Prairie Fire nominated for seven Mid-America regional EMMYs
WILL-TV’s “Prairie Fire” has been nominated for seven Mid-America regional EMMY awards. The popular magazine show, which first debuted in 1992 and ran until 2009, was rebooted last year by Illinois Public Media.
“Prairie Fire” was nominated in the Best Magazine Program category in the first season of its reboot, which premiered in May of last year and ran through June 2024. The second season of Prairie Fire returns this Thursday, September 19th, and airs the 3rd Thursday of every month.
Other nominations received from the Mid-America chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences include:
ARTS/ENTERTAINMENT - SHORT FORM
A profile of renowned artist and musician Preston Jackson from Peoria. Jackson's works documenting the Black experience appear all over Illinois and the United States.
Taylor Plantan, Isaac Musgrave
INFORMATIONAL/INSTRUCTIONAL - SHORT FORM
“The Underground Railroad in Illinois”
This segment sheds light on the role Illinois played in facilitating escapes through the Underground Railroad.
DJ Roach, Taylor Plantan
ENTERTAINMENT - SHORT OR LONG FORM
“Charles Dickens Visits Illinois”
Just before he wrote his most famous work, Charles Dickens traveled to North America to act as a critical observer of North American society. These were his not so flattering thoughts about Illinois and the midwest Prairie.
Sarah Edwards, Daniel Clarke, Taylor Plantan, Alan Parker
DIVERSITY/EQUITY/INCLUSION - SHORT FORM
In honor of Veteran's Day, we visited Operation Wild Horse, a non-profit organization led by Patti Gruber in Bull Valley, Illinois that partners wild mustangs and burros with U.S. military veterans.
Taylor Plantan, Isaac Musgrave
HUMAN INTEREST - SHORT FORM
This profile follows the remarkable journey of Paralympian Susannah Scaroni, from her days growing up in Washington, to adapting the challenges of life in a wheelchair, to the journey that led her to the winner's circle of this year's Boston Marathon!
Sarah Edwards, Daniel Clarke
MUSICAL COMPOSITION/ARRANGEMENT
This original song was written by Grammy nominated songwriters Graham Edwards and John Pennell as the theme song for the return of “Prairie Fire”. It was performed by Leah Marlene and recorded in Illinois and Nashville.
Graham Edwards, John Pennell
The winners will be announced on October 26, 2024 at a ceremony in Kansas City, MO.
"Prairie Fire" Original Run (1992-2009)
“Prairie Fire” first debuted on April 9, 1992 on WILL-TV. The show was created by original host and producer Jeff Cunningham. Alison Davis took over hosting duties the following year and would produce the show until its first run ended in April of 2009. At the time it went off the air, it was one of the longest running local TV shows in Central Illinois.
New Season (September 2024)
For the second season of the new Prairie Fire, look for a wonderful piece from producer Taylor Plantan about the experiences of several high school students at a U of I Hip Hop camp this summer.
Producer DJ Roach tells you about a man in Forrest, Illinois, who has turned a quirky hobby into something that anyone in his small-town community can enjoy.
Contributor Tinisha Spain is working on a story about the culture of the Black barbershop and its impacts on the community.
And Sarah Edwards is working on a piece about a 24-year-old man from Downers Grove who is one of the nation’s only typewriter repair professionals.
Plus, the new season kicks off with singer Leah Marlene in the WILL studio. The Illinois native and former “American Idol” star stops by during her tour to sing the Prairie Fire theme song for a live studio audience. Season 2 of “Prairie Fire” premieres Thursday, September 19th at 7:30PM.