Nebraska Public Media’s local television series “What If… Nebraska” returns in May with new stories highlighting innovation, creativity and entrepreneurship across the state, with a screening event for its first episode.
The seventh season premieres at 8 p.m. CT May 14 on Nebraska Public Media and on the free PBS app. New episodes will air on Thursdays in May and on June 4 and 11. Additional digital shorts will be released on Nebraska Public Media’s YouTube channel and on the PBS app.
Nebraska Public Media will team up with the Sheldon Museum of Art and ECHO Collective for a special First Friday screening event from 5:30-7 p.m. June 5 at the museum. The event will highlight the first episode of the new season followed by a discussion with host Mike Tobias, ECHO Collective entrepreneur Mo Nimic and founder Kelly Ross.
The event is free and open to the public. Online registration is encouraged.
“What If…” highlights the people and ideas shaping the state – from innovative businesses and artistic expression to grassroots solutions making a difference in communities. To learn more, visit the show's webpage.
Host and producer Mike Tobias said the new season continues to explore the creativity and determination that define Nebraskans.
“These stories take us inside the minds of people who see possibilities where others see challenges,” Tobias said. “It’s about innovation, but also about community, resilience and the drive to make something better.”
Upcoming episodes feature:
- ECHO Collective, Lincoln – Refugee and immigrant women build business skills and launch ventures through an intensive entrepreneurship program. (May 14)
- Hasan Khalil, Lincoln – A Yazidi refugee builds community through entrepreneurship, running a barbershop, leading a youth soccer program and performing traditional music. (May 14)
- CULXR House, Omaha – Learn more about an award-winning music creator who started an arts, music and civic engagement space in north Omaha. (May 21)
- Plastic Bag Road, South Sioux City – A first-of-its-kind project in Nebraska uses shredded plastic grocery bags to help pave a road, creating a cost-effective and environmentally friendly solution. (May 28)
- Old Market Guitarworks, Omaha – A guitar maker crafts custom instruments from historic materials, including reclaimed barn wood and ship planks. (May 28)
- Pat on Tap, Mead – A young entrepreneur grows a college startup into a mobile beverage business, launching a fleet of repurposed vehicles for events with support from UNL’s Engler Entrepreneurship Program. (May 28)
- Circle C, Cody – Students help sustain a rural grocery store through a school and community partnership. (June 4)
- Shiloh Farm, Kenesaw – A first-generation farmer blends agriculture and social media, building a large following through educational and entertaining content about farm life. (June 11)
Additional digital shorts, available on the Nebraska Public Media YouTube channel, include:
Art Battle – A closer look at the artists and competition featured at CULXR House. (June 10)
The Things We Pack – A behind-the-scenes look at the equipment and production process used to capture “What If…” stories across Nebraska. (June 24)
“What If… Nebraska” also includes educational resources that support classroom learning and highlight the innovation process in the PBS LearningMedia Library at nebraskapublicmedia.pbslearningmedia.org.
