ADVANCE September 2025

A Letter from Your Friends at Iowa PBS Thank you for standing with us over the past several months and, just as important, in the months and years to come. With the elimination of federal funding in July, Iowa PBS lost $3.5 million—or 18% of our annual budget. It’s the largest cut to public funding in our history. While the outcome in Washington wasn’t what we hoped for, your advocacy, passion, and belief in public media inspire us every day. Together, we’ll turn this challenge into a testament to our shared resilience. All the ways you support Iowa PBS makes this public-private partnership possible— always has, always will. Your generosity sustains programs that connect our state—like Market to Market , Road Trip Iowa , girls and boys Iowa high school sports championships, the Iowa State Fair coverage, children’s programming, educational services and Iowa history documentaries like USS Iowa and our Historic Buildings of Iowa series. Many of you have asked how you can help Iowa PBS. Here is a checklist for you to consider:  Make a meaningful gift or an additional gift now at iowapbs.org/donate or scan the QR code below.  If you’re a Sustaining Member, increase your monthly or annual contribution at iowapbs.org/upgrade.  Use Passport, your member benefit, to stream your favorite shows.  Attend an Iowa PBS event or screening.  Share your favorite programs with friends, family, and loved ones.  Engage with Iowa PBS on our social media platforms at iowapbs.org/social.  Consider including a gift to the Iowa PBS Foundation in your will or trust to ensure Iowa PBS’s future for generations to come. Every action you take helps. Again, thank you for all that you do. Iowa PBS has served the state of Iowa for 55 years, and we’re not stopping anytime soon. We’re here today, we’ll be here tomorrow and we’ll be here for you well into the future. To be clear, Iowa PBS is here today. Iowa PBS will be here tomorrow. And, Iowa PBS will be here for you well into the future.

VOL. 56, NO. 9 SEPTEMBER 2025 IOWA PBS

At Iowa PBS, we are dedicated to providing quality, innovative media and services that educate, inform, enrich and inspire Iowans. Offices: Iowa PBS 6450 Corporate Drive P.O. Box 6450 Johnston, IA 50131-6450 Phone: 515.725.9700 or 800.532.1290 President: Kevin W. Krause, West Des Moines Vice President: Jason Giles, Urbandale Board Members: Angie Anderson, Cherokee; Brooke Axiotis, Des Moines; Robert Cramer, Adel; Kevin Fangman, Des Moines; Courtney Maxwell Greene, Windsor Heights; Bruce McKee, Mason City; Craig Schaefer, Dubuque Executive Director and General Manager: Andrew Batt Director of Administration and Finance: Michelle Wendel Director of Communications: Susan Ramsey Director of Content: Cameron McCoy Director of Educational Services: Kenneth R. Harrison Director of Emerging Media: Taylor Shore Director of Engineering: Chad Aubrey FRIENDS IOWA PBS FOUNDATION Iowa PBS Foundation is a statewide, nonprofit organization governed by a volunteer board of directors from communities throughout the viewing area. Offices: Friends of Iowa PBS 6535 Corporate Drive P.O. Box 6400 Johnston, IA 50131-6400 Board Members: Kip Albertson, West Des Moines; Tim Hoskins, West Des Moines; Toby Joseph, West Des Moines; Desirée Kilburg, Cedar Rapids; Rick Killion, Council Bluffs; Mary Kramer, Clive; Paulina Mena, Pella; Stephanie Mendenhall, Garden Grove; Mike Ralston, Urbandale; Chuck Smith, Council Bluffs; Steve Sukup, Clear Lake; Carole Tillotson, Windsor Heights; Myrna Ver Ploeg, Newton; Brett Wessels, Omaha, Nebraska; Cathie Whiteside, Rock Island, Illinois; Barbara Wilkerson, Spencer Ex-Officio Members: President, Iowa PBS Broadcast Board Publisher: Friends of Iowa PBS Editor: Elizabeth Williams Graphic Designers: Alisa Dodge, Olivia Guns Des Moines Metro Opera Presents The Cunning Little Vixen photos: Cory Weaver (USPS 433-190) is published monthly by Friends of Iowa PBS, 6535 Corporate Drive, Johnston, IA 50131. Periodical postage paid at Johnston, IA, and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Advance, P.O. Box 6400, Johnston, IA 50131. Phone: 515.725.9800 or 800.728.2828 Chair: Kathleen Zehr, West Des Moines Vice Chair: Dan DeCook, Lovilia Past Chair: Kevin W. Krause, West Des Moines Treasurer: John K. Sorensen, West Des Moines Secretary: Kelly Baier, Cedar Rapids President: Rob Hilbert

Gratefully,

Andrew Batt Executive Director & General Manager Iowa PBS

Rob Hilbert, CFRE President Friends of Iowa PBS

Visit iowapbs.org/donate, call 800.728.2828 or scan the QR code to donate:

Learn more at iowapbs.org/social