Brian Champagne
UPR Contributor, Automotive News/Cache Valley CoverageBrian Champagne grew up in the less-famous Central California but left after starting his television news career there. He worked 22 years in news for NBC, ABC, Fox, and CBS affiliates in four markets. He served as chief photographer for KTXL-TV in Sacramento, but worked in front of the camera, too.
He earned his bachelor’s degree from California State University, Bakersfield, and his Master’s from the University of the Pacific in Stockton. Look for UOP in the exterior shots from the movie “Flubber,” which was shot while he attended.
He now teaches Broadcast Journalism full-time at Utah State University but connects the professional and academic worlds by doing stringer, freelance, and contract work for all stations in the Salt Lake City market and beyond.
Brian’s favorite toys were always cars, he subscribed to Motor Trend magazine at age 12, and he started reporting on them in 1996. Watch for Brian’s automotive reporting on UPR, where he is a regular contributor.
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Two rock bands played concerts for Halloween and Christmas, and just wrapped up their spring concert. The members say playing together makes their lives much better. UPR contributor Brian Champagne wanted to see if they were any good, but to do so, he had to go to the Kane County Jail.
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Automakers, some more than others, are bragging about how their cars can drive themselves. We look at some self-driving tech you can buy today, but now matter what they say, you are still the one who should be keeping your car on the road.
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The LS started out as Lexus’ most popular model, but it has slipped to close to the worst in sales. UPR Contributor Brian Champagne spent a week checking one out, and tells you what’s on the horizon that could make things worse for the $88,000 sedan.
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Next time you're driving, keep your eyes on the road, but run your hand over your car’s interior. Carmakers are giving more attention to how your car feels. We check out a Volvo that's fun to feel, and explore why that matters.
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The UPR special “LOL” fights back with laughter clubs, laughter experts and someone in one of life’s saddest jobs who laughs plenty (we will tell you the job, but not an exact amount for “plenty”).
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Genesis loaned us its GV80 SUV and we drove it to Manti in the summer. Then they loaned us a G80, which is a car. A nice car, that looks a lot like the…
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The adage “Win on Sunday, sell on Monday” worked for car companies that had race cars. Race fans could see a Chevy or Dodge racer win a race and then buy…
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When you park your car, do you set your parking brake? UPR Contributor Brian Champagne checks out a car that will do it for you and explains why if you…
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Acura just announced they are killing their supercar the NSX. They’ve only sold 67 of them so far this year, but it was one of the fastest hyrids on the…
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If you’re old enough, you remember driving your friend’s car and struggling with the different clutch. If you’re younger, it might be adjusting to how the…