We’re thrilled to share that Prairie Public won six Telly Awards in 2026! Congratulations to our
Television Production team on this incredible achievement. 

Watch our award-winning stories below.

Gold Winner
Category: Pets & Animals
Producer: Andy Garske
Editor: Andy Garske

On shearing day on Joan Ellison's sheep farm people come from far and wide to volunteer to help skirt fleeces, trim hooves and feed lambs. After 40 years of tending to her flock Joan's passion can still be felt through her haikus she writes about daily life on a small Western Minnesota farm.

Silver Winner
Category: Biography
Producers: Barbara Gravel, John E. Harris III
Editor: Cassie Pierce

Lawrence Welk was born to German-Russian immigrant parents in Strasburg, North Dakota, where he developed a strong work ethic and love for music growing up on the family farmstead. After touring the midwest in his 20s, he was scouted by ABC in 1955 to create the now-iconic "The Lawrence Welk Show," which still runs on public television stations today. In this biographical documentary, explore the life and legacy of North Dakota's music man, Lawrence Welk.

Silver Winner
Category: Short Form Documentary
Producer: Matt Olien
Editor: Mary Balstad

The 21st century wars in Iraq and Afghanistan have defined an entire generation of Americans. Particularly, the service men and women who fought in them. Minnesota veterans tell their war stories, tell how they coped with PTSD, and also share how they readjusted to post-war civilian life. Viewer discretion is advised.

Silver Winner
Category: History
Producer: Mary Balstad
Editor: Mary Balstad

Former students and friends of Cyrus M. Running come together to restore his final large mural, and preserve his legacy along the way.

In collaboration with the Rourke Art Museum in Moorhead, MN, the restoration efforts of the Manternach Memorial Mural also highlights the reach Running had through his work at Concordia College in Moorhead and in the Fargo-Moorhead area.

Bronze Winner
Category: History
Producer: Andy Garske
Editor: Andy Garske

For more than forty years John Olesen has been creating beautiful glassware. From his studio near Clitherall, Minnesota he creates everything from wall sculptures to bowls, vases, wine and martini glasses. His passion for glassblowing can be seen in his one of a kind designs. 

Bronze Winner
Category: Social Responsibility
Producer: Matt Olien
Editor: Mary Balstad

The roles of women in the United States Armed Forces have changed dramatically over the years. For a woman in the military, choosing a career in a male-dominated field brings both challenges and rewards. Watch as two Minnesota veterans tell their stories of struggle and success.

Founded in 1979,  The Telly Awards  annually showcases the best work created within television and across video, for all screens. Receiving over 13,000 entries globally from 6 continents and all 50 states, Telly Award winners represent work from some of the most respected advertising agencies, television stations, production companies and publishers from around the world.

Many of the productions above are funded in part by the Minnesota Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund.
This fund is part of the Legacy Amendment, voted on by the people of Minnesota in 2008.