From timeless comedy to adrenaline-filled skateboarding and colorful celebrations of community pride — First City Focus brings you the vibrant heartbeat of Vincennes, Indiana this summer! ☀️

In this episode:

We talk with Ann Pratt about the Red Skelton Comedy Convention and its 20th annual parade 🎉
Celebrate Go Skateboarding Day at Vincennes' skatepark 🛹
Discover how the Rainbow Over the Bridge Festival brings love, inclusion, and LGBTQ+ pride to southern Indiana 🌈
Ride along with over 350 Jeeps at the Heaps of Jeeps Festival 🛻🇺🇸
And explore the excitement of the annual Loogootee Summerfest 🎡

Join First City Focus host Allyson Bowers for a special episode featuring Haylie Robinson, host of the PBS travel series Finding Festivals. Discover the inspiration behind the show, the heart behind the storytelling, and how Vincennes’ iconic Spirit of Vincennes Rendezvous became the perfect kickoff for Season 2.

Plus, enjoy a historical deep dive with a teaser from the new episode of History Vault featuring the beginnings of the Spirit of Vincennes Rendezvous, and highlights from a new historical marker dedication honoring the Gimbel family and their impact on retail and Jewish heritage.

Juneteenth, Youth Camps, Mental Health, Grief Services & Pet Adoption are the meaningful stories we are spotlighting this episode of First City Focus.  From historical preservation and youth empowerment to mental health support and pet adoption. Watch now to meet local changemakers and celebrate what's possible when a community comes together.

🖤 Juneteenth 2025 Events in Indiana
🎨 Community-Based Mental Health Programs
🎓 Summer Youth Camps & Career Exploration
🐾 Adopt Don't Shop - Regional Pet Rescue Events
💬 Local History, Equity & Inclusion Initiatives

On this episode of First City Focus: 

Learn about a collaboration between the Knox County Health Department and indiana University which aims to better understand food scarcity in the county. 

The Knox County Community Learning Kitchen has been educating the community on healthy eating for it’s second year now. We’ll take a look at some highlights.

And if you think invasive plants don’t affect you–you might want to think again.  We’ll learn more about which plant species to avoid.

Tune in to First City Focus on air on Vincennes PBS Saturdays at 7:30pm. You can also watch episodes of First City Focus on demand HERE.

First City Focus is supported in part by Duke Energy, First City Wealth and Colonial Assisted Living.

We’re honoring the legacy of Vincennes University Basketball Coach and Athletic Director Harry Meeks.
Come along as runners from far and wide participate in the Vincennes Historical Half Marathon.
We’ll join our very own Nichole Carie and Dave Novak as the go Over the Edge for Granted’s annual fundraiser.
Vincennes University’s Education Department allowed families to experience a story outside of the pages.
Agriculture innovation is taking place right here in Knox County. We’ll take a closer look at TerraForce.
And “Echoes From Auschwitz” provided our community with insights from Holocaust survivors.

On this special episode of First City Focus:

April is National Organ Donation Awareness Month and we are sharing three local stories centered on giving and receiving the gift the life!

We’ll tell the story of Lisa Wells who decided to give the gift of life at the end of her life here on earth.

We’ll share the legacy of Brock Hancock who received a new lease on life thanks to a five organ donation in 2009.

And we’ll share the journey of Katrina Memering who has lived a great life thanks to a double lung transplant 14 years ago, but is now on a search for a living kidney donor for survival.

Tune in to First City Focus on air on Vincennes PBS Saturdays at 7:30pm. You can also watch episodes of First City Focus on demand HERE.

First City Focus is supported in part by Duke Energy, First City Wealth and Colonial Assisted Living.

On this episode: Join us for a deep dive into the historical South Knox Girls Basketball journey to a State Championship.

 We’ll find out about the Stand Up foundation and how organizers are providing support for local foster families.

Learn about a large scale dog rescue the Vincennes Animal Shelter is assisting with.

We’ll visit a local art exhibit which is bringing awareness to social issues in Africa.

And we’ll share highlights from the Knox County Chamber’s recent State of Education event.

Tune in to First City Focus on air on Vincennes PBS Saturdays at 7:30pm. You can also watch episodes of First City Focus on demand HERE.

First City Focus is supported in part by Duke Energy, First City Wealth and Colonial Assisted Living.

Granted continues to make a difference for local children battling life-threatening conditions. We’ll learn  more about this year’s Over The Edge fundraiser and how YOU can help by repelling down a Downtown Evansville high rise!

The Knox County Public Library is continuing work on its Harvest of Black History Project, most recently by collecting the oral histories from local residents. We’ll learn about the project called Rooted Together.

And the Old Town Players are kicking off an ambitious fundraising effort, aiming to raise $50,000 in just 60 days.

Tune in to First City Focus on air on Vincennes PBS Saturdays at 7:30pm. You can also watch episodes of First City Focus on demand HERE.

First City Focus is supported in part by Duke Energy, First City Wealth and Colonial Assisted Living.

Vincennes University is preparing to host a significant exhibit starting in March. VU’s Shake Library Resource Center was chosen as one of 50 libraries across the country to host the “Americans and the Holocaust” exhibition. We’ll find out what’s being planned for the six weeks of programming and how you at home can even contribute to the display.

A local artist will be featured at the Jasper Arts Center next month in an effort to make a beautiful connection to the daunting threat of ocean pollution. 

It was truly a Night to Shine for several area residents, as the annual event celebrated inclusiveness and a special opportunity for everyone in attendance.

And there are card games a plenty, but there is one that seems to trump the rest in southern Indiana. We’ll dig deeper into where the popularity of Euchre came from.

Tune in to First City Focus on air on Vincennes PBS Saturdays at 7:30pm. You can also watch episodes of First City Focus on demand HERE.

First City Focus is supported in part by Duke Energy, First City Wealth and Colonial Assisted Living.

On this episode:
Vincennes University Athletics has honored it's very first men's basketball All American, Noel Carie. We'll look at the legacy Carie blazed for future Trailblazers.
Two local mothers are making sure that every child has the chance to be a part of a team and enjoy the love of basketball.
The city of vincennes has unveiled a new five year plan to improve and enhance the city's parks and programming.
And we'll take a look at a community walk on the VU campus honoring the late Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Tune in to Vincennes PBS Saturdays at 7:30pm. You can also watch episodes of First City Focus on demand HERE.

First City Focus is supported in part by Duke Energy, First City Wealth and Colonial Assisted Living.