Milwaukee PBS Specials

The story of Jones Island.

Few places in any American city have packed so many layers of change into such a small area. Jones Island is practically an open book that tells, on a miniature scale, the story of our entire region, but it is also a richly human story. From the cultural struggles of the early Indians to the catastrophic flooding of Capt. Jones shipyard.

The Milwaukee Press Club recognized several of our productions and stories from the past year. We are proud to present these stories one more time, all together, in this special to fully acknowledge the work of our dedicated, talented staff.

A look at the nationwide teacher shortage, specifically the stressors impacting teachers that cause them to quit or retire early. The pandemic had a huge impact on teachers, but the crisis was building even before COVID-19. Milwaukee PBS' Mariano Avila interviews U.S. Secretary of Education, Miguel Cardona. In honor of Teacher Appreciation Week, we thank teachers for their service and dedication.

Hear what Milwaukee’s two mayoral candidates have to say to voters just days before the April 5 Election. MILWAUKEE'S NEXT MAYOR, A CONVERSATION WITH THE CANDIDATES is produced in partnership with 89.7 WUWM Milwaukee’s NPR and CBS58 and WMLW. CBS58 News anchor Mike Strehlow moderates the conversation. WUWM’s Maayan Silver and Milwaukee PBS’ Everett Marshburn pose questions to the candidates.

For more than forty years Harry Kemp was the eyes of Milwaukee's African-American community, documenting people, places and events. If it happened and was important, Harry photographed it. Harry Kemp is remembered through his pictures and interviews with family, friends, and co-workers.

Host Mark Siegrist travels with nineteen World War II veterans from around Wisconsin as they return to Pearl Harbor in June of 2012. He captures their memories, stories, thoughts and feelings about the event that catapulted the United States into World War II. For many of the veterans, this is the first time talking about those experiences.

For 120 years The Pfister Hotel has served as a hospitality gateway to Milwaukee. Journalist Mark Siegrist goes behind the scenes to capture the daily rhythm, tradition, and luxury service of this treasured landmark. Featuring a breathtaking video of the The Pfister’s architectural beauty, and explains how the hotel is embracing the arts and social media to maintain a strong sense of community.

Take a look at the first Black Churches in Wisconsin, examine the changing role of the Church, and see what young people are doing to continue its legacies. Featured churches include St. Mark AME, Calvary Baptist Church, St. Benedict the Moor Catholic Church and St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church in Racine.

Historian John Gurda explores how the Milwaukee River and Lake Michigan spurred Milwaukee's growth. The settlers used rivers and Lake Michigan to transport grain, lumber, leather and beer. Learn how the lower Milwaukee River was eventually reduced to an open sewer by 1900, with Lake Michigan suffering similar indignities.

Host Dan Jones looks at the history of one of the oldest and largest cemeteries in Milwaukee, WI. Celebrating the 150th anniversary of its founding in the year 2000, the 200-acre Forest Home Cemetery is a final resting place to more than 100,000 former Milwaukee-area residents--including some nationally known names like Pabst, Blatz, Schlitz, and war hero Billy Mitchell.

It's more than a game, it's a lesson for life. Played out on the fields between two iconic youth baseball programs in Milwaukee. The leagues, the Beckum-Stapleton Little League and the Felix Mantilla Little League, both draw inspiration from two hometown heroes. Wearing the uniform is considered a rite of passage for urban kids as they hone their skills in baseball and life itself.

Patty Loew and Dan Small explore Wisconsin's National Park System, including the Ice Age National Scenic Trail, the St. Croix National Scenic Riverway, the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore, and the North Country National Scenic Trail. Beautiful footage of natural wonders is interwoven with profiles of park administrators, volunteers, trail designers, and those who live off the land.