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 Director Morgan McCollum.
IdahoPTV’s Carol Beres spoke with Morgan about living in the Gem State and working at Idaho Public Television.
Like many in the Treasure Valley, Morgan moved here from another state – California – but he is a long-time Idahoan now. “We moved here 17 years ago. I first did construction with my father-in-law, then worked for a cable company, then another local television station as a studio technician.” Morgan worked while finishing up his degree at Boise State University. “I have a communications degree with an emphasis in media production.”
One class he took at Boise State inspired him to start an online project called Boise Art Scene. “I took a weekend workshop class…and they took us on a walking tour of some of the downtown art, and I was surprised by what I went past all the time and didn’t notice.” It became a passion for Morgan, and he now interviews local artists and posts the interviews, along with five-minute videos, online.
Some highlights from working at IdahoPTV include traveling around the state and getting to see new places and some famous faces. “I saw John Lithgow at the Sun Valley Writers’ Conference. And I’ve traveled to Jackson Hole and Stanley.” When he reaches for a snack, he prefers the salty kind. “I like Gardetto’s. I like those little rye chips. My go-to is more the salty than the sweet.” And his favorite PBS KIDS character is Sid the Science Kid. “I really like the concept of that show.”
Morgan feels Idaho Reports helps keep us all informed. “It’s always important to keep an eye on what’s going on. I think it’s important to have a show that can kind of break down some of the more boring topics into digestible pieces that people can understand. The more people can engage with government and politics is important. It’s good for society as a whole for people to be educated and informed.”