Plot Synopsis

Executive produced by filmmakers Fenton Bailey and Randy Barbato, SMALL TOWN NEWS: KPVM PAHRUMP is a half-hour docuseries that pulls back the curtain on life at a privately owned TV station in the small desert town of Pahrump, Nevada, revealing a colorful cast of characters in front of and behind the cameras. Only 95 independently owned news stations still exist in the United States; KPVM in Pahrump, Nevada, 62 miles west of Las Vegas is one of them. Owned and operated by Vernon Van Winkle, known as Vern, and his wife Ronda, a singer/songwriter, KPVM provides a look at what it takes to report the news in a small desert town with a population of over 37,000. SMALL TOWN NEWS: KPVM PAHRUMP features the heart of Pahrump's news gathering machine including long-time devoted news director, Deanna, who along with co-anchor Eunette, and reporter Missey, produce and deliver the local nightly news with a small crew from and to the community. Missey's husband, John, joins the team as KPVM's fun-loving weatherman and up and coming sales associate. With ambitious goals to expand into the Las Vegas market, Vern and his small team take on daunting challenges -- a new tower must be erected to provide a stronger broadcast signal, new ideas are needed to generate advertising revenue, and stories must broaden out beyond local interests. And in the months leading up to the 2020 presidential election, KPVM must navigate the red-hot political environment and their own internal political leanings while striving to remain neutral and boost viewership. But in an era of divisive politics, the series reveals a greater respect and camaraderie for those with different opinions than is typically portrayed in the national media. Pahrump and KPVM showcase people across the entire political spectrum and a sense of community, civility, friendship and laughter prevails. SMALL TOWN NEWS: KPVM PAHRUMP focuses its lens on the microcosm of daily operations at KPVM revealing a staff of idiosyncratic, larger-than-life individuals as they endeavor to deliver local news with care and vigor in an ever-shifting media landscape. The six-episode first season includes these episodes:

"Our Top Story" (Monday, August 2, 2021 at 9pm): January 2020. KPVM owner Vern Van Winkle is poised to realize his dream of expanding his small town Pahrump station into Las Vegas. But as the staff discuss the viability of scaling up programming while managing existing deadlines, tensions boil over between news director Deanna O'Donnell, co-anchor Eunette Gentry, and the rest of the news team.

"Quitting Season" (Monday, August 2, 2021 at 9:30pm): September 2020. With his expansion plans delayed due to COVID-19, Vern focuses on making a commercial to attract local advertisers. Meanwhile, as the station welcomes a new husband-and-wife team, weatherman John and news reporter Missey Kohler, a string of unexpected departures sends Deanna's stress soaring.

"Pahrump Gets Trumped" (Monday, August 9, 2021 at 9pm): Just as election season takes KPVM by storm, the Trump campaign comes to town. Though Deanna, Eunette, and Missey try their best to maintain neutrality and ensure both sides of the aisle are represented, Vern's conservative views take centerstage. Meanwhile, weatherman John dons several hats as reporter, technician, and fill-in host of the station's recurring "Save a Pet" segment.

"Trunk or Treat" (Monday, August 9, 2021 at 9:30pm): As the election and Halloween come knocking at Pahrump's door, Deanna organizes a socially-distanced trick or treat event for the community. Vern and the team prepare for their live election coverage, while Eunette returns to the station after dealing with several personal losses.

"Electile Dysfunction" (Monday, August 16, 2021 at 9pm): On election night, the team gets creative to ensure their live coverage goes off without a hitch, and Deanna winds up hosting with vocal Republican Vern, despite her efforts to strike a neutral tone. After the results are announced, Vern worries about the future of his business, but his mood is lifted when a potential advertiser calls from Las Vegas.

"Vegas or Bust" (Monday, August 16, 2021 at 9:30pm): As Vern's vision to build a KPVM branch in Las Vegas comes to fruition, Eunette and Missey eye opportunities in the new market, while Deanna remains skeptical about shifting her focus from Pahrump. Meanwhile, weatherman John takes on a new role in sales, and Vern's wife Ronda composes a jingle for an advertiser.