How a Former Railway is Helping Ecotourism in Rural Tennessee

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Executive Director of the Mountain Goat Trail Alliance Patrick Dean discusses the amazing success of this multi-use former rail bed.  Currently stretching across the Cumberland plateau from Sewanee to Tracy City, it is a perfect example of ecotourism. It conserves the natural environment also has improved the welfare of local people.

FULL PODCAST available on Apple Podcasts here, and wherever else you like to listen here.

Williamson County Votes to Remove Confederate Flag

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The Williamson County Commission voted to REMOVE the Confederate flag from their county seal by supporting the task force’s recommendation in a 16 YES, 7 NO vote. The next and final step will be whether or not the Historical Commission approves the change.

“It’s disheartening to think that we would even contemplate saving a symbol that is a universal symbol of hate.” – Commissioner Keith Hudson speaking in favor of removing the Confederate flag from the county seal. Hudson is the only Black member of the Commission.

Some were not so keen on the idea of removal. Commissioner Bert Chalfant of District 7 made a fool out of himself by cursing on a hot mic during the vote.

Full Vote Breakdown:
 

Governor Lee Plays Dumb

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“I haven’t read that report.” ?‬ ‪Gov. Bill Lee plays dumb about Trump’s admission that he intentionally “downplayed” a virus that has killed 190,000 Americans, including ~2000 Tennesseans. ‬

Rural Democrats with Anne Ferrell Quillen

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Anne Ferrell Quillen is the President of the recently formed and awesome TNDP rural caucus.  Although rural areas are represented by elected officials, they don’t seem to have us in mind when they vote with the GOP supermajority. Expanding Medicaid for rural hospitals, funding for public schools and infrastructure, and developing economic opportunities for our businesses, communities and way of life are all essential issues for rural Tennessee. We do make up 93% of the state. Let’s elect some homegrown candidates to make some change.

FULL PODCAST available on Apple Podcasts here, and wherever else you like to listen here.

Officer Briggs RIPS MASK off Man Recording Cops

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Officer Briggs, a Tennessee State Trooper, harasses Andrew Golden who had stopped to film other officers making an arrest. Briggs approaches Golden, hand on his gun, and proceeds to intimidate Golden, eventually ripping Golden’s mask off his face.

Briggs has a history of harassing protesters.

Original video

UPDATE:  BRIGGS HAS BEEN FIRED. Relevant article.

Schools Reopening during COVID19 with Civil Miller-Watkins

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Civil Miller-Watkins is running for State Senate District 26  and joins host Sandra Rice to discuss TN’s plan for students to return to school amid a pandemic. She is a mother of 8, a current school board member, and is very familiar with homeschooling and virtual learning. The lack of state plans for managing COVID19 and school reopening as well as a lack of broadband in all rural areas makes learning more difficult in Tennessee.

FULL PODCAST available on Apple Podcasts here, and wherever else you like to listen here.

Bill Lee’s COVID19 Response Failure

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Our Governor’s weak, feckless response to COVID19 is costing lives. He can’t name a single expert that supports his decision to reopen schools. They don’t have the testing ability to follow CDC guidelines, yet Lee says they are “safely” reopening schools (“to the degree that it’s possible”). His administration has dragged its feet with regard to transparency throughout this crisis, and lab turnaround times are still severely lagging, putting more lives at risk.

And yet the special session called for the week of August 10th will be focusing on weakening worker protections within the context of COVID19 and further criminalizing the protesters who have been occupying the plaza outside the State Capitol. They will also be strategizing ways to expand telehealth, which is the one positive aspect of the upcoming special session.

Watch the videos below to see just where our Governor’s priorities lie:

MONDAYS WITH MUNDAY – Gloria Johnson and London Lamar

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State Representatives London Lamar and Gloria Johnson join hosts Wade Munday and Justin Kanew for a discussion on the decision to reopen schools amidst a worsening pandemic, the passing of the great John Lewis, and more.

FULL PODCAST available on Apple Podcasts, and wherever else you like to listen.

FLOODS OF JUSTICE PODCAST

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A new episode of FLOODS OF JUSTICE with Reverend Kevin Riggs and Co-Host Kevin Sage on The Tennessee Holler Podcast Network is LIVE!

Riggs and Sage discuss the symbols of the Confederacy that still haunt our community, police brutality, and our local government’s choice to reopen schools during COVID19.

FULL PODCAST available on Apple Podcasts, and wherever else you like to listen.

STANDING TALL PODCAST – Behind the Ballot Box

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A new episode of  STANDING TALL with Tennessee State Representative Gloria Johnson on The Tennessee Holler Podcast Network is LIVE!

In this episode, Representative Johnson chats with Knoxville County Election Commissioner Tammy Kaousias about the ins and outs of the voting process and how to vote with confidence in the upcoming elections.

FULL PODCAST available on Apple Podcasts, and wherever else you like to listen.