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 our state says it’s time that the education formula is changed. The Beacon Center based in Nashville calls the current system, “complicated and outdated.” Ron Shultis and Jason Edmonds from The Beacon Center discuss what the center would like to see.

Today In The Upper Cumberland airs each weekend as a way to introduce you to interesting people and subjects of interest to our community. Catch the show each Saturday morning at 6am on Rock 93-7, at 7am on 106-9 Kicks Country, at 8am on 93-3 The Dawg, Lite Rock 95.9, and 96-9 Highway 111 Country, and at 9am on 101.9/AM 920 WLIV.

If you miss it Saturday, you can catch Today In The Upper Cumberland again, Sunday. The show airs Sunday morning at 7am on Rock 93-7 and News Talk 94.1/AM 1600, at 7:30am on Sports Radio 104.7, Sundays at Noon on News Talk 94.1/AM 1600, Sunday night at 6pm on 93-3 The Dawg, Lite Rock 95.9, 96-9 Highway 111 Country, and 101.9/AM 920 WLIV, and at 7pm on 106-9 Kicks Country.

Cookeville artist Madison Merrifield discusses her beadwork, and alterations.

Join host Andrea Kruszka as she sits down with Cookeville artist Madison Merrifield. They discuss how she got started in beadwork, jewelry, and clothing alterations, her experiences with the local art community, and her time at Art Prowl, as well as where she draws inspiration from, and how she incorporates those styles into her art.

Presented by Harper’s Rare Books & Collectibles in Cookeville. New episodes every Sunday at 8am on Lite Rock 95.9.

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 might impact local school systems like the White County Schools of Kurt Dronebarger, and the Jackson County Schools of Director Kristy Brown.

Today In The Upper Cumberland airs each weekend as a way to introduce you to interesting people and subjects of interest to our community. Catch the show each Saturday morning at 6am on Rock 93-7, at 7am on 106-9 Kicks Country, at 8am on 93-3 The Dawg, Lite Rock 95.9, and 96-9 Highway 111 Country, and at 9am on 101.9/AM 920 WLIV.

If you miss it Saturday, you can catch Today In The Upper Cumberland again, Sunday. The show airs Sunday morning at 7am on Rock 93-7 and News Talk 94.1/AM 1600, at 7:30am on Sports Radio 104.7, Sundays at Noon on News Talk 94.1/AM 1600, Sunday night at 6pm on 93-3 The Dawg, Lite Rock 95.9, 96-9 Highway 111 Country, and 101.9/AM 920 WLIV, and at 7pm on 106-9 Kicks Country.

Cookeville mural painter Erica Swenson talks how she got her start & inspirations

Join host Andrea Kruszka as she sits down with Cookeville mural painter Erica Swenson. They discuss how she got her start painting murals, how she draws inspiration from her surroundings, and what some of her favorite spots for inspiration are, as well as what brought her to Tennessee and the Upper Cumberland area.

Presented by Harper’s Rare Books & Collectibles in Cookeville. New episodes every Sunday at 8am on Lite Rock 95.9.

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 has served public schools in the state for better than 30 years. There is concern among educators about what exactly the new plan will look like. Will the state of Tennessee fully fund education in a way that educators believe has not happened under the Basic Education Plan? White County Schools’ Director of Schools Kurt Dronebarger, and Jackson County Director of Schools Kristy Brown have not only watched – they’ve participated in the process.

Today In The Upper Cumberland airs each weekend as a way to introduce you to interesting people and subjects of interest to our community. Catch the show each Saturday morning at 6am on Rock 93-7, at 7am on 106-9 Kicks Country, at 8am on 93-3 The Dawg, Lite Rock 95.9, and 96-9 Highway 111 Country, and at 9am on 101.9/AM 920 WLIV.

If you miss it Saturday, you can catch Today In The Upper Cumberland again, Sunday. The show airs Sunday morning at 7am on Rock 93-7 and News Talk 94.1/AM 1600, at 7:30am on Sports Radio 104.7, Sundays at Noon on News Talk 94.1/AM 1600, Sunday night at 6pm on 93-3 The Dawg, Lite Rock 95.9, 96-9 Highway 111 Country, and 101.9/AM 920 WLIV, and at 7pm on 106-9 Kicks Country.

Get to know more about Cookeville photographer and painter Montana the Maker.

Join host Andrea Kruszka as she sits down with Cookeville photographer and painter Montana the Maker. They discuss how she got started in photography and painting, the various artists and individuals who have influenced her work, as well as how the Upper Cumberland’s art community and culture have helped her along the way artistically.

Presented by Harper’s Rare Books & Collectibles in Cookeville. New episodes every Sunday at 8am on Lite Rock 95.9.

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 of interest to our community. Catch the show each Saturday morning at 6am on Rock 93-7, at 7am on 106-9 Kicks Country, at 8am on 93-3 The Dawg, Lite Rock 95.9, and 96-9 Highway 111 Country, and at 9am on 101.9/AM 920 WLIV.

If you miss it Saturday, you can catch Today In The Upper Cumberland again, Sunday. The show airs Sunday morning at 7am on Rock 93-7 and News Talk 94.1/AM 1600, at 7:30am on Sports Radio 104.7, Sundays at Noon on News Talk 94.1/AM 1600, Sunday night at 6pm on 93-3 The Dawg, Lite Rock 95.9, 96-9 Highway 111 Country, and 101.9/AM 920 WLIV, and at 7pm on 106-9 Kicks Country.

Get to know the background of Cookeville local and digital designer Ellie Batson

Join host Andrea Kruszka as she sits down with Cookeville digital designer Ellie Batson. They discuss how she became interested in design and the various other mediums that she enjoys working with, where she draws her inspiration from when coming up with new project ideas, and how the culture and community of the Upper Cumberland has impacted her in developing her art.

Presented by Harper’s Rare Books & Collectibles in Cookeville. New episodes every Sunday at 8am on Lite Rock 95.9.

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 people and subjects of interest to our community. Catch the show each Saturday morning at 6am on Rock 93-7, at 7am on 106-9 Kicks Country, at 8am on 93-3 The Dawg, Lite Rock 95.9, and 96-9 Highway 111 Country, and at 9am on 101.9/AM 920 WLIV.

If you miss it Saturday, you can catch Today In The Upper Cumberland again, Sunday. The show airs Sunday morning at 7am on Rock 93-7 and News Talk 94.1/AM 1600, at 7:30am on Sports Radio 104.7, Sundays at Noon on News Talk 94.1/AM 1600, Sunday night at 6pm on 93-3 The Dawg, Lite Rock 95.9, 96-9 Highway 111 Country, and 101.9/AM 920 WLIV, and at 7pm on 106-9 Kicks Country.

Get to know more about Cookeville Designer Angie Clough of WilmaHenry Designs.

Join host Andrea Kruszka as she sits down with Cookeville Designer Angie Clough of WilmaHenry Designs. They discuss where her interest in jewelry, digital design, and clothing comes from, the projects that she’s currently working on, as well as how her local art community has supported her and her business.

Presented by Harper’s Rare Books & Collectibles in Cookeville. New episodes every Sunday at 8am on Lite Rock 95.9.