Highlights Archive

Bug That Rule the World • WXXI-TV

A four-part global investigation into insect declines, exploring their diversity and their critical roles on the planet.

Bug That Rule the World airs Wednesday, May 7-28 at 10 p.m. on WXXI-TV and streaming live on the WXXI app.

Explore the fascinating world of bugs, their beauty, and ecological importance. From pollinators and insect predators to the clean-up crews purifying our planet, scientists examine the decline of these essential yet least appreciated creatures.

Insect Apocalypse I May 7 Scientists and enthusiasts investigate the global insect “apocalypse,” revealing the crucial roles bugs play on our planet and the bleak picture future without them.

Life-Givers I May 14 Dive into the colorful world of Earth’s essential pollinators – bees, moths, and butterflies. Scientists and enthusiasts discuss life without these resilient creatures, whose impact goes far beyond their delicate appearance.

Eat or Be Eater I May 21 Uncover the ruthless realm of some of the stealthiest insects in the animal kingdom. From praying mantises and aquatic insects to dragonflies, nature has equipped these creatures with intelligence, agility and necessary hunting skills for survival.

Beetlemania I May 28 As the world’s most diverse and abundant species, the tiny yet mighty beetle plays crucial ecological roles in nearly every environment. Why are these colorful and ingenious creatures often regarded as “the most important species on the planet”?

FRONTLINE “Antidote” • WXXI-TV

A stunning and immersive look at the cost of opposing Russian President Vladimir Putin.

FRONTLINE “Antidote” airs Tuesday, May 6 at 10 p.m. on WXXI-TV and streaming live on the WXXI app.

Antidote chronicles the lives of Christo Grozev, a Bulgarian investigative journalist whose reporting has exposed hundreds of Russian spies, assassins, and those involved in the poisoning of opposition leader Alexei Navalny; and Evgenia Kara-Murza, the wife of prominent political activist Vladimir Kara-Murza, who was poisoned twice and sentenced to 25 years in a Russian prison.

The feature documentary lays bare the grave consequences that come with speaking out against the Putin regime, revealing the threats Grozev, Kara-Murza and their families face as they seek to expose the actions of the Kremlin to the world.

Photo: Edgar Dubrovskiy, credit: Passion Pictures

CAREGIVING Screening & Panel Discussion • The Little Theatre

Join Move to Include^TM for a special FREE screening and panel discussion on the state and stakes of care in America.

About the Film:
From Executive Producer Bradley Cooper, this is the story of paid and unpaid caregivers navigating the challenges and joys of this deeply meaningful work. Intertwining intimate personal stories with the untold history of caregiving, the documentary reveals the state and the stakes of care in America today. Narrated by Uzo Aduba (The Residence, Orange is the New Black) and directed by Chris Durrance.

CAREGIVING Screening & Panel Discussion
Tuesday, June 3 at 6:30-8:30 p.m.
At The Little Theatre, Theatre 1
240 East Avenue, Rochester, NY

Reserve your free spot here.

This film is presented with open captions. ASL interpretation will be provided for opening remarks and post-screening panel discussion.

For more information on parking and accessibility, please visit https://thelittle.org/accessibility/. Additional accommodations may be requested during the registration process.

Please contact Sarah Murphy Abbamonte, Project Manager for Move to Include(TM), at sabbamonte@wxxi.org with any questions.

WXXI is proud to be the home of Move to Include^TM, an award-winning national initiative to promote disability inclusion, representation, and accessibility in public media. Built on the principle of “Nothing About Us Without Us”, Move to Include spotlights the lived experience of people with disabilities and highlights important issues around disability, including education, healthcare, housing, employment, and more – through television, radio, news, education, community events, and digital media.

A House in the Garden: Shofuso and Modernism • WXXI-TV

Modernist masters and traditional Japanese architecture meet in the Philadelphia region.

A House in the Garden: Shofuso and Modernism airs Saturday, May 3 at 5:30 p.m. on WXXI-TV and streaming live on the WXXI app.

Stunning visual explorations of three architecturally significant sites in the Philadelphia region highlight the influence of traditional Japanese architecture on four masters of modernist architecture and design. The environmentally and culturally sensitive design philosophies of George Nakashima, Junzo Yoshimura, and Antonin and Noemi Raymond continue to influence architecture and design today.

Independent Lens “Matter of the Mind: My Alzheimer’s” • WXXI-TV

A portrayal of three families confronting the unique challenges of Alzheimer’s and how the disease transforms roles and relationships.

Independent Lens “Matter of the Mind: My Alzheimer’s” airs Monday, May 5 at 10 p.m. on WXXI-TV and streaming on the WXXI app.

Matter of Mind: My Alzheimer’s is an intimate portrayal of three families confronting the unique challenges of Alzheimer’s and how this progressive neurodegenerative disease transforms roles and relationships. Whether it’s a partner becoming a caregiver or an adult child shifting into being their parent’s caretaker, these stories show how families evolve when a loved one is diagnosed.

Learn More About Matter of Mind: My Alzheimers

Acoustic Rooster and His Barnyard Band

Watch videos from Acoustic Rooster at https://pbskids.org/videos/acoustic-rooster

Get the kids in your life jazzed about jazz with Acoustic Rooster and his Barnyard Band, premiering May 1! See schedule for TV and Livestream | Channels & Livestreams

Based on the beloved children’s book by bestselling author Kwame Alexander, the one-hour special will teach kids about foundational music concepts and the importance of teamwork to inspire them to use their creativity as an outlet for self-expression as it opens their eyes—and ears—to the richness of jazz.

About the Series and Video Shorts:

Get ready to groove! Based on Acoustic Rooster and His Barnyard Band, the beloved children’s book by Emmy® Award-winning, Newbery medalist, and #1 New York Times bestselling author Kwame Alexander, the ACOUSTIC ROOSTER universe is coming to PBS KIDS with a special and a short-form series produced by GBH. This will feature ACOUSTIC ROOSTER AND HIS BARNYARD BAND, a one-hour special, and ACOUSTIC ROOSTER: JAZZY JAMS, an upbeat new animated series of 20 shorts that will introduce viewers ages 3-5 to the vibrant world of the arts, specifically jazz music, while reinforcing the importance of collaboration, creativity, and self-expression.

Centered on the titular character, a guitar-strumming rooster who joins the Barnyard Band of Jazz Greats, the series and special feature 24 original tracks composed by Juno Award-winning jazz musician Mark McLean, as well as special guests, including jazz icon Herbie Hancock and renowned jazz bassist Amy Shook. The music-filled special, ACOUSTIC ROOSTER AND HIS BARNYARD BAND, premieres on May 1. In addition to today’s sneak peek, ACOUSTIC ROOSTER: JAZZY JAMS will debut a second short on April 11, with the remaining rolling out weekly beginning May 9, 2025. The multiplatform world of Acoustic Rooster and his friends will also include an interactive game, Groovin’ with Acoustic Rooster, which allows kids to create their own music and play along with their favorite songs from the show.

“When my daughter was a baby, I was having a really hard time soothing her so I put on Ella Fitzgerald’s record ‘A Tisket-A Tasket,’ then I played Wynton’s Stardust, and she was captivated. Immediately stopped crying,” said Alexander. “Playing jazz for her inspired me to write Acoustic Rooster and His Barnyard Band to share the history and the power of the music and the musicians with the world through a fictional barnyard band.”

The one-hour special, ACOUSTIC ROOSTER AND HIS BARNYARD BAND, will teach kids about foundational music concepts and the importance of teamwork to inspire them to use their creativity as an outlet for self-expression as it opens their eyes—and ears—to the richness of jazz. The toe-tapping special follows the musical adventures of the precocious, young Acoustic Rooster, who dreams of joining a world-class jazz band alongside his talented friends, including Mules Davis, Lil’ Herdin, Ella Finchgerald, Duck Ellington, and the Chick-A-Dees (an adorable trio of preschool chicks), whose names are all playful nods to famous jazz greats.

“Music has the unique ability to inspire creativity, foster connection, and help children express themselves in meaningful ways,” said Sara DeWitt, Senior Vice President and General Manager, PBS KIDS. “ACOUSTIC ROOSTER uses the magic of jazz to spark a love for music as it supports personal growth, making it a truly inspiring and fun experience for young viewers.”

Each 3-minute episode of ACOUSTIC ROOSTER: JAZZY JAMS follows Rooster and his friends as they go on musical adventures about friendship, fun, and jazz. These short stories highlight styles of jazz, musical concepts, as well as kid-relatable everyday experiences, each featuring an original song. Whether they’re helping a friend overcome sadness with a blues song or jumpstarting the day with a jazzy tune, Rooster and his friends will help kids understand the importance of expressing their emotions and how music can be a meaningful part of their everyday lives.

The Trump Administration’s First 100 Days • April 30 at 8 p.m. on WXXI News (FM 105.9)

NPR marks the 100th day of the Trump Administration with a Special Report, hosted by Michel Martin.

The Trump Administration’s First 100 Days airs Wednesday, April 30 from 8 to 10 p.m. on FM 105.9 and streaming on WXXINews.org.

This two-hour live special will look at what the Administration has accomplished, what has changed and what might be next.

Part 1, the first (8 PM ET) hour, will focus on what’s changed here in the U.S. since President Trump was inaugurated. We’ll look at everything from the culture to the shape of the federal government. From tariffs to the downsizing of the Department of Education, how has Trump made good on his campaign promises? And what could be next?

Part 2, the second (9 PM ET) hour, will focus on the U.S. relationship with the rest of the world. From shifting alliances to trade agreements to changes at the U.S. border, we’ll ask how President Trump has altered international relations since January 20.

ASD Band: The Movie • WXXI-TV

Musicians on the autism spectrum embark on a journey to record their first studio album.

ASD Band: The Movie airs Monday, April 28 at 9 p.m. on WXXI-TV and streaming live on the WXXI app.

Follow the members of ASD Band as they embark on the journey to record their first studio album and proudly own their unique perspectives as individuals on the autism spectrum. Audiences will also experience heartfelt accounts from friends and family members, focused on fostering a community that understands, accepts and values their children.

This program is presented by Move to Include^TM, an award-winning national initiative to promote disability inclusion, representation, and accessibility in public media..