“Prairie Fire” nominated for four Mid-America Emmy® Awards
WILL-TV’s “Prairie Fire” has been nominated for four National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Mid-America Emmy® awards. The popular magazine show, which first debuted in 1992 and ran until 2009, was rebooted in 2023 by Illinois Public Media.
Since its reboot, “Prairie Fire” has won nine Mid-America Emmy® Awards, including Magazine Program in both 2024 and 2025 for its first and second season. The fourth season of “Prairie Fire” debuts on Thursday, September 17th, and new episodes premiere on the 3rd Thursday of every month at 7:30pm on WILL-TV.
The awards ceremony takes place on Saturday, October 24 in Kansas City, MO.
2026 Nominations:
INTERVIEW/DISCUSSION — SHORT OR LONG FORM
Hollywood action star and writer Bob Odenkirk and his brother Bill – a top Hollywood comedy writer himself – stopped by “Prairie Fire” to talk about their Illinois roots, their professional relationship and their latest work.
Sarah Edwards, DJ Roach, Taylor Plantan, Daniel Clarke
ARTS/ENTERTAINMENT — LONG FORM CONTENT
Meet Bloomington artist Herb Eaton. Described as a "Maker of Things," Eaton paints, sketches, and sculpts scenes emblematic of the Illinois Prairie and surrounding landscape, often with a storytelling theme. Eaton shares his artistic beginnings, new musings, and what makes Bloomington the perfect place to be an artist.
Taylor Plantan, Daniel Clarke
ARTS/ENTERTAINMENT — SHORT FORM CONTENT
Brian Dettmer: Reading with a Knife
Are books really “dead”? Artist Brian Dettmer seals the edges of vintage books and carves inward, removing layers page by page.
Taylor Plantan, DJ Roach
DIRECTOR — SHORT FORM OR LONG FORM CONTENT
Taylor Plantan is honored with a nomination for her contributions to “Prairie Fire” during season 3.
