PBS station WEDU, Channel 3, has been nominated for 11 Suncoast Regional Emmy Awards including 10 nominations for “A Gulf Coast Journal with Jack Perkins” and one for the WEDU series “Smart Health.”

“I’m extremely proud of the WEDU employees who work tirelessly to produce educational and entertaining community stories to life through our local programming, ” says WEDU president Richard Lobo. “In these unsettling times, it’s more important than ever that WEDU continue to focus on issues and people that matter most to us in our everyday lives – those in our own communities.”

Now in its seventh season, “A Gulf Coast Journal with Jack Perkins” highlights the people and places that make Sarasota and west central Florida a richly varied community.

“Smart Health” is an ongoing WEDU special program initiative dedicated to sharing advances in medical science and introducing the inspiring and courageous people behind them. It is hosted by Angie Moreschi and produced by Ellen McVay.

The winners of the 2009 regional Emmy Awards will be announced Dec. 5 at the Suncoast Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences annual ceremony taking place at the Gaylord Palms Resort in Orlando.