Posted on June 8th, 2011

Watch the full episode. See more PBS Specials.

KLRU has added the documentary Out in America to the June schedule. This program will air on Sunday, June 12, at 7pm.

Out in America is an uplifting collection of unique, transformative stories and inspiring personal narratives told through the lens of the country’s most prominent LGBT figures and pioneers, as well as many average, yet extraordinary, citizens from Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender communities. The program weaves together diverse stories – from urban and rural America, from the heartland to New England, from San Francisco to Harlem. Deeply moving and often humorous, viewers will get a glimpse of awakenings, first crushes, unlikely soul mates, intimacy and liberation. While separated by circumstance and upbringing, the film’s subjects are all united in their shared experiences of self-discovery, coming out, pride and love as well as a triumph over adversity and a true sense of belonging. Against the backdrop of historical events, each also traces their own hopes, struggles, influences and contributions towards advancements in equality and broad social change.

Also airing is  Montrose, Texas: The Transformation of a Neighborhood. This thirty-minute documentary airs at 8:30 pm Sunday and 10:30 p.m. Monday.

Houston Mayor Annise Parker shot into the national spotlight this year when she was elected the first openly GLBT mayor of a large city. Hers is one of the many voices featured in the documentary, Montrose, Texas: The Transformation of a Neighborhood. This program features community leaders Suzanne Anderson, Marion E. Coleman, John Danielson, Ray Hill, Jimmy Carper, Brandon Wolf, and City Council Member Sue Lovell, among others. Rare footage from The Gulf Coast Archive and Museum of GLBT History brings back fond memories.

Other shows airing as part of Gay & Lesbian Pride Month include:
Stonewall Uprising:  American Experience airs Monday, June 13th at 8pm
Emile Norman—By His Own Design airs Monday, June 13th at 9:30 pm
Independent Lens “Two Spirits” airs Tuesday, June 14th at 9 pm
Find out more these programs here

Posted on May 3rd, 2011

From Frontline:
In the aftermath of the killing of Osama bin Laden, FRONTLINE presents two inside views of the fight against al Qaeda and the Taliban.

First, Afghan journalist Najibullah Quraishi — who reported last year’s award-winning FRONTLINE film Behind Taliban Lines — once again journeys deep inside enemy territory. This time, he gains extraordinary access to a band of militants and foreign fighters in Afghanistan who say they’re loyal to bin Laden and are readying a Spring offensive against the U.S.

Then, FRONTLINE crosses the border into Pakistan, where correspondents Stephen Grey and Martin Smith go inside The Secret War against the militants. They uncover new details of a CIA “private army” of militiamen launching kill raids against al Qaeda and the Taliban inside Pakistan. They also find new evidence of covert support for elements of the Taliban by the Pakistani military and its intelligence service, the ISI. At a safe-house not far from where bin Laden was killed, they make contact with one mid-level Taliban commander who tells FRONTLINE, “If they really wanted to, [the Pakistanis] could arrest us all in an hour.”

“Fighting for Al Qaeda” airs tonight at 8pm on KLRU.

Read more: http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/fighting-for-bin-laden/#ixzz1LIzMPH2y

Posted on April 5th, 2011

In Vine Talk, actor-writer-director Stanley Tucci leads a wine-tasting and a lively and engaging conversation among an eclectic group of celebrities and celebrity chefs. Vine Talk airs Tuesdays at 10:30 p.m. starting April 5. This ever-changing panel sniffs, swirls and sips wines while discussing wine, food and culture. Then, they blindly pick their favorite wine and compare their choice with that of the studio audience. Featured guests include: John Lithgow, Lidia Bastianich, Rosie Perez, Jennifer Coolidge, Julianne Moore, Steve Buscemi and the irrepressible Nathan Lane. Food & Wineexecutive wine editor Ray Isle, along with a rotating group of experienced sommeliers, take turns introducing the names, labels, origins and retail price-points of varietals, and answering celebrity and studio audience questions.

Posted on March 28th, 2011

The PBS NewsHour’s coverage President Obama’s address to the nation on the subject of Libya will air tonight at 6:30 p.m.

If the speech goes past 7 p.m. Antiques Roadshow will begin immediately following the speech. American Experience “Dolley Madison” will begin immediately following Antiques Roadshow. Morrisotown or Lafayette will be joined in progress so that Charlie Rose can begin promptly at 11 p.m.

Watch the live stream of President Obama’s speech tonight at 6:30 p.m. here

Posted on February 11th, 2011

There are several bills pending in Congress that would eliminate all federal funding for public broadcasting. Debate and a vote in the House of Representatives are likely to occur next week.

KLRU and stations all across the country rely on this funding to ensure that public media will continue to enhance the quality of life of our local communities through its offerings of children’s programming, news and public affairs, local cultural programming, non-commercial educational programs.

We hope you will call your Members of Congress – their contact info is listed below – and tell them what you think of public broadcasting and the proposed cuts. It is important that your elected representatives hear directly from you about whether or not funding for public broadcasting should be continued.

You can also show your support by visiting 170millionamericans.org and sign up to receive updates. KLRU has joined the efforts of this grass-roots campaign, a collaboration of public radio and television stations, listeners and viewer’s throughout the country.

Our viewing area covers many districts, find your representative here.

District 10- Michael T. McCaul
Phone: (202) 225-2401
Fax: (202) 225-5955

District 11- Michael Conaway
Phone: (202) 225-3605
Fax: (202) 225-1783

District 20- Charles A. Gonzalez
Phone (202) 225-3236
Fax (202) 225-1915

District 21- Lamar Smith
Phone (202) 225-4236
Fax: (202) 225-8628

District 25- Lloyd Doggett
Phone: (202) 225-4865
Fax: (202) 225-3073

District 28- Henry Cuellar
Phone (202) 225-1640
Fax (202) 225-1641

District 31- John Carter
Phone: (202) 225-3864
Fax: (202) 225-5886

If you would like to write your representative, click here.

Posted on February 10th, 2011

In Memoriam
Robert F. Schenkkan
1917-2011

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Robert F. Schenkkan. Schenkkan was the founder of both KLRU and KUT, and a true pioneer in public broadcasting. He was also a good friend and advisor.

Here’s a touching tribute to him, his career and his family from 2007.

The Austin American Statesman had this tribute this morning and KUT filed this report.

Posted on January 24th, 2011

KLRU-TV, AUSTIN PBS, ANNOUNCES PUBLIC CELEBRATION OF AUSTIN CITY LIMITS’ NEW HOME SPONSORED BY CIRRUS LOGIC

CELEBRATION INCLUDES PUBLIC CONCERT BY STEVE MILLER BAND
MILLER’S PERFORMANCE WILL BE FIRST ACL TAPING AT THE MOODY THEATER

TAPING WILL BE PRECEDED BY 2ND ST. SOUNDCHECK – A FREE STREET PARTY & MUSIC EVENT PRESENTED BY BUSINESSES OF THE 2ND STREET DISTRICT

Austin, TX – KLRU and The 2nd Street District invite the public to come downtown for 2ND ST. SOUNDCHECK — a special free party with music, events and more, sponsored by the businesses of The 2nd Street District.  The 2ND ST. SOUNDCHECK will celebrate AUSTIN CITY LIMITS’ new home at The Moody Theater and will take place throughout The 2nd Street District on Saturday, February 26 from 3 to 8 p.m.  The evening’s celebration is also sponsored in part by Cirrus Logic and The Moody Foundation.

The evening will culminate with the first AUSTIN CITY LIMITS taping in The Moody Theater featuring a 90-minute performance by Steve Miller Band including new material from his soon-to-be-released new Blues Rock album entitled “Let Your Hair Down.”

“KLRU and AUSTIN CITY LIMITS are grateful to Cirrus Logic for stepping forward to support this public welcoming of AUSTIN CITY LIMITS to its new downtown home,” said Austin City Limits Executive Producer Terry Lickona. “It’s been a dream to be able to give AUSTIN CITY LIMITS its own place in the skyline.”

“Cirrus Logic is proud to present Austin City Limits’ premier celebration at the new Moody Theater,” said Jason Rhode, Cirrus Logic president and CEO. “We look forward to becoming one of ACL’s neighbors when our new headquarters is completed in the summer of 2012, placing the company in the heart of downtown’s vibrant live music, restaurant and retail scene. We are pleased to continue our support of KLRU and ACL and its great gift of incredible music performances.”

“The businesses of The 2nd Street District are thrilled to welcome AUSTIN CITY LIMITS to what can now, surely be deemed the coolest neighborhood in town,” said Julie Sutton-McGurk, Retail Marketing Manager for The 2nd Street District. “And we will do so in quintessential Austin style – by throwing 2ND ST. SOUNDCHECK, a street party filled with live music, great food, and of course, what truly makes this city the special place that it is, the people that call Austin ‘home.’”

The new Moody Theater includes a state-of-the-art digital production system, supported in part by a $2.5 million matching grant from The Moody Foundation, one of the nation’s largest private foundations.  Developed by Stratus Properties, the new home of AUSTIN CITY LIMITS will enable more fans to watch future live tapings of the show and provide an enhanced experience while maintaining the intimacy, character and integrity that have been the hallmark of AUSTIN CITY LIMITS for more than three decades.

KLRU is currently engaged in a capital campaign to raise the funds needed to complete the equipment acquisition and installation.

“Thanks to the vision of Stratus Properties and the generosity of The Moody Foundation and other major donors, we are proud to be part of the energy and vibrancy of The 2nd Street District,” said KLRU CEO Bill Stotesbery.

On Saturday, February 26, 2nd Street will be closed all day to allow for street entertainers and special performances by Matt Wilson, Dale Watson & His Lone Stars and Rick Trevino.  Retailers and restaurants will be open and programming special activities as part of the event.  Immediately following the 2ND ST. SOUNDCHECK, doors will open for the AUSTIN CITY LIMITS taping in the new state-of-the-art venue.

Lauded rock guitarist Steve Miller and his band have been inspiring fans for more than four decades with Miller’s unique brand of rousing American rock ‘n’ roll. His catalog includes 17 studio albums and multiple hit singles including “The Joker,” “Take The Money and Run,” “Jet Airliner,” “Abracadabra” and more.  This will be Steve Miller’s first performance on AUSTIN CITY LIMITS.

For more information on how to get a ticket to the AUSTIN CITY LIMITS taping go to austincitylimits.org. Tickets are limited and you must have a ticket to be able to attend the taping.

For more information or a schedule of events for 2ND ST. SOUNDCHECK and additional opportunities to get tickets to the first AUSTIN CITY LIMITS taping go to 2ndstreetdistrict.com

(more…)

Posted on January 11th, 2011

PBS announced today the App Store debut of the PBS App for iPhone and iPod touch, featuring more than 300 hours of free video, including full-length programs.

Also launching today, the PBS Antiques Roadshow game app, available for the iPad, iPhone and iPod touch, lets players virtually collect, appraise and bid on real antiques with new collectibles from different cities added regularly.
(more…)

Posted on January 6th, 2011

The NewsHour is live streaming Congress’s reading of the Constitution from 9:30 to about 11:30 am today.

Posted on December 30th, 2010

In 2010, epic earthquakes all over the planet delivered one of the worst annual death tolls ever recorded. On Tuesday, Jan. 11, Nova, Frontline and Independent Lens each feature stories from Haiti as they recover from this disaster. Find out more about these shows.

Nova at 7 pm:
In exclusive coverage, a Nova camera crew follows a team of US geologists as they first enter Haiti in the immediate aftermath of the tragedy. It is a race against time as they hunt for crucial evidence that will help them determine exactly what happened deep underground and what the risks are of a new killer quake. Barely a month after the Haiti quake, Chile was struck by a quake unleashing a tsunami that put the entire Pacific coast on high alert. In a coastal town devastated by the rushing wave, Nova follows a team of geologists as they battle aftershocks to measure the displacement caused by the earthquake.

Frontline at 8 pm
In the chaos of the earthquake that devastated Haiti, thousands of the country’s worst criminals seized the opportunity to stage a mass escape from the National Penitentiary. One year later, the gang leaders are re-asserting control in the capital, threatening the country’s stability. With unique access to the police units trying to hunt down the gangsters — and revealing encounters with the gangsters themselves — Frontline examines the uphill fight to rebuild Haiti in the face of deep-rooted corruption and intimidation.

Independent Lens at 9 p.m.
In the midst of Haiti’s lush mountains and historical relics is an epidemic of over 500,000 orphan children who wander the streets day and night. Known as the “soulless” and forgotten by their own people, they do what they must to survive each day. “Children of Haiti” follows three teenage boys — Denick, a prolific and charming 14 year-old; Nickenson, a tough but sensitive 16 year-old; and Antoine, an energetic paint-thinner abuser — who reflect on their country and their lives, while sharing a common dream of education, government assistance, and social acceptance.