News Talk 94.1

Brad sits down with crappie fishing expert Larry Watts to explore his lifelong passion for fishing across the Upper Cumberland. Larry shares stories from his retirement years on the water, including his favorite local lakes such as Rock Island, Dale Hollow, Cordell Hull, and Great Falls Lake. He discusses techniques, seasonal strategies, and the benefits of using modern tools like fish finders and...

Tune in as Ben Rodgers sits down with Monterey Police Chief John Mackie for an engaging and high-energy conversation! Chief Mackie shares what it was like growing up in the very community he now serves and the journey that led him into law enforcement. He also breaks down the department’s budget, new equipment upgrades, and the team behind the badge. Don’t miss this inside look at leadership, serv...

On today's episode, we sit down with Dr. James Cates talking all things men's health in honor of Men's Health Month. Starting off with his medical background and misconceptions around men's health. They also touch on the use of GLP-1 medications and changes in weight loss. As well as supplementing water and protein for proper weight loss without the medication. From GLP-!s to Cancer Screenings and...

What does it take to be a leader? Hard work, determination, and most importantly it takes heart. During this episode of Local Matters, host Luke Ramey sits down with Quentin Coffee to talk about the heart of his business and the work-life balance needed to run your own business. Coffee discusses how he builds relationships with his employees/clients, and how he runs his business to always have the...

Education builds passion. What does a career in education counseling look like? Julie Smith is here to share her experience working in education counseling on the local level, while also explaining what steps are taken to help students in and out of school. She goes in depth on her journey and calling into this line of work, while detailing all of the heartwarming stories that makes working in suc...

Service has been a constant thread throughout Tish Seidler’s life, shaping every community she’s been part of. In this episode, George Halford sits down with Tish, President of the Cookeville Jr. Women’s Club, to talk about her journey from Texas to New York and ultimately finding her forever home in Cookeville. From leading PTAs and volunteering with organizations like the American Cancer Society...

On this week's show, Dr. Joshua Martin joins us discussing his role as a Spanish Professor. And how the Foreign Language Dept. at Tech has grown and is anticipating its largest Freshman class in many years. As well as all the things he's been up to over the years working at Tech. Listen To The College Town Talk Podcast Today!

On this episode of The Scene, Mark Creter is joined by guests Larry Newgent and Hayden Mattingly as they discuss the upcoming Community Sings Dylan Event. They dive into Bob Dylan’s catalogue of music, highlighting their favorite time periods and sounds from the artist. Additionally, they share information about the upcoming event happening on June 1st at the Cookeville Performing Arts Center and...

Brad sits down with herpetologist Danny Bryan to discuss snakes, ticks, and how to stay safe while hiking and hunting in the Upper Cumberland. Danny shares how urban development has increased human encounters with snakes and explains their important role in controlling rodent and tick populations. He also breaks down the growing concerns surrounding tick-borne illnesses, including Lyme disease, an...

Ben Rodgers sits down with Crossville Fire Chief Chris South! From his early days as a volunteer firefighter to leading a modern department, Chris shares how training, gear, and the job itself have evolved over the years. He dives into the real needs of today’s firefighters and what it takes to keep a community safe. Packed with adrenaline, passion, and hometown pride, this is a conversation you d...

Drs. Emily Lee and Jennifer Mabry sit down with Alyssa Hudson of Middle TN Eye to discuss common eye conditions, including cataracts and other general vision concerns. Alyssa shares insights on the importance of early detection and the proper steps to take when experiencing potential vision issues. The conversation also addresses prevention strategies and highlights warning signs that are often ov...

Fencing is a big deal and a big process, but Cumberland Penn & Fence strive to make that easy. On this episode, Hunter Young joins Luke Ramey to discuss how his business strives to offer quality fencing and affordable prices. He speaks on the journey he's taken in life, and how it ultimately all led him into the world of entrepreneurship. Listen To The Local Matters Podcast Today! News Talk 94.1

Building relationships are the key to a healthy community. So, how do SRO's build relationships between students and local law enforcement? Bill Harris & Dylan Ashlock are here to answer and take a look at what it means to be an SRO and how SROs have changed schools. They go in depth on what it takes to keep schools safe in the current day, while also sharing plans for the future of providing a pl...

Life’s most defining moments often shape the stories we tell—and how we tell them. In this episode, George Halford sits down with Erin Hoover, professor at Tennessee Tech and the first Poet Laureate for Putnam County, to explore how her life experiences have influenced her work as a writer and educator. From growing up near the Three Mile Island Nuclear Incident to living in New York during the Se...

On today's College Town Talk, Dr. Julie Baker joins us to share what each of her roles encompass and what she does each day to help students at Tennessee Tech find success. In addition to explaining her role and what it requires, Dr. Baker also highlights the importance of teaching and why local communities benefit from great teachers. Listen To The College Town Talk Podcast Today!

In this episode, Ben Rodgers sits down with Dr. Jeannette Luna from Tennessee Technological University to discuss NASA’s Artemis mission and the future of lunar exploration. Dr. Luna shares her journey through academia and research, along with how she became involved in space science and NASA data projects. She also highlights the strength of Tennessee Tech’s research programs and the role student...

Drs. Emily Lee and Jennifer Mabry sit down with Dr. Sarah Apple of Happy Pelvis Therapy to discuss pelvic floor health and the role of pelvic floor therapy in overall wellness. Dr. Apple shares her journey from occupational therapy at UT Chattanooga to specializing in pelvic floor care after a student-led project sparked her interest. She explains common conditions such as urinary incontinence and...

Host Luke Ramey is joined by Brittany Rogers of Graceful Grazing to discuss her catering and food delivery service. She speaks on the success and growth she's seen from her business in the last year, highlighting the wonderful support from her local community. In addition, Rogers dives into the background of Graceful Grazing, and the 'gathering around the table' culture that inspired her to start...

Jeremy Wendt sits down with Sheri Roberson, Putnam County Special Education Supervisor, to reflect on her 37-year career in education. Sheri shares how her path shifted from nursing to special education after discovering a passion for working with students through the Special Olympics. She discusses growing up in a family of educators, working under her father who was a principal, and eventually w...

From designing cars at General Motors to helping shape the future of the Upper Cumberland, Sandy Brecker has never stopped building something meaningful. Sandy joins George Halford to share her journey from Michigan engineer to Algood Planning Commissioner, photographer, and community advocate. She reflects on her passion for creativity, public service, and the impact of organizations like the Coo...

On this episode of the Inside Putnam County, Shan Stout is joined by guests Taylor Hill Cook & Brenda Gentry as they discuss the upcoming 100th Annual Putnam County Fair. They speak on the decisions that have gone into the fair's locale, as well as the big and unique offerings the fair will have. In addition to this, Cook and Gentry discuss their mission of keeping tradition alive while also expan...

Mark sits down with George Peckinbaugh٫ founder of Wind Chimes By George٫ discussing his journey into creating wind chimes and all the intricacies needed to make them and their iconic sounds. He shares how he found a passion in such a unique craft, and how he plans to move forward with the endeavor. George also highlights his past, sharing his inspiring story that ultimately lead to him finding hi...

On this episode of the Today In The Upper Cumberland podcast, Spencer Curd, Mike Herrick, and Henry Webb join the show to discuss the growing issue of finding volunteers in service related fields. They go into detail on how it can affect the safety of our communities, as well as hurt our local EMS establishments. In addition to this, they offer viable solutions and encouragement for those who want...

Brad sits down with Lisa Luck, Executive Director of Keep Putnam County Beautiful Clean Commission, to discuss ongoing efforts to keep Putnam County clean and environmentally responsible. Lisa shares how her journey with the organization began in 2010 and how she found her passion for community cleanup and education. She explains the impact of litter prevention programs, school outreach, and initi...

Catch up on all the biggest Upper Cumberland stories from the week ending 05/15/26! For more in depth, detailed, and timely news, visit theucnow.com! Listen To The UC Now Audio Podcast Today! The UC Now