Local Matters

Bob Bell meets with Tennessee Tech University members Dr. Jeff Roberts, Dr. Brian O'Connor, and Dr. David Larimore. With the recent passing of former TTU President Dr. Angelo Volpe, they discuss each person's favorite memory of Dr. Volpe while working at TTU, Dr. Volpe's love of sports, and his work to help women's athletics at TTU, as well as how budget meetings went under Dr. Volpe while, "he wanted to be everyone's best friend."

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Ben Rodgers meets with Senator Paul Bailey. They discuss the closing of the recent Legislative Session, and the highlights of this year's state budget, upcoming tax cuts that aim to help Tennesseans, as well as what the Tennessee Investment In Student Achievement Act (TISA) is, and a break down of the four levels within it.

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Sam Brooks sits down with Dr. Michael Torrence, President of Motlow State Community College. They discuss his family and how sports are intertwined within his family, how he first got into playing competitive basketball at a young age, as well as what his first day of practice in the 10th grade was like under Coach Sutton.

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Bob Bell sits down with Stephen Simmons, 4th Grade teacher at Capshaw Elementary School in Cookeville, and the 1st place recipient of the Rotary Club of Cookeville's Excellence In Teaching Award for 2022. They discuss his background and journey to becoming a teacher, how education and teaching have both changed through the years, as well as the impact that the teaching profession carries, and the opportunities that it holds.

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Ben Rodgers sits down with Cookeville CityScape Board Member Jodi Pitts. They discuss the success of the recent Taste Of The Town event, more details surrounding the upcoming fundraiser for the Cream City sign in Cookeville, including important street closures to be aware of, as well as her career at the Small Business Development Center, and if there's ever such a thing as a small business being too big for the SBDC to assist.

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Sam Brooks talks with David "DayDay" Gist, Running Back for Tennessee Tech University Football. They discuss his previous season coming off of an injury, having an extra year of eligibility to play football at TTU, what his goals are coming into the upcoming football season, as well as what it means to him having earned his degree and graduating on time, and how rewarding of an experience that is for him as a first generation college graduate.

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Bob Bell talks with Dr. Lisa Zagumny, Dean of the College of Education at Tennessee Tech University. They discuss what National Teacher Appreciation Week is, how it's celebrated at TTU, common feedback and experiences that they receive from teachers in their first year of work after graduation, as well as the various undergraduate and graduate programs that the College of Education offers.

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Ben Rodgers meets with Billy Stepp, the current Upperman High School Principal, and the new, upcoming Cumberland County Director Of Schools. They discuss how May Day and the prom went for Upperman High School, his roots to Cumberland County, and what they mean for him to take on this new role as the County's Director Of Schools, as well as what originally intrigued him about pursuing the position.

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Sam Brooks meets with Cookeville High School Lady Cavaliers Basketball Head Coach Jamie Gillies, and players Jordan Gillies and Cassie Gallagher. They discuss what it's like being seen as role models to younger students and players after the success of their most recent season, the importance of building strength in the off-season, and maintaining that strength throughout the regular season, as well as the importance of academics for student athletes, and how they affect so much more than just in the classroom.

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Bob Bell continues to sit down with Cookeville High School Cybersecurity instructor Scott Waites, and Cookeville High School Cybersecurity Team members and students Nathan Papa, Landon Byrge, and John Reagan. They discuss how the Cybersecurity Team at Cookeville High School got its start, the various types of hacks and malware that the average user may encounter, tips on how to keep your personal information safe from these types of attacks, as well as the importance of maintaining strong, unique passwords for every site and service that you use.

Listen to the latest Local Matters Podcast… Presented by Office Mart.