Volunteers are one of the key groups that keep Idaho Public Television humming along, and each year we try to show our gratitude by hosting a "Volunteer Appreciation Day." This year, in addition to free food, we showed previews of three shows we're working on: two new Outdoor Idaho episodes, "Cycling Idaho" (airing July 20) and "Palouse Paradise" (airing this fall); and one special, "The Idaho Homefront: World War II" (coming in December). Read more about the event, and these shows, at our Behind the Stories page.

Idaho Public Television's DIALOGUE captured a Northwest Regional Emmy Award Saturday, June 3, 2006 for a program on the Nez Perce Water Adjudication.

DIALOGUE SPECIAL "Nez Perce Water Agreement" took top honors in the Northwest Regional Emmy Awards in the Interview/Discussion category. The one-hour report with host and producer Marcia Franklin examined all sides of the Nez Perce agreement, the largest water rights settlement in Idaho's history. The program included a video piece from North Idaho and a live studio discussion with viewer call-ins.

Also working on the February 3, 2005, production were Chuck Cathcart, videographer and editor; Al Hagenlock, director of the live portion of the program; and DIALOGUE studio staff members. This was the only Emmy awarded to an Idaho entity.

The DIALOGUE program was part of a project called TAPPED OUT: IDAHO'S WATER CRISIS that included "Eastern Plain Aquifer," which looked at tensions between longtime holders of groundwater rights and holders of historic spring water rights. More information is at the IdahoPTV website (idahoptv.org/productions/tappedout).

The award was presented during ceremonies in Seattle by the Northwest chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences. The chapter serves television professionals in Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Alaska and Montana.

DIALOGUE is Idaho's only weekly statewide public affairs program. The series is funded by the Laura Moore Cunningham Foundation. Individual DIALOGUE programs, including the special on the Nez Perce water agreement, are archived on the IdahoPTV Web site at idahoptv.org/dialogue and may be Web streamed for viewing on a computer.

In separate competitions, IdahoPTV was also honored in June by both the Pacific Northwest and Inland Empire Chapters of the Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ) for the following programs and services:

SPJ, Inland Empire Chapter

Documentary

• First place: The Social Code
• Second place: Outdoor Idaho: Borderlands

Public Affairs

• First place: Dialogue: The Fire Next Time

SPJ, Pacific Northwest Chapter

Documentary

• First place: Outdoor Idaho: Silver Valley Rising
• Second place: The Social Code
• Third place: West of the Basques
• Honorable Mention: Outdoor Idaho: A Taste of Idaho

Public Service on the Web

• Third place: Idaho Reports Web site

Creative use of the Medium (Adaptation)

• Third place: Dialogue for Kids Web site

CHILDHOOD CANCER: SURVIVORSHIP is the topic at a special event at the Boise Public Library on Tuesday, June 13 from 7 to 9 p.m.

You are invited to view excerpts from the powerful PBS documentary, A LION IN THE HOUSE, followed by a panel discussion about support systems in the Treasure Valley that help patients and families resume their lives.

The event is free.

For more information please call 345-4453.

Did you know that high definition television service is available free to most people in Idaho?

Idaho Public Television is providing free high definition television service to viewers across most of Idaho; and in the coming years, to virtually every community!

All that's required is either a digital television receiver or a new-generation television with an integrated digital receiver.

For more information on our HDTV programming, check out our website at idahoptv.org.