My sophomore year at Washington State, I created a blog to cover WSU Football. It was just me and
@JackEllis99
going to practices, taking pictures, trying to sneak in media scrums and get interviews with players.
@Coach_Leach
pulled me aside 1 week into fall camp.
Thanks for everything, Coach. You gave me a platform to chase my dreams, and a lifetime of memories back in Martin Stadium.
You’re a hell of a Coach.
You’re a damn good man.
You changed my life.
God Bless,
#CML
❤️
Keeping your family in my thoughts.
He took it a step further and promoted our website. For absolutely no reason other than to be a nice guy.
Was the tagline “no fluff, just facts” the corniest thing every? Absolutely. But he ran with it. I think he may have thought it was funny.
Years later, that experience translated into my job with
@KTVB
(though, I’m a news guy now) and Jacks gig as a photographer with the
@Mariners
.
All because Mike gave us a chance cover his team - and the the university allowed that grow into more opportunities.
He wanted to who I was, what my deal was, why I was doing this, etc…
“If you want to be successful, sports writers are kinda like drug dealers,” He said. “There’s so many of them out there. You gotta get them hooked on your stuff.”
He gave us media credentials that season.
The news of his passing is hard to digest. I can track every domino in my professional career development back to “I covered WSU football - home and road games - for 2 years. Here’s me portfolio.”
It opened ever door I tried.
Without that, who knows what I would be doing today.
And we got some serious traction out of his tweet. We sold a few local ads, and used the money to travel to Salt Lake, Eugene, Bolder, Corvallis, Seattle, etc…
Jack and I got two full years of experience covering real sports with real access. WSU credentialed us for hoops too.
you don’t remember Martin Stadium’s scoreboard being in the west end zone, I don’t wanna hear you complain about a 10-2 season after the Apple Cup loss. Your opinion honestly means nothing to me.
4 murders.
Killed by an edged-weapon, such as a knife.
No weapon found.
No one in custody.
“The community is safe,” police say.
But students - and a staff member - tell us they don’t feel safe.
.
@ISPHeadquarters
tell me there will be a news conference at 3:30 pacific time involving ISP and Moscow Police.
We are standing by in Moscow for these expected new details.
Sleeping on a dorm room hardwood floor in Boulder, CO with a giraffe blanket and a wadded up jean jacket for a pillow. We didn’t even rent a Range Rover. This city is a lie and I blame the Chainsmokers.
#GoCougs
1/3
Moscow Police have released the names of the four students dead:
- Ethan Chapin, 20, Conway, WA
- Madison Mogen, 21, Coeur d’Alene, ID
- Xana Kernodle, 20, Avondale, AZ
- Kaylee GonCalves, 21, Rathdrum, ID
Kind gesture at
@SudsTavernBoise
remembering
@KTVB
legend
@KTVBLarry
.
They’re holding a seat for Larry all night and accepting donations for the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
I don’t do goodbyes. But for once, I feel the moral obligation.
Friday was my last day at
@KTVB
. I’ll always be very proud - and if I’m not careful, get emotional - about the work we accomplished every day at 5pm. The208 was my first love; leaving is a proportional heartbreak.
Two of the girls killed worked at a restaurant in the heart of Moscow.
A memorial is set up, the restaurant is closed, and resources for those impacted are posted.
Found an old binder from middle school. Evidently, I used to call myself “Mathmagician” and was so confident in my ability that I labeled my test as “KEY” upon turning it in.
When my job is good, it’s addicting. I love telling stories of real people, and explaining real nuance.
But there is nothing I love more than home. And I hate to see my industry hurting my home.
I don’t know where the line is. But man, my gut doesn’t like this.
Librarians warned the Idaho Statehouse it would happen; regulating library books has consequences. The small mountain town of Donnelly now bans minors not only at the bar, but the library too.
New business plan.
@ryan_pettit1
and I will be opening up a Bed & Breakfast in Pullman exclusively serving sushi. We’ll call it Bed Rento.
Come moms weekend, you’ll wish you though if it first. The future is now.
Our very talented
@AbbyDavisKTVB
and
@dugganreports
will take over the Moscow quadruple homicide for
@KTVB
.
I will be leaving the area - please follow them for updates and future reports.
The Valley House Homeless Shelter has confirmed to
@the208KTVB
what we’ve already been told:
@realDaveReilly
passed out the flyers according to VHHS Executive Director.
The shelter gave have Reilly more than 24 hours to apologize before confirming his name.
Valley House Homeless Shelter guests were used as pawns in a political prank during the Idaho GOP Convention. They demand an apology from the person responsible.
You rarely run into people who are fully themselves from the moment you first meet.
Theresa taught me a lot about what truly matters in life - how you treat people, and the value of the life you live outside the walls of your work.
I’ll miss her deeply.
Had a few rules coming out of school:
- work in a city I love
- work for a station I respect
- work with people who expect more
No one checks those boxes like
@KTVB
. Truthfully, I’m incalculably lucky to start my career at such a strong station.
See you on the 24th, Boise!
Headed to Moscow with
@peskymedia
. Planning to be in town for a few days to make sense of the scene just off University of Idaho’s campus involving four dead students.
Notes from my phone call with Moscow Mayor Art Bettge:
He says the scene is “complex” and will take time to sort though. The investigation is at very early stages.
He says an
@ISPHeadquarters
mobile unit will come to the area to sort through that crime scene.
These two points of “no one is in danger” and “no one in custody” appear to be conflicting. Our main goal is to connect these dots and make sense of it - because on the surface, it’s tough to wrap your head around it.
I call BS. Someone violently murdered FOUR young kids & is still on the loose, ffs. They brought a tracking dog in early this afternoon & still have no suspect in custody. But, sure, students & our community are safe 🙄
Shut up. Shut up. Shut up.
The feelings are… “eerie”… “very quiet”…
*line(?)*
“Lol, I forgot… I’m frozen in time.”
Theatre is great when it’s theatre. Beyond that, the viewer sees every ounce of fabrication. I hate this.
A lot.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
The Office of Andrew Baertlein
April 5, 2022
WARM SPRINGS GC - At approximately 1pm today, Andrew aced hole 8 from 186 yards with a 5 iron.
“I can’t believe it,” Andrew said while kissing his TaylorMade Tour Response. “Let’s party.”
Good morning from Moscow.
We anticipate additional information from police soon - regarding what is unclear. But I am led to believe they will release some form of an additional statement.
The average income per capita is $37,333 in Ada County, according to the US Census. Financial experts say that's enough to afford about $935 a month for rent.
One of the more nuanced stories in Pullman - a decade old staple forced out by their Landlord because of traffic problems with the business next door: My story below
⬇️⬇️⬇️
I don’t know what the deal is with WSU and UO always having similar taglines, traditions, etc…
But I’m thrilled that “Cougs vs Everybody” is resoundingly tougher than “Ducks vs Them”
Btw, “Win The Day” is ours, and always will be.
#GoCougs
They bash phony attack ads in this piece while plastering the exact same style of garbage all over their station day after day for months.
How about doing a story on yourselves, Channel 7?
#idaho
#idahoax
I’ll make it clear, I’ve been watching my most loved teams lose my whole life across just about every sport/league. That’s nothing new; I don’t care when my guys lose.
But I do care when my guys lose to cheaters. And yes, faking an injury is an insult to game. It’s cheating.
And I’ll echo that from the outside - the whole Spokane market has done a remarkable job between
@kxly4news
,
@KREM2
, and
@KHQLocalNews
. Paying close attention because this is literally right on top of most of my family - huge thanks across the board.
Our whole team has done a remarkable job in tough fire conditions and we have some long days still ahead. I'm so grateful that everyone was ready to work today, regardless of hours and conditions.
.
@RupertPolice
showing off their Electronic Detection K9 at the statehouse today. The handler tells me Newton can smell a chemical in storage devices like an SD card - he’s the only one in the state!
This is bigger than football. Saturday will be such a special moment for many, so for the love of god don’t ruin it by acting like a bunch of Chads. To lifelong Cougs, it’s a big deal.
My dream has come true. I remember waking up at 7 am as a kid to see
@KirkHerbstreit
on Saturday’s. Roll friggin Cougs. What a time to be alive
#gocougs
It was a good spring for Lucas Bacon (
@baconluc
). He’s worked his way recording meaningful snaps for the Cougs.
But it’s a moment he won’t be able to share this Saturday at Martin.
More on this story to come ⬇️⬇️⬇️
Valley House Homeless Shelter guests were used as pawns in a political prank during the Idaho GOP Convention. They demand an apology from the person responsible.
While the details of the investigation and suspect(s) are top of mind - I want to remind everyone about the people impacted by these murders.
GoFundMe links for all victims are posted in this thread. They have made strong initial progress.
Consider giving support if you can.
1.) our weekend crew is outstanding
2.) I don’t work weekends (I was filling in for them)
3.) neither does the other guy
4.) he’s the 3x idaho reporter of the year
5.) the tablet is a script - saves paper
6.) we did a damn fine job that day.
Take a lap.
HOUSING CRISIS
It’s gotten so out of hand, RV parks are more than a campground. Roughly 40% of the local KOA customers are staying long term. For many, this was the most affordable living option.
“Pam is one of 6 Idahoans being charged for their involvement during the insurrection. On July 12, she will surrender herself to a federal prison in California.”
Another really impactful interview from
@KTVBBrian
.
When I was a kid, all my best childhood memories were at Lake Pend Oreille, and it wasn’t particularly close. Today, I got to see the USS Idaho christening - with water from Lake Pend Orielle ❤️
So darn cool!
OPINION: Greek houses often employ recruitment tactics and enforce standards that perpetuate stereotypes and fail to authentically represent their values.
Renters at Cambridge Apartments just off Warm Springs are told they must be out by Friday at the latest- the complex has had heat and water issues for months. The notice came last Friday night.
Renters are consulting with lawyers whether this is legal or not.
Seeing
@kannon_katzer
get his shot at WSU is awesome. But what I love even more is seeing
@TerryCloer
go to bat for Katzer for months - the coach absolutely refused to let Katzer settle for anything less than he deserved.
That’s a great coach - Spokane needs more of em.