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FALL 2024

A WORD FROM OUR GENERAL MANAGER, DEANNA MACKEY

This time of year is marked by shared experiences. The planners among us are looking ahead to Thanksgiving and deciding where and with whom they will share a table.

Nationally, we are preparing to vote and collectively decide the path of our country. This is a vital shared experience to the health of our democracy. Ballots go out the week of October 6, 2024. The KPBS Voter Hub is here to help you make an informed decision on candidates and ballot measures. Visit kpbs.org/voterhub for explainers, an interactive virtual ballot guide, resources on how to vote and where and of course all the latest news. The Voter Hub is part of Public Matters, an initiative led by KPBS to provide more content, conversation and events to ensure all San Diegans understand their opportunity to engage in the democratic process.

Another shared experience we cherish this time of year is the annual announcement of the One Book, One San Diego book selections. The mission of One Book is to bring our community closer together through reading and discussing the same book. We announced our 2024 One Book selections in August and have a number of events planned. Visit kpbs.org/onebook for the book announcement, date of the author event and more.

As the last print edition of KPBS Connections makes its way into homes, rest assured that we will continue to keep you informed of what is happening at KPBS through email. There are many ways to stay connected with us and we list a few within this newsletter.

I look forward to hearing from you by email and at an upcoming event. As a KPBS member, you power public media, and I thank you.

Every contribution makes a difference.
‛FRONTLINE: The Choice’

In-Depth Election Insights

As the 2024 presidential election approaches, “FRONTLINE: The Choice” offers an in-depth look at the candidates vying for the nation’s highest office. This acclaimed series goes beyond the headlines and partisan spin to provide a thorough examination of the presidential hopefuls.

Through candid interviews, viewers will gain insights into the events that have shaped the candidates’ characters and political philosophies. PBS’ long-form current affairs series “FRONTLINE” has won every major journalism and broadcasting award, including 106 Emmy Awards, 31 Peabody Awards and an Academy Award.

Premieres Tuesday, September 24, at 9 p.m. on KPBS-TV. Watch this program live or stream with the PBS App.

Celebrating Innovation and Legacy in Food and Entrepreneurship

“Fresh Glass” returns Thursday, October 10 with nine new episodes. In Season 2 of the Emmy Award-winning docuseries, Cassandra Schaeg will take us on adventures nationwide, featuring noteworthy stories from diverse innovators.

Join the conversation as we celebrate the spirit of innovation, legacy and authenticity in food, beverage and entrepreneurship.

Watch live or stream beginning Thursday, October 10, at 8:30 p.m. on KPBS-TV.

‘MASTERPIECE’ Unveils Riveting Mysteries

‘Moonflower Murders’

“Moonflower Murders” is the much-anticipated sequel to the literary whodunit “Magpie Murders.” Like its precursor, this series follows Susan Ryeland, a book editor-turned-sleuth now living in Crete with her boyfriend, Andreas. Their peaceful life is disrupted when a murder from eight years ago resurfaces. A novel based on this murder led hotelier Cecily Treherne to believe the wrong man was imprisoned. With Cecily now missing, Susan must unravel the novel’s hidden secrets to find her before it’s too late.

“Moonflower Murders” airs Sundays at 9 p.m. beginning September 15 on KPBS-TV.

‘The Marlow Murder Club’

“The Marlow Murder Club” is a thrilling four-part series featuring a quirky trio of amateur detectives. Retired archaeologist Judith Potts stumbles upon a murder while swimming in the Thames. While police are dismissive, Judith teams up with a dog-walker and the vicar’s wife to investigate. Their sleuthing skills eventually catch the attention of the police, leading to an official partnership. As they race to stop the killer, this unlikely team faces danger and uncovers startling truths.

“The Marlow Murder Club” airs Sundays at 9 p.m. beginning October 27 on KPBS-TV.

Watch these programs live or stream anytime with the PBS App.

Carolina Herrera

‘37th Annual Hispanic Heritage Awards’

Join us in celebrating this year’s recipients of the “Hispanic Heritage Awards”! This prestigious event, held at the iconic Kennedy Center, will spotlight the remarkable achievements and cultural pride of the Latino community.

This year’s honorees include fashion icon Carolina Herrera and Beautyblender creator Rea Ann Silva, whose innovative work influenced their respective industries. The evening features dynamic performances and inspirational stories, emphasizing the community’s past, present and future impact.

The “Hispanic Heritage Awards” is a celebration of cultural pride and a testament to the enduring legacy and bright future of Hispanic Americans.

Airs Monday, September 30, at 10 p.m. on KPBS-TV and Friday, September 27, at 10 p.m. on KPBS 2.
Watch this program live or stream with the PBS App.

‘American Experience: The First Lady’

A revelatory, dramatic reframing of American leadership through the lens of the First Ladies. Starring Viola Davis as Michelle Obama, Michelle Pfeiffer as Betty Ford and Gillian Anderson as Eleanor Roosevelt, this series delves deep into the ladies’ personal and political lives.

Available to stream with the PBS App beginning Tuesday, October 1.

‘La Rondine’

Credit: Karen Almond Metropolitan Opera

Timeless Tales by Puccini

Get ready for an extraordinary new season of “Great Performances at the Met.” “La Rondine” by Puccini opens the season with an enthralling love story. Magda, a French courtesan in search of a new direction in life, meets Ruggero, a young idealist who offers her an escape from her life of indulgence. Led by Maestro Speranza Scappucci and set against the art deco-inspired staging of Nicolas Joël, it will take you from the bustling nightlife of Paris to the tranquil French Riviera.

“Madama Butterfly,” Puccini’s tragic tale of an American naval officer and a faithful geisha whose betrayal results in her horrible demise, brings the haunting sounds to their conclusion. Under Xian Zhang’s direction, Anthony Minghella’s vibrant production comes to life with unmatched mastery. Immerse yourself in the enchanting world of Puccini.

“La Rondine” premieres Sunday, September 8, at 2 p.m. on KPBS-2.

“Madama Butterfly” premieres Sunday, October 6, at 2 p.m. on KPBS-2.

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North County Focus Keep up with what’s up in North County! Every other Tuesday, Multimedia Producer Alexander Nguyen will give you the scoop on the news, events and updates you need to know about if you live above the 56.

KPBS Headlines Need something to read with your morning cup of joe? Get the day’s top news—ranging from local to international—straight to your inbox each weekday morning.

The Catch-Up Every Wednesday afternoon, KPBS Web Producer Lara McCaffrey will drop into your inbox for a midweek check-in with a handpicked selection of news stories you should know about.

KPBS’ Most Popular On Fridays, we’ll send you a roundup of the top 5 most-read stories of the week, along with some additional stories you may have missed and a podcast recommendation.

KPBS/Arts Your curated weekly guide to the local arts, culture and events in San Diego, from Arts Calendar Editor Julia Dixon Evans, delivered to your inbox every Thursday afternoon.

KPBS Streaming Picks Every Monday we’ll send you a curated list of recommendations for home entertainment: shows and videos on the PBS App.

TV Highlights Every weekday afternoon, we’ll send you our top TV picks so you can hear about upcoming programs and never miss your favorite shows.

Sign up today at kpbs.org/newsletters and let KPBS bring local and national entertainment and news to your inbox.

The Ultimate Renaissance Man

This November, a new groundbreaking documentary by Ken Burns, Sarah Burns, and David McMahon will give viewers the chance to delve deeply into the extraordinary life and work of Leonardo da Vinci.

“Leonardo da Vinci” brings to life the remarkable accomplishments of this Renaissance luminary, set against the turbulent backdrop of a time defined by skepticism, regional conflict and religious upheaval. The film creates a rich tapestry of insights by incorporating information from Leonardo’s extensive personal notebooks, primary and secondary historical accounts and on-camera interviews with a wide range of contemporary scholars, artists, engineers, inventors and enthusiasts.

As they embark on this cinematic journey, viewers are invited to reflect on the timeless relevance of da Vinci’s work and the perennial questions it raises about the nature of creativity, human potential and the pursuit of knowledge. “Leonardo da Vinci” is more than just a documentary; it’s a celebration of intelligence and an homage to inquisitiveness and the enduring brilliance of one of the greatest minds in history.

Premieres Monday, November 18, and Tuesday, November 19 at 8 p.m. on KPBS-TV.
Watch this program live or stream anytime with the PBS app.

Urban Landscapes

San Diego is celebrated for its diverse landscapes, which include beaches, mountains, grasslands and deserts, making it one of America’s natural wonders. Located between the Mojave Desert and the Pacific Ocean and flanked by the Sierra Mountains and the Mexican border, this unique positioning supports a rich array of wildlife.

The region offers a variety of ecosystems all within close proximity, from dramatic grebe rituals and playful ground squirrels to thrilling orca hunts and grunion spawning. “NATURE: San Diego: America’s Wildest City” highlights the resilience of nature in the face of urbanization while showcasing the biodiversity and natural beauty of San Diego.

“NATURE: San Diego: America’s Wildest City” airs Wednesday, November 6, at 8 p.m. on KPBS-TV.
Watch this program live or stream anytime with the PBS app.

Credit: The WNET Group

Capturing the Voice of Gen Z

“Citizen Nation” is an innovative new documentary series that follows teenagers from diverse backgrounds across the U.S. as they come together to compete in the nation’s premier civics competition, “We the People.”

As the students progress through regional and state competitions, they must demonstrate their understanding of American politics and the Constitution by providing responses to judges’ challenges in a style that is very similar to congressional hearings.

Along the way, they wrestle with the complexities of modern-day American citizenship, discovering what it means to be present and respectfully address significant issues. The series comes to an exciting finish with a championship matchup in the nation’s capital.

“Citizen Nation” premieres Tuesday, October 8, at 9 p.m. on KPBS-TV.
Watch this program live or stream anytime with the PBS app.

Unfiltered Opinions

In a time of divisive debate, an engaging new one-hour special, “Deadlock,” seeks to promote civil dialogue. A panel of well-known figures across legal, political and cultural spheres will participate in the special, which will be hosted by professor Aaron Tang of UC Davis School of Law.

Tang will deftly guide the panelists through provocative hypothetical situations meant to challenge their presumptions and encourage contemplation.

The panel will address challenging issues regarding moral, ethical and legal responsibility, as well as community, that will leave us asking, “What would I do?”

“DEADLOCK” premieres Friday, September 20, at 9 p.m. on KPBS-TV.
Watch this program live or stream anytime with the PBS app.

Sponsor Message

North Coast Rep’s New Season 2024-2025

North Coast Repertory Theatre launches Season 43 with an exciting lineup featuring one World Premiere and three San Diego premieres, highlighting an engaging and eclectic 2024-2025 seven-play series. Embark on a wide-ranging theatrical journey with us, from the timeless American Tony-winning classic “A View from the Bridge” to the quirky coming-of-age comedy “Incident at Our Lady of Perpetual Help.” Experience the touching tale of immigration in “The Heart Sellers,” gain insight and clever wisdom from “What the Constitution Means to Me,” unravel a new Hercule Poirot murder mystery comedy in “Peril in the Alps,” reflect on life’s milestones with “Birthday Candles” and enjoy our grand finale with the rousing musical murder comedy “A Gentleman’s Guide to Love & Murder.”

Artistic Director David Ellenstein has selected plays that are passionate, hilarious, heartfelt, unexpected and entertaining. “We believe that our upcoming season will appeal to both our loyal subscribers and a broad spectrum of theatre lovers. We genuinely can say, ‘There’s something for everyone.'”

Visit our website for additional information at northcoastrep.org.

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KPBS channel info—television
KPBS-TV—15.1, Cox 11, Spectrum 1221
KPBS 2—15.2, Cox 811, Spectrum 1277
KPBS Create—15.3, Cox 816, Spectrum 1275
KPBS Kids—15.4, Cox 809, Spectrum 1276

KPBS channel info—HD radio
KPBS Radio—89.5 HD1, Calexico 97.7 FM
Classical San Diego—89.5 HD2

Tired of spending so much time and money on vehicle maintenance and repairs?

Make this October, Cartober, when you donate a vehicle to KPBS. Spare yourself the headache of never-ending repair bills or the hassles of selling your car yourself. Plus, vehicle donations to KPBS are potentially tax deductible. We’ll sell your car, and the proceeds will support the mission of KPBS to our community. Call (877) KPBS-CAR or visit kpbs.org/car to donate your vehicle today.