FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

PBS North Carolina Wins Six Emmy Awards at 40th Annual Midsouth Emmys 

The awards recognize artistic, educational and technical excellence in television. 

RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, NC, 2/18/2026 — PBS North Carolina received six Emmy Awards at the 40th Midsouth Emmy Awards ceremony, held Saturday, February 14, at the Fisher Center for the Performing Arts at Belmont University in Nashville, TN. The awards were presented by the Nashville/Midsouth Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences. 

“PBS North Carolina is honored to receive six Emmy Awards for excellence in television,” said Laura Kieler, Deputy General Manager of PBS North Carolina. “These programs—and those across our entire portfolio—reflect the commitment, talent and outstanding collaboration that define PBS North Carolina. Congratulations to all our winners and nominees and to every individual who continues to make this work and our mission possible.” 

In total, PBS North Carolina was recognized with 13 Emmy Award nominations across 11 categories. The 40th Midsouth Emmy Awards recognized work produced between July 1, 2024, and June 30, 2025. Entries were judged by peer professionals from partner chapters of the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences. 

PBS North Carolina Winners 
A complete list of winners and nominees can be found here. 

Magazine Program 
My Home, NC 
This series explores the people, places, music, food and cultures that make North Carolina a state we’re proud to call home. 
Executive Producer/Host Heather Burgiss; Producers Emily Frachtling, Cliff Bumgardner, Michael O’Connell, Sadie Maddock, Brooks Bennett, Miriam McSpadden, Matthew Chenet, Jonathan Steve Duran Arriola, Forrest Mason, Max Feliu Merce 
Watch My Home, NC, streaming now on the PBS app.

Lifestyle 
The Key Ingredient with Sheri Castle: Mushrooms Are Having a Moment 
Host Sheri Castle explores why everyone is talking about the wonders of mushrooms. 
Producer/Host Sheri Castle; Executive Producer Heather Burgiss; Director Dan Powers; Producer/Photographer Miriam McSpadden; Audio Eric Heinzman; Audio Mixer Nathan Shepherd; Producer/Editor Donald Bittinger; Producer/Photographer Emily Frachtling; Producer/Photographer Andrew Stevens; Producer/Photographer Robert Gunter 
Watch The Key Ingredient with Sheri Castle: Mushrooms Are Having a Moment.

Informational/Instructional 
City of Hope: Wilmington Before the Coup 
This interactive lesson celebrates the leadership, organization, courage, civic engagement and patriotism of Wilmington’s Black community during the late 1800s. 
Executive Producer Paula Edelson; Producer Melissa Salpietra; Writer/Narrator Joel Cook; Motion Graphic Designer Sheida Karamzadeh 
Explore City of Hope: Wilmington Before the Coup  on PBS LearningMedia. 

Environment/Science–Short-Form or Long-Form Content 
Sci NC: The Science of Hurricane Helene 
A close look at Hurricane Helene, including how weather patterns and the storm combined to create floodwaters that devastated communities in western North Carolina. 
Editor Andrea Corona; Producer/Correspondent Michelle Lotker; Correspondent/Producer Evan Howell; Sr. Producer/Host Frank Graff 
Watch Sci NC: The Science of Hurricane Helene, streaming now on the PBS app.

Promotion–Non-News–Program Promotion (Single Spot) 
When Giants Walked Here 
This documentary chronicles the rise and fall of pro wrestling at the iconic Raleigh venue Dorton Arena, examining its impact on generations of fans, competitors and the sport itself. 
Produced by Slug Line Media, presented by PBS NC 
Director/Editor Cliff Bumgardner; Producer Chris Lea 
Watch When Giants Walked Here, streaming now on the PBS app.

Video Essayist 
The Original Hollywood Horror Show 
A story of embracing eccentricities and chasing dreams, even when they seem strange to others. 
Director/Cinematographer/Editor Brooks Bennett 
Watch The Original Hollywood Horror Show, streaming now on the PBS app.

About the Nashville/Midsouth Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences  

The Nashville/Midsouth Chapter, founded in 1984, encompasses the States of North Carolina (except Asheville) and Tennessee, and the television market of Huntsville, Alabama. In addition to granting the Midsouth Regional Emmy® Awards, the chapter awards scholarships, honors quarter-century industry veterans with the Silver Circle, conducts Regional Student Television Awards of Excellence for high schools, has a free, nationwide job bank, provides member discounts and participates in judging Emmy® entries at the regional and national levels. Learn more at MidsouthEmmys.org. 

About PBS 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. 

-PBS NC- 

Media Contact 
For press info and resources, email press@pbsnc.org.