Kansas City PBS is proud to announce it has won two 2026 Mid-America Emmy® Awards, recognizing excellence in television across the region.
The winning programs and their creators are:
Innocence Should Be Enough (Public Affairs Program)
Solomon Shields, Brad Austin, Paris Norvell
What happens when an innocent person is sentenced to life in prison? Innocence Should Be Enough, a powerful documentary from filmmaker Solomon Shields, explores the devastating impact of wrongful convictions in Missouri and Kansas. Through the stories of individuals who were wrongfully convicted and the tireless efforts of the Midwest Innocence Project, this film exposes the deep flaws in the justice system — where proving innocence is often not enough to secure freedom.
Winning the War: Harry, Ike & The Fight for Democracy (Documentary – Historical)
Emily Woodring, Chris Lester, Brian Burnes, Paris Norvell
Winning the War: Harry, Ike & The Fight for Democracy is a historical documentary premiering 80 years after the Allied victory in World War II. Producer Emily Woodring explores the enduring legacy of Kansas City's involvement in the war through the lens of Harry S. Truman of Independence, Missouri, and Dwight D. Eisenhower of Abilene, Kansas, focusing on D-Day and the decision to launch nuclear attacks on Japan. Hear from veterans of the conflict whose lives were forever changed through their experiences.
The nominated programs and their creators were:
Aunt Sister: The Legacy of Sarah Rector (Documentary – Cultural)
Jacob Handy, Michaela Handy, Samuel Jones, Betty Chung Jones, SyKnese Fields, Robert Coppage III, Isabelle Brown, Brad Austin
Aunt Sister: The Legacy of Sarah Rector chronicles the captivating story of an 11-year-old Black girl from Oklahoma who transformed into one of history's wealthiest Black figures. The film follows her extraordinary journey from the unexpected oil boom on her family's land to her rise to prominence in Kansas City.
KC Week in Review Newsmaker: KC Mayor and Jackson County Prosecutor(Interview/Discussion)
Nick Haines, Matthew McClelland, Mark Stamm, Eric Mater
KC Week in Review host Nick Haines talks to Mayor Quinton Lucas as he begins his final year as mayor about many of the key issues the city must address. Plus, after her first year on the job, Jackson County Prosecutor Melesa Johnson joins the program to discuss key accomplishments and new approaches.
The $5 Million River Cleanup (Environment/Science – Short Form Content)
Mike Sherry, Abigail Landwehr
Local environmentalists embark on a monumental Blue River cleanup project using $5 million awarded to the Missouri Department of Natural Resources with leftover federal COVID-19 relief funds.
Copper Boyz Preview (Historical/Cultural – Short Form Content)
Collin Riggins, Brad Austin
If you’ve been out at night in Kansas City, there’s a good chance you’ve seen the Copper Boyz. They are a group of cowboys who ride around KC streets, engaging with community members and introducing youth to horsemanship. Guided by an ethos of violence prevention, they fundamentally reimagine what it means to be a cowboy and, consequently, invite us to do the same.
Donate a Car and Fuel Public Media (Promotion – Non-News)
John McGrath, Cole Blaise, Brad Austin
In this Wes Anderson-inspired spot, Kansas City PBS producer John McGrath reminds viewers how simple it is to donate a vehicle to Kansas City PBS and help keep quality programming on-air.
“We are incredibly proud of our team and their commitment to producing impactful, high-quality work,” said Cara Williams Fry, president and CEO of Kansas City PBS. “Earning two Mid-America Emmy® Awards is a meaningful recognition of not only the talent, dedication and storytelling excellence at Kansas City PBS, but also the incredible support from our viewers and partners that make this work possible. These achievements celebrate the power of local storytelling to preserve our region’s rich history, elevate diverse perspectives and share the stories that shape and strengthen our community."
The winning and nominated programs can be found at kansascitypbs.org/shows, the PBS App and the Kansas City PBS YouTube channel.
The 2026 NATAS Mid-America Emmy® awards ceremony took place on Saturday, Oct. 24, at the Overland Park Convention Center in Overland Park, KS. More information about the 2026 nominees can be found at https://emmymid-america.org/.
About the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (NATAS)
The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences, founded in 1955, is a professional service organization dedicated to the advancement of the arts and sciences of television. NATAS presents the prestigious Emmy® Award for achievements in News & Documentary, Sports, Daytime, Public & Community Service, Technology & Engineering and more. Regional Emmy® Awards are given in 19 regions across the United States.
About the NATAS Mid-America Chapter
The Mid-America Chapter was chartered in 1962 and began honoring outstanding achievements in television with local Emmy® Awards in 1976. As "The Emmy® People," their mission is to set the gold standard while celebrating innovation and integrity across all platforms of visual media. The chapter includes television markets primarily in Missouri, Arkansas and Illinois.
