For immediate release
Chicago, IL - November 1, 2025
The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (NATAS) Chicago/Midwest Chapter recognized WTTW for excellence in regional broadcasting, honoring the station with 10 Regional Emmy Awards for the 2024-2025 season. In addition, longtime WTTW host, writer, and producer Geoffrey Baer was named to the NATAS Silver Circle, a distinguished honor celebrating professionals who have made outstanding contributions to television and their communities for more than 25 years. Baer’s induction highlights his enduring impact on public media and his legacy as one of the region’s most treasured storytellers. The induction ceremony will take place in May 2025.
WTTW 2024-2025 Regional Emmy Award Winners:
OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT FOR DOCUMENTARY – CULTURAL
Chicago Stories: House Music – A Cultural Revolution
Barbara E. Allen, Producer; Keisha Chavers, Alicia Soller, Associate Producers; Anna Chadwick Gardner, Shelley Spencer, Executive Producers
OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT FOR DOCUMENTARY – HISTORICAL
Chicago Stories: Deadly Alliance – Leopold and Loeb
Tania Lindsay, Producer; Alicia Soller, Associate Producer; Anna Chadwick Gardner, Shelley Spencer, Executive Producers
OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT FOR DOCUMENTARY – TOPICAL
Firsthand: Homeless – The Migrant Experience
Edgar Vargas, Producer; Eddie Arruza, Producer; Anne Gleason, Dan Protess, Executive Producers.
OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT FOR INFORMATIONAL/INSTRUCTIONAL – LONG FORM CONTENT
A Celebration of Hanukkah with Geoffrey Baer
Rachel Pikelny, Producer; Kateryna Sazonova, Associate Producer; Geoffrey Baer, Host
Outstanding Achievement for Public Affairs Program – Single Program/Series
Firsthand: Peacekeepers
Dan Protess, Executive Producer; Anne Gleason, Executive Producer; Teresa Crawford, Latesha Dickerson, Mario Tharpe, Edgar Vargas, Teresa White, Producers
OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT FOR DIVERSITY/EQUITY/INCLUSION – LONG FORM CONTENT
Chicago Stories: The Young Lords of Lincoln Park
Tania Lindsay, Producer; Rachel Ruiz, Producer; Ken Lumb, Alicia Soller, Associate Producers; Anna Chadwick Gardner, Shelley Spencer, Executive Producers
Outstanding Achievement for Human Interest – Long Form Content
Chicago Stories: Amusement Parks
Rachel Pikelny, Producer; Ian Bertorelli, Associate Producer; Anna Chadwick Gardner, Shelley Spencer, Executive Producers
Outstanding Achievement for Nostalgia/Historical – Short and Long Form Content
Chicago Stories: Al Capone’s Bloody Business
Heidi Zersen, Producer; Marcy Marzuki, Associate Producer; Anna Chadwick Gardner, Shelley Spencer, Executive Producers
Chicago Stories: The Making of Playboy
Peter Marks, Producer; Bianca Lozano, Associate Producer; Anna Chadwick Gardner, Shelley Spencer, Executive Producers
Outstanding Crafts Achievement for Writing – Long Form Content
Chicago Stories: The Black Sox Scandal
Michael Harvey, Eddie Griffin
WTTW is the PBS member station in Chicago, committed to creating and presenting unique media content across distinct television and digital channels – WTTW, WTTW Prime, WTTW Create, WTTW World, WTTW PBS Kids 24/7, wttw.com, and the PBS/WTTW video app. Recognized for award-winning journalism and local productions – such as Chicago Stories, Chicago Tonight, Firsthand, The Most Beautiful Places in Chicago, and Chicago By ‘L’ – WTTW presents the very best in public affairs, arts and culture, nature and science, history and documentary, and children’s public media content. Connect with WTTW on Facebook, X, Instagram, and YouTube.
