GRANITE FALLS, Minnesota, September 14, 2026 — Pioneer PBS is celebrating 18 Upper Midwest Emmy® Award nominations this year, including 12 nominations for productions created by the Pioneer PBS team and six nominations recognizing independent productions that aired on Pioneer PBS, thus making them eligible.
The nominations reflect the range of storytelling that reaches viewers across the region. From locally produced programs and documentaries to independent work that found a home on Pioneer PBS. Together, they represent the people, communities and storytellers who continue to bring meaningful stories to audiences across rural Minnesota and beyond.
“Every one of these nominations represents a story from this region that has had impact,” said Pioneer PBS President and General Manager Shari Lamke. "Pioneer PBS is dedicated to capturing and sharing these unique stories and showcasing why voices from this region matter."
Pioneer PBS productions
Pioneer PBS’s arts, culture and history programming received nominations across several categories. In the Documentary – Historical category, Dr. Nellie Barsness: Minnesota’s Medical Pioneer was nominated. The documentary was produced by Susan Marks, with cinematography by Matt Ehling, executive production by Sherece Lamke and graphics by Mickey Reed.
The station received three nominations in the Arts/Entertainment categories. Mario Callens: A Heritage of Music was nominated for Short Form Content. In the Long Form Content category, both From Twin Peaks to Two Harbors with Artist Michael Horse and Mr. Funny Man received nominations. Pioneer’s storytelling about people building new lives and businesses was recognized in the Business/Consumer category with Pen House Boba: Refugees to Entrepreneurs.
Additionally, Wanda’s Story: A Journey From Ukraine to Minnesota was nominated in the category of Historical/Cultural/Nostalgia - Long Form Content. The program was produced by Susan Marks, executive production by Sherece Lamke, graphics by Kristofor Gieske, with cinematography by Michael Sutz and Matt Ehling.
Prairie Sportsman earns four nominations
Pioneer PBS’s outdoor recreation and conservation series Prairie Sportsman received four nominations. The Bloodsucker Survey was nominated in the Environment/Science category. The story was produced by Thomas Desch, edited by Jaryd Smith, hosted by Bret Amundson and filmed by Dan Amundson.
Two Prairie Sportsman stories were nominated in Historical/Cultural/Nostalgia – Long Form Content: Conservation’s North Star and The Lab at the Falls. Bret Amundson also received a nomination in the Program Host/Moderator category for Prairie Sportsman.
More Pioneer PBS stories recognized
The station received additional nominations in the Lifestyle – Long Form Content Category for Things You Learn From Watching Sheep. In the Military – Short or Long Form Content category, A Town’s Tribute to Fallen Veterans was nominated. Together the nominations reflect the range of stories produced by Pioneer PBS, from the people and places that shape the region to the history and traditions that continue to influence communities today.
Independent productions broadcast by Pioneer PBS
Pioneer PBS also broadcast several independently produced projects that were eligible for Upper Midwest Emmy consideration. My Town: Resilience in Rock Valley, produced by The Brookshire Company, received a Magazine Program nomination.
The My Town project also received additional nominations for Photographer, Editor, Director and Program Host/Moderator. Micah Kvidt was nominated for photography and editing. Cory Hepola was nominated for directing and hosting.
The independently produced documentary Broken Eyes, from Archer Avenue Productions, was nominated in the Documentary – Topical category.
Pioneer PBS’s nominated stories and programs can be viewed online at pioneer.org/emmys. The Upper Midwest Emmy Awards will be presented at the 2026 Upper Midwest Emmys® event hosted by the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Upper Midwest Chapter on Saturday, October 17, 2026. The event will also be available to stream live online on the Midwest Emmys YouTube channel.
About Pioneer PBS
Established in 1966, Pioneer PBS is an award-winning, viewer-supported television station dedicated to sharing stories from rural Minnesota with the world. Pioneer PBS is headquartered in Granite Falls, Minnesota, with towers in Appleton, Worthington, and Fergus Falls. Pioneer PBS reaches more than a million people in rural areas and small towns in western Minnesota, the eastern Dakotas, and northern Iowa. Pioneer PBS is honored to be your television station—the only station in western Minnesota telling your stories and raising your voices into the media landscape. Our members help make programs like this possible with their generous support. For more information about Pioneer PBS or how you can help us make these stories a reality, visit pioneer.org/donate or call 800-726-3178.
About Postcards
Postcards is an award-winning art, culture, and history program. It is made possible by contributions from the voters of Minnesota through a legislative appropriation from the Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund. The 2026 season is made possible by funding from Shalom Hill Farm, Explore Alexandria Tourism, Lake Region Arts Council, West Central Initiative, Clean Water Land & Legacy Amendment, Margaret A. Cargill Philanthropies, and members of Pioneer PBS.
About Prairie Sportsman
Prairie Sportsman is an Emmy-awarded series that celebrates the love of the outdoors by featuring topics on hunting, fishing, and recreation while promoting environmental stewardship. The 2026 season is made possible by funding from the Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund, Shalom Hill Farm, Big Stone County, Yellow Medicine County, Lac qui Parle County, Meeker County, Swift County, and members of Pioneer PBS. If you enjoy Prairie Sportsman, become a friend of Prairie Sportsman by filling out a Google Form.
About Pioneer PBS Specials
These programs are made possible by contributions from the voters of Minnesota through a legislative appropriation from the Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund and members of Pioneer PBS.
