Local Programs

Coming Up on Screentime

July 3

Greensburg

Airs Thursday, July 3 at 8 p.m.

On May 4th, 2007, Greensburg, Kansas was hit by an EF5 tornado, the most powerful and devastating storm possible; perhaps one of the worst tornados in American history. This twister packed winds of over 200-miles-per-hour and destroyed nearly every inch of Greensburg, including churches, schools, homes, all municipal buildings, and the hospital. In thirty minutes, the town of Greensburg was turned to ruins.

In the film, Greensburg, producer, writer and director, Brian Schodorf travels back to his native state of Kansas to document the destruction. Schodorf talks to Sebelius, FEMA, weather experts, and the people of Greensburg who are now struggling to restore what is left of their lives. After all the deaths, sadness, and destruction, the spirit and courage to rebuild survived. Schodorf captures the spirit of this small town as residents tell their stories of loss and survival.

For more information, visit the official Web site: www.greensburgfilm.com.

July 10

Meet the Past

Airs Thursday, July 11 at 8 p.m.

Kansas City history has been recorded in many different ways. Books, journals, newspapers, clips on radio and TV... these tell us a lot about the who's, what's and when's of our heritage, but sometimes they can seem awfully dry.

In Meet the Past, Crosby Kemper III, chief executive of the Kansas City Public Library, brings us a fresh twist on the whole notion of local history. He does it by interviewing famous figures in the grand hall of the Central Library. More>

 

July 17

Two Times, One Torch

Airs Thursday, July 17 at 8 p.m.

The story of young people in Missouri carrying the torch for the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC); you'll meet Josh - our torchbearer, other teens, their parents, crewleaders, conservation officials, and some of the surviving members of CCC in this HEC-TV exclusive documentary. Join us for a look into a present day movement sweeping the country - the the YCC (Youth Conservation Corps). Produced by HEC-TV, St. Louis.

 

Ours to Give: The Long Legacy of an American Family

Airs Thursday, July 17 at 8:30 p.m.

Eighty years ago, any Kansas Citian would have known the name of Robert Alexander Long. He owned the world’s largest lumber company, and his daughter smashed gender barriers in the show horse world. Today, Long is best remembered locally as the builder of Longview Farm in Lee’s Summit and Corinthian Hall in Northeast Kansas City – the home of the Kansas City Museum.

Ours to Give takes a fresh look at this remarkable family and finds several important legacies for our times. The Long’s story is told through archival photos and film footage, through interviews with people who knew them, and in narration by noted actor Michael Gross.

DVD copies of the Ours to Give are available by calling 1-888-876-2765.

 

July 24

Oil Dorado: The Life and Times of an Oil Boom

Airs Thursday, July 24 at 8 p.m.

From the 1910’s through the 1950’s oil permeated every aspect of life in Butler County. Those in the oil fields found work that was hard and dangerous, but also created bonds that lasted over the decades. Although quiet, the grasslands of modern Butler County still bare traces of the dynamic search for black gold that shapes our lives to this day. Produced by KPTS, Wichita, KS.

 

July 31

Kansas vs. Darwin

Airs Thursday, July 31 at 7:30 p.m.

In May of 2005, a 3-member subcommittee of the Kansas State Board of Education held hearings to determine whether Darwin's long-held Theory of Evolution should be challenged in public-school science curriculum. At stake was, in effect, the definition of science for Kansas schoolchildren.

Kansas vs. Darwin takes you inside the hearings to meet the characters who captured the world's attention: school board members who believe their literal interpretation of the Bible trumps modern scientific evidence, and members of the Intelligent Design Network who believe mainstream science is conspiring to suppress evidence that would overturn evolution. You'll also get face to face with an organization of Kansas scientists, educators, and citizens that organizes a worldwide response to put an end to what they see as a religiously-motivated kangaroo court.

For more information, visit the official Web site: www.kansasvdarwin.com.