NET Documentary Explores Ernie Chambers’ Life and Legislative Career

For Immediate Release

NET Documentary Explores Ernie Chambers’ Life and Legislative Career

LINCOLN, Neb. (April 5, 2021) – Ernie Chambers has been challenging, inspiring and sometimes outraging Nebraskans for more than a half-century. In a new local documentary airing on NET, Nebraska’s PBS & NPR Stations,” legislative reporter Fred Knapp sits down with the former state senator for a one-on-one interview looking back at his life and career. “Ernie Chambers: Through the Years” premieres at 6 p.m. CT, Sunday, April 18 on NET.

First elected to the Legislature in 1970 by his North Omaha constituents, and forced out for the second time this year by term limits, Chambers is the longest serving legislator in Nebraska history.

“Ernie Chambers: Through the Years” follows him from his years growing up in Omaha to his time at Creighton University and in the military. Chambers discusses incidents of racism, as well as his involvement with the community and his legislative career.

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The wide-ranging studio interview with Knapp covers topics such as Chambers’ efforts to secure more Black representation, his quest to abolish the death penalty, groundbreaking initiatives to pay college athletes and plans to divest from South Africa.

As Knapp talks with him, Chambers reflects on his goals and tactics with intensity, humor and an occasional burst of song.

“Ernie Chambers: Through the Years” repeats on NET at 4 p.m. CT, Sunday, April 25; 10 p.m. CT, Tuesday, April 27; and 7:30 p.m. CT, Friday, April 30. It also repeats on NET World at 9 a.m. CT on Monday, April 19; 5 p.m. CT, Sunday, April 25; and 9 a.m. CT, Friday, April 30.

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MEDIA CONTACT: Kim Rogers, 402-660-5521, krogers@netNebraska.org

NET, Nebraska’s PBS & NPR Stations, is the statewide public media service dedicated to creating opportunities for Nebraskans to engage with critical issues, compelling stories and quality entertainment. NET serves each of Nebraska’s 93 counties with 52,560 hours of programming each year on four television and two radio channels, plus online and mobile content. In addition to providing free, high-quality educational programming for children, NET provides programming in the arts, award-winning news and current affairs information and emergency alert services. For more information about NET, visit netNebraska.org.