By Nicole Lyons,
September 29, 2026

The KMOS PBS documentary-style news program, “Fentanyl and Families in the Midwest,” has been nominated for the 2026 National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences
Mid-America Emmy Awards in the News Special category. This is the first nomination
for KMOS PBS in the News Special category.
The program examines the impact of the fentanyl crisis through home movies, personal
photographs, security camera video, 911 calls, police body camera footage and first-person
interviews to delve deeply into the tragic impacts of fentanyl overdose within Midwestern
families and communities.
“These families trusted us with the stories of their loved ones, and often with very
personal videos and photographs that they had captured themselves. Our goal was always
to share these stories of pain and grief in a respectful, honest, and open way,” said
Tim Oar, KMOS producer.
Winners will be announced on Oct. 24 at the Mid-America Emmy Awards ceremony at the
Overland Park Convention Center in Overland Park, Kansas.

Tim Oar
About KMOS PBS: KMOS-TV is a PBS member television station licensed to the University of Central Missouri.
Since 1979, KMOS has broadcast high-quality, engaging, educational and entertaining
programs to central Missouri.