Today in the Upper Cumberland

Dr. Penny Schwinn discusses reading proficiency issues brought by the pandemic. Monday, the General Assembly will begin a special session on education. Specifically, issues facing education as a result of COVID-19. One of those is reading – an estimated 50% drop in reading proficiency among Tennessee students since the beginning of the pandemic. But the problem goes much deeper than ... Read More »

Explore the history of the Wilson Jersey Manufacturing Plant in our own backyard Wilson – for years it was a name synonymous with Cookeville industry, and in the old Wilson Plant, it was a sports fan’s dream – jerseys made for some of the biggest stars of professional sports. We explore the history of the Wilson Jersey Manufacturing Plant right ... Read More »

Learn about the hobby & lifestyle that is amateur radio in the Upper Cumberland. Every time severe weather strikes we see the work of amateur radio operators, but the more than 750,000 amateur radio operators across the United States are involved in much more than chronicling severe weather. It is a hobby, it is a lifestyle, it is a labor ... Read More »

CRMC’s Dr. Lee Taylor discusses the FDA’s new emergency use COVID treatment. Cookeville Regional Medical Center began using a new treatment this week for the most at risk COVID patients. This new emergency use drug came from the FDA, and it has proven to be very successful in studies up to 70% effective in keeping people out of the hospital, ... Read More »

Domestic violence survivors share their stories to help others with their words. The number of domestic violence cases across the nation and here at home rose significantly during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the numbers have not decreased. Today we’re focused on domestic violence, and the things that many of us don’t understand about the issue. Two ... Read More »

Domestic violence survivors share their stories to help others with their words. We understand the challenge of domestic violence, but many of us often wonder about what goes into these relationships. What leads to a relationship turning violent? Why is it so difficult for the victim to leave? Did the victim ever have a chance to get out? What leads ... Read More »

Chris Cassetty of Highlands Residential Services discusses affordable housing. The cost of housing in the Upper Cumberland, specifically in Putnam County and Cookeville, is growing as a source of concern. Is housing available for those who want it? Is affordable housing available for the workers of our region? Is our community too reliant on rental property? Enter Highlands Residential Services, ... Read More »

Avalon Center’s Lacie Norris & LaChelle Lee help us understand domestic violence Understanding domestic violence means going beyond just putting yourself in the shoes of the victim. Hearing the decisions that they face. Seeing the realities of what goes on in trying to make those decisions. And understanding the ways in which their views of reality have been changed by ... Read More »

Cookeville-Putnam Co Tornado Committee members discuss long term rebuilding. The restoration of Putnam County following the March tornado. The work continues. It’s now in a different phase – we’re looking at the long term impacts, and we’re still making sure that those who suffered damage during the tornado are ready to rebuild and have all the tools available that they ... Read More »

Judge Daryl Colson discusses the details of the Overton County Recovery Court. Drug recovery courts offer non-violent offenders a place to get back on their feet. In the Upper Cumberland, one such court operates in Overton County. We continue our exploration of how recovery courts work, the requirements that are involved, and the success rate with Overton County Judge Daryl ... Read More »