The awards recognize original programs sharing stories of Nebraska music, innovation and entrepreneurship.
Nebraska Public Media received three 2026 Heartland Emmy® Awards for original programs showcasing Nebraska musicians, innovators and entrepreneurs. Announced July 18, the awards honor excellence in television produced for audiences in Nebraska, Wyoming, Colorado, Kansas and Oklahoma.
JAM: The Talbott Brothers received an award in the Entertainment – Short Form/Long Form Content category. The program is an installment in Nebraska Public Media’s local music series, JAM, which brings together artist interviews and performances to spotlight some of the best original music being played today.
The subjects of the episode, The Talbott Brothers, have carved out a distinct space in the Americana and folk-rock world with their sibling blood harmonies, heartfelt lyrics, and blue-collar authenticity. Originally from Imperial, Neb., Nick and Ty Talbott are turning heads with a sound praised by Rolling Stone as 'cinematic folk-rock for open highways' and hailed by Billboard magazine for their 'haunting brotherly harmonies.' Their music reflects the resilience, honesty and soul of the American heartland.
The team behind JAM: The Talbott Brothers includes:
- Michele Wolford – Producer
- Tyler Kersting – Editor
- Werner Althaus – Audio
- David Barry – Editor
- Scott Raasch – Director
The series What If… Nebraska won the Magazine Program – Single Program or Series category. Hosted and produced by Mike Tobias, the show explores stories about how Nebraskans discover, innovate and create. Since its debut in 2019, What If… Nebraska has earned multiple local, regional and national awards, including four previous Heartland Emmys.
The most recent season of What If… Nebraska features stories from across the state, including:
- A road made from recycled plastic grocery sacks in South Sioux City
- A first-generation farmer and social media influencer from Kenesaw
- A grocery store run by students in Cody,
- and an innovative space for art in North Omaha.
The team behind the award-winning season of What If… Nebraska includes:
- Mike Tobias – Producer
- Justin Cheney – Photographer
- Emily Kreutz – Audio
- Mac Nelsen – Editor
- Lisa Chavanothai Craig – Graphic Artist
An episode of What If… Nebraska received an award in the Business/Consumer - Short Form/Long Form Content category. Candy Scientist explores how Nebraska entrepreneur Tessa Porter combined her love of science and candy into a business, Sprinkk, that helps others create candy.
In the season six episode, Porter takes host Mike Tobias behinds the scenes at Sprinkk’s product development lab, where the company develops candies for individuals and established companies alike. Then, after making a candy of their own, they visit the Sprinkk manufacturing facility in Porter’s hometown of Albion, Neb.
The team behind this episode includes:
- Mike Tobias – Producer
- Justin Cheney – Photographer
- Emily Kreutz – Audio
The Heartland Emmys® are awarded by the Heartland chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences, a non-profit organization dedicated to recognizing achievements in television and improving industry standards and quality.