A Journalist With Heart

 The idea of bringing you Good News did not start with UpLift Media. Various reporters on small, medium, and even large networks at times get to do a segment that is considered a "feel good" story. That being said, any student of journalism knows the mantra, "if it bleeds, it leads." This crass but sadly accurate statement essentially means if you want ratings, views, and reactions then lead every newscast or front page headline with the negative and bloody reality of life. UpLift Media was created to go against that notion and buck traditional journalism rules to bring you exclusively good news. Perhaps we owe some of that inspiration to Nate Eaton, seasoned reporter and founding member of East Idaho News. 

Nate got his start in his childhood home, pretending to forecast the weather in his garage so the desire to bring you the news was an early inclination. His professional career began shortly after graduating BYU Idaho with KIDK in Idaho Falls. Prior to his current position he also did a stint with WRIC in Richmond. Like most journalists he has done his fair share of traditional news stories. His Bio on the East Idaho News website boasts of his coverage of high profile stories such as:

• The DC Sniper 
• Virginia Tech Shooting
• Human Trafficking
• Drug Stings
• Presidential & White House Visits
• Hurricanes, Floods, and Earthquakes
• Plus interviews with: serial killers, celebrities, athletes, politicians, authors, and musicians

So his credentials abound before even mentioning the reason that Nate earned a spotlight from this very small, newly launched amateur media outlet. His work on segments like Secret Santa and Feel Good Friday are just outstanding, heartwarming, and very much in alignment with our media objectives. You can tell as Nate visits unsuspecting recipients of these news spots that he truly enjoys highlighting and rewarding people that are both in need but also contributing to their communities themselves. His infectious smile, tender-hearted approach, and personable manner in these pieces create a true sense of trust and relatability rarely found in today's main stream media personalities. 

When deciding whether or not he should take the risk in launching the East Idaho News when many other offers from bigger cities and major networks were on the table Nate conversed with his wife, asking, "What if we go out there, launch EastIdahoNews.com and nobody visits the website? What if it fails? What if no one likes it? What if it doesn't work?" That was a quote from a January 2016 article where he informs his loyal following about the transition he was undertaking at the time. Since then the news network has more than succeeded, it is literally the stuff of viral video dreams. With close to 300K subscribers and over 160 million views on their YouTube channel alone, this "feel-good-news- story" peddler is doing quite well. And with the backing of an unknown Secret Santa and even Ashley Furniture, I think its safe to say things will only continue to trend upward. None could be more deserving of such success or a shout-out like this than Nate. Below is just ONE of his many wonderful news stories covering a Secret Santa recipient family from last year...