ORLANDO, Fla. (Aug. 25, 2026) — Some stories live in museums. Others are hiding in plain sight.
They're found in small downtowns, along forgotten shorelines, inside historic lighthouses and in communities millions of Floridians pass every day without knowing how they helped shape the state.
That's the journey at the heart of WUCF's original series Florida Road Trip.
Premiering Thursday, Sept. 17, Florida Road Trip travels from Clay County to Key West, uncovering the history behind familiar places and the people whose stories continue to shape Florida today. Produced by WUCF and distributed to public television stations across the state, the series offers a deeper look at the Sunshine State, one community at a time.
"This series reminds us that every place has a story worth telling," said Jennifer Cook, executive director of WUCF. "You can drive through a town for years without knowing the history that shaped it. Florida Road Trip invites us to slow down, look closer and see Florida with fresh eyes."
Spanning nearly the length of Florida, this season reveals the surprising connections that shaped the state. From citrus groves and river towns to coastal lighthouses, the Florida Keys and the Space Coast, each episode uncovers another chapter of Florida's story. The journey concludes with a two-part America 250 special exploring the state's often-overlooked role in the nation's founding and its lasting impact on the country.
"We're constantly surprised by what we find," said Heather Bailey, executive producer of Florida Road Trip. "Every community has stories worth remembering. The more questions we ask, the more we discover that even familiar places can surprise us. Sharing those stories is what makes this series so rewarding."
The new season also represents something increasingly rare: continued investment in original local storytelling.
One year ago, WUCF lost $2.5 million in annual public funding, a significant reduction that continues to affect the station today. While thousands of viewers, listeners, members and community partners stepped forward to support WUCF, community giving has not replaced that lost funding.
Despite that challenge, WUCF has continued producing original programs like Florida Road Trip, reflecting the station's commitment to trusted local storytelling and educational programming that connects communities across Florida.
"When federal and state funding was cut, our community sent a powerful message," Cook said. "They chose to protect local public media. That support has allowed us to keep creating programs like Florida Road Trip, but it hasn't replaced what we lost. The future of this work depends on people who believe their local stories, culture and history are worth preserving."
New episodes will premiere on Thursdays at 8 p.m. beginning Sept. 17, with encore broadcasts to follow. Each episode also will be released for free online viewing the following day.
2026 Episode Schedule
- Sept. 17 — Mount Dora
- Sept. 24 — Clay County
- Oct. 1 — Florida Lighthouses
- Oct. 8 — Florida Keys
- Oct. 15 — Key West
- Oct. 22 — Melbourne
- Oct. 29 — America 250 Part 1
- Nov. 5 — America 250 Part 2
To explore episodes and learn more, visit www.floridaroadtrip.org
The Season 2026 media kit is also available with images at https://www.floridaroadtrip.org/blogs/florida-road-trip-newsroom/
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About WUCF: WUCF serves as the region’s trusted source for educational programming, arts, culture and local storytelling. As Central Florida’s only PBS affiliate and home for jazz, WUCF offers free, accessible content that enriches lives, fosters curiosity and strengthens the community. Guided by the mission “We Change Lives,” WUCF is committed to connecting, inspiring and empowering audiences across all platforms. To explore WUCF’s impact and programming, visit www.wucf.org.