Nutter, Fred oral history interview

Authors

Don Nicoll

Document Type

Oral History

Publication Date

3-5-1999

Interview Number

MOH 070

Abstract

Fred Nutter was born on September 11, 1933 in Sanford, Maine to Betty and Arthur Nutter. Nutter had aspirations to be in broadcasting, and after serving in the Navy, went to Emerson College. While at Emerson, Nutter would return home to the Sanford area on weekends to help operate WSME Radio. In the early 1960s, Nutter moved to the Portland market, working for WPOR Radio, and by 1965, WCSH Radio as a newsman. WCSH eventually transitioned over to a television station. His reporting career took off with his assignment to Portland City Hall. He then went to Augusta as a state house correspondent, a successor to Jim Brunelle. In 1976, Nutter became News Director at WCSH TV in Portland. At the time of the interview, he was still with WCSH as an Editorial Commentator.

Scope and Content Note

Interview includes discussions of: the history of broadcasting in Maine; late night talk shows in Portland; WCSH TV history; early television; the loss of video history with new technologies; Muskie’s 1968 Convention speech; 102nd and 104th legislature commentary; Maine income tax; Emilien Levesque; Maine State House politics; Peter Kyros; the impact of the two-part budget; Muskie’s relationship to Maine; Muskie’s national contributions; political leaders today vs. Muskie’s era; the Clinton scandal; and the personalities of Muskie and Coffin.

Use Restrictions

Copyright Bates College. This transcript is provided for individual Research Purposes Only; for all other uses, including publication, reproduction and quotation beyond fair use, permission must be obtained in writing from: The Edmund S. Muskie Archives and Special Collections Library, Bates College, 70 Campus Avenue, Lewiston, Maine 04240-6018.

Recommended Citation

Nicoll, Don, "Nutter, Fred oral history interview" (1999). Edmund S. Muskie Oral History Collection. 307.
https://scarab.bates.edu/muskie_oh/307