b'TEAMWORK ANDTRUTHVisualBefore most of Chicago storytelling in service to has had its first cup of coffee, Lindsey Blodgett 14communitieshas already called the shots on live television. Shes a director on Fox 32s morning newscast, Good Day Chicago. At the 7 a.m. hour, we do a lot of theA Southern Oregon native, Blodgett chose SOU because it harder news, followed by lighter news at 9 a.m.,was close to home, and she acknowledged being somewhat surprised by the quality of instruction at such a small university. she said. I love breaking news and the adrenalineI took a womens studies class with Alena Ruggerio that was of not really knowing whats going to come nexttransformative for me. There were conversations and lessons we had in that classroom that I still think about now, she said. especially because in those situations, it really feelsContent learned 10-15years ago in video-production courses continues to impact her work today. I took a number of Howard like youre doing an important service. Schreibers production courses; he was a professor who really had a big impact on me and taught me a lot of the basics, she said.For Blodgett, the most compelling aspect of her work is creatingAfter graduating from SOU, Blodgett began her career as a the visuals used to help tell the story. I feel like, as a director, wereproduction assistant at KDRV, Channel 12 in Medford. Her five showcasing the visual elements to help tell a story in a way thatsyears at KDRV provided growth opportunities that eventually most accessible for people. She credits her visual storytelling skillsled to a move to Portland, where she transitioned to NBC affiliate to what she learned at SOU. A lot of my skills and beliefs wereKGW. I was in Portland during the pandemic and during the shaped by some really great professors during my time at SOU,racial justice protests, and then there were the wildfires, so there she said. Every class that I took, especially in the communicationwere a lot of breaking news stories, said Blodgett. I really feel department, was top tier. I had professors like Jody Waters, Howardlike I cut my teeth in Oregon.Schreiber, and Alena Ruggerio. As Ive gotten older, Im so gratefulEventually, Blodgett wanted to work in a larger market, so she to have the academic foundation they gave me. applied for her current position in Chicagothe number-three news market in the country. She got the job, joined the Directors Guild of America, and planted roots in the city. I love working with our crew and the producers, she said. Were a strong team, Were not sharingand I like the camaraderie that comes with that.The people who work in the news industry care deeply about their opinions, were sharingcommunities, according to Blodgett. These are some of the hardest the news at a communityworking people. A lot of them, especially in small newsrooms, dont make a lot of money. They are doing this work because they care level, telling the truth,about the stories and the people in their regions.and holding peopleWorking in local news is the sweet spot for Blodgett. We accountable.do a good job of presenting the facts of a story, and people can make their own conclusions with that. Were not sharing Thats the value of opinions, were sharing the news at a community level, telling local media. the truth, and holding people accountable. Thats the value of local media, she said.12 NEWS FROM SOUTHERN OREGON UNIVERSITY'