broadcasting in the area.
“A nod should be given to T-Mobile in that they graciously offered to pay for the equipment and services necessary to relocate our service to a new channel,” says Rich Van Genderen, Idaho Public Television’s director of technology. “So although this is an inconvenience, at least it isn’t an unfunded mandate for us to meet.”
Attention SALMON and LEADORE area viewers: During Thursday’s re-channeling of the Salmon translator, our technicians experienced a complete amplifier failure. Our signal in the Salmon and Leadore areas is currently off the air. Engineers are working to rebuild the amplifier, but there’s no timeline yet for the signal to be restored. We’ll post notices on our website (idahoptv.org) as we receive updates. [Sept. 14]
In mid-September, the Idaho Public Television signal broadcasting from the translator near Salmon, Idaho, will be re-channeled.
Between Sept. 13 and 16, viewers in the area who receive IdahoPTV via an over-the-air antenna will lose their signal and will need to perform a rescan of their digital TV sets or tuners in order to receive the updated channels.
Information on performing a rescan is located here: fcc.gov/rescan.
If the rescan does not display the new channel, it may be necessary to follow these additional steps:
Turn off the television set or converter box
Unplug the power to the TV or box
Disconnect the antenna from the TV or box
Wait 10 minutes
Plug the power back into the TV or box
Rescan the channels with the antenna still unattached
When the scan is complete, reattach the antenna and rescan channels again.
Last year, as part of the FCC’s nationwide Broadcast Spectrum Incentive Auction, telecommunications company T-Mobile purchased spectrum in the 600 MHz block across the continental United States to bolster their cellular network. The Salmon translator sits in the middle of T-Mobile’s purchased spectrum and is required to change channels or terminate operations entirely. IdahoPTV was successful in applying for and receiving a new channel assignment to continue broadcasting in the area.
“A nod should be given to T-Mobile in that they graciously offered to pay for the equipment and services necessary to relocate our service to a new channel,” says Rich Van Genderen, Idaho Public Television’s director of technology. “So although this is an inconvenience, at least it isn’t an unfunded mandate for us to meet.”
Idaho Public Television today announced the launch of American Graduate: Getting to Work, a career readiness initiative that will produce local content focused on helping young people obtain the skills needed for high-demand jobs.
Preparing workers for so-called “middle-skills” jobs, which require training but not a four-year college degree, is becoming a priority in many communities. Those careers — such as electricians, dental hygienists, paralegals, construction workers and police officers — make up the largest part of the labor market in all 50 states, according to the National Skills Coalition.
IdahoPTV has begun working with community partners — Idaho Department of Labor, Idaho Career and Technical Education, Idaho Workforce Development Council, and Idaho State Board of Education with projects such as the Next Steps Idaho website and the Idaho Career Information System portal — to assess workforce needs and determine the best strategies through which to illuminate the pathways to post-secondary education and career placement.
Over the next two years, new locally produced content will be added to the American Graduate website idahoptv.org/americangraduate and shared on social media. Content will include video interviews with Idaho students, employers, teachers, counselors and parents sharing stories and information to help young people navigate the paths to their chosen careers.
American Graduate: Getting to Work is made possible by a grant from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB). IdahoPTV is one of 19 public media stations nationwide to receive a grant of between $170,000 and $200,000. The station previously aired American Graduate Day programming and produced American Graduate Champion videos celebrating local mentors, but this is its first time requesting a grant. With the funds, IdahoPTV has hired multimedia producer Andy Lawless to create original content and to work with community partners to develop strategies for reaching young people.
“I’m excited to explore the opportunities available to folks entering the workforce here in Idaho and tell those stories,” Lawless says. “There’s a perception that in order to have a good career, a four-year degree is required, which for many is cost prohibitive. But with Idaho’s 17 career and technical schools, we see a variety of ways in which people can affordably fast-track their way to a great skills-based career, whether it be in health sciences, manufacturing, business, technology or agriculture. My hope is that by fulfilling the initiative of the American Graduate grant, and informing the public about the pathways to high-demand jobs, we’re able to help people find a better place in the workforce and improve their lives.”
A recent study by the United Way shows that even with 4 percent unemployment in Idaho, 40 percent of households cannot afford basic needs such as housing, food, health care and transportation. Lawless says that some of that can be attributed to Idaho’s workforce not having the training necessary to fill those middle-skilled, in-demand jobs that offer higher pay.
Even though pursuing a certificate or two-year degree requires an initial investment of time and funds, 96 percent of technical college students found jobs or began military careers, or continued their education, according to Idaho Career and Technical Education.
In an April interview with the trade journal Current, IdahoPTV General Manager Ron Pisaneschi and Jeff Tucker, the station’s director of content services, discuss the benefits of increased technical training to Idaho employers, especially in the state’s rural areas. Tucker notes the collaboration between yogurt manufacturer Chobani, which recently announced a $20 million expansion of its facility in Twin Falls, and a community college that is teaching workers how to program and operate specialized equipment at the plant.
Pisaneschi explains how traditional industries like logging benefit from middle-skills training programs. “This isn’t your father’s or grandfather’s idea of a logger,” he says. “This work is computerized and uses lasers. In the old days, all you needed was to enjoy physical labor outdoors. Now it involves high-tech skills.” Pisaneschi also stresses the importance of technical training for the sustainability of Idaho’s rural towns. “We’ve found that lot of parents are reluctant to have kids go on to higher education because they don’t want them to leave the community,” he says. “But having a trained workforce available there will make industries interested in those communities.”
Viewers in the Coeur d’Alene area — You’re invited to join us for a casual reception with Idaho Public Television’s General Manager Ron Pisaneschi, Executive Producer Bruce Reichert, IdahoPTV board of directors and staff. Following the reception, enjoy an update on all the programming and community events that your support makes possible. We’ll also share a sneak peek of upcoming national and local productions, including a first look at a new Outdoor Idaho episode, Pend Oreille Country.
Sunday, September 16 at 6:30 PM
The Innovation Den – 418 E. Lakeside Ave, Coeur d’Alene
The event is free, but seating is limited. Please register online by Wednesday, September 12. Please phone us at (800) 543-6868 with any questions. We hope to see you there!
