An update from AZPM CEO Jack Gibson on AZPM's regional Emmy® nominations, a vibrant fall lineup, and events at the Baker Center.
Dear Friends,
My sincere thanks to everyone, especially first-time contributors, who supported AZPM during our recent membership campaigns. Your generosity reaffirms the value Southern Arizonans place on public media and its vital role in our community.
I am delighted to share that 20 AZPM original production projects across 16 categories have been nominated for regional Emmy® awards, the most of any public media organization in the four-state region. Winners will be announced November 7 at the Rocky Mountain Southwest Emmy Awards Gala.
Notable this year are nominations for the coveted Overall Excellence award, which AZPM received in 2015, and the award for Technical Achievement, which recognizes the breadth, quality, and innovation of AZPM’s work in commissioning its new state-of-the-art facility. These nominations celebrate not only the exceptional work AZPM is doing today, but also the possibilities that lie ahead. You can watch the Emmy-nominated projects on azpm.org.
Student Emmy® nominations, announced last month ahead of the professional categories, included recognition for AZPM videographer Clinton Willis in the College Fiction category for his film *Be Still Boone*, starring University of Arizona alumnus Craig T. Nelson. The making of *Be Still Boone* was chronicled in the nominated Arizona Illustrated segment “ Discovering Boone,” offering a behind-the-scenes look at Willis’ inspiration, creative process, and production. AZPM Producer/Reporter L.M. Boyd was also honored for her hard news report on the Phoenix Police Department’s use of force data. The piece was produced when Boyd was a graduate student at Arizona State University’s Walter Cronkite School of Journalism.
AZPM News Daily’s news coverage has been expanded to weekends and features the latest headlines, issues, and in-depth stories affecting us all across Arizona. Look for AZPM News Weekend every Sunday on the AZPM News Daily podcast or listen online. Subscribe or follow us wherever you get your podcasts.
Sunday evening programming on PBS 6 focuses on the theme of crime and punishment, with the finales of Marlowe Murder Club, Marble Hall Murders, and Trespasses airing on Sunday, October 11 starting at 7 p.m. On October 18, new seasons of Professor T, MASTERPIECE: Maigret, and MASTERPIECE: The Gold premiere at 7 p.m., 8 p.m., and 9 p.m. respectively. All three programs will be available to binge on AZPM Passport. A modern reboot of a classic 1980s BBC detective series premieres at 8 p.m. Thursday, October 15.
Set on the island of Jersey, the first season of BERGERAC focuses all six episodes on the single serialized murder of a member of one of the island’s wealthiest families. Detective Jim Bergerac is a broken man, on leave from work, battling his demons, and grieving the death of his wife. But when a man from Bergerac’s past surfaces to make a shocking accusation, the detective is pulled back to work to pursue the killer.
The crime and punishment theme continues Saturday evenings with AZPM’s picks for its October Hollywood at Home lineup, perfect to celebrate the spooky season. Classic mysteries Arsenic and Old Lace, Gaslight, Eye of the Needle, The Hound of the Baskervilles, and Invasion of the Body Snatchers lead into Halloween with thrills and suspense aplenty. Each week’s double feature starts at 7 p.m. on PBS 6; visit the Hollywood at Home program guide for the complete broadcast schedule.
At 8 p.m. on Wednesday, October 14, a new season of NATURE kicks off with a treat for young and old alike: the cast of SESAME STREET visits an African elephant sanctuary in SESAME STREET AND THE GREAT ELEPHANT ADVENTURE. Join Elmo and his friends on a once-in-a-lifetime adventure, traveling to Kenya to meet the orphaned baby elephant they have adopted online. Journey with them as they discover iconic animals in the African bush and are introduced to Kenyan culture and nature. Along the way, Elmo struggles with the idea of leaving his adopted elephant behind, but comes to learn that the greatest way to care for his new friend is to let her thrive where she belongs – in the wild.
As the most-watched prime time science series on American television, NOVA demystifies the scientific and technological concepts that shape and define our lives, our planet, and our universe. New episodes premiering at 9 p.m. Wednesdays in October start with Space Wars on October 7, followed by a 5-part mini-series that explores how complex human and animal brains evolved from ancient, simple organisms and traces the evolutionary history of intelligence. NOVA Evolution: Brainpower premieres Wednesday, October 14 at 9 p.m. on PBS 6.
At 6 p.m. on Halloween night, October 31, tune to NPR 89.1 to hear about a legendary ghost story that has haunted our region for generations. Tales of La Llorona, the Weeping Woman, have been told all over Mexico and the American Southwest since the time of the Spanish conquest. Trace the history of the myth, explore how its meaning has changed over time, and learn how people relate to the story today. La Llorona: An Evolving Myth is a collaboration between the National Radio Project and the University of California-Berkeley Graduate School of Journalism.
AZPM Jazz celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month by remembering the late Flaco Jiménez and Eddie Palmieri Saturday, October 4 and Sunday, October 5 at 11 a.m. on AZPM Jazz 89.1 HD-2. On October 6 and 7 at 11 a.m., tune in for “Santana Speaks: with Celia Cruz, Tito Puente, and Los Lobos.”
The Arizona Friends of Chamber Music concert series returns to Classical 90.5 on Saturday, October 4. Concerts will air Saturdays at 3 p.m., with repeats Thursdays at 9 p.m. throughout the month. As is our tradition, appropriately spooky music will fill the playlist on Saturday, October 31 to get you in the trick-or-treat mood. Tune in or listen online to hear your favorites all day long.
In-person events at the Baker Center start Tuesday, October 6 with a genealogy workshop designed to help you discover, explore, and preserve your family history. Produced in partnership with the Southern Arizona Genealogy Society, the event will offer helpful guidance, resources, and tips for taking your research further. On October 12, don’t miss Sky Tour with Dr. Erika Hamden, University of Arizona Professor of Astrophysics and host of AZPM’s New Frontiers. Join Dr. Hamden and the Tucson Amateur Astronomy Association for a guided tour of what we can see in the night sky at this time of year. On October 16 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., AZPM will host a blood drive in partnership with the Red Cross. Blood drive appointments and more information is available on AZPM’s event calendar.
Sweaters are probably the last thing on Southern Arizona minds right now, but as you clean out your closets this fall, please consider helping AZPM honor the spirit and legacy of Fred Rogers, legendary host and creator of the children’s series, Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood, by donating new or gently used sweaters, hoodies, sweatshirts, and jackets to benefit our neighbors in the Tucson Unified School District. AZPM partners again with Maya Palace to host a Mister Rogers’ Sweater Drive starting October 13 and running through November 13. You can drop cold-weather wear for adults and children at Maya Palace in the Plaza Palomino shopping center, 2930 North Swan Rd, at any AZPM community event, or during regular business hours at the Paul & Alice Baker Center for Public Media, 2685 S. Catalyst Drive. Your donations will be distributed to TUSD clothing banks to benefit students and their families. Thank you for being a good neighbor!
We know you value what you see and hear on AZPM stations; 100% of on-air campaign contributions go directly toward acquiring and broadcasting programs from PBS and NPR, producing original programs like Arizona Illustrated and The Press Room, and supporting UA student employees, who work alongside AZPM’s talented professional staff. Your generosity ensures that AZPM remains a trusted, independent source of in-depth news, entertaining and compelling storytelling, and rich cultural programming that reflects Southern Arizona.
Thank you for your continued support.
Sincerely,
Jack Gibson
Chief Executive Officer and Sustaining Member
