Today in the Upper Cumberland

Tennessee Knoxville’s Kelsey Ellis discusses nighttime tornadoes in Tennessee. This week marks the anniversary of the tragic tornadoes that killed 19 across the Upper Cumberland. Research is going on at the University of Tennessee to try to understand why Tennessee has more nighttime tornadoes than just about any part of the country. Kelsey Ellis is a Hazard Climatologist, and Assistant ... Read More »

TTU Professor Samantha Hutson discusses the growing issue of food insecurity. There have been many struggles inside the COVID pandemic. One of those is the growing food insecurity in the United States. One estimate says food insecurity rates across the nation for families with children rose by nearly two thirds during the pandemic. Close to 1 in 5 U.S. families ... Read More »

Learn about tornadoes with National Weather Service Meteorologist Krissy Hurley. Friday’s 60 degree temperatures and strong winds are a reminder that storm season is fast approaching. It’s not when you might typically think in the Upper Cumberland, and across the state of Tennessee. In fact, according to National Weather Service Meteorologist Krissy Hurley, we’re getting to the heart of the ... Read More »

The Beacon Center’s Ron Shultis & Jason Edmonds discuss the Basic Education Plan Governor Bill Lee announced this week he plans to submit a detailed education funding proposal to legislators by mid-February. Thursday, he announced the new funding formula will be called, “The Tennessee Investment in Student Achievement” – the focus on students, not systems. One nonprofit, nonpartisan organization in ... Read More »

This week, Kurt Dronebarger and Kristy Brown discuss the Basic Education Plan. Governor Bill Lee is expected to outline his thoughts on public education funding during his State of the State Address Monday. Changes to the Basic Education Plan have been a much talked about subject over the last 60 days. We continue our discussion of the changes, and what ... Read More »

This week, Kurt Dronebarger and Kristy Brown discuss the Basic Education Plan. By next week, there could be a new funding formula for public schools in the state of Tennessee. Following forums throughout the Fall, and following a one week public comment period, state officials say they are ready to unveil a plan to replace the Basic Education Plan, which ... Read More »

Tom Savage and Johnnie Wheeler reflect on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy. We reflect on the legacy of Dr. King as we sit down with Tom Savage, President of the Cookeville-Putnam County NAACP, and its 1st Vice President, Johnnie Wheeler. Today In The Upper Cumberland airs each weekend as a way to introduce you to interesting people and subjects ... Read More »

Jerry Maynard and Richard Norton reflect on their tenure as school principals. Former Sycamore Principal Jerry Maynard, and former Algood Principal Richard Norton – they reflect on what their tenure was like, how education changed, and what they see in the Principals of today. Today In The Upper Cumberland airs each weekend as a way to introduce you to interesting ... Read More »

Jerry Maynard and Richard Norton reflect on their tenure as school principals. The New Years weekend provides a chance for reflection, and looking to the future. And so in that way, Jerry Maynard and Richard Norton are very nature guests. Both are long time Putnam County Principals. They reflect on what their tenure was like, how education changed, and what ... Read More »

Governor Bill Lee discusses the issues at the top of Tennessee’s agenda in 2022. Governor Bill Lee will begin 2022 with education at the top of the agenda – plan to change how local schools are funded by the state. A basic education plan called outdated by some, others say the state has never fully funded it. The state will ... Read More »