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The Story of Queen Victoria • WXXI-TV

Binge all three episodes of this series that uncover the truth about the life and love of one Britain’s greatest ever monarchs.

The Story of Queen Victoria airs Sunday, January 21 at 1 p.m. on WXXI-TV.

Queen Victoria was a woman of tremendous passion who battled personal demons; a dutiful monarch and groundbreaking global ruler; and devoted wife and matriarch — all at the same time. Visiting royal residences Kensington Palace and Osborne House, experts uncover the truth about the fashion, food, family, love and power of one Britain’s greatest ever monarchs. Narrated by Miriam Margolyes.

Illustration: Queen Victoria • Credit: Provided by APT

20 Things to Do in Midsomer Before You Die • WXXI-TV

Midsomer Murders stars past and present discuss working on the series and reminisce.

20 Things to Do in Midsomer Before You Die airs Saturday, January 20 at 9 p.m. on WXXI-TV

Presented by John Nettles (DCI Tom Barnaby in Season 1-13), the Midsomer Murders 20th anniversary special features stars past and present as they discuss working on the popular British drama and reminisce about their favorite moments and stories from set.

Photo: Title card • Credit: PBS

Move to Include: Celebrating Abilities • WXXI Classical

Learn about seven artists with disabilities and their artistic works.

Move to Include: Celebrating Abilities is available on-demand at WXXIClassical.org.

WXXI Classical presents vignettes that highlight the following musicians and composers:

  • Valerie Capers African American pianist & composer who is blind
  • Evelyn Glennie Scottish percussionist who is deaf
  • David Helfgott Australian pianist who lives with schizoaffective disorder
  • Molly Joyce American composer, educator and performer who has an impaired left hand due to an automobile accident
  • Maurice Ravel French composer believed to have what today we know as Alzheimer’s disease
  • John Rutter British composer and conductor who experiences post-viral fatigue syndrome
  • Nick van Bloss British pianist diagnosed with non-swearing Tourette Syndrome

Connections with Evan Dawson • WXXI News

Throughout the week, Evan Dawson will host several conversations with guests who provide expert and personal insights about policies, programs, and community issues related to disabilities.

Connections with Evan Dawson airs weekdays from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. on WXXI News.

Dialogue on Disability episodes include:

On Monday, January 22 at 1 p.m., Evan previews the docuseries Inside Our Autistic Minds with local young people. In the two-part series that will air on WXXI-TV, host Chris Packham – who has autism – helps other people with autism demonstrate how their minds work. In the program, Packham says, “I think that the wider world still doesn’t understand what it means to be autistic. And this is a problem for those of us who already feel excluded, different, like we don’t fit it….I felt completely misunderstood; like no one understood what was going on inside my head.” Connections’ guests include artists, musicians, and creators who help us see the world – and their art – through their eyes.

On Wednesday, January 24 at 1 p.m., Courtney Davis is our guest. When Courtney became ill with a rare condition, she learned almost overnight what the disability community has to contend with. One of the challenges was simply convincing her property manager to remove snow from sidewalks and walkways. During this conversation, she talks about the sometimes overlooked daily obstacles, and how to advocate for change.

Thursday, January 25 at 1 p.m. – Recently on Connections, Evan talked with a local teenager who said, “A lot of people base me off my epilepsy, like…he’s that one epileptic kid. That’s what I’m known as at my school. I just want to be known as a person, not that one epileptic kid.” Award-winning multimedia journalist Emyle Watkins has a passion for helping to break down the kinds of stigma and stereotypes experienced by that local teen. Watkins identifies as disabled and neurodivergent. She covers the disability community for WBFO in Buffalo and leads training sessions for communities across the country. She joins Connections for a conversation about language, so-called “inspiration porn,” and how to help all people become more inclusive communicators. Click here to listen to the episode with the local teenager Geoffrey Batterby, who talks about living with epilepsy.

These episodes of Connections are presented as part of Dialogue on Disability, a partnership between WXXI and Al Sigl Community of Agencies – in conjunction with the Herman and Margaret Schwartz Community Series. Dialogue on Disability is supported by the Fred L. Emerson Foundation with additional support from The Golisano Foundation. The weeklong initiative runs January 22 through January 28, 2024.

WXXI and Al Sigl have been hosting Dialogue on Disability since 2005. In 2014, with the support of businessman and philanthropist Tom Golisano and the Golisano Foundation, Move to Include™ was formed. This initiative enables WXXI to present and develop programming that promotes inclusion year round.

Photo: Evan Dawson • Provided by WXXI

Benjamin Franklin • WXXI-TV

Explore the revolutionary life of one of the 18th century’s most consequential figures in this two-part series from Ken Burns.

Benjamin Franklin airs Fridays, January 19 and 26 at 8:30 p.m. on WXXI-TV.

Ken Burns’ two-part, four-hour documentary, “Benjamin Franklin,” explores the revolutionary life of one of the18th century’s most consequential and compelling personalities, whose work and words unlocked the mystery of electricity and helped create the United States.

Photo: Portrait of Benjamin Franklin by Benjamin Wilson, 1785. Credit: Diplomatic Reception Rooms, U.S. Department of State

The Inclusion Desk • WXXI News

The Inclusion Desk is a multi-platform reporting effort by WXXI News to inform and transform attitudes and behavior about inclusion. 

Read the latest stories.

Stories featured this week are part of Dialogue on Disability, a partnership between WXXI and Al Sigl Community of Agencies – in conjunction with the Herman and Margaret Schwartz Community Series. Dialogue on Disability is supported by the Fred L. Emerson Foundation with additional support from The Golisano Foundation. The weeklong initiative runs January 22 through January 28, 2024.

WXXI and Al Sigl have been hosting Dialogue on Disability since 2005. In 2014, with the support of businessman and philanthropist Tom Golisano and the Golisano Foundation, Move to Include™ was formed. This initiative enables WXXI to present and develop programming that promotes inclusion year round.

Illustration: Shutterstock

A People’s History of Asian America On-Demand

Watch Full Playlist of Videos

A People’s History of Asian America is a series of thoughtful visual essays and explainers, hosted by Emmy award-winning journalist, Dolly Li, and Asian studies scholar and professor, Adrian De Leon. Each episode offers informed and empowering perspectives, helping to break down common microaggressions and racist stereotypes through the tools of ethnic studies. This series covers what your classic American school history textbook may not. Brought to you by PBS Documentaries.

Lyla in the Loop: Videos, Games & Activities

Play games and watch full episodes of Lyla in the Loop on PBS KIDS. https://pbskids.org/lyla

Watch Lyla in the Loop Video Episodes and Clips at PBS KIDS: https://pbskids.org/videos/lyla-in-the-loop

PBS KIDS for Parents Lyla in the Loop, Articles and Activities: https://www.pbs.org/parents/shows/lyla

PBS LearningMedia: Lyla in the Loop Collection: https://ny.pbslearningmedia.org/collection/lyla-in-the-loop/

Lyla in the Loop Collection: https://ny.pbslearningmedia.org/collection/ready-to-learn/show/lyla-in-the-loop/

LYLA IN THE LOOP is a funny and engaging new animated series for kids ages 4-8 about Lyla Loops and her fantastical blue sidekick, Stu, who use creative and strategic problem-solving and critical thinking skills to help their family, friends, and community! From building homemade carnival games to creating a new sandwich for the family restaurant– Lyla, Stu, and the whole Loops crew tackle challenges with equal servings of humor and heart.

Activities:

Play Vacuum Hockey: Think air hockey. With vacuums. Play the Lyla in the Loop Vacuum Hockey game.

Vacuum Hockey: Top 5 Vacuum Hockey Trick Shots

Operation Rise & Shine:

The Loop children sitting on a bunk bed

Watch the Operation Rise & Shine Video and then try the challenge!

Where to Watch:

Articles:

Watch Lyla in the Loop Episodes and Video Clips:

Learn the Lyla In the Loop theme song: 

More About the Series:

LYLA IN THE LOOP, a funny and engaging new animated series for kids ages 4-8. Produced by Mighty Picnic and Pipeline Studios, LYLA IN THE LOOP follows Lyla, a dynamic 7-year-old girl, who lives in a big city with her close-knit family, fantastical blue sidekick Stu, and a host of relatable and quirky characters in her community, who use creative and strategic problem-solving and critical thinking skills to address a range of everyday problems together. The new series will debut in both English and Spanish.

“Lyla is curious and resourceful, and when it comes to figuring out solutions to everyday problems, she doesn’t give up, even when it takes several tries to get it right,” said Sara DeWitt, Senior Vice President and General Manager, PBS KIDS. “We know audiences will quickly be drawn to Lyla’s determination and can-do-attitude, and we’re excited to introduce this warm, funny, and smart series to our viewers.”

LYLA IN THE LOOP centers on Lyla and her family – mom Lydia and dad Louis, who run Loops Lunch diner; older twin sisters Liana and Louisa; younger brother Luke; and sidekick Stu, who always does exactly, literally, what was asked. With her family and best friend Everett Phan, Lyla tackles all sorts of challenges, from building her own homemade carnival games using repurposed materials, to riding along and lending a hand on the neighborhood trash and recycling route, to making a puppet show that recreates the Jamaican folktale, Anansi and the Goat. Lyla even helps her sister navigate the ethics of creating an art project with the help of Stu, showcasing an age-appropriate example of current questions surrounding the use of real-world AI tools. In every adventure, Lyla and Stu introduce and explore foundational computational thinking concepts, leading to some comedic disasters and creative solutions, all while helping others in their community. The series will support a wide range of learners, modeling flexible approaches to finding and designing solutions, and creative self-expression.

“Kids are natural creative problem-solvers, experimenting and investigating the world around them with joyful curiosity,” says Series Creator and Showrunner Dave Peth. “LYLA IN THE LOOP celebrates and encourages kids and the grownups in their lives to recognize those innate abilities and see them as a powerful tool to help others, express themselves, and solve all kinds of problems in everyday life.”

The series pulls inspiration for its setting from Philadelphia, creator Dave Peth’s homebase, and includes vocals by students from the public School District of Philadelphia in the series theme song, which was composed and performed by Grammy-nominated musician, Divinity Roxx.

“Finding stories and issues our audiences can relate to is paramount to creating the relatable world of Lyla Loops. When viewers can connect to and identify with characters, they’re more likely to absorb and retain the curriculum,” says Series Executive Producer and Head Writer Fracaswell Hyman. “Working with a diverse group of writers who share authentic stories and interrelationships that ring true is where we find inspiration, humor, and heartfelt moments that may spark new ways of looking at ourselves and our friends.”

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