JULY/AUGUST 2026
Episode 1: “America First” — The first part focuses on the rise of the space shuttle, beginning in the 1970s. It features two astronauts who defied the stereotypes of the time. Anna Fisher became the first mother in space. The physician and astronaut took part in three major programs while enduring media scrutiny that questioned her decision as a mother to pursue the risks of space travel. Entering the shuttle program at the same time, physicist and astronaut Ronald McNair became a beloved celebrity. He will be remembered as the first African American astronaut and a member of the doomed Space Shuttle Challenger mission.
This past April, NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, and Christina Koch and Canadian Space Agency astronaut Jeremy Hansen embarked on Artemis II, a ten-day exploration around the moon and back to earth. Apollo 17, the last moonshot mission, took place in 1972. Thus, a deep space mission had not been completed for more than a half-century. Yet many space missions have advanced space travel during the intervening years. Once Upon a Time in Space follows the trail of the human space program — from the space shuttle to the International Space Station. During the lengthy post-Apollo period, there have been 135 space shuttle missions, construction and growth of the International Space Station, and a rise in commercial space ventures. At the same time we’ve seen shifting alliances as a 21st-century space race appears to be dawning for a renewed wave of moon landings. It’s not often that you get to hear from people who have spent months or years in space. Once Upon a Time in Space will introduce you to some of the astronauts and other participators in the field who have lived through extraordinary moments in space travel history. Filmmaker James Bluemel allows the contributors who were there to do the talking throughout the four-part documentary.
The three remaining episodes (“The Russian Thing,” “Politics Always Wins,” and “Friends Forever”) look at how America and Russia ended the space race by cooperating in joint ventures with crew members from many countries inhabiting modular space station Mir and the International Space Station. The documentary shows how these collaborations resulted in lifelong friendships based upon a powerful sense of belonging. “For a little while I lived in a world that didn’t operate the same way,” said former NASA Flight Director Ginger Kerrick. “And it was beautiful.” Be sure to include this moving and meaningful series on your PBS watch list. Airs Tuesdays, beginning July 14 at 10 p.m. on VPM PBS.
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From the Desk of … Jayme Swain
2 MEMBERSHIP INSIDER GREAT PERFORMANCES PRESENTS
TCHAIKOVSKY
EUGENE ONEGIN
Great Performances brings one of the great lyric operas to homes across the nation this August. Filled with heart-piercing vocal delivery and emotive music, this Metropolitan Opera production stars soprano Asmik Grigorian as Tatiana and baritone Iurii Samoilov as Eugene Onegin. Based on Alexander Pushkin’s verse novel, the opera reimagines Onegin as a bored Russian aristocrat who realizes his affection for Tatiana too late. The Telegraph calls it “a beautifully detailed reading of…Tchaikovsky’s lyrical romance,” but at its core this is a story of regret and missed opportunity. Directed by Tony Awardnominee Deborah Warner, Eugene Onegin reveals Tchaikovsky’s many moods — tender, grand, melancholy — while reflecting Western European tradition and its distinctly Russian roots. From timeless classics to innovative adaptations, Great Performances has brought iconic stage productions to American audiences since 1972, earning 67 Emmy Awards and six George Foster Peabody Awards. Airs Friday, August 21 at 9 p.m. on VPM PBS
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Dear Reader: As we approach July 4th and the 250th anniversary of our country, it’s a moment to reflect on our nation’s founding and what it means to be an American today. In the coming weeks, VPM PBS will bring you programming that celebrates our nation’s innovation, history and diverse landscapes through stories that connect us and remind us of what we share. On the heels of the successful and inspirational Artemis II mission, Once Upon a Time in Space will rekindle a sense of wonder about the possibilities of exploration. You can also tune in to The American Southwest, showcasing some of our country’s most breathtaking natural wonders. And on Independence Day, don’t miss America Made in Virginia: 250 Years Together, a special event from Colonial Williamsburg honoring the
The third season of hit critical-thinkingfocused Alma’s Way is back and continues to capture the quintessential sights and sounds of New York City. This season features a musical that was inspired by L. Frank Baum’s classic novel The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. In the episode, Junior gets his tonsils taken out and he’s afraid he’ll never be able to roar like a dinosa dinosaur again. To help him fee feel better, Alma tells a m music-filled story about a magical place called O Oz. Young viewers will m meet a girl who wants tto get home, a little ddinosaur who wants
people and ideas that have helped define our nation. Public media plays a unique role in moments like this by bringing us together, deepening our understanding and ensuring these stories are accessible to all. Thank you for supporting VPM to make this work possible. Have a wonderful summer. With gratitude,
Jayme Swain President and CEO, VPM and the Virginia Foundation for Public Media
a big roar, an artist with no inspiration, and a person who is the world’s greatest everything except for the world’s greatest friend. They journey together to ask the Rubber Band Wizard for help. Throughout this season of Alma’s Way, Alma models how to think things through with kindness, optimism, and self-confidence for young viewers. “It’s so important that kids know they matter and for them to see themselves reflected in the characters on the screen,” says Creator and Executive Producer Sonia Manzano (Maria, Sesame Street ). Airs Mondays – Fridays at 12:30 p.m. on VPM PBS.
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Independence Day is always a time to celebrate life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness; but this year is special. It’s our nation’s 250th birthday and you are invited to experience America Made in Virginia: 250 Years Together — a live television event set in Colonial Williamsburg. Singersongwriter Judy Collins opens the evening, followed by a recitation of poetry by retired Honorable Virginia Supreme Court Justice John Charles Thomas. The United States Air Force Heritage of America Band will inspire viewers with patriotic favorites. The evening concludes with the Lights of Freedom fireworks extravaganza.
Experience the story of the Colorado River, from its headwaters to the sea, and witness the extraordinary wildlife and landscapes that define the American West. Narrated by Quannah Chasinghorse, this breathtaking documentary is a love letter to the river, the region’s landscapes, and its spectacular wildlife. Viewers will follow the story through the perspective of some of the Southwest’s most charming characters, including industrious beavers, bugling elk, and soaring condors. It was also important for Director of Photography and Producer Ryan Olinger to accurately portray the Southwest
Rooted in Virginia’s central role in the nation’s founding — from Jamestown to Williamsburg to Yorktown — America Made in Virginia: 250 Years Together underscores the enduring impact of the Commonwealth in shaping the United States. Designed as both a celebration and a unifying national moment, the broadcast invites viewers to reflect on the past, engage in the present, and see themselves reflected in America’s continuing story. Airs Saturday, July 4 at 8 p.m. on VPM PBS.
and what it represents. That started by acknowledging who first lived on these lands. “The Indigenous voice is powerful, and it’s something that needs to be heard,” says Olinger. There’s a reason why The American Southwest was an official selection of the 2025 International Wildlife Film Festival, among others. It will inspire viewers to cherish, love, and want to conserve this unique region. Airs Wednesday, July 8 at 10 p.m. on VPM PBS.
RESOLVE
TO SOLVE — Who are the people offering actual solutions to big world problems? Award-winning journalist and science correspondent for PBS News Hour Miles O’Brien seeks them out in this new series, premiering in August on PBS. Resolve to Solve begins with people. Who are the solvers, and what drives them on their relentless journey to make life better for others? Each episode highlights an urgent global problem. Then it explores cutting-edge solutions through a compelling personal profile of a leading innovator who has resolved to come up with a workable conclusion. This science series flips the script, introducing viewers to people who address formidable problems and their backstories first. It then leads audiences toward an understanding of the promise of their potential solutions. “If there’s a common thread with all of the individuals we’re profiling, it’s that they are undaunted by a big challenge,” said O’Brien. “I am in total awe of people like that who will drill down and pursue these goals even when they face all kinds of pushback and obstacles and being told it can’t be done.” Airs Wednesday, August 19 at 10 p.m. on VPM PBS.
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Charlottesville Inside-Out Goes Digital Charlottesville is one of the most scenic and unique towns in all of the Piedmont Region and since 2007, VPM has been showcasing the many things that make Charlottesville great on Charlottesville Inside-Out (CVIO). Now, CVIO has a new home on VPM’s YouTube channel, VPM Spark! Through video interviews, host Terri Allard continues to highlight the region's innovative and unique community members and happenings. New CVIO features are posted at the end of every month on VPM Spark. See the latest from CVIO at VPM.org/CVIO.
Bee Thoughtful with Dr. Hollee Freeman
RVA’s Got Issues on the Airwaves This summer, VPM’s award-winning podcast RVA’s Got Issues is coming to VPM News. While we prepare for Season 5, we’re bringing you our most compelling episodes that explore the politics and pressing issues defining life in and around Richmond, Virginia. Tune in to VPM News Fridays at 7 p.m. for RVA’s Got Issues. For more episodes visit rvasgotissues.VPM.org or listen wherever you get your podcasts.
August Is National Make a Will Month Make a Will Month is a timely reminder that having a will is one of the most caring and practical steps you can take for the people and causes you love. A will brings clarity, peace of mind, and control, ensuring your values are honored and your wishes are respected. By remembering VPM in your will, you create a lasting legacy that strengthens public media for generations to come. Legacy gifts provide stability beyond the moment, allowing VPM to innovate, serve new audiences, and remain a vital civic resource in an ever-changing media landscape. Your commitment today helps ensure that future Virginians will have access to independent, high-quality media rooted in service and integrity. No matter the size, a gift in your will is a powerful statement about what matters to you, and a meaningful way to pass on your belief in public media. To learn more visit VPM.org/legacy-society or contact Angie Hatcher Sledge at 804-560-8253.
Have you heard the buzz? VPM has a six-episode digital series on our VPM Spark YouTube channel called Bee Thoughtful with Dr. Hollee Freeman. Honeybees play a critical role in sustaining biodiversity, supporting food production, and maintaining healthy ecosystems. Without honeybees and other pollinators, many plants that feed people and wildlife would struggle to survive, making their protection and vitality more important than ever. Visit YouTube and search for “VPM Bee Thoughtful” to start watching.
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