ORLANDO, April 16, 2025 — WUCF was recognized by the Florida Association of Broadcast Journalists (FABJ) at the 2025 Florida News Awards Celebration this past weekend, earning top honors for impactful journalism that serves and informs the Central Florida community.
The in-depth feature "Banished or Saved? Florida's Homeless Crackdown" by WUCF NewsNight journalists Krystel Knowles and Ben Kassab was a winner in the "Feature | Hard News" category.
The compelling piece explores the human impact of new legislation affecting Florida's unhoused populations—giving voice to those directly affected and shedding light on the debate between public safety and human dignity.
WUCF NewsNight also received recognition as a finalist in two additional categories:
- General Assignment – Long Format: "Florida Evacuates U.S. Citizens from Haiti" (Steve Mort and Krystel Knowles)
- Climate/Environmental Reporting | Series: "Toxic Tides: Fighting Pollution, Algae, and Climate Chaos" (Steve Mort, Krystel Knowles and Ben Kassab)
"These honors reflect what WUCF is all about: Serving our community with heart, purpose and impact," said Jennifer Cook, Executive Director of WUCF. "We are proud to be a trusted voice in Central Florida with a mission to change lives by informing and connecting our community."
As a leading voice in Central Florida's media landscape, WUCF is uniquely positioned to inform and educate through award-winning journalism and meaningful programs that engage audiences of all ages—from early learners to lifelong viewers.
The Florida News Awards, hosted by FABJ, celebrate excellence in broadcast journalism across the state and highlight reporting that drives public awareness and civic engagement.
About WUCF:
WUCF is Central Florida's PBS station—powered by community support and driven by a simple mission: We change lives. Reaching nearly 4 million people across nine counties, WUCF sparks curiosity, learning and connection through award-winning content and meaningful community engagement.
As the region's storyteller, WUCF creates local programming like Florida Road Trip and NewsNight, spotlighting the people, history and culture that shape our state. The station is also a leader in early education, delivering trusted PBS KIDS programming on-air, online and in classrooms—ranking #1 in Florida for PBS LearningMedia use.
From in-person events that have connected with 1.5 million Central Floridians to streaming content reaching 30 million online viewers, WUCF is more than media—it's a movement for impact. WUCF is community-supported public broadcasting licensed to the University of Central Florida. Learn more at wucf.org.
Media Contact:
Christine Dellert Mullon
407-718-0199