Brian Bouchard
Multimedia Journalist
:no_upscale()/s3.amazonaws.com/arc-authors/gray/cc6bd14d-cb30-4368-8f14-33f99b108a5e.jpg)
Brian was born in Lewiston and raised in Oxford County, but both sides of his family hail from the St. John Valley. Every year, Brian and his family would make the 5 hour drive from South Paris, Maine to Van Buren, and the County always felt like a 2nd home.
Brian is a veteran of the United States Army, and is a former Paratrooper with the 82nd Airborne Division and Drill Sergeant facilitating Basic Combat Training in Fort Sill, Oklahoma. After transitioning from the service, Brian began working for WAGM-TV in Presque Isle, Maine as a multimedia journalist on August 23rd, 2021.
His hobbies include audio/video production, songwriting, tabletop role playing games, and spending time with his children, friends and family.
Brian has two regular weekly segments, Throwback Thursday (Thursday Evenings @ 6pm) and Sledding the County (Friday Evenings @ 6pm, Mid December to Late March ).
Throwback Thursday digs into the paper records and vintage tape archives of WAGM dating as far back as 1981. Each segment highlights a report by a former WAGM reporter, and encourages the audience to contemplate how the news of yesterday affects our lives today. Throwback Thursday was developed in conjunction with Corey Bouchard's segment, Follow Up Friday, which picks up where Throwback Thursday left off with a look at the current state of Throwback Thursday's topic or subject.
Sledding the County, which is currently in it's fifth season, is a look at snowmobiling as a sport, tourism, social and economic impacts, safety tips, experiences, events, VIP visits and important messages to the snowmobiling community. The segment is augmented by the Facebook Group, Sledding the County, which is operated by Mike McNulty, who has been the driving force in developing the segment since its creation. Sledding the County is Sponsored by The Sled Shop, Inc.
Education
Affiliations
Updated: 10 hours ago
|By Brian Bouchard
After a long, cold winter, many of us are eagerly awaiting the arrival of spring. With warmer temperatures and melting snow, it’s natural to wonder if we’ve finally turned the corner.
Updated: 10 hours ago
|By Brian Bouchard
Aroostook County is set to receive more than a million dollars to fight the opioid crisis as part of a nationwide settlement.
Updated: Mar. 22, 2023 at 5:52 PM EDT
|By Brian Bouchard
The Northern Lighthouse, the county’s only youth homeless shelter has launched a new program aimed at preparing teens for adulthood.
Updated: Mar. 21, 2023 at 10:54 AM EDT
|By Brian Bouchard
Students of Van Buren District School have been tapping into a pretty sweet lesson over the last few months.
Updated: Mar. 20, 2023 at 10:14 AM EDT
|By Brian Bouchard
While the trail system of Aroostook County is the biggest draw for snowmobilers from across the country, there once was a time when the County drew the attention of professional racers.
Updated: Mar. 20, 2023 at 10:05 AM EDT
|By Brian Bouchard
The world of fashion and modeling is constantly evolving, with new trends and ideas coming to the forefront all the time. But do you remember a time when “Freeze Modeling” took center stage?
Updated: Mar. 15, 2023 at 11:33 AM EDT
|By Brian Bouchard
While construction continues on the new Land Port of Entry in Madawaksa, some are now turning their attention to naming the street running through the new port.
Updated: Mar. 14, 2023 at 12:23 PM EDT
|By Brian Bouchard
Over the last 75 years, The Presque Isle rotary Club has held auctions via radio, television, online and even held silent auctions, but The Great Big Give Back, Presque Isle Rotary Club’s latest incarnation of their signature fundraising event will culminate on the club’s 100th birthday, celebrating a Century of service by raffling off baskets of items.
Updated: Mar. 13, 2023 at 10:26 AM EDT
|By Brian Bouchard
The United States last military draft came to an end in 1973 when an all volunteer force concept was adopted.
Updated: Mar. 13, 2023 at 10:06 AM EDT
|By Brian Bouchard
Every year the trails of Aroostook County attract thousands of snowmobilers, including one guest who may look familiar to some viewers.
Updated: Mar. 9, 2023 at 3:18 PM EST
|By Brian Bouchard
Artificial Intelligence is a tool that has become more and more popular around the world. Last week WAGM took a look at the recent surge in Artificial Intelligence and potential issues regarding it’s use academically. Tonight Brian Bouchard sits down with the AI in a one on one interview.
Updated: Mar. 7, 2023 at 5:39 AM EST
|By Brian Bouchard
One week ago today, the Aroostook Centre Mall closed due to financial complications with the current owner. It soon reopened, with mall tenants doing everything they could to keep the lights on. While negotiations are ongoing for the still unnamed potential local buyer of the mall, members of state government are taking notice.
Updated: Mar. 6, 2023 at 5:38 PM EST
|By Brian Bouchard
While the snowmobile itself is the central focus of the sport, accessories can be just as important for a rider that’s looking to get the most out of their time on the trails.
Updated: Mar. 3, 2023 at 6:08 PM EST
|By Brian Bouchard
The United States officially made the switch to digital, over the air, television broadcasts in 2009, however leading up to the switch, there were questions and concerns about what the change would mean to television audiences.
Updated: Mar. 3, 2023 at 6:02 PM EST
|By Brian Bouchard
There has been a surge in development of artificial intelligence lately, with the ability to write, create art and write computer code. Its impact on education is being closely monitored as concerns about academic integrity and the responsible use of AI continue to grow.
Updated: Mar. 1, 2023 at 6:28 AM EST
|By Brian Bouchard
Hope remains for tenants at the Aroostook Centre Mall, despite its closure earlier this week.
Updated: Feb. 28, 2023 at 9:33 AM EST
|By Brian Bouchard
The sudden closure of the Aroostook Centre Mall, has left it’s tenants scrambling to try and make sense of it all and figure out what the next steps are.
Updated: Feb. 27, 2023 at 7:24 PM EST
|By Brian Bouchard
Snowmobiling the trails of Northern Maine can be thrilling but for the Maine Warden Service nothing is more important than rider safety.
Updated: Feb. 24, 2023 at 11:30 AM EST
|By Brian Bouchard
Cyber security is a multi billion dollar industry, aimed at keeping the internet as safe as possible, however in the early days of the internet, many users weren’t as protected as they are now.
Updated: Feb. 22, 2023 at 9:28 AM EST
|By Brian Bouchard
A new partnership aims to fight food insecurity experienced by the county’s Veteran population.
Updated: Feb. 21, 2023 at 9:29 AM EST
|By Brian Bouchard
Often when discussing heart health, the focus is placed on preventing heart issues before they become a problem, but what can be done once it’s too late?
Updated: Feb. 20, 2023 at 10:06 AM EST
|By Brian Bouchard
There’s no doubt that snowmobiling brings millions of dollars into Aroostook County each winter, and snowmobile based events play a part in that.
Updated: Feb. 17, 2023 at 10:05 AM EST
|By Brian Bouchard
In the throwaway culture of the 90′s and early 2000′s convenience was key. We had disposable silverware, disposable cameras and maybe even disposable cellphones? NewsSource8′s Brian Bouchard has this week’s Throwback Thursday.
Updated: Feb. 16, 2023 at 9:25 AM EST
|By Brian Bouchard
Darrel Smith was shot to death at his Woodland home 15 years ago, and as time marches on his killer is still at large.
Updated: Feb. 14, 2023 at 10:01 AM EST
|By Brian Bouchard
A report regarding an officer involved shooting that took place in April 2021 in Mars Hill was released by the Maine Attorney General’s Office.
Updated: Feb. 13, 2023 at 5:29 PM EST
|By Brian Bouchard
Aroostook County played host to a gathering of the International Snowmobile Council’s Northeast Chapter last week.
Updated: Feb. 10, 2023 at 10:18 AM EST
|By Brian Bouchard
Many who lived through the cold war may remember duck and cover drills at school, or seeing fallout shelter signs on community buildings which were all part of Civil Emergency Preparedness in the later 20th century.
Updated: Feb. 6, 2023 at 10:48 AM EST
|By Brian Bouchard
Aroostook County is known for its large and well maintained snowmobile trail system, as well as the clubs who support local businesses and snowmobile tourism. Back in 2016 one club was on the verge of collapse, but has since made a comeback.
Updated: Feb. 3, 2023 at 9:15 AM EST
|By Brian Bouchard
Since the dawn of time people have used many different methods to try and predict the weather, and that includes the use of large rodents.
Updated: Feb. 1, 2023 at 5:48 PM EST
|By Brian Bouchard
The fire on Water Street in Caribou last Wednesday displaced 21 individuals and two businesses. One of those businesses was Road to Recovery, we told you about last week, they will soon be moving back into their space. But for the other business and the 21 displaced people, they are left to pick up the pieces.
Updated: Feb. 1, 2023 at 1:08 PM EST
|By Brian Bouchard
Often when a large fire breaks out, Fire Departments will call on neighboring towns to provide mutual support and fill needs with personnel or equipment. But how critical is mutual aid to Aroostook County?
Updated: Jan. 30, 2023 at 12:22 PM EST
|By Brian Bouchard
While many clubs rely on the help of countless volunteers to keep their trails groomed, one central Aroostook club coordinated with Northern Maine Community College to do something a bit unique.
Updated: Jan. 27, 2023 at 1:55 PM EST
|By Brian Bouchard
They say that music is the soundtrack of our lives and in this week’s throwback Thursday, Brian Bouchard takes us to a time when a new concept changed the way people discovered music.
Updated: Jan. 26, 2023 at 5:19 PM EST
|By Brian Bouchard
Two fires displaced some families Wednesday Morning in the City of Caribou. The fires started within a few hours of each other.
Updated: Jan. 24, 2023 at 6:38 PM EST
|By Brian Bouchard
January is almost over, and that means time is running out to register your dog.
Updated: Jan. 24, 2023 at 6:23 PM EST
|By Brian Bouchard
Snowmobile Season is just getting started for some parts of Aroostook County, and that means bodies of water may not be frozen all the way yet.
Updated: Jan. 20, 2023 at 4:54 PM EST
|By Brian Bouchard
Earthquakes in Aroostook County are a rare occurrence, but not unheard of. In this week’s Throwback Thursday Brian Bouchard shows us a time when an earthquake rocked the county.
Updated: Jan. 20, 2023 at 4:41 PM EST
|By Brian Bouchard
“I truly believe that this has been a model project for all future projects" says Alexandria Kelly, Project Manager for the General Services Administration
Updated: Jan. 20, 2023 at 3:48 PM EST
|By Brian Bouchard
Earlier this month, WAGM told you about about a UMFK Nursing Student who hopes to have safe haven baby boxes installed in Aroostook County. After concerns were raised regarding the safety and legitimacy of the boxes, WAGM reached out to a fire station who has had one installed for nearly 5 years.
Updated: Jan. 16, 2023 at 4:16 PM EST
|By Brian Bouchard
Snowmobile Trail Groomers are often considered the unsung heroes of the snowmobile industry, with volunteers committed to ensuring the trails are up to par throughout the riding season.
Updated: Jan. 13, 2023 at 8:30 PM EST
|By Brian Bouchard
The order for the former employees of the Presque Isle Inn and Convention Center to vacate the premises was upheld despite the winter storm.
Updated: Jan. 13, 2023 at 9:20 AM EST
|By Brian Bouchard
In this weeks Throwback Thursday, we dial the time machine back to 2002 where WAGM Reporter Erin Logan gives us an inside look at what Telehealth appointments looked like in the early days of adoption.
Updated: Jan. 13, 2023 at 9:13 AM EST
|By Brian Bouchard
The clock is ticking for former employees of the Presque Isle Inn and Convention Center, as the order to vacate the property remains in effect for 3PM Friday Afternoon.
Updated: Jan. 12, 2023 at 11:00 AM EST
|By Brian Bouchard
New developments in the story of the “indefinite closure” of the Presque Isle Inn and Convention Center. The City of Presque Isle has condemned the building, but there are former employees still living there.
Updated: Jan. 9, 2023 at 11:15 AM EST
|By Brian Bouchard
The Christmas Wind Storm of 2022 left many snowmobile clubs on the hook for any damage that occurred along snowmobile trails they maintain.
Updated: Jan. 6, 2023 at 9:47 AM EST
|By Brian Bouchard
26 years ago on January 4th of 1997 WAGM Reporter Tricia Lawrence reported on an unusual phenomena in Aroostook County, a snowmobile season that hadn’t started yet.
Updated: Jan. 5, 2023 at 9:59 AM EST
|By Brian Bouchard
A UMFK Nursing Student is hoping to provide safe options for surrendering newborns in Aroostook county.
Updated: Jan. 4, 2023 at 10:57 AM EST
|By Brian Bouchard
As 2023 is just getting started, we look back on 2022 as it was certainly a year of highs and lows.
Updated: Jan. 3, 2023 at 11:27 AM EST
|By Brian Bouchard
As 2023 is just getting started, we look back on 2022 as it was certainly a year of highs and lows.
Updated: Jan. 2, 2023 at 3:33 PM EST
|By Brian Bouchard
Due to some unseasonably warm temperatures so far this winter, snowmobiling season in the county is off to a late start, but that didn’t stop one Easton family from using the holiday spirit to ignite a passion for snowmobiling in their children.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/VE4VXMOB6NEHDFCW5VYXXMAIJM.jpg)
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/MMZSZRLJXFGL3KJOAHSYJ735AU.jpg)
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/DS2TGZCHJRADVFUCUWQQH3Q66A.jpg)
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/VXP2B56ATVKJTKHB7AYS3T7I44.jpg)
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/UKAT3MGWHBHQRAA7E3MSTNDDKM.jpg)
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/M4PXZ2ITNZFNVNHI4ZM3FOLJP4.jpg)
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/BMUCAXXKRBDKVM6WW56EQN2RA4.jpg)
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/2M2MVCULJJFGHHUCY5G2KIROW4.jpg)
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/SST7U2KT45C3TEE35DKON4H7KQ.jpg)
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/BCEFLRAZZ5EPDHTGNBDFGXIXTY.bmp)
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/CQ6KBXQO4JDSJBL5QXHPUKXH5I.jpg)