William Allen White: What's the Matter with Kansas (2020)

Directed by renowned independent filmmaker Kevin Willmott and narrated by acclaimed broadcast journalist Bill Kurtis, William Allen White will re-introduce the "Sage of Emporia" to new generations in a society that could benefit from a bit of his prairie wisdom. Utilizing materials housed at Emporia State University, The Emporia Gazette, the William Allen White School of Journalism and Mass Communication at the University of Kansas and other outlets, the documentary team will interview historians, journalists and members of the White family, and offer a modern perspective about one of America's most illustrious figures, a journalistic giant who advised presidents and world leaders, befriended the greatest thinkers of his time, and was never shy about tackling the most controversial and complex issues. In the process the team will also create an 8 to 12-minute short video for use in secondary schools and college classrooms.