PBS Western Reserve presents a collection of stories that are singularly focused on the region that we all call home. Explore the people, places, history and events that make Northeast Ohio and Western Pennsylvania so special.
About Our Region — February 2026
Published on
Great Lakes Now
PBS Western Reserve (WNEO 45.1 / WEAO 49.1):
Sundays at 11 AM (ends Feb. 15)
Through a regional magazine-style television program and daily online reports at GreatLakesNow.org, GREAT LAKES NOW covers the environmental, recreational, cultural, and economic issues of the lakes and the communities that depend on them.
A PBS Western Reserve Production
City Centric
PBS Western Reserve (WNEO 45.1 / WEAO 49.1):
Saturdays and Sundays at 6 PM
PBS Western Reserve presents an inspiring series highlighting passionate individuals who reflect the fabric of their cities. Each city’s episode reveals the stories of six trailblazers who define the essence of their community and possess unique roles including business leader, revitalizer, artist, humanitarian, historian, educator and visionary.
Presented by PBS Western Reserve
Forum 360
PBS Western Reserve (WNEO 45.1 / WEAO 49.1):
First Monday of every month at 5 PM and 5:30 PM
Fusion (WNEO 45.2 / WEAO 49.2):
Mondays at 7:30 PM
Saturdays at 5 PM
This public affairs series provides a local viewpoint on global topics. Subjects covered are both educational and entertaining, and are hosted by a Northeast Ohio community member who assists in determining the show’s content.
Presented by PBS Western Reserve
The World According to Polka Winter Sports Spectacular
PBS Western Reserve (WNEO 45.1 / WEAO 49.1):
Monday, Feb. 2, at 9 PM
Tuesday, Feb. 3, at 2 AM
Monday, Feb. 23, at 9:30 PM
Tuesday, Feb. 24, at 2:30 AM
Saturday, Feb. 28, at 3 PM
Fusion (WNEO 45.2 / WEAO 49.2):
Thursday, Feb. 26, at 7 PM
Just in time for the Winter Games, the Chardon Polka Band delves into the wonderful world of cold-weather sports. With their signature sense of humor, host Jake Kouwe and friends explore winter activities such as curling, skiing, ice fishing, hockey and even dog sledding! Sports are celebrated with musical accompaniments from the Chardon Polka Band and an impressive array of musical guests.
Presented by PBS Western Reserve
The Remember Balloons
PBS Western Reserve (WNEO 45.1 / WEAO 49.1):
Saturday, Feb. 7, at 1 PM
A heartwarming dance-theater production that brings families together through storytelling and movement. Inspired by the award-winning children’s book, the show uses dance, music and multimedia to explore memory, loss and intergenerational connections, making difficult conversations about Alzheimer’s disease accessible for audiences of all ages.
Presented by PBS Western Reserve and The Summit FM
Studio C Sessions
PBS Western Reserve (WNEO 45.1 / WEAO 49.1):
Saturdays at 10:30 PM
Sundays at 2:30 AM
Fusion (WNEO 45.2 / WEAO 49.2):
Sundays at 8 PM
Enjoy live performances that capture artists and audiences connecting in the closest of confines. To experience these unique concerts live, you have to be a member of The Summit FM, a public radio station serving Akron, Canton and Youngstown. This series allows you to watch these intimate music moments on PBS Western Reserve.
Presented by PBS Western Reserve
Training for Freedom
PBS Western Reserve (WNEO 45.1 / WEAO 49.1):
Monday, Feb. 9, at midnight
Sunday, Feb. 22, at 6 PM
In 1890, Mississippi had 190,000 registered Black voters. By 1966, that number was reduced to 2,000 due to a complicated voter registration process. This documentary is the transformational story of how idealistic college students and Black activist teachers came together in Oxford, Ohio, to fight as one in the freedom struggle that would define a nation and alter the course of history.
Presented by PBS Western Reserve
Icon in the Sky: 100 Years of the Goodyear Blimp
PBS WESTERN RESERVE (WNEO 45.1 / WEAO 49.1):
Friday, Feb. 13, at 10 PM
Saturday, Feb. 14, at 3 AM
Saturday, Feb. 21, at 1 PM
FUSION (WNEO 45.2 / WEAO 49.2):
Thursday, Feb. 12, at 7 PM
Learn the century-long history of an aerial legend. ICON IN THE SKY: 100 YEARS OF THE GOODYEAR BLIMP tells the story of the famous airship through the eyes of its dedicated crew and devoted fans. This heartfelt documentary captures the profound nostalgia and wonder the beloved airship inspires across the globe.
Presented by PBS Western Reserve
Ringling, Akron & the ‘Blue Heaven’ Circuit
PBS Western Reserve (WNEO 45.1 / WEAO 49.1):
Saturday, Feb. 14, at 1 PM
Learn the story of Akron’s role in the relaunch of Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey circus following a deadly fire in 1944.
Engineering Tragedy: The Ashtabula Train Disaster
Fusion (WNEO 45.2 / WEAO 49.2):
Saturday, Feb. 14, at 2 PM
The Ashtabula train disaster on Dec. 29, 1876, was the worst train disaster of the 19th century, claiming the lives of 95 people. This documentary explores the events surrounding the Ohio disaster, including the engineering, construction and collapse of the Ashtabula bridge.
A PBS Western Reserve Production
Lines Broken: The Story of Marion Motley
PBS Western Reserve (WNEO 45.1 / WEAO 49.1):
Saturday, Feb. 14, at 6 PM
Fusion (WNEO 45.2 / WEAO 49.2):
Monday, Feb. 23, at 9:30 PM
In 1946, Canton native Marion Motley was one of four African American men to break pro football’s color barrier when he joined the Cleveland Browns. This local production tells the Canton native’s story of adversity, personal tragedy and triumphs using rarely heard archival interviews and new interviews with historians, friends and descendants.
A PBS Western Reserve Production
Black College Football Hall of Fame: Journey to Canton
PBS WESTERN RESERVE (WNEO 45.1 / WEAO 49.1):
Sunday, Feb. 15, at 6 PM
Monday, Feb. 23, at midnight
FUSION (WNEO 45.2 / WEAO 49.2):
Monday, Feb. 16, at 9:30 PM
Learn the story of the formation of Black college football, the contributions that players from historically Black colleges and universities have made to the NFL, the founding of its hall of fame and why the hall is in the unexpected location of Canton.
Stream BLACK COLLEGE FOOTBALL HALL OF FAME: JOURNEY TO CANTON.
Paul Laurence Dunbar: Beyond The Mask
Fusion (WNEO 45.2 / WEAO 49.2):
Saturday, Feb. 21, at 9 PM
The documentary explores the life and legacy of the first African American to achieve national fame as a writer. Born to former slaves in Dayton, Ohio, Paul Laurence Dunbar (1872-1906) is best remembered for his poem “We Wear the Mask” and for lines from “Sympathy,” which inspired the title of Maya Angelou‘s famous autobiography “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings.” Drawing richly on archival photographs, letters and newspaper articles, PAUL LAURENCE DUNBAR: BEYOND THE MASK chronicles the short but remarkable life and career of the influential poet and writer.
resented by PBS Western Reserve
The Master Craftsman
PBS Western Reserve (WNEO 45.1 / WEAO 49.1):
Sunday, Feb. 22, at 11 AM
For more than 50 years Richard Grell has been hand-crafting Windsor chairs on his Hudson, Ohio, property, using wood from his farm. His museum-quality chairs are owned by institutions, businesses and individuals across the country, including famous actors, musicians, Fortune 500 CEOs and presidents. This documentary is an intimate look into Grell’s woodworking skills and techniques.
A PBS Western Reserve Production in collaboration with Akron 200
Akron 200: Forgotten History Forum Series, The History of the African American Church
PBS Western Reserve (WNEO 45.1 / WEAO 49.1):
Sunday, Feb. 22, at noon
Monday, Feb. 23, at 8 PM
Tuesday, Feb. 24, at 1 AM
Fusion (WNEO 45.2 / WEAO 49.2):
Thursday, Feb. 19, at 6 PM
Mark Greer, executive director of Akron 200, moderates a panel discussion on the local history of the African American church at Akron’s historic Wesley Temple AME Zion Church in the final episode of AKRON 200: FORGOTTEN HISTORY FORUM SERIES. Panelists include Ophelia Averitt, Bishop Samuel Hampton II, Bishop Marc L. Neal, the Rev. George Smith-Whitfield and Pamela Valentine.
King of Them All: The Story of King Records
PBS Western Reserve (WNEO 45.1 / WEAO 49.1):
Sunday, Feb. 22, at 2 PM
Wednesday, Feb. 25, at 2 AM
Fusion (WNEO 45.2 / WEAO 49.2):
Sunday, Feb. 15, at 10 PM
Saturday, Feb. 28, at 3 PM
This documentary explores the groundbreaking legacy of Cincinnati’s King Records. Founded in 1943 by Syd Nathan, King Records played a central role in shaping American popular music — from rock 'n' roll to soul and funk — while operating as one of the few fully integrated businesses in a segregated America. Through interviews, restored archival materials, and animation, the film showcases King’s boundary-breaking artists such as James Brown, Hank Ballard, Little Willie John and Grandpa Jones.
Willis “Bing” Davis: Reach High & Reach Back
PBS Western Reserve (WNEO 45.1 / WEAO 49.1):
Sunday, Feb. 22, at 3 PM
Wednesday, Feb. 25, at 3 AM
Few people have had an impact on the arts as much as Willis “Bing” Davis, a highly influential African American artist, educator and community activist from Dayton, Ohio. Known for incorporating African and African American themes into his work, Davis’ art also focuses on social justice issues. His art often explores the intersection of race, identity, and history, as well as the power of community and collective action. The documentary explores Davis’ influence and impact on the art world and beyond.
Presented by PBS Western Reserve
Ken Nordine: Video for the Ear
PBS Western Reserve (WNEO 45.1 / WEAO 49.1):
Monday, Feb. 23, at 10:30 PM
Tuesday, Feb. 24, at 3:30 AM
Ken Nordine, nationally known voice-over and commercial recording artist, is featured in a new local production that is the work of Uniontown resident Carl Palmer of Wild Life Media. KEN NORDINE: VIDEO FOR THE EAR celebrates Chicago’s oldest living hipster and original beatnik. Musical and performance artist Laurie Anderson provides narration for the production.
Presented by PBS Western Reserve, Ideastream Public Media and the University of Akron’s Media Studies program
Akron Roundtable
Fusion (WNEO 45.2 / WEAO 49.2):
Thursday, Feb. 26, at 6 PM
Since 1976, the Akron Roundtable has brought new ideas to Akron. Now, PBS Western Reserve, Ideastream Public Media and the University of Akron’s Media Studies program are partnering with the Akron Roundtable to bring those ideas to our region at large. The Akron Roundtable’s signature series delivers thought-provoking presentations on a wide range of topics from speakers of global, national and regional importance.