AETN Engage Blog

“Elections 2018: AETN Debates” Schedule

It’s time once again for AETN’s debate series to help Arkansas citizens make informed decisions at the polls in November. Candidates in eight races have agreed to participate in “Election 2018: AETN Debates,” which will tape and air Oct. 8-12. AETN will also produce “Election 2018: Ballot Initiatives” featuring the proposed initiatives that have reached the ballot in a 30-minute program produced in conjunction with the University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service. Read on to learn how you can attend the debates live or when and how you can watch with us.

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Remembering Susan Howarth

Susan Howarth has long been a leader in public media and effected positive change at several systems, including AETN. She also impacted individuals: she was my mentor for almost 30 years. I’m proud to remember the influence Susan has had on me and to reflect on her pioneering spirit and advocacy for journalistic integrity in this memorial post.

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What We’re Watching — September 2018

From local history and beautiful sights across The Natural State to thrilling new series, reading challenges and delving into the science behind our bodies, it’s an exciting month to be watching AETN! From the premiere of “Daniel Tiger The Movie: Won’t You Be My Neighbor” to Ken Burns’ “The Mayo Clinic: Faith, Hope and Science” to the return of “Poldark,” read on to find out what you have to look forward to in September.

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“The Great American Read” Is Back!

Hey, book lovers throughout our beautiful state! PBS’s tour-de-force summer reading initiative “The Great American Read” begins its two-month final push tonight, Tuesday, Sept. 11, toward announcing what book will be crowned “America’s Favorite Novel.” All spring and summer long, AETN has partnered with Literary Festivals and events, community libraries and student summer writing camps to call attention to this fun community engagement event. Keep reading to see what you have to look forward to in its return!

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Getting to Know the League of Women Voters of Arkansas - “Arkansas Week”

In the latest edition of “Arkansas Week,” guests from the League of Women Voters of Arkansas are joining us in AETN studios to discuss the surge of female candidates, the upcoming centennial of the 19th Amendment and more. But what is the league and which views does it support? Read on to find out.

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The Great American Read

"The Great American Read" is an eight-part series that explores and celebrates the power of reading, told through the prism of America’s 100 best-loved novels (as chosen in a national survey). It investigates how and why writers create their fictional worlds, how we as readers are affected by these stories, and what these 100 different books have to say about our diverse nation and our shared human experience. Premiering May 22 at 7 p.m. episodes will feature appearances by celebrities, athletes, experts, authors and everyday Americans advocating for their favorite books.

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A Deeper Look

A Deeper Look at Poverty in Arkansas is part of the national initiative "Chasing the Dream: Poverty and Opportunity in America," which aims to provide a deeper understanding of the impact of poverty on American society and solutions to bring people out of poverty.

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AETN's monthly newsletter gives you the month's popular local and national programs, new program announcements, events, contests, PBS news and more.

Request a Speaker

Need a speaker for a civic organization or club program?  For your organization's next meeting, consider booking an AETN Speaker.  For more than fifteen years, more than 250 groups around Arkansas that meet during weekdays have used this free-of-charge service.  While speakers are regularly available for noon club meetings, some breakfast or evening programs may be provided to a group if the event site is within a 30-60 minute drive from Conway or if AETN has an available person in that area of the state.  An AETN speaker will be glad to talk to your group at no cost on a variety of relevant and interesting subjects, including:

• AETN: Helping Kids through TV
• AETN: Helping Education in Arkansas
• AETN: Telling Arkansas' Heritage and Culture
  
• AETN Productions Update
• How AETN Works
• What's New at AETN
  

To arrange an AETN Speaker for an upcoming club meeting, please contact the AETN Marketing and Outreach Department at marketing@aetn.org.

Request a Tour

If you are interested in discovering the world of public, educational broadcasting in Arkansas, come take a free tour of AETN in Conway!

Who May tour: Groups of ten (10) individuals or more who are at least in 4th grade (or age 10) or older are welcome.  Tours for individuals are generally not provided. Groups larger than 20 may need to be divided into smaller groups for easier touring.  One (1) parent, teacher, guardian or group leader must be present for every six to seven children.

What is Seen: Learn about this state-owned public, educational television station.  Visit the studios and production control rooms where local programs about Arkansas are created.  View Master Control where all AETN-PBS programs are broadcast throughout the state of Arkansas. See the equipment used to create television.  More technical-oriented tours can be arranged for a high school or college broadcasting class.

Length and focus of tours of AETN, which generally last about between 30 and 60 minutes, depend upon the age level of the group.

Tour Times: Tours are conducted Monday through Friday between 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Tours are given by prior appointment only. Unfortunately, we cannot accommodate unscheduled, drop-in requests for tours. Please allow at least two (2) weeks in advance to schedule a tour appointment.

Tours not available on the following observed state holiday:  Martin Luther King-Robert E. Lee Day, Presidents-Daisy Bates Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day (and the day after), and during the Christmas holidays (Christmas Eve Day through New Year's Day).

Where to Go for Tours: Scheduled tour groups will meet at the reception desk at the Visitors Entrance in the north building located at Donaghey Avenue and Powell Street south of the University of Central Arkansas in Conway. See our AETN Map for directions to AETN.  Visitor parking is available free-of-charge in a lot across the street from the front entrance of AETN or in the parking lot one block south of AETN.

Additional Information: Tours of AETN are free! Cameras and video cameras are also welcome as are lots of questions. Please make any special needs or interests known when scheduling a tour.  AETN reserves the right to cancel a tour within 24 hours for any unforeseen conflict.

To Schedule a Tour: To arrange a building tour of AETN, contact:

David Elmore
Phone: (501) 682 - 4198
Email: delmore@aetn.org