November/December 2026
A Message from Our President and CEO, Paul Grove
As the year ends, I want to thank you for believing in the power of public media. Together, we’ve made trusted news, educational resources, and inspiring stories available throughout West Central Florida.
Last year, federal funding was eliminated, creating an ongoing gap for public media. But you stepped forward, helping WEDU PBS remain strong as a community-funded organization while we continued to bring you the programs and experiences you value.
This season, we’ll explore the meaning of justice with Crime and Punishment in America, follow MASTERPIECE mysteries Maigret and The Gold, ring in the New Year from Vienna, and enjoy local programs like WEDU Arts Plus.
Your membership makes all this possible. With you by our side, WEDU PBS can face this new chapter with resilience and purpose.
The Measure of Justice
Crime and Punishment in America, directed by Lynn Novick and executive produced by Ken Burns and Sam Pollard, examines the forces that have shaped America’s criminal justice system, from the pre-colonial era through modern mass incarceration.
The four-part documentary delves into how law, power, race, and class have influenced who is protected, who is punished, and whose stories are remembered.
By exploring the system’s history and lasting impact, the series invites viewers to consider how safety, accountability, and justice continue to shape American life today.
Airs Monday through Thursday, November 16-19, at 8 p.m. Watch live or stream with the PBS app.
Crime and Punishment in America
From Vienna: The New Year’s Celebration 2027
A Toast to Vienna
Start the year with an exquisite musical celebration as Great Performances: From Vienna: The New Year’s Celebration 2027 transports you to Vienna’s magnificent Musikverein.
The Vienna Philharmonic, led by Maestro Tugan Sokhiev, performs a sparkling program of waltzes, polkas, marches, and beloved classical favorites. Filled with elegance, energy, and a touch of nostalgia, this cherished tradition brings the beauty and spirit of Vienna to audiences around the world — and offers a wonderful way to begin 2027 with WEDU PBS.
Airs Friday, January 1, at 8 p.m. Watch live or stream anytime with the PBS app.
Sunday Nights Sizzle
Did you happen to catch the double premiere of Maigret and The Gold on MASTERPIECE? These dramas deliver suspense, intrigue, and plenty of twists to keep you guessing each Sunday night. If you missed the premieres, catch up and follow both mysteries as they unfold.
In Maigret, the quietly observant Paris detective faces new cases and challenges within La Brigade Criminelle. Maigret premiered Sunday, October 18, at 9 p.m.
The Gold continues the Brink’s-Mat investigation as police discover they have recovered only half of the stolen fortune. The Gold premiered Sunday, October 18, at 10 p.m.
In Watch live or stream with the PBS app.
Independent Lens: Storming: Seasons of Care
Love in Uncertainty
Nearly a decade after their son, Ryan, suffered a traumatic brain injury, Ken and Sue Diviney devote their lives to his care, navigating hope, grief, and uncertainty.
Seasons of Care offers an intimate look at their journey of love, caregiving, and resilience, revealing the profound realities of caring for someone you love in the face of the unknown.
Premieres Monday, November 23, at 10 p.m. Watch live or stream with the PBS app.
Independent Lens: Storming: Seasons of Care
Creative Coast
WEDU Arts Plus takes you inside the people, places, and ideas shaping West Central Florida’s vibrant arts and culture scene.
Each episode introduces you to local artists, performers, cultural leaders, and the institutions that bring creativity to life across our region.
From inspiring stories to unexpected perspectives, the series celebrates the talent and imagination found close to home.
Consider it your front-row seat to the arts, culture, and creative energy happening right here in your own backyard.
Airs Thursdays at 8 p.m. Watch live or stream with the PBS app.
United in Gratitude
Ahead of Veterans Day, WEDU PBS honors the courage, sacrifice, and determination of those who have worn the uniform.
Salute to Service 2026: A Veterans Day Celebration brings veterans’ stories to life through music, heartfelt performances, and personal reflections.
Their experiences are more than military stories — they are part of our American story. Join us in honoring generations of service and the people whose dedication has helped shape our nation.
Airs Friday, November 6, at 9 p.m. Watch live or stream with the PBS app.
Verdi’s Requiem: The Met Remembers 9/11
Giving Tuesday is December 1
This GivingTuesday, join a global movement built on generosity, connection, and community. Your tax-deductible gift to WEDU PBS helps provide trusted, high-quality programming for everyone while strengthening the community we share.
Make an impact right here at home with your GivingTuesday gift to WEDU PBS.
Smart Ways to Give
As you consider your year-end charitable giving, tax-smart options may help you maximize your generosity while providing meaningful support for WEDU PBS. A gift from your donor-advised fund, IRA, stock portfolio, or other non-cash assets may offer tax advantages while helping sustain the programs, journalism, and educational resources you value.
With new tax changes this year, planning ahead is especially important. Explore your options and make your year-end gift. For more information, call (813) 739-2959 or email [email protected].
Cranberry Sauce
By Adrianna Adarme
1 (12-ounce) bag cranberries
¼ cup light brown sugar
¼ cup white sugar
¼ teaspoon salt
½ cup orange juice
2 tablespoons dark rum
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
½ teaspoon freshly grated ginger
1 cinnamon stick
1 star anise
Combine all ingredients in a medium saucepan over medium-low heat. Simmer 15–20 minutes, until cranberries burst and the sauce thickens. Adjust seasonings to taste, discard the cinnamon stick, and chill.
Every contribution makes a difference.
There are a variety of opportunities to donate and help support the programming you love by considering creative non-cash gifts such as:
IRA Charitable Rollover
Individuals who have reached age 73 can donate up to $111,000 to WEDU PBS directly from their Individual Retirement Account (IRA), without treating the distribution as taxable income. Giving from your IRA is a great way to satisfy your Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) tax-free and support WEDU PBS’s mission to serve the public good and to aid in the creation of an informed citizenry. Talk to your financial or tax advisor about rolling 401(k) money into an IRA to make a tax-free charitable contribution to WEDU PBS.
Stocks, bonds, and mutual funds
Donating stock or mutual funds you have held longer than one year and which have appreciated in value directly to WEDU is a savvy giving strategy to avoid capital gains taxes. Consult with your financial advisor to help leverage your gift for the best tax savings. Remember, sometimes it might be more tax advantageous to sell depreciated stock and give a gift of cash to WEDU PBS with the proceeds — a double tax savings!
Donate your car, motorcycle, boat, RV, kayak, or even real estate!
We make donating your vehicle or other mode of transportation simple and convenient with fast pickup and streamlined paperwork. You benefit by possibly being able to reduce your taxable income. Plus, you avoid paying for advertising, loss of privacy, and possible security risks. In addition, there is no need to pay for registrations, insurance, and repairs to keep your transportation in working condition.
Please contact us for easy gifting of real estate that may have become a burden to own or insure. For more information:
CALL: (813) 739-2959
EMAIL: [email protected]
VISIT: wedugiving.org
