Sal Celeski has been hailed as “The Father of Idaho Journalism” “Idaho’s news pioneer” and “The Edward R. Murrow of Idaho.” Although Sal may have shrugged off those compliments – he was a private person that way – in the early ’70s, he helped build KTVB into the #1 TV station in the market, a position it still holds Today!

During the luncheon, we’re expecting to hear from some of Sal’s former KTVB colleagues like Sports Director Larry Maneely, Crime Reporter Roger Simmons, political reporter Bob Cooper, and one of Sal’s close friends for years, who was fortunate enough to be part of Sal’s private “inner circle” former Ada County Coroner & Ada County Commissioner Mike Johnson. They’ll give a behind-the-scenes look at what it was like to work alongside of Sal in the KTVB Channel 7 newsroom, and how, through Sal’s leadership and dedication to providing superb coverage, they broke many exclusive stories, winning many awards over the years. 

Sal also hosted “Viewpoint,” KTVB’s excellent “Meet the Press” style public affairs news program which he helped launch, and we’ll hear about Sal’s final days prior to his death on Sunday, October 10, 2021 at age 87.

We’ll see vintage photos of Sal’s early journalism career in the early ’60s, first, as a photographer for the Idaho Transportation  Department, then at “Newsbeat 7’s” glory days in the 1970s! So join us for this fascinating look at the man who became a legend, an icon, a true leader…and a pioneer…