Nebraska Public Media
Look Closer… Everything Is Miniature 👀 | Weird. Wonderful. Collected!
- Title
- Look Closer… Everything Is Miniature 👀 | Weird. Wonderful. Collected!
- Runtime
- 0:57
- Date posted
- 23 hours ago
- Description
- Tiny details, BIG imagination🤩
What started as a hobby became an extraordinary collection of miniature worlds! From tiny furniture to intricate room settings, Eloise Kruger spent decades building and collecting incredible creations at 1:12 scale.
© 2026 Nebraska Public Media Foundation. All rights reserved.
“Weird. Wonderful. Collected!” explores remarkable collections and the passionate people behind them.
#Nebraska #Collection #Miniatures #Art
- Title
- Darrell Scott: I'll Meet You In A Song | JAM
- Runtime
- 3:39
- Date posted
- 4 days ago
- Description
- Featured on the album Scott made with his brothers, “I’ll Meet You in a Song” draws on gospel tradition, The Band and John Lennon to imagine music as common ground—where disagreement can give way to harmony.
Four-time Grammy nominee Darrell Scott has been called “a musician’s musician and songwriter’s songwriter” and “a master wordsmith” whose songs have become part of the roots-music vernacular. His songs have been recorded by some of music’s biggest names, including the Chicks, Travis Tritt and Patty Loveless. A recipient of the Americana Music Association’s Lifetime Achievement Award, Scott is known for deeply personal, finely crafted songs rooted in family, place and lived experience.
© 2026 Nebraska Public Media Foundation. All rights reserved.
“JAM” explores songwriting, musical roots, creative reinvention and the rewards and realities of a life in music through candid interviews and performances. Learn mo...
- Title
- Six-Man Football: The Nebraska Game You May Not Know | Curious Nebraska
- Runtime
- 4:18
- Date posted
- 6 days ago
- Description
- Football is a big deal in Nebraska — but did you know a different version of the game was invented right here?
Six-man football began in 1934 in Chester, Nebraska, created by Stephen Epler as a way for small, rural schools to field a football team. Today, the fast-paced game remains a vibrant part of Nebraska high school sports.
Curious Nebraska explores how six-man football works, why it’s different from the traditional game and how its Nebraska roots continue to bring small communities together.
From a smaller field and shorter quarters to every player being eligible to run, pass and kick, six-man football has plenty of its own rules — and plenty of razzle-dazzle.
Discover the Nebraska story behind six-man football and why the game continues to thrive.
Featuring:
Nate Neuhaus, Assistant Director, Nebraska School Activities Association
Charlotte Gezi, Daughter of Six-Man Football inventor Stephen Epler
Richard Walter, Former Coach,...
- Title
- He Started With One Jeep… Now He Has 400 🤯| Weird. Wonderful. Collected! #Short
- Runtime
- 0:38
- Date posted
- 7 days ago
- Description
- One Jeep just wasn't enough! 🤩
Meet Mick Mitchell, a Nebraska man who has collected more than 400 Jeeps! What started with a single Jeep in eighth grade has turned into an incredible collection decades in the making.
© 2026 Nebraska Public Media Foundation. All rights reserved.
“Weird. Wonderful. Collected!” explores remarkable collections and the passionate people behind them.
#Nebraska #Collection #CarCollection #Jeep
- Title
- Yes, Strawberry Square Was Real
- Runtime
- 0:27
- Date posted
- 8 days ago
- Description
- Some Nebraskans still remember teachers rolling in the TV cart for "Strawberry Square." If that childhood TV memory has been floating around in your head for years: yes, it was real.
Full episodes of "Strawberry Square" are now available from the Nebraska Public Media archives.
#StrawberrySquare #NebraskaHistory #TheStacks
About “The Stacks”:
For decades, Nebraska public television has captured performances, experiments, local stories and cultural moments, many of them unseen since they first aired. Nebraska Public Media's new digital series "The Stacks" revisits surprising, funny and ambitious programs from the Nebraska Public Media archives.
Explore other programs from the Nebraska Public Media archives and watch our new series “The Stacks” on our YouTube channel.
©2026 Nebraska Public Media Foundation. All rights reserved.
- Title
- Inside a Beloved '80s Kids’ TV Show | The Stacks
- Runtime
- 8:30
- Date posted
- 10 days ago
- Description
- "Strawberry Square" brought original songs, choreography, recurring characters and a colorful neighborhood set to young viewers in the 1980s. Alexis introduces Jordan to episodes from 1981 and 1984 to see how the series changed — and just how much funkier it got.
#StrawberrySquare #PublicTelevision #TheStacks #80sKidsTV #1980sNostalgia
Watch full episodes of "Strawberry Square"
The Pet Shop (1981): https://youtu.be/WiRB_a4DURk
Get Off Your Square: Take Time (1984): https://youtu.be/-9NQ6gDS2Ss
About “The Stacks”:
For decades, Nebraska public television has captured performances, experiments, local stories and cultural moments, many of them unseen since they first aired. Nebraska Public Media's new digital series ""The Stacks"" revisits surprising, funny and ambitious programs from the Nebraska Public Media archives.
Explore other programs from the Nebraska Public Media archives and watch our new serie...
- Title
- Josh Hoyer's Colossal 4: Under the Red Lights | JAM
- Runtime
- 4:20
- Date posted
- 11 days ago
- Description
- A blues-soaked reflection born from a rare, perfect moment at Memphis’ Ernestine & Hazel’s, “Under the Red Lights” honors a beloved former bandmate and the memories that help us make peace with life’s pain.A blues-soaked reflection born from a rare, perfect moment at Memphis’ Ernestine & Hazel’s, “Under the Red Lights” honors a beloved former bandmate and the memories that help us make peace with life’s pain. With powerhouse vocals, driving keyboards and a groove built for the stage, Josh Hoyer’s Colossal 4 brings classic soul into the present.
- Title
- Sea Monsters in Nebraska? | Weird. Wonderful. Collected!
- Runtime
- 6:30
- Date posted
- 12 days ago
- Description
- Seventy million years ago, Nebraska was covered by a vast inland sea. Today, fossil collector Jon Morgenson helps uncover the remarkable creatures that once lived there.
From Ice Age mammoths and bison to a 70-million-year-old Mosasaur now displayed at Morrill Hall at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, Jon's discoveries reveal a prehistoric world hidden beneath the Great Plains.
His lifelong curiosity has led him to creek beds, riverbanks, and road cuts across Nebraska, carefully searching for clues to Earth's ancient past. Every fossil is collected with respect for the land, the law, and the stories preserved in stone.
For Jon, collecting isn't just about finding fossils, it's about connecting people with a world that disappeared millions of years ago.
Love discovering extraordinary collections? Watch the full Weird. Wonderful. Collected! series.
Do you have a weird, wonderful collection of your own? Tell us about it in t...
- Title
- Get Off Your Square - Strawberry Square II: Take Time | The Stacks
- Runtime
- 11:59
- Date posted
- 14 days ago
- Description
- What does a merry-go-round look like from another point of view? In “Get Off Your Square,” a disagreement at a playground becomes a playful exploration of perspective before guests Reinhold Marxhausen and a friend make their unusual entrance into Strawberry Square. The episode builds to a large musical production number as Skipper and the residents invite their visitors to join in the fun.
Produced in 1984, “Get Off Your Square” comes from the expanded second season of ""Strawberry Square,"" when the series moved beyond its neighborhood set more often for location shoots, guest appearances, and new adventures. From the Nebraska Public Media archives.
#80sKidsTV #NebraskaHistory #NebraskaArt #1980sNostalgia #StrawberrySquare #TheStacks
About this archival program: This program is presented as originally produced. It may include language, ideas, depictions or production practices that reflect the time in which it was made.
...
- Title
- Darrell Scott: It's a Great Day to Be Alive | JAM
- Runtime
- 4:20
- Date posted
- 16 days ago
- Description
- After a week of debilitating back pain, Darrell Scott wrote “It’s a Great Day to Be Alive” from the sheer relief of sitting upright again. Warm, playful and a little wistful, the song comes alive through Scott’s expressive vocals and deft, resonant Weissenborn playing. It was later made famous by Travis Tritt, whose version became a major country hit.
Four-time Grammy nominee Darrell Scott has been called “a musician’s musician and songwriter’s songwriter” and “a master wordsmith” whose songs have become part of the roots-music vernacular. A recipient of the Americana Music Association’s Lifetime Achievement Award, Scott is known for deeply personal, finely crafted songs rooted in family, place and lived experience.
© 2026 Nebraska Public Media Foundation. All rights reserved.
“JAM” explores songwriting, musical roots, creative reinvention and the rewards and realities of a life in music through candid interviews and per...
- Title
- Firewood or Fine Art? | Weird. Wonderful. Collected!
- Runtime
- 6:06
- Date posted
- 19 days ago
- Description
- Would you burn this... or put it on display?
Near Chimney Rock in western Nebraska, Judy Durnal collects weathered wood knots, twisted branches, and sun-bleached fence posts sculpted by wind, time, and harsh prairie weather. What others overlook, she sees as works of natural art.
Judy has spent a lifetime discovering beauty hidden in the Nebraska landscape. Each piece reflects her deep connection to the prairie and the ranch her family has called home for generations.
Her great-grandfather homesteaded this land more than a century ago and famously sold Chimney Rock to the State of Nebraska for just one dollar. Today, Judy's remarkable collection reminds us that sometimes nature creates the most extraordinary works of art…we simply have to notice them.
Love discovering extraordinary collections? Watch more from the "Weird. Wonderful. Collected!" series: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLOrebTturuTo
Do you have a w...
- Title
- The Pet Shop - Strawberry Square | The Stacks
- Runtime
- 14:45
- Date posted
- 20 days ago
- Description
- A basket of puppies arrives at Jan’s pet shop, The Cat’s Meow, giving the residents of Strawberry Square plenty to sing about. Along the way, the group spends time with the animals, performs songs together, and joins Skipper for a “sound story” that asks them to identify what they hear.
Produced in 1981, this episode comes from the first season of ""Strawberry Square,"" Nebraska Public Media’s educational series for young children. The series continued to air for Nebraska viewers throughout the 1980s. From the Nebraska Public Media archives.
#80sKidsTV #EducationalTelevision #NebraskaHistory #StrawberrySquare #TheStacks
About this archival program: This program is presented as originally produced. It may include language, ideas, depictions or production practices that reflect the time in which it was made.
Discover more about the Nebraska Public Media archives: https://NebraskaPublicMedia.org/archives
Abo...
- Title
- Nebraska Debate: 2nd Congressional District - Brinker Harding (R) vs. Denise Powell (D)
- Runtime
- 58:30
- Date posted
- 22 days ago
- Description
- Republican candidate Brinker Harding and Democratic candidate Denise Powell face off in a debate for Nebraska’s 2nd Congressional District, presented by Nebraska Public Media in partnership with the Omaha World-Herald.
Omaha World-Herald Managing Editor Aaron Sanderford and Nebraska Public Media News Managing Editor Jackie Ourada moderate as the candidates discuss issues important to voters across Nebraska’s 2nd Congressional District.
This debate is part of Nebraska Public Media News’ Campaign Connection 2026 coverage, providing voters with information about Nebraska candidates, contests and issues.
Learn more about Campaign Connection 2026: https://NebraskaPublicMedia.org/campaignconnection
© 2026 Nebraska Public Media Foundation. All rights reserved
FOLLOW US:
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/NebraskaPublicMedia
News Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NebraskaPublicMediaNews
Facebook: https://...
- Title
- No Art School. Just Imagination. | Weird. Wonderful. Collected!
- Runtime
- 8:25
- Date posted
- 26 days ago
- Description
- For collectors Janet Eskridge and Carl Eskridge, great art isn't defined by formal training, it's defined by the story behind it. The life lived. The instinct to create. The moment something made by hand becomes something deeply felt.
Their collection celebrates self-taught and visionary artists who followed no rules and answered only to an inner need to create. Their work is often spiritual, sometimes unconventional, but always deeply personal.
Featured in this collection are artists like Emery Blagdon, who transformed illness and loss into extraordinary works of art, and James Castle, who quietly built an artistic world of his own using found materials. Alongside them are other remarkable creators driven simply by the need to make what they felt.
This is a story about creativity without boundaries and what happens when art moves you before you can explain why.
#OutsiderArt #FolkArt #SelfTaughtArtists #VisionaryArt #ArtCollectors #Ar...
- Title
- Josh Hoyer's Colossal 4: Clara Jayne | JAM
- Runtime
- 4:46
- Date posted
- 1 month ago
- Description
- Carried by a gentle soul groove and warm electric piano, “Clara Jayne” is Hoyer’s love letter to his daughter, celebrating her freedom, openness and the way she makes the world feel new.
With rich, soulful vocals, driving keyboards and a groove built for the stage, Josh Hoyer brings classic soul into the present. Drawing from Memphis R&B, New Orleans funk, Stax and the blues, Josh Hoyer’s Colossal 4 pairs powerhouse musicianship with songs grounded in honesty and human connection. Hoyer built a national following with Josh Hoyer & Soul Colossal, the six-piece band he led to first place at the 2025 International Blues Challenge in Memphis. Now fronting a leaner ensemble, he brings fresh chemistry and renewed energy to the music.
© 2026 Nebraska Public Media Foundation. All rights reserved.
“JAM” explores songwriting, musical roots, creative reinvention and the rewards and realities of a life in music through candid interviews and perf...
- Title
- Seeds Are Meant to Be Planted | Weird. Wonderful. Collected!
- Runtime
- 6:18
- Date posted
- 1 month ago
- Description
- On a farm outside Scottsbluff, Nebraska, Nathan Corymb Clark and his partner Beth are working to preserve something far more valuable than a collection. Every seed they grow and save is meant to return to the land and help shape the future.
Founders of a seed company and longtime members of Seed Savers Exchange, Nathan and Beth have spent decades working in organic and biodynamic seed systems across the American Midwest, Switzerland, and Germany. Today, their work continues through the Meadowlark Hearth Living Environment Foundation, where biodiversity, healthy soil, and respect for all living things guide every decision.
This is a story about prairie restoration, patience, and thinking beyond a single lifetime. Because every seed carries the possibility of something far greater than itself.
Love discovering extraordinary collections? Watch more from the "Weird. Wonderful. Collected!" series: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLOrebTtur...
- Title
- Behind-The-Scenes Look at Master Control and the Network Operations Center at Nebraska Public Media
- Runtime
- 3:25
- Date posted
- 1 month ago
- Description
- Al Krause, Network Operations Supervisor, gives us a tour of Master Control and the Network Operations Center at Nebraska Public Media.
00:00 - Al Krause, Network Operations Manager
00:12 - Feeding the Beast (Ingesting a Wide Range of Media Formats)
00:33 - You Get One Shot of a Live Feed (Always Have a Backup)
00:53 - Master Control
01:32 - Emergency Alert System (EAS) in Nebraska
01:58 - Working 24/7
02:10 - NextGen TV (ATSC 3.0)
02:30 - Network Operations Center
02:54 - Streaming Capabilities
© 2026 Nebraska Public Media Foundation. All rights reserved.
Nebraska Public Media has connected citizens with news, sports, education and entertainment since 1954. Providing global and compelling stories from PBS and NPR, the statewide public media network also produces award-winning local content. Its programs and services reach Nebraskans on television, radio, online, social media and mobile apps. V...
- Title
- More Than 1,500 Board Games | Weird. Wonderful. Collected!
- Runtime
- 8:09
- Date posted
- 1 month ago
- Description
- More than 1,500 games. One extraordinary family.
Our Family Plays Games has spent years building a collection that celebrates far more than cardboard and dice. Through game nights, videos, and a welcoming community, Starla, Mik, and Grant Fitch are helping more people discover the joy of playing together.
What started around the family table has grown into one of the most respected voices in the board gaming community, inspiring players across the country and around the world. Because sometimes the best thing a board game creates isn't a winner…it's a connection.
Love discovering extraordinary collections? Watch more from the "Weird. Wonderful. Collected!" series: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLOrebTturuTo
Do you have a weird, wonderful collection of your own? Tell us about it in the comments!
#BoardGames #BoardGaming #TabletopGaming @OurFamilyPlaysGames
© 2026 Nebraska Public Media Foundation. ...
- Title
- What Makes a Husker Game So Special? | Curious Nebraska
- Runtime
- 4:05
- Date posted
- 1 month ago
- Description
- For generations of Nebraskans, a trip to Memorial Stadium is a rite of passage. But what does it feel like to experience a Husker game for the very first time — especially when you're rooting for the visiting team?
Curious Nebraska host Andy Hermann, an Ohio University alum and lifelong Ohio Bobcats fan, steps into Memorial Stadium for the first time as Ohio takes on Nebraska on Sept. 5, 2026. Along the way, he explores the traditions, fan culture, marching band and unmistakable atmosphere that make a Husker game such a memorable experience.
From tailgating and the Sea of Red to the Cornhusker Marching Band and the fans welcoming the visitors, Andy discovers what makes Memorial Stadium feel so special — even to an opposing fan.
Featuring:
Michael Edler, Ohio grad, sports enthusiast, good friend of the host;
Jay Moore, former Husker and new Husker Radio Network color commentator;
Tony Falcone, director, Cornhusker Marching Ban...
- Title
- Nebraska Debate: 1st Congressional District - Congressman Mike Flood & Challenger Chris Backemeyer
- Runtime
- 58:30
- Date posted
- 1 month ago
- Description
- Republican incumbent Mike Flood and Democratic challenger Chris Backemeyer face off in a debate for Nebraska’s 1st Congressional District.
The debate is presented by Nebraska Public Media in partnership with the Omaha World-Herald and Rural Radio Network.
Omaha World-Herald managing editor Aaron Sanderford and Nebraska Public Media News managing editor Jackie Ourada moderate as the candidates discuss issues important to voters across Nebraska’s 1st Congressional District.
This debate is part of Nebraska Public Media News’ Campaign Connection 2026 coverage, providing voters with information about Nebraska candidates, contests and issues.
Learn more about Campaign Connection 2026: https://NebraskaPublicMedia.org/campaignconnection
© 2026 Nebraska Public Media Foundation. All rights reserved
FOLLOW US:
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/NebraskaPublicMedia
News Facebook: https://www.facebook.co...
- Title
- Darrell Scott: Angel's Blue Eyes | JAM
- Runtime
- 4:07
- Date posted
- 2 months ago
- Description
- Shaped by Nebraska’s seasons and Scott’s courtship with his wife, Angela, “Angel’s Blue Eyes” is a tender, deeply affectionate love song filled with cranes, changing light and the quiet promise of a love sustained across distance and time.
Four-time Grammy nominee Darrell Scott has been called “a musician’s musician and songwriter’s songwriter” and “a master wordsmith” whose songs have become part of the roots-music vernacular. His songs have been recorded by some of music’s biggest names, including the Chicks, Travis Tritt and Patty Loveless. A recipient of the Americana Music Association’s Lifetime Achievement Award, Scott is known for deeply personal, finely crafted songs rooted in family, place and lived experience.
© 2026 Nebraska Public Media Foundation. All rights reserved.
“JAM” explores songwriting, musical roots, creative reinvention and the rewards and realities of a life in music through candid int...
- Title
- Look Again... It's a Miniature | Weird. Wonderful. Collected!
- Runtime
- 11:39
- Date posted
- 2 months ago
- Description
- Love discovering extraordinary collections? Watch more from the "Weird. Wonderful. Collected!" series: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLOrebTturuTo
Look closer... this isn't a dollhouse. It's an entire world built one tiny piece at a time.
What began as a hobby became one of the most remarkable miniature collections in America. By day, Eloise Kruger worked as an accountant. In her free time, she meticulously built and collected miniature furniture, artwork, architectural details, and entire room settings at 1:12 scale. Every chair, fireplace, teacup, and candlestick tells a story.
Today, her life's work lives on inside the Eloise Kruger Gallery of Miniatures at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, where visitors can step into beautifully recreated worlds spanning centuries of design and craftsmanship.
This episode explores the passion, patience, and imagination behind one extraordinary collection and the woman who proved that ...
- Title
- Who Was The “Broom Man”? The Story of Rev. Livingston Wills | Curious Omaha
- Runtime
- 4:10
- Date posted
- 2 months ago
- Description
- In this episode of Curious Omaha, we explore the story and legacy of Reverend Livingston Wills, a beloved Omaha figure known for decades as the “Broom Man.”
Born with only about 5% of his eyesight, Wills navigated Omaha’s streets by tapping his cane and whistling as he traveled neighborhood to neighborhood selling brooms door-to-door. Along the way, he built lasting connections throughout the city and became a familiar and respected presence in the community.
Photojournalist Kent Sievers remembers spending time with Wills more than 25 years ago, while Wills’ great-grandson Tyron Criswell shares how walking those routes with his great-grandfather shaped his own life.
Now, a bronze sculpture of the Broom Man stands in Omaha, honoring a man whose legacy was built not on fame or fortune, but on faith, connection, perseverance and the impact he had on the people around him.
Featuring:
John Ewing, Mayor of Omaha;
Kent Sievers, photojournalis...
- Title
- Josh Hoyer's Colossal 4: Pocket Dipper | JAM
- Runtime
- 3:45
- Date posted
- 2 months ago
- Description
- With grit, humor and a sharp eye for phonies, “Pocket Dipper” takes aim at the shady side of the music business— calling out the talkers and takers with bluesy attitude and a searing guitar solo.
With rich, soulful vocals, driving keyboards and a groove built for the stage, Josh Hoyer brings classic soul into the present. Drawing from Memphis R&B, New Orleans funk, Stax and the blues, Josh Hoyer’s Colossal 4 pairs powerhouse musicianship with songs grounded in honesty and human connection. Hoyer built a national following with Josh Hoyer & Soul Colossal, the six-piece band he led to first place at the 2025 International Blues Challenge in Memphis. Now fronting a leaner ensemble, he brings fresh chemistry and renewed energy to the music.
© 2026 Nebraska Public Media Foundation. All rights reserved.
“JAM” explores songwriting, musical roots, creative reinvention and the rewards and realities of a life in music through candid interviews...
- Title
- Over 400 Jeeps... and Counting | Weird. Wonderful. Collected!
- Runtime
- 7:47
- Date posted
- 2 months ago
- Description
- Most people own one Jeep. Mick Mitchell owns more than 400.
Behind an unassuming building just blocks from Main Street in Scottsbluff, Nebraska, sits a collection decades in the making. What began with a single Jeep in the eighth grade has grown into one of the most remarkable private Jeep collections in the country.
Inspired by wartime newsreels and a lifelong love of history, Mick has spent decades rescuing, preserving, and collecting vehicles that helped shape the American story.
Every Jeep has a history. Mick's mission is making sure those stories aren't forgotten.
Love discovering extraordinary collections? Watch more from the "Weird. Wonderful. Collected!" series: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLOrebTturuTo
Do you have a weird, wonderful collection of your own? Tell us about it in the comments!
© 2026 Nebraska Public Media Foundation. All rights reserved.
Nebraska Public Media has been d...
- Title
- The History of a Forgotten Hospital Grotto | Curious Nebraska #Short #HistoryShort
- Runtime
- 0:43
- Date posted
- 2 months ago
- Description
- Hidden beneath overgrown brush in South Omaha is a stone grotto that few people know exists. Built around 1910 on the grounds of St. Joseph's Hospital, the grotto was once a place for prayer, healing and quiet reflection. Today, it sits abandoned, locked away and slowly deteriorating.
Produced by Andy Hermann for Nebraska Public Media
© 2026 Nebraska Public Media Foundation. All rights reserved.
"Curious Omaha" is an offshoot of "Curious Nebraska," Nebraska Public Media radio producer Andy Hermann's quest to figure out what makes Nebraska, Nebraska.
#CuriousOmaha #CuriousNebraska #OmahaHistory #NebraskaHistory #HiddenHistory #SouthOmaha #HistoricPlaces #LocalHistory
- Title
- Darrell Scott: You'll Never Leave Harlan Alive | JAM
- Runtime
- 5:05
- Date posted
- 2 months ago
- Description
- Rooted in Darrell Scott’s Kentucky family history, “You’ll Never Leave Harlan Alive” is a haunting, deeply emotional Appalachian ballad about coal-mining hardship, family ties and lives shaped by the mountains.
Four-time Grammy nominee Darrell Scott has been called “a musician’s musician and songwriter’s songwriter” and “a master wordsmith” whose songs have become part of the roots-music vernacular. His songs have been recorded by some of music’s biggest names, including the Chicks, Travis Tritt and Patty Loveless. A recipient of the Americana Music Association’s Lifetime Achievement Award, Scott is known for deeply personal, finely crafted songs rooted in family, place and lived experience.
© 2026 Nebraska Public Media Foundation. All rights reserved.
“JAM” explores songwriting, musical roots, creative reinvention and the rewards and realities of a life in music through candid interviews and performances. Learn more a...
- Title
- How Prague, Nebraska, Baked a 2,600-Pound Kolach | Curious Nebraska
- Runtime
- 4:15
- Date posted
- 2 months ago
- Description
- In 1987, the village of Prague, Nebraska, celebrated its centennial with an ambitious idea: bake the world’s largest kolach.
What started as a suggestion to make a 100-pound pastry quickly grew into something much bigger. The finished kolach measured more than 14 feet across and weighed 2,600 pounds. Volunteers built a massive oven from trucking panels, gathered ingredients from local bakers and used hundreds of pounds of propane to bring the giant Czech pastry to life.
Then came the question of what to do with a 2,600-pound kolach when the celebration was over.
In this episode of Curious Nebraska, producer Andy Hermann explores the story behind one of Nebraska’s most unusual community celebrations, featuring the people who helped make it happen — and the even bigger kolach Prague baked five years later.
Featuring:
Ken Kuncl, former mayor, Prague, Nebraska
Theresa Konecky Klein, executive director, Wahoo Chamber of Commerce
Ray Pas...
- Title
- Flying Above the Mighty Missouri River and Historic Brownville | Conservation Works
- Runtime
- 1:19
- Date posted
- 2 months ago
- Description
- A river of life and history, the Missouri River stretches 2,341 miles across the heart of the country. Long before colonists arrived, its waters carried Indigenous travelers, trade, and tradition. From above, the Big Muddy winds past historic Brownville, Nebraska, once a bustling steamboat port where paddlewheels churned and commerce moved with the current.
© 2026 Nebraska Public Media Foundation. All rights reserved.
Conservation Works explores the creative and inspiring ways Nebraskans are helping people, wildlife, and the land thrive together.
Discover more inspiring conservation stories from across Nebraska at https://NebraskaPublicMedia.org/conservationworks
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I...
- Title
- Going Surfing in Nebraska
- Runtime
- 0:48
- Date posted
- 2 months ago
- Description
- Did you know you can go river surfing in Nebraska?
🌊☀️ The North Fork Whitewater Park might just have to be added as the next spot on your bucket list.
Whether you’re into surfing, kayaking, or just floating along, there’s something fun for everyone at this unique outdoor getaway.
#Surfing #Kayaking #Nebraska #OutdoorAdventure
- Title
- One of the Top Spots in Nebraska to Chase Butterflies | Conservation Works
- Runtime
- 1:19
- Date posted
- 2 months ago
- Description
- Gilbert-Baker's ponderosa pine forests and wooded canyons provide habitat for birds, deer and even mountain lions. It’s also one of Nebraska’s best places for butterflies, with nearly 40 species found here.
© 2026 Nebraska Public Media Foundation. All rights reserved.
Conservation Works explores the creative and inspiring ways Nebraskans are helping people, wildlife, and the land thrive together.
Discover more inspiring conservation stories from across Nebraska at https://NebraskaPublicMedia.org/conservationworks
FOLLOW US:
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/NebraskaPublicMedia
Nebraska Stories Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NebraskaStories
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NebraskaPublicMedia
X (Formerly Twitter): https://x.com/NebPublicMedia
Instagram: https://instagram.com/NebraskaPublicMedia
- Title
- Inside the Omaha's Zoo's Mission to Save Endangered Toads | Conservation Works
- Runtime
- 5:14
- Date posted
- 2 months ago
- Description
- Go behind the scenes at Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium's Amphibian Conservation Area to see how the zoo is helping prevent the global decline of toads. Derek Benson, ACA Supervisor, shares how the team recreates natural habitats with native plants and carefully managed water systems to support breeding, rearing, and conservation efforts. Learn how the zoo's specialized care is giving threatened toad species a better chance for the future.
© 2026 Nebraska Public Media Foundation. All rights reserved.
Conservation Works explores the creative and inspiring ways Nebraskans are helping people, wildlife, and the land thrive together.
Discover more inspiring conservation stories from across Nebraska at https://NebraskaPublicMedia.org/conservationworks
FOLLOW US:
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/NebraskaPublicMedia
Nebraska Stories Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NebraskaStories
Facebook: https://www.facebook.co...
- Title
- How do these Nebraska landmarks compare in height to our new television tower
- Runtime
- 0:57
- Date posted
- 2 months ago
- Description
- Our flagship transmitter tower near Ithaca, Nebraska stands at 849 feet tall. Take a look and see how it compares to some other landmarks across the state! 👀
The tower recently received a major upgrade with a new 650,000-watt antenna and transmission system, helping strengthen our signal to keep Nebraskans connected, informed and inspired.
- Title
- Josh Hoyer's Colossal 4: Give Love | JAM
- Runtime
- 5:26
- Date posted
- 2 months ago
- Description
- Set to an old-school R&B groove, “Give Love” looks beyond divisions toward something larger: our place in the universe, the mystery of the natural world and the human need to love and be loved in return.
With rich, soulful vocals, driving keyboards and a groove built for the stage, Josh Hoyer brings classic soul into the present. Drawing from Memphis R&B, New Orleans funk, Stax and the blues, Josh Hoyer’s Colossal 4 pairs powerhouse musicianship with songs grounded in honesty and human connection. Hoyer built a national following with Josh Hoyer & Soul Colossal, the six-piece band he led to first place at the 2025 International Blues Challenge in Memphis. Now fronting a leaner ensemble, he brings fresh chemistry and renewed energy to the music. As he brings that evolving sound to the stage, Hoyer reflects on the realities of building a life in music and the transcendent power of soul.
© 2026 Nebraska Public Media Foundation. All rights reserved.
<...
- Title
- Ken Burns, #Quilts & 250 Years of American Stories | #America250 #AmericanHistory #HistoryShorts
- Runtime
- 0:28
- Date posted
- 3 months ago
- Description
- "It doesn't get more American than public media, Ken Burns, and quilts."
Last month we celebrated #America250 with a community celebration event at the International Quilt Museum. From exploring the "Material Nation" exhibit to crafting and watching excerpts from PBS' "The American Revolution" documentary, we had a wonderful time connecting and celebrating with everyone.
This event was presented by Nebraska Public Media in partnership with the International Quilt Museum.
- Title
- Wishlist Civics Scribble on Steam | 108 Levels, Puzzles & Level Editor
- Runtime
- 0:58
- Date posted
- 3 months ago
- Description
- 🎮 Ready for a road trip with a twist?
Civics Scribble is coming to Steam, with 108 puzzle-filled levels, a new story, unlockables, collectibles and a level editor that lets you create and share challenges of your own.
Inspired by classic computer games like The Oregon Trail and 1980s arcade games, Civics Scribble puts your problem-solving skills to the test as you draw your way past spikes, bouncy blocks, teleporters and more—all while tackling questions about U.S. history and civics.
The game is available now in Early Access for $6.99, with the full release arriving Sept. 17 on Constitution Day (the anniversary of the signing of the U.S. Constitution)
⭐ Wishlist Civics Scribble on Steam now to get notified when the full game launches! https://store.steampowered.com/app/3793300/Civics_Scribble
Developed by Nebraska Public Media Labs.
#SteamGames #PuzzleGames #Civics #SteamWishlist
- Title
- How America’s Farm Crisis Links to the Death of Arthur Kirk
- Runtime
- 42:35
- Date posted
- 3 months ago
- Description
- Arthur Kirk's death during a 1984 standoff with a SWAT Team became intertwined with America's farm crisis, but the real story is more complicated. Economic collapse, political decisions and growing desperation collided in one of Nebraska's most tragic chapters of rural history.
© 2026 Nebraska Public Media Foundation. All rights reserved.
LISTEN TO THE MORE EPISODES OF THE PODCAST & SUBSCRIBE:
YouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL2actiXc9METaibkfpGs6PIGjaJw7O1zh&si=4quECDnhZUHbZIp8
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/18Yodeefl0NI2nZToXILpY
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/once-again/id1810071172
Discover images and additional information about the series at https://NebraskaPublicMedia.org/onceagain.
“Once Again” is a history podcast from Nebraska Public Media where the past meets the present. Senior Producer Bill Kelly is on a mission: digging through archives, dusting off docum...
- Title
- Birding with self-described "birdnerd" Jason St. Sauver | Conservation Works
- Runtime
- 7:36
- Date posted
- 3 months ago
- Description
- A bona fide bird lover, Jason St. Sauver describes himself as ""the Birdnerd"" and it's a title he wears well. Host Carlee Moates visits with Jason at the Spring Creek Prairie Audubon Center to learn about grassland birds and what is contributing to their decline. The good news? Small changes by each of us can make a big difference in their survival.
© 2026 Nebraska Public Media Foundation. All rights reserved.
Conservation Works explores the creative and inspiring ways Nebraskans are helping people, wildlife, and the land thrive together.
Discover more inspiring conservation stories from across Nebraska at https://NebraskaPublicMedia.org/conservationworks
FOLLOW US:
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/NebraskaPublicMedia
Nebraska Stories Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NebraskaStories
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NebraskaPublicMedia
X (Formerly Twitter): https://x.com/NebPublicMedia
Instagra...
- Title
- Jeni Grouws: Running Ragged | JAM | Jeni Grouws | Songs
- Runtime
- 3:40
- Date posted
- 3 months ago
- Description
- In “Running Ragged,” Jeni Grouws reflects on the chaos of life, weaving echoes of her spiritual upbringing with Etta James—a different kind of gospel—and the freedom of finding her own voice.
With soul-deep vocals, fearless songwriting and a roots-Americana sound steeped in blues, soul and rock, Jeni Grouws brings both power and vulnerability to every song. A Wisconsin native now based in Omaha through a multi-year residency at The Music House, Grouws first earned national recognition as co-founder of the Billboard-charting Avey Grouws Band. As a solo artist, she is carving out a sound all her own—one shaped by grit, groove, emotional honesty and an instinct for stories that linger. Whether delivering a full-throated anthem or a quieter, more reflective song, Grouws creates music that feels lived-in, immediate and deeply human.
© 2026 Nebraska Public Media Foundation. All rights reserved.
“JAM” explores songwriting, musical roots, c...
- Title
- Jeni Grouws: Heartbreak & Misery | JAM
- Runtime
- 4:56
- Date posted
- 3 months ago
- Description
- A sly warning wrapped in a soul-drenched performance, “3 Steps from Heartbreak and Misery” lets Jeni Grouws dig deep vocally as she counts down the trouble waiting just across the dance floor.
With fearless songwriting, soul-deep vocals, and a roots-Americana sound steeped in blues, soul and rock, Jeni Grouws brings both power and vulnerability to every song. A Wisconsin native now based in Omaha through a multi-year residency at The Music House, Grouws first earned national recognition as co-founder of the Billboard-charting Avey Grouws Band. As a solo artist, she is carving out a sound all her own—one shaped by grit, groove, emotional honesty and an instinct for stories that linger. Whether delivering a full-throated anthem or a quieter, more reflective song, Grouws creates music that feels lived-in, immediate and deeply human.
© 2026 Nebraska Public Media Foundation. All rights reserved.
“JAM” explores songwriting, musical roots, cr...
- Title
- The Hidden History of Omaha's Forgotten Hospital Grotto | Curious Nebraska
- Runtime
- 4:09
- Date posted
- 3 months ago
- Description
- Hidden beneath overgrown brush in South Omaha is a stone grotto that few people know exists. Built around 1910 on the grounds of St. Joseph's Hospital, the grotto was once a place for prayer, healing and quiet reflection. Today, it sits abandoned, locked away and slowly deteriorating.
In this episode of Curious Omaha, Andy Hermann uncovers the remarkable history of the St. Joseph's Hospital Grotto. Through conversations with former Omaha World-Herald reporter Blake Ursch, garden historian Beth Cody and local historian Mike Miller, we explore how this unique structure came to be, its connection to Lourdes in France, its ties to early mental health care and what may lie ahead for one of Omaha's forgotten landmarks.
Featuring:
Blake Ursch, former Omaha World-Herald journalist;
Beth Cody, Lourdes Grottos of North America historian;
Mike Miller, amateur photographer and self-described seeker
⏱️ Timestamps / Chapters
00:00 - ...
- Title
- Scotts Bluff National Monument is home to 7 distinct habitats | Conservation Works
- Runtime
- 1:19
- Date posted
- 3 months ago
- Description
- Scotts Bluff National Monument is among the American West's most recognizable landmarks. Its seven distinct habitats, from mixed-grass prairie and pine-studded bluffs to badlands and river woodlands, support nearly 600 species of plants and animals.
© 2026 Nebraska Public Media Foundation. All rights reserved.
Conservation Works explores the creative and inspiring ways Nebraskans are helping people, wildlife, and the land thrive together.
Discover more inspiring conservation stories from across Nebraska at https://NebraskaPublicMedia.org/conservationworks
FOLLOW US:
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/NebraskaPublicMedia
Nebraska Stories Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NebraskaStories
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NebraskaPublicMedia
X (Formerly Twitter): https://x.com/NebPublicMedia
Instagram: https://instagram.com/NebraskaPublicMedia
- Title
- Jeni Grouws: You Made a Fool of Me | JAM
- Runtime
- 5:34
- Date posted
- 3 months ago
- Description
- Drawn from deeply personal heartbreak, “You Made a Fool of Me” is a raw, soul-baring song about loneliness, vulnerability and the memories that can still break us.
With soul-deep vocals, fearless songwriting and a roots-Americana sound steeped in blues, soul and rock, Jeni Grouws brings both power and vulnerability to every song. A Wisconsin native now based in Omaha through a multi-year residency at The Music House, Grouws first earned national recognition as co-founder of the Billboard-charting Avey Grouws Band. As a solo artist, she is carving out a sound all her own—one shaped by grit, groove, emotional honesty and an instinct for stories that linger. Whether delivering a full-throated anthem or a quieter, more reflective song, Grouws creates music that feels lived-in, immediate and deeply human.
© 2026 Nebraska Public Media Foundation. All rights reserved.
“JAM” explores songwriting, musical roots, creative reinvention and the rewa...
- Title
- Jeni Grouws: When I Get Back to You | JAM
- Runtime
- 6:04
- Date posted
- 3 months ago
- Description
- With soul-deep vocals, fearless songwriting and a roots-Americana sound steeped in blues, soul and rock, Jeni Grouws brings both power and vulnerability to every song. A Wisconsin native now based in Omaha through a multi-year residency at The Music House, Grouws first earned national recognition as co-founder of the Billboard-charting Avey Grouws Band. As a solo artist, she is carving out a sound all her own—one shaped by grit, groove, emotional honesty and an instinct for stories that linger. Whether delivering a full-throated anthem or a quieter, more reflective song, Grouws creates music that feels lived-in, immediate and deeply human.
© 2026 Nebraska Public Media Foundation. All rights reserved.
“JAM” explores songwriting, musical roots, creative reinvention and the rewards and realities of a life in music through candid interviews and performances. Learn more about the series at https://NebraskaPublicMedia.org/jam
Full episodes of “...
- Title
- Did a UFO Really Land in Ashland, Nebraska?
- Runtime
- 43:11
- Date posted
- 3 months ago
- Description
- When an Ashland police officer reported an encounter with a mysterious craft in 1967, the story made national headlines. Newly uncovered research adds another chapter to one of Nebraska's most enduring and debated UFO mysteries.
© 2026 Nebraska Public Media Foundation. All rights reserved.
LISTEN TO THE MORE EPISODES OF THE PODCAST & SUBSCRIBE:
YouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL2actiXc9METaibkfpGs6PIGjaJw7O1zh&si=4quECDnhZUHbZIp8
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/18Yodeefl0NI2nZToXILpY
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/once-again/id1810071172
Discover images and additional information about the series at https://NebraskaPublicMedia.org/onceagain.
“Once Again” is a history podcast from Nebraska Public Media where the past meets the present. Senior Producer Bill Kelly is on a mission: digging through archives, dusting off documents and uncovering compelling stories that matter...
- Title
- The Day Students Take Over the Omaha Zoo | Conservation Works
- Runtime
- 6:02
- Date posted
- 3 months ago
- Description
- For one day, the students take over the zoo. Follow Zoo Academy high school students as they lead Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium's annual Party for the Planet, engaging thousands of guests with hands-on conservation activities.
© 2026 Nebraska Public Media Foundation. All rights reserved.
Conservation Works explores the creative and inspiring ways Nebraskans are helping people, wildlife, and the land thrive together.
Discover more inspiring conservation stories from across Nebraska at https://NebraskaPublicMedia.org/conservationworks
FOLLOW US:
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/NebraskaPublicMedia
Nebraska Stories Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NebraskaStories
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NebraskaPublicMedia
X (Formerly Twitter): https://x.com/NebPublicMedia
Instagram: https://instagram.com/NebraskaPublicMedia
- Title
- A Windswept Mesa Rising from a Mosaic of Native Prairie Habitats | Conservation Works
- Runtime
- 1:06
- Date posted
- 3 months ago
- Description
- Signal Butte stands watch over a rich mosaic of prairie habitats, where native grasses, wildflowers, and wildlife continue a story written over millions of years. Long before bison grazed these hills, this landscape was home to prehistoric horses, rhinos, camels, and other mammals whose fossils remain buried in the rocks below. The prairie may have changed through time, but Signal Butte remains a link between Nebraska's ancient past and the living landscape that surrounds it today.
© 2026 Nebraska Public Media Foundation. All rights reserved.
Conservation Works explores the creative and inspiring ways Nebraskans are helping people, wildlife, and the land thrive together.
Discover more inspiring conservation stories from across Nebraska at https://NebraskaPublicMedia.org/conservationworks
FOLLOW US:
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/NebraskaPublicMedia
Nebraska Stories Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NebraskaStories <...
- Title
- How Nebraska's Sandhill Cranes Inspired Composer Masa Ishikawa's New Album | Friday LIVE
- Runtime
- 9:34
- Date posted
- 3 months ago
- Description
- What does the migration of Nebraska's sandhill cranes sound like?
On this episode of Friday LIVE, pianist, composer and educator Masa Ishikawa discusses how Nebraska's landscapes and wildlife inspired his newest album, Migration. From witnessing the annual sandhill crane migration along the Platte River to composing pieces inspired by fireflies, cicadas and cardinals, Ishikawa explores the connection between nature, music and storytelling.
Host Penelope Morrow also talks with Ishikawa about his journey from Japan to the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, his photography, teaching jazz piano at James Madison University, and how personal experiences continue to shape his compositions
0:00 - Introduction: Meet composer Masa Ishikawa
0:37 - Photographing nature and composing music
1:28 - Why Nebraska inspired Migration
2:47 - Learning from students while teaching
3:51 - Music inspired by cranes, cardinals and cicadas
5:30 - From Japan to ...
- Title
- Why Nebraska Ended Executions Using the Electric Chair
- Runtime
- 45:13
- Date posted
- 3 months ago
- Description
- The electric chair was introduced as a modern, humane alternative to hanging. Decades later, Nebraska became the last state to rely on it exclusively before declaring the practice unconstitutional. The story traces changing ideas about justice, punishment and what society considers cruel.
© 2026 Nebraska Public Media Foundation. All rights reserved.
LISTEN TO THE MORE EPISODES OF THE PODCAST & SUBSCRIBE:
YouTube: • Once Again
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/18Yodee...
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...
Discover images and additional information about the series at https://NebraskaPublicMedia.org/oncea....
“Once Again” is a history podcast from Nebraska Public Media where the past meets the present. Senior Producer Bill Kelly is on a mission: digging through archives, dusting off documents and uncovering compelling stories that matter – once again. Devoted history hunters a...
- Title
- Restoring Nebraska Grasslands One Seed at a Time | Conservation Works
- Runtime
- 6:15
- Date posted
- 3 months ago
- Description
- How do you rebuild a prairie? It starts with native seeds. Host Carlee Moates visits Prairie Plains Resource Institute, where Conservation and Education Director Sarah Bailey and Restoration Director Mike Bullerman explain why seeds collected from Nebraska grasslands are better adapted to local soils, climate, and wildlife, giving restored prairies the best chance to thrive.
© 2026 Nebraska Public Media Foundation. All rights reserved.
Conservation Works explores the creative and inspiring ways Nebraskans are helping people, wildlife, and the land thrive together.
Discover more inspiring conservation stories from across Nebraska at https://NebraskaPublicMedia.org/conservationworks
FOLLOW US:
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/NebraskaPublicMedia
Nebraska Stories Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NebraskaStories
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NebraskaPublicMedia
X (Formerly Twitter): https://x.com/NebPu...
