September/October 2022
A MESSAGE FROM OUR PRESIDENT AND CEO, PAUL GROVE
Here at WEDU PBS we’re looking forward to a fall filled with new episodes of MASTERPIECE, NOVA, Nature, and new series from Ken Burns and Henry Louis Gates, Jr.
As president, one of my greatest joys has been watching how you and your neighbors reacted to our groundbreaking Greater Series. The more we know about ourselves, our region, and our state, the better we can understand challenges and celebrate differences.
That’s why I hope you’ll keep an eye out for our next project in the series, Greater Ybor City. In this and future series, we’ll rely on residents to tell intimate stories that highlight the power and diversity of our communities.
In October, WEDU’s Public Square will continue its solutions-based public affairs efforts with special programming focusing on the impact of climate change. We explore Florida’s projected sea-level rise, agriculture threats, temperature trends, wildfires, superstorm systems, and economic impact, as well as solutions detailing how our community can take action today.
Thank you for supporting top-notch journalism and innovation.
All new Sunday nights on MASTERPIECE
Van der Valk
Van der Valk and his team are back investigating high-profile cases and gritty murders in the picturesque city of Amsterdam. Fans will be immersed in contrasting worlds, from artists living as squatters to a philosophy-obsessed serial killer, and much more.
Van der Valk premieres Sunday, September 25, at 9 p.m.
Miss Scarlet & The Duke returns for Season two! Eliza Scarlet, London’s first-ever female detective is back, and as spunky as ever. This season, Eliza continues to grow her private detective firm with the somewhat reluctant help of her friend (or more-than-friend?), police detective William “The Duke” Wellington.
Miss Scarlet & The Duke premieres Sunday, October 16, at 8 p.m.
Magpie Murders
A beguiling murder mystery is in store in Magpie Murders, with a solution that will both astonish and shock you. The plot revolves around the character Susan Ryeland, an editor who is given an unfinished manuscript of author Alan Conway’s latest novel, but has little idea it will change her life.
Magpie Murders premieres Sunday, October 16, at 9 p.m.
Photo: Library of Congress
Ken Burns: How America Responded to the Holocaust
The U.S. and the Holocaust is a three-part docuseries directed and produced by Ken Burns, Lynn Novick, and Sarah Botstein. The series examines the rise of Hitler, antisemitism, and racism in Europe, and America’s response to one of the greatest humanitarian crises of the 20th century.
This historic deep dive, years in the making, provides firsthand accounts of the violence and persecution endured by desperate survivors seeking refuge. The series depicts how these struggles tested the ideals of our democracy and raised many of the same questions society grapples with today.
Premieres Sunday, September 18 through 20, at 8 p.m.
It Just Keeps Getting Greater
WEDU is expanding our Emmy Award-winning hyperlocal docuseries, Greater, onto the storied streets of Ybor City.
This five-episode series will excavate the diverse and cultural destination. The rich history of Ybor holds many names. You might recognize it as the former cigar capital of the world, the Latin Quarter, an immigrant melting pot, home of the Cuban sandwich, street chicken sanctuary, Gaybor, or the best place to be cast among characters on a Saturday night.
Follow along with us as we illustrate Ybor’s beautiful heritage through present-day personal perspectives. Respect the chickens, long live Ybor! greater.wedu.org
Finding Success in the Face of Adversity
Making Black America: Through the Grapevine is a four-part, must-see series from executive producer, host, and writer Dr. Henry Louis Gates, Jr. and director Stacey L. Holman.
Gates and Holman take viewers into an extraordinary world demonstrating Black people’s ability to prosper, defy white supremacy, and define Blackness in groundbreaking ways that transformed America itself.
Cultural figures, political leaders, and scholars offer compelling discussions on the creation of all-Black towns, businesses, and colleges, plus the social media phenomenon Black Twitter.
Tune in to explore areas of history that illustrate the triumphs of Black Americans.
Premieres Tuesday, October 4, at 9 p.m.
Cook’s Country
Back for its 15th season, Cook’s Country from America’s Test Kitchen is on a mission to bring people together to celebrate home cooking.
With three Daytime Emmy nominations, Cook’s Country inspires home chefs from every corner of America to reimagine classic dishes and regional favorites with endless ideas to take your dish to the next level.
The series tackles ingredients, reviews products, and demonstrates step-by-step instructions to prepare your next feast. Each week, Julia Collin Davison and Bridget Lancaster assemble a team of taste testers and equipment experts, along with home cooks, to share practical cooking tips and tricks, create easy-to-follow recipes, and explore the stories behind them.
Airs Saturdays, beginning September 10, at 2:30 p.m.
Dive Headlong into Three of Earth’s Most Fascinating Rivers of Life
We’ve already dived into the Amazon, the Nile, and the Mississippi. It’s time to go exploring again on Rivers of Life.
The sheer abundance of wildlife — flora and fauna — that are sustained by the world’s rivers is breathtaking. When you think about it, rivers are the blood vessels of the continents, and just as miraculous in their usefulness.
In Season two, Rivers of Life tells the story of how three of Earth’s greatest rivers create opportunities for extraordinary animals and people as they flow from source to sea. Get a deeper look at the Yukon: The Great Frozen River, the Danube: The Queen of Rivers, and the Zambezi: Africa’s Wildest River.
Airs Wednesdays, starting September 28, at 8 p.m.
An Epic Story of Big Cat Survival
Before the alarms were rung about climate change, the harsh habitat in Kenya’s Mara Reserve was challenging for lions and other creatures trying to eke out an existence there. In the landmark documentary Lion: The Rise and Fall of the Marsh Pride, follow Kenya’s Marsh Pride over 30 years in this epic saga of the lion family’s fight for survival.
The most documented pride of lions on Earth, they remain a powerful symbol of resilience in a world where lions and humans are increasingly at odds. That relationship was tested in 2015 when two Maasai herders allegedly poisoned eight lions from the Marsh Pride while illegally grazing cattle in the reserve.
Learn more about how these animals thrive in Kenya’s Marsh Pride.
Airs Wednesday, September 14, at 9 p.m.
Insights into Iconic Historical Figures
Harriet Tubman: Visions of Freedom is a riveting story of a woman who risked her own life to liberate enslaved people. As the “Conductor” of the Underground Railroad, Tubman was also a leading abolitionist, suffragette, scout, and civil war soldier who believed that freedom should be universal.
Becoming Frederick Douglass is an inspirational story of a man born into slavery and becoming one of the most influential voices in American history. As a gifted orator, he used his words to speak out against slavery and advocate for social justice and equality.
Discover the remarkable contributions of these two American freedom fighters.
Harriet Tubman: Visions of Freedom airs Tuesday, October 4, at 10 p.m.
Becoming Frederick Douglass airs Tuesday, October 11, at 10 p.m.
Every contribution makes a difference.
There are many wonderful ways to support WEDU PBS during the year, including making creative noncash gifts:
IRA Charitable Rollover
If you’re over 72, you can donate up to $100,000 to WEDU directly from your IRA, without treating the distribution as taxable income. To learn more about giving from your IRA, talk to your financial or tax advisor.
Gifts of stocks, bonds, and mutual funds
Donating directly to WEDU any stocks or mutual funds that you have held longer than one year and that have appreciated in value 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.
Donate your car, motorcycle, boat, and RV – or even a kayak!
We make donating your vehicle as easy as possible with fast pickup and streamlined paperwork. You benefit by being able to reduce your taxable income when taxes are itemized. Plus, you avoid the costs associated with selling your car.
Learn more about creative giving opportunities:
CALL: (813) 739-2959
EMAIL: [email protected]
VISIT: wedugiving.org
