FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, NC, 9/16/2025 — PBS North Carolina announces season three of its inspiring series Best of Our State. Hosted by Our State magazine’s Editor in Chief Elizabeth Hudson, the show celebrates the vibrant people, culture and landscapes of North Carolina. Season three of Best of Our State premieres Thursday, October 2, 8 PM, on PBS NC, online and on the free PBS app. Four episodes will debut in October with four additional episodes set to air next spring.
The Best of Our State is a production of PBS North Carolina in association with Our State magazine.
“PBS North Carolina is proud to bring to life stories from Our State magazine in all-new episodes of Best of Our State,” said Executive Producer Morgan Potts. “We’re so pleased to have Our State’s Elizabeth Hudson back again as our host. Her knowledge of North Carolina is unparalleled, and her love for our state shines through in every episode.”
This season’s stories span the whole state, from ancient cypress trees along the Black River and a historic life-saving station in the Outer Banks to a school devoted to Appalachian folk arts in far-western North Carolina. Other stories include a look at public murals of legendary North Carolina musicians with artist Scott Nurkin, a ride at Dale’s Wheels Through Time Museum in Maggie Valley, visits to the Carolina Theatre of Durham and Morehead Planetarium in Chapel Hill and a stop at the Executive Mansion in Raleigh to learn the incredible journey of a spectacular chandelier.
“I’m thrilled to be back with a brand-new season of Best of Our State, continuing this wonderful partnership with PBS North Carolina,” said Our State’s Editor in Chief Elizabeth Hudson. “And I’m especially excited to share a new segment, Elizabeth’s Corner, where I’ll talk directly with viewers and reflect on the things that matter most to me: the comfort of a warm biscuit, the pull of the mountains, the everyday beauty of this place we call home. My hope is that these moments feel like a conversation in a favorite chair, and a reminder of all there is to treasure in North Carolina.”
New episodes of Best of Our State will premiere Thursdays, October 2–23. Additional episodes will premiere next spring. Visit pbsnc.org/schedule for the latest broadcast information.
Episode 1: The Oldest Trees & Legacy of NC’s Life-Saving Stations
Premieres Thursday, October 2, 8 PM
UNC Wilmington students paddle deep into the Black River, where some of the world’s oldest living cypress trees still stand as silent witnesses to centuries past. On the coast, uncover the legacy of NC’s first life-saving station, Chicamacomico, and see how descendants of its brave surfmen honor those who risked everything to rescue mariners in peril.
Episode 2: Thank Your Lucky Stars & Harley Valley
Premieres Thursday, October 9, 8 PM
Discover the story of how Apollo Era-astronauts trained at Morehead Planetarium in Chapel Hill. Then, visit Dale’s Wheels Through Time Museum in Maggie Valley for a motorcycle ride through our nation’s past.
Episode 3: NC’s Music Murals & the Carolina Theatre’s Retro Film Series
Premieres Thursday, October 16, 8 PM
Follow muralist and musician Scott Nurkin as he travels town to town painting massive tributes to our state’s greatest music legends. Then, see how the Carolina Theatre of Durham brings classic movies to the big screen with its Retro Film Series.
Episode 4: The Gift of Light & Brasstown Carvers: Carving a Legacy
Premieres Thursday, October 23, 8 PM
Learn the amazing story and journey of a special chandelier hanging in the Executive Mansion in Raleigh. Plus, discover how the Brasstown Carvers at the John C. Campbell Folk School* have kept Appalachian traditions and art alive for 100 years.
*This story was made possible, in part, by generous support from Dogwood Health Trust, a private foundation based in Asheville, North Carolina, focused on dramatically improving the health and well-being of all people and communities in the 18 counties and the Qualla Boundary of western North Carolina.
As North Carolina’s statewide PBS network serving the country’s third largest public media market, PBS North Carolina educates, informs, entertains and inspires its audience on air, online and in person. Through its unique partnership of public investment and private support, the network includes in-person engagement, digital-first social and online content delivery and four over-the-air channels: PBS NC, the North Carolina Channel, Rootle 24/7 PBS KIDS channel and the Explorer Channel. Its transformational events and content spark curiosity and wonder for all North Carolinians. Additionally, PBS North Carolina serves as the backbone for North Carolina’s state emergency services. To learn more about PBS North Carolina, visit pbsnc.org or follow us on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.
Each month, Our State magazine celebrates the very best of North Carolina through lively storytelling and stunning photography. Our State reflects the beauty, nature, nostalgia, travel and food of the state. It’s the perfect source of information for those who’ve lived in North Carolina all of their lives, for those just becoming acquainted with the state or for those looking to visit or relocate. This award-winning magazine reaches more than 1,124,000 readers each month, with subscribers in every state and nearly 20 foreign countries. Learn more at ourstate.com.
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Media Contact
Allyson Meade, Marketing & Communications
PBS North Carolina
press@pbsnc.org