Local Matters

A growing community brings opportunity—but it also brings new demands on the people sworn to protect it. In this episode, Ben Rodgers sits down with Matt White of the Baxter Fire Department to discuss how dry weather, wildfire risk, and rapid local growth are shaping the department’s work in Baxter, Tennessee. From burn permits and volunteer recruitment to critical equipment upgrades and grant funding for turnout gear, Chief White offers a clear look at what it takes to keep a growing town safe. He also shares insight into the challenges of budgeting for essential fire resources as the community continues to expand. Because when a town grows, so does the responsibility to protect every single corner of it.

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

Healthcare doesn’t always happen in a hospital—sometimes, it comes right to your front door. In this episode, Amy McKenzie and Elaine Watkins of Quality Home Health join the conversation to break down what home health really looks like. Elaine shares her 30-year journey in the field, from starting as an LPN to leading clinical care, while Amy offers insight from her background in social work and patient advocacy. Together, they walk through what a typical home health visit involves, the most common conditions they treat, and how their team helps patients maintain independence at home. From myth-busting to real-life care, this episode highlights how support, compassion, and expertise can meet patients exactly where they are.

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

What does it look like when medical aesthetics meets education, innovation, and personal journey all in one place? In this episode, Luke Ramey talks with Trudy Hedgecough of Anew You, a medical aesthetics spa in Crossville, Tennessee that opened in March 2020, as she breaks down the wide range of services they offer—including ultrasound therapy, sound needling, and customized skin treatments for both men and women without exception. Trudy also shares insight into their membership program, complimentary consultations, and how her team determines the right approach for each client’s skin goals, along with a look at the long-standing history of treatments like Botox. Beyond the spa, she reflects on her move from Dalton, Georgia to Cookeville to attend Tennessee Tech, where she met her husband, and how her daughter now works alongside her while pursuing nursing school. From science-backed care to a deeply personal story of growth, this conversation shows how Anew You is built to help people feel confident in their own skin—one treatment at a time.

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

A shift is happening in today’s classrooms—one that challenges how students learn and how educators lead. In this episode, Kevin Lewis, principal of Frank P. Brown Elementary, shares his perspective on the evolving role of education and leadership. He discusses the importance of staying student-focused, along with creative initiatives like “No Technology Tuesday,” designed to help students learn without digital distractions. Kevin also reflects on the broader impact of technology in schools and why stepping away from it, even briefly, can make a meaningful difference. As classrooms continue to change, it’s clear that sometimes the most effective innovation is knowing when to simplify.

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

Some stories don’t just inspire—they strengthen your faith. Marcia Mullins joins George Halford to share her remarkable journey through family, nursing, loss, healing, and the life-changing power of prayer. From surviving cancer to overcoming heartbreak, Marcia reflects on the moments that deepened her trust in God and shaped her path to the National Day of Prayer. When faith is tested, stories like this remind us where strength begins.

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

What starts with a spin of a globe can change your life forever. Ben Rodgers sits down with Ethan Hadley, President and CEO of the Crossville-Cumberland County Chamber of Commerce, to unpack a journey that spans across continents and careers. From teaching English and raising a family in Japan to leading economic development in one of the 14 counties that make up the Upper Cumberland, Hadley shares how bold decisions and global experiences shaped his path. He also dives into the future of Crossville— from downtown growth and tourism to major developments that are putting the region on the map. It’s a story of taking chances, thinking big, and building something that lasts.

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

A cancer diagnosis can bring uncertainty—but having the right support can make all the difference. In this episode, Dr. Emily Lee and Dr. Jennifer Mabry sit down with Beth Slatten of Cookeville Regional Medical Center to discuss the critical role of a lung nurse navigator. Beth shares how she helps guide patients through each step following a diagnosis, working to ease fear and provide clarity during an overwhelming time. She also reflects on her journey through cardiology, ICU care, pulmonary rehab, and oncology, leading to her current role supporting lung cancer patients. From risk factors to the importance of early detection, this conversation highlights how knowledge, support, and timing can truly save lives—and why no patient should have to navigate it alone.

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

What starts as a conversation about property management turns into a look at how spaces are thoughtfully transformed for both living and celebration. In this episode, Tiffany Anton sits down with Michele Wyatt of Homescape Signature Properties to discuss their mix of commercial and home rentals alongside their growing collection of wedding and event venues. With a background in nonprofit event planning, Michele shares how her experience organizing fundraisers translated naturally into helping clients design meaningful celebrations on a budget, including at The Silos in Crossville—known for its outdoor ceremony spots, chapel, and well-appointed bridal and groom suites. She also touches on their first venue that can host up to 250 guests, as well as a third Rockwood location currently under renovation and full of future potential. From everyday rentals to once-in-a-lifetime events, this conversation shows how intentional spaces can serve a community in more ways than one—and how to get in touch to explore them all.

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

From science classrooms to the principal’s office, sometimes the journey takes a few unexpected turns. Jeremy Wendt sits down with Principal James Cox of A.H. Roberts Elementary School to talk about his path from teaching biology and chemistry at York Institute to leading a school community. He shares how influential teachers shaped his career, how he’s navigating new P.E. and recess laws, and why creating new opportunities for students is always a top priority. With insights on leadership, adaptability, and student success, this episode highlights what it really means to grow from educator to leader—tune in for a conversation that goes beyond the classroom.

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

What happens when faith, education, and compassion intersect in the fight to protect children? In this episode, George Halford sits down with Tracy Bucholz, Director of the Upper Cumberland Child Advocacy Center, to explore the experiences and values that have shaped her path into advocacy work. From her roots in a strong faith tradition and her time at Tennessee Tech—where she earned both her undergraduate and master’s degrees—to her life with her family in Tennessee, Tracy reflects on how her personal journey informs her professional mission. She shares powerful insight into working with trauma, the connection between brain and body, and how nature and nurture intertwine in the lives of at-risk youth, along with how their team assesses situations and provides critical resources for children in need. This conversation highlights the importance of speaking up, recognizing the signs, and using available tools—like anonymous tip services—to protect the most vulnerable, reminding us that awareness and action are where real change begins.

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