We thought our readers/viewers might like to learn about some of the folks that work at IdahoPTV. Because there are so many people who work behind the scenes, you may have seen some of them, or maybe only heard about them. Today we would like to introduce Idaho Reports Host Melissa Davlin.
IdahoPTV’s Carol Beres spoke with Melissa about doing the “dream job” of hosting the weekly broadcast and growing up and living in Idaho.
Melissa grew up in the Treasure Valley. “I was born in Boise. I grew up in Meridian when it was still a fairly small town.” She went to college in Moscow. “I really liked the University of Idaho’s study abroad program.” Melissa traveled to Nagasaki, Japan, for her study abroad experience. “Nagasaki actually has a fascinating history that predates the atomic bomb entirely. When people think about Nagasaki they, for obvious reasons, think about the bomb. But Nagasaki had the only port that was open to Westerners during the 200-year period when Japan was totally closed off to foreigners. So they have really unique social and food cultures there, a fascinating history that is entirely separate from the devastation of the bomb. I love Nagasaki. It’s a great city.”
Melissa has fond memories of going to the University of Idaho as well. “I love Moscow. It’s one of my favorite places to visit in Idaho. The landscape is totally different than what we have in southern Idaho, with the rolling hills that they farm on the Palouse.”
She worked in print journalism after school in Twin Falls, then applied at Idaho Public Television. “I was a guest on Idaho Reports a few times when I worked at the Twin Falls newspaper, covering the legislature. My husband got a job in Boise in 2013…and I applied for the Idaho Reports job and never in a million years (thought) I would get it. This is a highly coveted job. This is a dream journalism job for a lot of people and I didn’t have the broadcast experience. But I got really, really lucky that they took a chance on me.”
When Melissa has some free time, she enjoys the great outdoors that Idaho has to offer. “I love the access to outdoor recreation. It’s fantastic. I love the scenery. I love camping, hiking, kayaking, mountaineering and all these things that we get to do. And I really love that I can raise my sons in an environment where we can be on a trail in less than 20 minutes from our house.” Other than packing the family up for a trip outside, Melissa enjoys reading, running and jamming on the guitar. “No bands, no performing. Just for fun.” And when she has a chance to watch PBS Kids shows, she has several faves, including Peg + Cat. “Peg is a delight. She likes to solve problems. She plays the ukulele. She has a cat.”
Getting to visit new places in the Gem State ranks as one of her top experiences with Idaho Public Television. “This job has taken me to every county in the state. It’s a really neat thing. And as somebody who grew up here, you think you know Idaho, right? But, I learn something new every single trip. And that’s why I love this job so much; because it really takes us to every corner of the state. I’m constantly learning new things.”