Phil's Friday Facts: 09/04/26

Phil Meyer, CEO of SOPBS, here.

Welcome to Phil's Friday Facts, where I share station news, programming highlights and industry trends.

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New York: A Documentary Film Returns To PBS With Two New Episodes

Director and co-writer Ric Burns (brother of Ken) has been working on the new material for more than a decade.

Chronicling the life of New York City over 400-plus years has been a decades-spanning process for filmmaker Ric Burns, and he’s nowhere near finished.

PBS announced this week that it will debut two new episodes of Burns’ New York: A Documentary Film on Sept. 21 and 22. They’ll be the ninth and 10th episodes of the project, which first aired in 1999, and whose most recent episode, focused primarily on the World Trade Center, aired in 2003, two years after the 9/11 terrorist attacks. The new episodes will primarily explore the way the city has changed in the 25 years since 9/11 — while also digging back into New York’s history to examine how it recovered from near-bankruptcy in the mid-1970s and regained its place in “the vanguard of world cities.”

Read The Hollywood Reporter interview with Ric Burns here. Watch a preview of the new episodes here.

OPINION: Trump’s Threat Against An NBC Journalist Is An Attack On Reality

"The president’s call for the FCC to scrutinize Kristen Welker’s innocuous remarks is a sign of desperation."

Margaret Sullivan is a Guardian US columnist writing on media, politics and culture. She has been the media columnist for The Washington Post, served as the public editor of The New York Times, and as editor of The Buffalo News. This week, she wrote about the President's social media post demanding that the Federal Communications Commission go after NBC Journalist Kristen Welker (pictured), saying she “will be reported to the FCC for rebuke or punishment.” Read the column here.

Last Chance To Register For The March 2027 Trip To Costa Rica

Highlights include the Monteverde Cloud Forest, a Hanging Bridges or Canopy Adventure, a Farm Tour and Lunch, Arenal Volcano, Cano Negro Refuge, and a Lake Arenal Cruise.

Lush forests and stunning waterfalls… rumbling volcanoes and endless coastlines… Costa Rica is a paradise teeming with exotic plants and incredible animals. Savor breathtaking beauty and fine sandy beaches. 

Travel with Southern Oregon PBS to tropical Costa Rica from March 11 – 19, 2027. Sign up by September 11 to save $50 on your registration. More information here, or call (800) 581-8942. 

(Please Refer to Booking #1443033)

Sunny Side Up

News from this week that will hopefully bring a smile to your face.

25 years ago this week, on August 31, 2001, the final original episode of Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood aired. After decades of welcoming generations of children into Fred Rogers’ world, production of the beloved program ended in 2001.

Mister Rogers' Neighborhood still airs on SOPBS, Saturday and Sunday mornings at 6am.

ICYMI: Fox News Abruptly Parts Ways With Scandal-Tarred Star Maria Bartiromo

Bartiromo's earlier decision to spread unfounded theories of conspiracy fraud helped to land Fox in court.

Fox News abruptly announced Thursday that it is parting ways with longtime host Maria Bartiromo, whose close ties to President Trump helped propel her ratings, but also ultimately unraveled her Fox career.

Read the NPR coverage here.

Program Highlights

This week's best and brightest.

Passport Pick: Blanca. Blanca lost her sight as a child and her sister to a violent crime. Now she uses her extraordinary skill in audio analysis to fight for justice. In Italian with English subtitles. Binge both seasons here. As a Passport Member of SOPBS, your support gets you exclusive access to content like this.

Friday, September 4 at 9pm   N E W

Made In The West

Featuring artisans, historians and educators, this film highlights the legacy of western style, the challenges facing today's master craftsmen and efforts to inspire a new generation of makers.

Saturday, September 5 at 7pm   N E W

OREGON CONTENT

Us As We Are: The Year of Grief and Grievance

We follow Southern Oregonians as they protest, lobby, and run for political office. Viewer Discretion Advised.

NEW SEASON SUNDAY

PICK OF THE WEEK

Sunday, September 6 

8pm: The Marlow Murder Club   N E W

When the Mayor dies in the middle of a meeting, Judith, Becks and Suzie uncover lies, scandal and blackmail.

9pm: Marble Hall Murders   N E W

Susan Reyland is corralled once again into the world of detective Atticus Pünd as he investigates the death of Lady Margaret Chalfont in the Greek isle of Corfu.

Monday, September 7 at 10pm   N E W

LABOR DAY

POV: Remake

Documentary filmmaker Ross McElwee dives into his personal footage exposing the bond between him and his son following his son's death.

Tuesday, September 8 at 10pm 

FRONTLINE: The Man Who Knew

Agent John O'Neill considers assassinating bin Laden before al-Qaida could act, prompting his separation from the FBI and his hiring as World Trade Center security director, just weeks before his death in the 9/11 attacks.

Wednesday, September 9 at 10pm   N E W

Resolve to Solve With Miles O'Brien

From sound waves that could rewire addiction, to psychedelics that may reopen the brain's capacity to learn, Miles O'Brien explores bold brain science and becomes part of the experiment himself, enrolling in a study to treat his own phantom pain.

Thursday, September 10 at 8pm   N E W

OREGON CONTENT

Oregon Art Beat

After her MS diagnosis, Lindsey Holcomb began painting MRIs — first her own, then 400 others around the world — turning pain into beauty. Rick Bartow (Wiyot) is considered one of the most prominent leaders in contemporary Native American art, best known for his emotional, expressive drawings, paintings and sculptures. His art is held in over 100 museums and public collections across the country.

Click here for the full schedules for all four SOPBS Channels.

Community Events 

Look for our weekly installment of On The Calendar on Mondays on our Facebook Page. On The Calendar is produced in conjunction with Jefferson Public Radio.

Click here to submit your community event.

Did You Know? You Can Now Support Southern Oregon PBS Through The Four Way Community Foundation 

The Four Way Community Foundation cultivates philanthropy and nonprofit success in greater Josephine County and the western edge of Jackson County, so that residents can thrive.

Use any giving method (check, PayPal, appreciated securities, etc.) to increase the impact of any of these funds by adding your donation or bequest of any amount. Just add the fund name "Southern Oregon PBS" to the memo of your check, to the notes in your PayPal gift, or name the fund in your will or trust. Make your online donation here.

They Said It

"None of us can be liberated if other groups are not.” — Gloria Steinem, who passed away this week at the age of 92

Watch the Finding Your Roots episode here where Gloria Steinem, Neil Patrick Harris, and Sandra Cisneros discover their connections to pioneers who broke new ground and paved the way for their modern day descendants to continue shaping our culture.

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