Supporting Our Community Through Local Programming

On Wednesday, December 18th , Milwaukee PBS Channel 10 will broadcast our newest documentary 
In May of 2018, a devastating fire nearly erased 150 years of heritage of this Milwaukee historic church and landmark. “For over 4 years, our camera crews have followed the restoration efforts, from the vision of the architects and engineers, and the skilled hands of the artisans, rebuilding and restoring a Milwaukee legacy” said Debbie Hamlett, General Manager of Milwaukee PBS. “We would like to thank the Trinity Lutheran Church for the unprecedented access allowed to our crews in creating this documentary.”

[Original Airdate: January 18, 2016]

Celebrate the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. with the Bel Canto Chorus and the Holy Redeemer Institutional Church of God in Christ choir. Through inspirational music and the words of Dr. King, this concerts works to bridge the great divide in our nation set by prejudice and segregation.

Milwaukee PBS and the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra have partnered once again. This time, on bringing the music of the Violent Femmes to PBS viewers.

The Violent Femmes are an American folk punk band who began playing acoustic punk on the streets of Milwaukee. The band was discovered after busking outside The Pretenders concert. The Pretenders lead singer Chrissie Hynde asked them to open for that nights’ show. The Violent Femmes consists of founding members Gordon Gano and Brian Ritchie, joined by multi-instrumentalist Blaise Garza and drummer John Sparrow.

MILWAUKEE'S BLACK CHURCHES explores the history, significance and cultural impact of a vibrant and integral part of Milwaukee's African American community. Take a look at the first Black Churches in Wisconsin, examine the changing role of the Church, and see what young people are doing to continue its legacies. Featured churches include St. Mark AME, Calvary Baptist Church, St. Benedict the Moor C

Few places in any American city have packed so many layers of change into such a small area. Jones Island is practically an open book that tells, on the miniature scale, the story of our entire region, but it is also a richly human story. From the cultural struggles of the early Indians to the catastrophic flooding of Capt. Jones shipyard, from the storybook lives of the Kaszubian fisherfolk to their ultimate eviction, the Island incorporates more drama, tragedy, conflict, and romance than you'd find in landscapes a hundred times larger. For all its historical depth and emotional power, the story of Jones Island is largely unknown in the Milwaukee region. PEOPLE OF THE PORT will close that gap. Anchored by the same duo who created the celebrated "Making of Milwaukee" series, the production team will create a half-hour documentary that elevates Jones Island to its proper place in the local narrative. Each stage in the Island's unique history will be treated as a distinct chapter, separated by wordless visual interludes that feature the contemporary landscape with music appropriate to the scene.

The Great Circus Parade was an amazing spectacular staged on the streets of Milwaukee! It occured 30 times between 1964 and 2009 and WMVS channel 10 was there! Milwaukee PBS has opened up our video archives to relive the event that was known as Wisconsin's National Treasure.

[Original Airdate: April 9, 2017]

Milwaukee Area Technical College and Milwaukee PBS come together to help parents of young children and family caregivers understand the vital role they play in a child's development. Featuring an assembled panel of experts, you will find the answers to the important questions relating to developing your child's foundation for all future learning.

[Original Airdate: December 7, 2012] Host Mark Siegrist travels with nineteen World War II veterans from around Wisconsin who returned to Pearl Harbor in June of 2012. He captures their memories, stories, thoughts and feelings about the event that catapulted the United States into World War II. For many of the veterans, this is the first time talking about those experiences.

This documentary is based on Jesus Salas' memoir: Obreros Unidos: The Roots and Legacy of the Farmworkers Movement. It reflects on the historical struggle of the Latino migrant farmworkers during the 1960's. They came from the Texan border fleeing similar to South African apartheid living conditions. One hundred thousand workers with their families followed routes every year to work in the agricultural fields, Wisconsin had the most progressive labor laws however these laws were not made effective for them so they united in a movement that dared to confront the employers who denied them their rights. 
 

The legend of Al Capone looms large over the state of Wisconsin, but how do we know if one of the most infamous men in American History actually visited the Badger State?

New photographs and correspondence reveal not only personal friendships and a more playful side of Al Capone, but that he was trying to purchase property in Northwoods, Wisconsin. 

[Original Airdate: October 20, 2016]

Former Major League Baseball Commissioner Allan Huber "Bud" Selig may be in the postseason of his career, but he's still a key player who won't take a seat on the bench. These days he's busy lecturing about the game, advising his successor, and philanthropic outreach. Journalist Mark Siegrist reconnects with Selig to tell the story.

[Original Airdate: April 22, 2015]

Historian John Gurda explores how the Milwaukee River and Lake Michigan spurred Milwaukee's growth. The settlers used rivers and Lake Michigan to transport grain, lumber, leather and beer, but water was just as important for play as it was for work. Gurda explains how the Milwaukee River became a destination for fun.

The Milwaukee Soldiers Home is a National Historic Landmark with origins that trace back to President Abraham Lincoln’s last legislative act and an overlooked group of young women who were clearly feminists before their time. The hour-long documentary, which will air in November, will tell the story of the iconic institution, from the women founders of the late 1800s to the homeless veterans who now live on campus in Old Main — the gothic tower seen from the freeway. 

**** This edition includes updated information on the continuing restorations of buildings on the Milwaukee County grounds. ****

[Original Airdate: November 3, 2015]

Clad in fatigues, an Australian bush hat, harlequin eyeglasses, a Leica camera slung around her shoulders and an infamous pair of pearl earrings, Dickey Chapelle stood out and defied everyone's notion of what a war correspondent was. Striving to not just capture the horrors of the war, but also the day-to-day lives of soldiers.

[Original Airdate: February 23, 2015]

The 150-year-old history of Milwaukee's Italian community is explored. This documentary takes you on a compelling, never-before told journey of courage and faith. It also looks at where the community is today and what's needed to keep this Italian heritage alive and well in Milwaukee.

[Original Airdate: September 18, 2017]

Mark Concannon talks to Wisconsin veterans who served in America's most controversial war. We meet a Milwaukee attorney who was among the first U.S. forces to take part in the conflict. Milwaukee TV personality John Malan recounts how he was wounded in a tank battle. A medic discusses witnessing the last moments of life for men who had become close friends.

An often overlooked perspective from the Vietnam War is from the Hmong, the largest Asian population in southeast Wisconsin. We look back at their stories of war, how and why they aided American troops, their daunting stories of escape from Laos and why these soldiers are so grateful to the United States.

[Original Airdate: October 3, 2014]

Images of the Vietnam War still burn in the American psyche, but today, the Socialist Republic of Vietnam is coming of age, a blending of Communist heritage and capitalist vision. Some believe Vietnam is destined to become an economic global leader. Journalist Mark Siegrist explores how greater Milwaukee is building economic and humanitarian bridges...

[Original Airdate: August 20, 2012]

Thousands of World War II veterans from Wisconsin are honored at Miller Park in Milwaukee during the "Field of Honor: A Salute to the Greatest Generation" day-long celebration. Milwaukee Public Television covers this spectacular event both inside and outside the stadium. The program features veterans talking about the impact of the War on their lives...

[Latest Airdate: August 30, 2017]
[Original Airdate: August 27, 2013]

On August 28, 1963 roughly 250,000 Americans participated in the "Great March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom." Organized by labor and social activists A. Philip Randolph and Bayard Rustin, the event brought together major Civil Rights Organizations, Labor Unions, religious leaders, and ordinary citizens...

[Original Airdate: May 11, 2011]

This documentary traces Milwaukee's most turbulent events during the Civil Rights struggle of the mid 1900s. Using archival footage, photographs, and interviews with Milwaukeeans, the film sheds light on the fight for equal employment, open housing, and equitable educational opportunities, and reveals how Milwaukee earned the nickname, "The Selma Of the North".

To celebrate National Manufacturing Month, Milwaukee PBS and the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel present "The Future of Manufacturing Town Hall" from Milwaukee Area Technical College’s Cooley Auditorium. 

Black Nouveau host Joanne Williams and Dr. Kweku Ramel Smith, Clinical and Sport Psychologist, University of Wisconsin - Madison, talk with a panel of mental health clinicians about issues recent events have raised.

On this special report, Milwaukee PBS examines how the vaccine is being distributed - and to whom - in southeastern Wisconsin. THE VACCINE: A MILWAUKEE PBS SPECIAL brings viewers the very latest on the vaccine, with 10THIRTYSIX's Portia Young, BLACK NOUVEAU's Earl Arms and ADELANTE's Patricia Gomez.

Each of us has been impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic. Almost overnight, our world has changed. In this unprecedented and extraordinary time, Milwaukee PBS has featured personal stories from our hosts and producers, stories of impact across our community, and stories of "Milwaukee's Helpers" - those going above and beyond to help people cope, stay well, and survive this crisis.

BLACK NOUVEAU examines the effects of COVID-19 on Milwaukee's African American community.

A small dairy community in the northwest part of Wisconsin recorded zero cases of Covid-19.Despite that, the virus hit the city of Loyal hard. As part of the Local Journalism Initiative for PBS FRONTLINE, Milwaukee PBS and the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel present "Pandemic in the Heartland," a look at how small business owners and dairy farmers coped with a coronavirus shutdown.

In this special edition of ADELANTE, Jorge from the Lopez Bakery describes how his business has survived hard times in the past, and how he expects to make it through this pandemic. Immigration lawyer Cain Oulahan discusses his reservations regarding ICE's recent announcement of their halt on arrests during this crisis. Also, Dr. Emilia Arana highlights the importance of protective measures.

10THIRTYSIX tells Milwaukee's stories of health, help and hope during the COVID-19 pandemic. 10THIRTYSIX joins "Listen MKE," a community listening project with the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, WUWM and the Milwaukee Public Library. LaToya Dennis from WUWM Milwaukee's National Public Radio talks with three youth organizers pushing for change regarding the Black Lives Matter movement.