Tennessee Matters
Tennessee Matters a half hour weekly Public Affairs program from the Tennessee Radio Network hosted by John Clark. The program features interviews about issues of importance and interest to Tennesseans such as politics, public services, history and economic development.
Episodes
March 17, 2024 • 30 mins
Did you know every organ donor can save up to eight lives and improve the lives of 75 more people through tissue donation? That's the message from Tennessee Donor Services whose mission is to save and improve lives through organ, eye and tissue donation. 2023 was a record-breaking year in the state for organ and tissue donations in Tennessee but the need remains great. Recently John Clark spoke with Jill Grandas, Executive Direct...
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February 16, 2024 • 30 mins
The Jason Foundation is dedicated to the prevention of the "silent epidemic" of youth suicide. Recent data shows Tennessee ranks among the top for child suicide rates nationwide and the issue was addressed in the State of the Child report from the TN Commission on Children & Youth. The Jason Foundation has programs and events to equip educators, young people, parents, and youth workers with the tools and resources they need to ...
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January 28, 2024 • 30 mins
The mission of the Tennessee Department of Health is to protect and improve the health and prosperity of the citizens of the state. Dr. Ralph Alvarado recently celebrated his first full year as commissioner of the health department and presides over challenging times including the continuing presence of Covid 19 among many other public health concerns. Dr. Alvarado spoke with John Clark about important current issues and initiati...
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October 20, 2023 • 28 mins
The TN Department of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (DIDD) is the state agency responsible for supporting Tennesseans with intellectual and developmental disabilities. This is done in several ways, including Medicaid waiver Home and Community Based Services (HCBS), state-operated ICF/IIDs, and the Family Support Program. DIDD administers services directly or through contracts with community providers. Recently John Cla...
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October 13, 2023 • 30 mins
Do you ever wonder where all of our tax money goes in Tennessee? It goes to Education, Health & Social Services, Public Safety, Transportation and back into local communities for important public services. The Tennessee Department of Revenue serves as the state’s primary tax collection agency, administering more than 25 different taxes and fees. In addition to tax collection and enforcement, the department is responsible for a...
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September 29, 2023 • 30 mins
The Tennessee Board of Regents manages the state university and community college system of Tennessee as well as the state's vocational technical schools. With 13 community colleges and 20 TCATs (Tenn College of Applied Technology) offering more than 400 programs of study, the goal is to create opportunities for all Tennesseans to attend college, regardless of age or income. Recently John Clark spoke with Rick Locker, Dir. of Commu...
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September 15, 2023 • 30 mins
The mission of the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency is to preserve, conserve, manage, protect, and enhance the fish and wildlife of the state. To promote the TWRA’s mission along with outdoor events & activities from hunting, fishing, boating, and just about anything outdoors, the agency produces a popular podcast called Tennessee WildCast. The podcast is hosted by the longtime voice of the TWRA Don King along with cohost J...
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September 8, 2023 • 30 mins
The TN Assoc. of Alcohol, Drug & other Addiction Services is a statewide association of alcohol and drug abuse treatment, prevention, and recovery service professionals and others who are interested in addiction issues. TAADAS keeps alcoholism, drug abuse, and other addiction issues including gambling in the forefront when public policy decisions are made and through the collective voice of its members. Recently John Clark tal...
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September 1, 2023 • 30 mins
The Tennessee Department of Human Services is thought of as a safety net by facilitating nutrition programs, childcare services, employment assistance, vocational training, and protective services for Tennesseans and families in need. It's the state’s second-largest agency with an operating budget of more than $3 billion and nearly 4,000 employees working in offices in all 95 counties and has been led by Commissioner Clarence Carte...
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July 21, 2023 • 30 mins
The Tennessee Higher Education Commission’s mission is to increase the number of Tennesseans with a post-secondary school education and the commission actively promotes the state’s programs to help make that happen including Tennessee Promise and Tennessee Reconnect. Dr. Robert Smith has been appointed Interim Executive Director of the commission and recently he spoke with Tennessee Matters host John Clark about the future of educ...
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July 14, 2023 • 30 mins
If you have a digging project in your yard, it’s always best to call 811 first. Tennessee 811 provides communication, education, and notification services to advocate for the prevention of damage to underground utilities. Breaking utility lines is dangerous and can be deadly, and one free call to 811 alerts the utilities to mark their underground lines near your dig site. Craig Ingram is Public Awareness Manager for Tennessee 811...
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June 24, 2023 • 30 mins
The Tennessee Commission on Aging and Disability was created to provide leadership relating to the challenges of aging on behalf of older persons in our state. The commission’s mission is to bring together and leverage programs, resources, and organizations to protect and ensure the quality of life and independence of older Tennesseans and adults with disabilities. Recently Tennessee Matters host John Clark spoke with James Dunn, ...
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June 20, 2023 • 28 mins
The largest employer in Tennessee is the state government with more than 43,000 employees and about 1,300 different job classifications. To recruit and retain the best and the brightest workforce possible, the state created the Learning & Leadership Development division to build high impact training programs for its employees including leadership development. Dr. Rena Hall is Human Resources Program Administrator for LLD and ...
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June 9, 2023 • 30 mins
The Tennessee Dept. of Safety and Homeland Security is always on alert, and for a good reason. The department has the primary responsibility and authority for directing statewide activities to prevent terrorism in Tennessee. The department is made up of Drivers Services, The TN Highway Patrol, The TN Highway Safety Office, as well as Homeland Security. Tennessee Matters host John Clark recently talked with Safety and Homeland Se...
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June 2, 2023 • 30 mins
Founded in 1854, the Tennessee Department of Agriculture is the oldest state agency in Tennessee. In its history, there have been few years as challenging for Tennessee farmers as 2022. Dr. Charlie Hatcher was sworn in as Tennessee's 38th Commissioner of Agriculture in January 2019 after serving as the State Veterinarian for a decade. Dr. Hatcher is a fifth generation Tennessee farmer and recently spoke with John Clark about his le...
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May 27, 2023 • 30 mins
Major General Jeff Holmes, Commissioner, TN Dept of the Military, discuses the Tennessee National Guard with host John Clark in this Tennessee Matters encore podcast. The Guard serves both community and country and their versatility enables them to respond to domestic emergencies, overseas combat missions, counterdrug efforts, reconstruction missions and more. Their goal is to always respond with speed, strength and efficiency, hel...
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May 5, 2023 • 30 mins
Being aware of your blood pressure can be very valuable to your health. May is High Blood Pressure Education Month, and there is no better time to learn about the importance of monitoring your blood pressure. Half of all Americans have high blood pressure, also known as hypertension. It develops when blood flows through your arteries at higher-than-normal pressures. Let's learn more from Dr. Larry Fine, Program Officer within the C...
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April 28, 2023 • 30 mins
The CDC says child abuse and neglect are serious public health problems with about one in seven children experiencing child abuse and neglect in the last year. In Tennessee, the Carl Perkins Center serves 20 counties by offering a variety of services aimed at preventing child abuse as well as helping children and families through it when it happens. Let's learn more from the Event and Fundraising Coordinator, Madelyn Stadinger.
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April 21, 2023 • 30 mins
The State of Tennessee promotes a pro-business environment and the work has paid off with big businesses expanding to the Volunteer State. In particular Tennessee has become a destination for electric vehicle production including a massive project planned by FORD in West Tennessee. The person in charge of cultivating business expansion in Tennessee, including for start ups and small businesses, is Stuart McWhorter, Commissioner ...
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April 14, 2023 • 30 mins
The State of Tennessee employs more than 40,000 workers statewide in hundreds of public service roles like park ranger, corrections officer, transportation planner, pharmacy assistant, and many, many more. Recognizing the value of a diverse workforce (including the disabled), the Tennessee Department of Human Resources has leaders like Administrator Sundi Wright and Program Director Tanika Arms assigned to manage its diversity pro...
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