alt.news 26:46 is a student-run, alternative news magazine television program produced by students at Southern Illinois University Carbondale. Airing on the university’s PBS affiliate, WSIU-TV, the show features documentary-style segments that highlight quirky human interest stories, often incorporating comedy sketches and experimental short films. The show has covered a diverse range of topics, such as the annual Skunkfest in Ohio, the Exotic Feline Rescue Center in Indiana, and unique events like the underground zipline course at the Louisville Mega Cavern in Kentucky. The program’s title, “26:46,” reflects its typical runtime of 26 minutes and 46 seconds. Since its inception in 1995, alt.news 26:46 has garnered significant acclaim, earning over 31 regional Emmy Awards and seven National College Television Awards.