Local Matters

In this episode of Local Matters, host George Halford welcomes writer, researcher, and local historian Laura Clemons for a heartfelt conversation about storytelling, history, and the people who have shaped the Upper Cumberland. Laura reflects on her journey from growing up in Florida to finding a lifelong home in Cookeville, where a passion for writing and history led to a distinguished career doc...

On this episode of the Local Matters podcast, Laura Clemons joins George Halford to highlight local Cookeville history and storytelling. She begins by speaking about her journey as a writer at Tennessee Tech, and how she found a passion for history along the way. She ends off by detailing the books she has written and highlights the upcoming projects she has written about the Cookeville area's ric...

In this episode of Local Matters, host Ben Rodgers sits down with Overton County Executive Stephen Barlow for a candid conversation reflecting on his four years of public service and the projects that have shaped the future of Overton County. Barlow discusses the challenges of attracting new businesses, including his efforts to recruit a grocery store and hotel, while highlighting major accomplish...

On this episode of Local Matters Health Matters, hosts Drs. Mabry & Lee are joined by local family physician Dr. Ernie Buchanan of Upper Cumberland Family Physicians and Peter Richards, a third-year medical student at LMU, to separate health facts from social media fiction. They discuss the science behind GLP-1 weight loss medications, high-protein diets, intermittent fasting, continuous glucose m...

In part two of this special Local Matters episode, Drs. Mabry and Lee are once again joined by Dr. Ernie Buchanan of Upper Cumberland Family Practice and Lincoln Memorial University medical student Peter Richards to continue separating fact from fiction on today's biggest health and wellness trends. This episode shifts the focus to the fitness gadgets, recovery techniques, wearable technology, and...

In this episode of Local Matters, host Tiffany Anton welcomes Tyler Buck, owner and operator of the Cookeville and Algood Baskin-Robbins locations, for a conversation about entrepreneurship, innovation, and building a business with purpose. Tyler shares how a part-time job scooping ice cream as a teenager turned into becoming the youngest person to purchase a Baskin-Robbins franchise, and how he's...

On this episode of the Local Matters podcast, hear from Dr. Kristen Trent as she details why teaching literacy is so important. She explains what the 2+2 Program is, what purpose it serves in the local community, and the integral role the Literacy Association of Tennessee plays in helping the next generation reach literacy. Listen To The Local Matters Podcast Today! News Talk 94.1

In this episode of Local Matters, host George Halford welcomes longtime Cookeville High School Career and Technical Education instructor Randy Mansell for a conversation about the life-changing impact of skilled trades and workforce education. Drawing from decades of experience in construction, farming, and the classroom, Mansell reflects on his journey from working alongside his father in the fam...

In this episode of Local Matters, host Ben Rodgers welcomes Maxine Frazier, director of the Cookeville Senior Center, for an inspiring conversation about creating opportunities that help older adults remain active, connected, and engaged. Drawing on a lifetime of service as an educator, court reporter, school board member, and community leader, Frazier shares how the Senior Center has grown into a...

In this episode of Local Matters, Drs. Mabry and Lee are joined by licensed professional counselor Abby Fowler of Wildly Curative Counseling for an encouraging conversation about helping children navigate big emotions and build emotional resilience. Abby explains why feelings like frustration, disappointment, anxiety, and anger are a normal part of childhood development, and how parents can help c...

In this episode of Local Matters, host Tiffany Anton welcomes Heidi Clopton, founder of the Dream Cooperative, for an inspiring conversation about creating opportunities for individuals with special needs and strengthening the Upper Cumberland through collaboration. Heidi shares how nearly three decades as an occupational therapist inspired her to launch the nonprofit after recognizing the need fo...

Dr. Jennifer Meadows joins Jeremy Wendt on this episode of the Local Matters podcast to highlight STEM. She details her journey working in STEM centers and STEM education, covering a variety of initiatives she began such as the lending library and her STEM Teacher Program. Listen To The Local Matters Podcast Today! The UC Now · News Talk 94.1

In this episode of Local Matters, host George Halford welcomes Upper Cumberland Development District historian Mark Dudley for a fascinating journey through the people, places, and events that have shaped the Upper Cumberland. Drawing on a lifetime of studying the region's past, Dudley shares how growing up in Jackson County, a family rooted in storytelling, and a passion for history led him to pr...

In this episode of Local Matters, host Ben Rodgers welcomes Cumberland County EMS Director Chris Miller for an inside look at the challenges and responsibilities of leading one of the region's most critical public safety agencies. Miller discusses how Emergency Medical Services responds to more than 15,000 calls each year, the impact of seasonal emergencies such as heat-related illnesses and incre...

In this episode of Local Matters, Drs. Mabry and Lee welcome psychiatric mental health nurse Nikki Taylor for an insightful discussion about Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) across every stage of life. Together they explore how ADHD extends far beyond childhood, why more adults are receiving diagnoses than ever before, and how symptoms can present differently in children, teens, and...

In this episode of Local Matters, host Tiffany Anton welcomes Luke Ramey of the Biz Foundry for a preview of the second annual Small Business & Entrepreneurship (SBE) Conference, one of the Upper Cumberland's premier events for entrepreneurs, innovators, and business leaders. Luke shares what attendees can expect from this year's conference, including nationally recognized keynote speaker Liz Boha...

What happens when you go from being a clinical scientist to being an educator? In this episode, Kim Goodpasture joins host Jeremy Wendt to discuss exactly this. She details her journey of becoming a clinical scientist and what eventually led her down the path of becoming an educator. She highlights her mission of leaving a good impact on her students and trying to inspire them to find their true p...

In this episode of Local Matters, host George Halford welcomes Cookeville criminal defense attorney, ordained pastor, and author Brett Knight for a deeply personal conversation about faith, addiction, redemption, and second chances. Brett shares his remarkable journey from growing up in poverty, serving in the military, and building a successful legal career to discovering a calling that transform...

In this episode of Local Matters, host Ben Rodgers sits down with Cookeville Police Chief Scott Winfrey for a wide-ranging conversation about leadership, community policing, and the future of public safety in one of Tennessee's fastest-growing cities. Chief Winfrey reflects on his journey from growing up in Baxter to a decades-long career with the Cookeville Police Department, sharing how his expe...

Tick-borne illnesses are becoming an increasingly important health concern across Tennessee, especially in the Upper Cumberland, where outdoor recreation is part of everyday life. In this episode of Local Matters, Family Nurse Practitioner Michelle Kumm joins for an in-depth discussion on the growing risks associated with tick bites. They explore the warning signs, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatme...

On this episode of the Local Matters podcast, Brian and Bridget Jones share the story of how a multi-generation family cattle farm evolved into one of the Upper Cumberland's most unique agritourism destinations. What began with a lifelong dream of raising Highland cattle has grown into Mill Creek Farms, where visitors experience agriculture in a hands-on way while learning about livestock, conserv...

Listen To The Local Matters Podcast Today! The UC Now · News Talk 94.1

In this fascinating episode, George Halford sits down with Tennessee Tech cybersecurity expert and former FBI cyber agent Regis Billings to explore a career that spans military service, national security, and higher education. Billings shares how growing up in White County, serving in the Air Force, and working on some of the nation's most complex cyber investigations shaped his perspective on lea...

In this episode, Ben Rodgers sits down with Morgan White, the inaugural Tourism and Main Street Director for Livingston and Overton County, to discuss her vision for showcasing one of the Upper Cumberland's most unique communities. White shares how her background in tourism, community development, and nonprofit leadership prepared her for the role, while highlighting the importance of supporting l...

On this episode of Local Matters Health Matters, hosts Drs. Mabry & Lee are joined by local family physician Dr. Ernie Buchanan of Upper Cumberland Family Physicians and Peter Richards, a third-year medical student at LMU, to separate health facts from social media fiction. They discuss the science behind GLP-1 weight loss medications, high-protein diets, intermittent fasting, continuous glucose m...