On Friday, April 16, the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences, Northwest Chapter, announced that Idaho Public Television was honored with 9 regional EMMY nominations including the overall Station Excellence award. The winning nominations will be announced Saturday, June 6, in Seattle.

The list begins with D4K "10th Anniversary" in the Children's (age 12 and under) Program/Special category.

It continues with:

• Outdoor Idaho: "Pathways of Pioneers," Historic/Cultural-Program Special
• Outdoor Idaho "Adventure Racing," Sports-Program Series
• Outdoor Idaho "Let Me Be Brave," Sports-One-Time Special
• Outdoor Idaho "Winter Play," Program/Special
• Hymns Of Thanksgiving, Special Event Coverage
• Outdoor Idaho "Wolves in Idaho," Public/Current/Community Affairs-Program/Special
• Outdoor Idaho "Winter Play," Writer-Program

And finally, Idaho Public Television, Peter Morrill, General Manager, was nominated for the overall Station Excellence category.

On April 11, 2010 Idaho Governor C. L. "Butch" Otter signed Idaho Public Television's FY 2011 appropriations bill (S1417). This bill reduced funding to Idaho Public Television by $141,000 resulting in a General Fund appropriation of $1,390,500 for FY 2011.

The Governor's signature completes the process begun earlier in the House and Senate. On March 23 the Idaho Senate voted unanimously in favor of the bill. The Idaho House of Representatives approved the bill on March 26 with a vote of 58 ayes, 2 nays, 10 absent/excused. No action was taken on the Governor's original proposal announced on January 11th to phase out funding for Idaho Public Television over the next four years. For additional information on the bill that was approved see http://www.legislature.idaho.gov/legislation/2010/S1417.htm.

We appreciate our viewers' loyalty and support throughout this legislative session. Please contact us if you have additional comments or questions.