KSMQ-TV to Broadcast Live, Webstream U.S. Congressional Debate

AUSTIN, Minn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--KSMQ-TV, the PBS television affiliate serving southeastern Minnesota and northern Iowa, will broadcast a live congressional debate featuring U.S. Rep. Tim Walz (D) and former Minnesota state representative Allen Quist (R) on Thursday, Sept. 27 beginning at noon. The 90-minute debate will be held at Somerby Golf Club in Byron. It will be the first debate between the two candidates seeking election to Minnesota's First District of the U.S. House of Representatives. The broadcast will also be streamed live at www.ksmq.org and available there for viewing anytime.

“Our sister PBS station in western Minnesota, Pioneer Public Television, will also be airing the live broadcast, which will give the candidates the opportunity to be heard throughout the entire First District.”

The debate is being presented by the Rochester Area Chamber of Commerce. The moderator of the debate will be Tom Overlie, news anchor for KTTC-TV. The television sponsors of the debate are the Rochester Area Chamber of Commerce and Minnesota AFSME Council 5.

“We are pleased that the Chamber was receptive to working with us to bring our viewers the live debate,” said Eric Olson, KSMQ-TV President and CEO. “Our sister PBS station in western Minnesota, Pioneer Public Television, will also be airing the live broadcast, which will give the candidates the opportunity to be heard throughout the entire First District.”

Now in its 40^th year of operation, KSMQ-TV broadcasts free over-the-air on Channel 15.1, serving the communities of Austin, Rochester, Mankato, Owatonna, Albert Lea and Mason City, IA. The locally-owned, non-profit public television station also provides unique content on its other three broadcast channels: KSMQ Worldview; KSMQ Create; and KSMQ Minnesota Channel, a cooperative venture with the five PBS television stations in Minnesota and Prairie Public Television, Fargo.