News Talk 94.1 Local Matters

Local Matters

Education, Sports, Faith & Everything In Between

Originating from News Talk 94.1 the show deals with community issues and interests that affect listeners closer to home. With topics from major events across the nation and how they impact our area to interesting people and figures from across the Upper Cumberland. Local Matters is where local, matters.

Covering the issues that matter to you. Every weekday.
Daily English United States Society & Culture · Education
1,566 Episodes
1 – 20

Gloria Vick Joins George Halford To Discuss Her Journey To Recovery Ministry

Host George Halford sits down with Gloria Vick for a conversation full of history, heart, and hope. Gloria shares stories from her adventurous life, from fishing with her father and studying at Tennessee Tech to traveling through Europe and witnessing Cookeville's dramatic growth over the decades. Now deeply involved in…
10 Nov 9AM 33 min

Connor McDonald And Ben Rodgers Discuss Being Smith County Commissioner

Ben Rodgers talks with Connor McDonald, Smith County Commissioner, about his journey in public service and what it means to serve a community with deep local roots. Connor shares how his early involvement in political campaigns led him to run for office, the challenges he faced when managing a county…
7 Nov 9AM 33 min

Melanie Hendricks Joins Drs. Mabry & Lee To Discuss Alzheimer's Awareness

Drs. Mabry and Lee talk with Melanie Hendricks from Alzheimer’s Tennessee in honor of National Alzheimer’s Month. They discuss the signs and stages of Alzheimer’s, how it differs from other forms of dementia, and what families can do to recognize early symptoms. Melanie shares her personal story and insight into…
6 Nov 9AM 32 min

Valerie Goetz Joins Tiffany Anton To Speak On Love For Native Works

Tiffany Anton sits down with Valerie Goetz of Native Works in Gainesboro, a company specializing in replica artifacts for museums and gift shops. Valerie shares how her love for museums and wood carving evolved into a business rooted in her Native American heritage, including skills like pine needle basket-making passed…
5 Nov 9AM 33 min

Allen Richardson & Jeremy Wendt Speak Wrestling & Teaching At Cookeville High School

Allen Richardson, a 2017 Cookeville High School graduate, now serves as an ISS teacher and coaches football, wrestling, and track—the same sports he played as a student. He began his path to teaching during COVID-19 while substituting at Prescott Middle School, which sparked his passion for education. Allen emphasizes time…
4 Nov 9AM 34 min

Sean Mitchell Joins George Halford To Speak On Storytelling & Being An Author

George Halford sits down with Sean Mitchell — former California Highway Patrol officer, author, and natural storyteller. From a childhood shaped by loss and resilience in Sacramento to discovering a love for radio and eventually serving in law enforcement, Sean shares the defining moments of his life with honesty and…
3 Nov 9AM 32 min

Lesile Russell Yost Joins Tiffany Anton To Discuss Ozone Café & Market

Tiffany Anton chats with Leslie Russell Yost, owner of Ozone Café & Market in Crab Orchard, TN. Leslie shares how she transformed an old gas station near Ozone Falls into a vibrant plant-based café and market, inspired by her southern roots and love of cooking. She discusses her journey from…
29 Oct 9AM 33 min

Paula Stover Joins George Halford To Speak On Overton Co. Heritage Museum & History

George Halford sits down with Paula Stover of the Overton County Heritage Museum to explore her deep-rooted connection to the region and her passion for preserving its history. A fifth-generation Overton County resident, Paula shares stories from her childhood—traveling cross-country by train as an infant during WWII, working on the…
27 Oct 9AM 32 min

Mark Farley Joins Ben Rodgers To Discuss UCDD

Ben Rodgers sits down with Mark Farley, Executive Director of the Upper Cumberland Development District. They discuss Mark’s journey into his role, the vital work UCDD does across all 14 counties, and how grant funding—over $52 million last year alone—supports local governments, small businesses, and critical programs like substance abuse…
24 Oct 9AM 32 min

Angela Rector Joins Drs. Mabry And Lee To Discuss Suicide Prevention Month

Dr. Angela Rector, a licensed professional counselor and Director of the Center for Counseling and Mental Health Services at Tennessee Tech, shares her decades of experience serving the Upper Cumberland. She reflects on her personal journey into mental health work and discusses the vital suicide prevention efforts taking place on…
23 Oct 9AM 32 min

David Vaughn & Tiffany Anton Talk Vaughn's Monument Works

In this episode, Tiffany Anton sits down with David Vaughn of Vaughn's Monument Works, a family-owned business that has been a part of Cookeville since 1946. David shares stories of his father, who began the business by selling monuments door to door, and reflects on the memories of growing up…
22 Oct 9AM 32 min

Tammy Wilson Joins George Halford To Discuss The Heart Of Cumberland

George Halford welcomes Tammy Wilson, Executive Director of Heart of the Cumberland, to share her inspiring journey from accountant to nonprofit leader. Tammy discusses her path from opening her own accounting firm to joining the Heart of the Cumberland board in 2012, eventually becoming director in 2019. She highlights the…
20 Oct 9AM 32 min

Kurt Dronebarger Joins Ben Rodgers To Discuss Directing White County Schools

Ben Rodgers welcomes Kurt Dronebarger, Director of Schools in White County. With over 27 years in education, Kurt shares insights from his decade leading the district, where all eight schools have consistently earned top academic marks. He talks about the challenges and rewards of public education, the impact of enrollment…
17 Oct 9AM 33 min

Amy Ayers Joins Dr. Mabry To Discuss Breast Cancer Awareness

Dr. Mabry speaks with Amy Ayers, Breast Health Nurse Navigator at Cookeville Regional Medical Center, about the critical role she plays in guiding patients through one of the most difficult times in their lives. Amy shares her path into nursing, her work in breast cancer education, and how she helps…
16 Oct 9AM 32 min

Sherri Stickler Joins Tiffany Anton To Discuss Synergy Herbal Works

In this episode, Tiffany Anton sits down with Sherri Stickler, founder of Synergy Herbal Works, to discuss her journey into holistic medicine. Originally a respiratory therapist, Sherri shares how her passion for herbology and natural healing led her to open her first shop in Sparta in 2018, eventually expanding into…
15 Oct 9AM 32 min
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