East Tennessee Now

Frank Murphy interviews Kristy Altman, Vice President of Communications and Public Relations of MEDIC Regional Blood Center. MEDIC is the provider of blood and blood-related products for 25 hospitals in 23 counties in East Tennessee and Southeastern Kentucky and regional air transport services. January is National Blood Donor Month. This month, donors can receive a Feelin' Frosty t-shirt. During R...

Frank Murphy interviews Kelly Orrico, Co-Founder and President of the Widowed Parent Relief Project. Kelly and her husband C.J. were inspired to start the WPRP after Kelly survived a massive stroke at age 39. A series of unlikely events led to her being found by a stranger and being brought to the only hospital in her area that had the technology to perform life-saving surgery she needed.  Wi...

Frank Murphy interviews Mike Witcher, owner and chief meteorologist of eastTNweather. Mike became well known as the morning meteorologist on WBIR-TV from 2005 to 2014 and again from 2017 to 2023. He decided to leave television and become an entrepreneur by starting his own digital forecast service. His ad-supported business provides weather information free of charge via multiple social media plat...

Frank Murphy interviews Chris Hall, Chief Operating Officer at Remote Area Medical. Since 1985, Remote Area Medical (RAM®) has provided free healthcare services to those in need through the operation of mobile pop-up clinics around the country. Remote Area Medical was founded in 1985 by Stan Brock, known as co-host of Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom.  RAM will offer a free medic...

Frank Murphy interviews Dana Soehn, President and CEO of Friends of the Smokies. Dana joined Friends in 2023 after serving as a National Park Service employee for more than 30 years, including ten years as Park Spokesperson. During the government shutdown, Friends of the Smokies joined with other partners to provide funding to  keep the Great Smoky Mountains National Park open to the pub...

Frank Murphy interviews Jen Corbin, this year's president of the Nativity Pageant of Knoxville and Erica Moore, this year's vice president. The 57th annual Nativity Pageant will be presented on Saturday, December 13, 2025 at 3:00 p.m.; Sunday, December 14, 2025 at 3:00 p.m., and Monday, December 15, 2025 at 7:00 p.m. in the Knoxville Civic Coliseum.  Parking is $5, credit or debit card only....

Frank Murphy interviews Fr. David Boettner, rector of the Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, 711 S. Northshore Drive in Knoxville. Fr. David discusses the first Sunday of Advent and the coming of the Christmas season. Visit the Cathedral's website at https://www.shcathedral.org/ for Mass times and other information.  For details about the free Cathedral Concert Series, go to https:/...

Frank Murphy interviews local media personality Beth Haynes and Pamela Coleman of the McNabb Foundation about the Beth Haynes 12 Days of Christmas Online Auction benefiting the McNabb Center’s Dear Santa Program. Funds raised through the auction will help provide gifts and experiences for more than 2,500 children and families in need this holiday season. Bidding opens Monday, Decem...

Frank Murphy interviews Aram Demirjian, Music Director of the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra about their upcoming performances including Rhapsody in Blue on November 20 and 21, 2025; Elf on November 23, 2025; Handel's Messiah on November 30, 2025, and the Clayton Holiday Concerts on December 19, 20, and 21, 2025. Aram also discusses the Knoxville Symphony Youth Ensembles and their upcoming Fall conc...

Frank Murphy interviews Natalia Havasy, Director of Marketing & Community Benefit at East Tennessee Children's Hospital about their Adopt a Family program and the Fantasy of Trees.  To Adopt a Family, donate $15 or more to benefit East Tennessee Children's Hospital, and get back $15 in a gift card from Salsarita's. https://www.etch.com/ways-to-give/adopt-a-family/   East Tennessee Ch...

Frank Murphy interviews Caroline Bean, Public Relations & Communications Manager for the Gatlinburg Convention & Visitors Bureau and Elaine Frank, Deputy Director of Special Events for the City of Knoxville.  Caroline discusses upcoming events in Gatlinburg including the Winter Magic Kickoff and Chili Cookoff on November 7; the 50th annual Fantasy of Lights Christmas Parade on Decembe...

Frank Murphy interviews Executive Editor Joel Christopher and Photo Editor Jennifer Dedman of Knox News about the Empty Stocking Fund, which has been helping families in need since 1912. Empty Stocking Fund recipients receive 40 food items including a five-pound ham to provide for Christmas dinner as well as other meals during the holiday season. The News Sentinel Charities, Inc. is a nonprofit -...

Frank Murphy interviews Bethany Jackson, Location Leader for the Sevier County Isaiah 117 House. There are currently 37 Isaiah 117 House locations across 13 states with 7 more opening by February, 2026.  The mission of Isaiah 117 House is to reduce trauma on removal day and to provide a safe place where children can await placement. Children generally stay up to 72 hours and receive clothing,...

Frank Murphy interviews Michael Ray, Executive Director of The Joy of Music School, which provides free weekly music lessons to 150 in-house students and reaches over 1,000 children per year through 19 partner sites. Learn more at https://joyofmusicschool.org/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Frank Murphy interviews Alan Lowe, director of the American Museum of Science & Energy and the K-25 History Center in Oak Ridge. The American Museum of Science & Energy attracts about 65,000 visitors per year. Among other activities, AMSE provides interactive curriculum-based classroom programs for school groups and STEM education programs. AMSE houses permanent and rotating exhibits, prov...

Frank Murphy interviews Brian Salesky, Executive and Artistic Director of Amadeus Concert Ensemble about its 2025-2026 season of free concerts as part of the Cathedral Concert Series at the Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus.  Learn more at https://www.shcathedral.org/cathedral-concert-series/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Frank Murphy interviews Amanda Marr Director of Marketing & Communications for the Sevierville Chamber of Commerce about Smoky Mountain Harvest Fest and other activities in the Sevierville area.  Learn more at https://visitsevierville.com/fall/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Frank Murphy interviews Alyssa Cook, development director of Tennessee Out-Reach Center for Homeless (TORCH), and Naomi Asher of The Maven consultancy.  Learn more at https://oakridgetorch.org/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Frank Murphy interviews Mike Kitchens, chairman of Smoky Mountain Service Dogs, which trains and provides mobility assistance service dogs to military veterans and first responders who need them.  This program aired on Sunday, September 7, 2025. Learn more at https://www.smokymountainservicedogs.org/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Frank Murphy interviews Aaron Snukals of Concerts For Our Own and Caroline Timpson of Breast Connect. The concerts benefit three charities: Breast Connect, the Love Kitchen, and Choice Health Network. Tickets on sale at https://www.concertsforourown.org/  Learn more about Breast Connect at https://breastconnect.org/ This program aired on Sunday, August 31, 2025. Concerts For Our Own season: F...

Frank Murphy interviews Sara Dickson and Mark Dulniak with the Alzheimer's Association's Tennessee chapter. This program aired on Sunday, August 24, 2025. Ales for Alz runs through August 31. Information at https://alesforalz-knox.org/ The 2025 Walk to End Alzheimer's will take place on Saturday, September 20, 2025 at Zoo Knoxville. Information at http://www.alz.org/KnoxvilleWalk See omnystudio.co...

Frank Murphy interviews Kesha Waters and Hannah Fatheree of CASA of the Tennessee Heartland. This program aired on Sunday, August 17, 2025. CASA stands for Court Appointed Special Advocate. The core purpose of CASA of the Tennessee Heartland is to provide a voice for abused and neglected children in Anderson and Blount counties. As a non-profit, volunteer-based agency, our mission is to empower CA...

Frank Murphy interviews Kelley Weatherley-Sinclair of the East Tennessee Historical Society about the 2025 History Hootenanny which takes place on Saturday, August 16, 2025.  This program aired on Sunday, August 10, 2025. History Hootenanny showcases the best of the East Tennessee History Center and its partners at this open house. This year’s theme is “Sports History” to ce...

It’s officially spring - so Tis the season to get outdoors…. One way is The 3rd annual Lupus Golf Tournament Fundraiser….. There are so many ways to take part.. Even if you don’t play…. This annual event raises awareness for Lupus and the Lupus Foundation of America. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

So many people getting sick, the flu- covid, sinuses issues.. Its a lot to stay healthy…these days… and some people - have greater struggles… with their health.. For instance, dealing w/ substance abuse disorders.. But there is help and support… on non-profit is  the East TN Association of Alcohol & Drug Abuse Counselors - Darius is diving in to learn more abou...