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 2025
Published on
A PBS Western Reserve Production
Monumental Devotion: The McKinley National Memorial
PBS Western Reserve (WNEO 45.1 / WEAO 49.1):
Friday, Jan. 31, at 8:30 PM
Saturday, Feb. 1, at 1:30 AM
This half-hour production explores the design and construction of the president’s final resting place, William McKinley National Memorial, located in Canton, Ohio. It also examines the life of President McKinley, including his devotion to his wife, Ida, his path to the White House and his assassination.
Watch MONUMENTAL DEVOTION: THE MCKINLEY NATIONAL MEMORIAL online.
A PBS Western Reserve Production
City Centric
PBS Western Reserve (WNEO 45.1 / WEAO 49.1):
Saturdays at 6:30 PM
Saturday, Feb. 15, at 3:30 AM
Fusion (WNEO 45.2 / WEAO 49.2):
Saturdays, Feb. 1 & 8, at 10:30 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 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.
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. 2, at 5:30 PM
Tuesday, Feb. 4, at 3:30 AM
FUSION (WNEO 45.2 / WEAO 49.2):
Monday, Feb. 10, 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.
Watch BLACK COLLEGE FOOTBALL HALL OF FAME: JOURNEY TO CANTON online.
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 and 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
Training for Freedom
PBS Western Reserve (WNEO 45.1 / WEAO 49.1):
Friday, Feb. 7, at 10:30 PM
Sunday, Feb. 23, at 5 PM
FUSION (WNEO 45.2 / WEAO 49.2):
Monday, Feb. 3, at 9:30 PM
Saturday, Feb. 8, at 4:30 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.
A PBS Western Reserve Production
Stark County Courthouse: 200 Years of History, Community and Justice
PBS Western Reserve (WNEO 45.1 / WEAO 49.1)
Saturday, Feb. 8, at 3:30 AM
Stark County has had a courthouse on the same site in the heart of downtown Canton for more than 200 years. The building breathes history as the place where a very young William McKinley began his path to the White House and, tragically, where a nation mourned his assassination. Structurally, the iconic building’s angels and unique architectural details make it a gem among Ohio’s 88 courthouses.
Watch STARK COUNTY COURTHOUSE: 200 YEARS OF HISTORY, COMMUNITY AND JUSTICE online.
Presented by PBS Western Reserve
The Master Craftsman
PBS WESTERN RESERVE (WNEO 45.1 / WEAO 49.1):
Monday, Feb. 10, at 4:30 AM
Wednesday, Feb. 12, at 4:30 PM
Saturday, Feb. 22, at 5:30 PM
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
Lines Broken: The Story of Marion Motley
PBS WESTERN RESERVE (WNEO 45.1 / WEAO 49.1):
Tuesday, Feb. 11, at 3:30 AM
Saturday, Feb. 15, at 10 PM
Sunday, Feb. 16, at 2 AM
Tuesday, Feb. 18, at 3:30 AM
Monday, Feb. 24, at 5:30 AM
FUSION (WNEO 45.2 / WEAO 49.2):
Monday, Feb. 24, 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.
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. 27, 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.