Tennessee Today

• Is College Still Worth It? UTC's Chancellor on Debt, Safety, and Value | Episode 10

  Whether you're a UTC alum, a parent considering college options, or simply interested in where Tennessee higher education is headed, this conversation offers an honest look at the challenges and opportunities facing public universities today. Dr. Lori Bruce is just 90 days into her tenure as UTC’s Chancellor, and we discuss campus safety after a sophisticated swatting incident, the restructuring of student services under new state laws, and whether a four-year degree still delivers value in 2025. Key Takeaways - Why more than half of UTC students graduate with zero debt, and how that financial freedom shapes their career choices - What UTC's response to an AI-generated swatting incident revealed about campus security’s strengths and gaps - How student services are being restructured to ensure every student has access to the same support - Why UTC is building dual-admission programs with community colleges and pathways for working adults to complete their degrees About Dr. Lori Bruce Dr. Lori Mann Bruce became the 19th Chancellor of the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga on June 30, 2025. Before joining UTC, Dr. Bruce was provost and vice president for academic affairs at Tennessee Technological University, where she led all academic operations for more than 10,000 students. Under her leadership, Tennessee Tech achieved a perfect academic program quality score from the state—the first in over 40 years—and launched multiple new academic programs to meet workforce needs.  Prior to TTU, Dr. Bruce served at Mississippi State University in several roles, including associate vice president for academic affairs, dean of the graduate school, and distinguished professor of electrical and computer engineering. Dr. Bruce has deep roots in Tennessee, having grown up on a working farm in Lincoln County. She earned her bachelor’s and Ph.D. in electrical and computer engineering from the University of Alabama in Huntsville and a master’s degree in electrical engineering from Georgia Tech, along with additional graduate coursework in biomedical engineering. – Tennessee Today is your inside look at state government: what’s happening, why it matters, and how it affects you in your daily life. I break down key legislative topics, have important discussions with special guests, share my experiences in the Senate, and give you a firsthand perspective on how policies come to life. You’ll get the information you need straight from the source, so you can stay informed, engaged, and empowered! Share your questions for future episodes by emailing [email protected]!

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• Winning the Digital Battlegrounds of Campaigns | Episode 9

  If you’re serious about winning elections in Tennessee and beyond, you can’t afford to treat digital strategy as an afterthought. In this episode, Eric Wilson of Campaign Trend joins me to unpack the tech and tactics giving conservatives an edge at every level. From making the most of the “off season” to mastering digital battlegrounds, we talk about how technology should amplify (not replace!) the blocking and tackling of real campaigning. Key Takeaways: How campaigns can stretch limited resources with smarter tech Why relational organizing moves voters better than mass texts How to choose the right digital channels for your campaign What AI can (and can’t) do for campaign messaging About Eric Wilson Eric Wilson is a political technologist driving innovation and digital transformation. He’s a veteran of numerous campaigns, having led Marco Rubio’s digital team during his 2016 presidential campaign. Eric is Executive Director of the Center for Campaign Innovation, Editor of campaigntrend.com, and host of the Campaign Trend podcast. – Tennessee Today is your inside look at state government: what’s happening, why it matters, and how it affects you in your daily life. I break down key legislative topics, have important discussions with special guests, share my experiences in the Senate, and give you a firsthand perspective on how policies come to life. You’ll get the information you need straight from the source, so you can stay informed, engaged, and empowered! Share your questions for future episodes by emailing [email protected]!

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• Marsha Blackburn’s Vision for Tennessee’s Future | Episode 8

  Senator Marsha Blackburn has officially launched her campaign for governor of Tennessee. In this episode, we talk about what it will take to cement Tennessee’s conservative future for generations to come. We dig into President Trump’s America First agenda of sending power back to the states, the role of technology and energy in shaping Tennessee’s future, why rural healthcare and small nuclear reactors could be game-changers, and how she sees AI as both an opportunity for growth and a threat to personal privacy if left unchecked. Key Takeaways: Why returning power to the states is the foundation of Tennessee’s conservative future. How innovation in rural healthcare and small nuclear reactors can keep Tennessee at the forefront of energy and medical breakthroughs. The promise and peril of AI in Tennessee, and why building guardrails with the NO FAKES bill matters as new industries grow. Why she says her record and experience matter most, even as she acknowledges the milestone of potentially becoming Tennessee’s first woman governor. About Senator Marsha Blackburn: Marsha Blackburn entered public service in 1995 as executive director of the Tennessee Film, Entertainment and Music Commission, before winning election to the Tennessee State Senate in 1998. There, she led the grassroots campaign to defeat a proposed state income tax, earning her reputation as a champion for fiscal responsibility and government accountability. She went on to represent middle and west Tennessee in Congress, where she fought Planned Parenthood, defended Fort Campbell, and advanced pro-growth policies. In 2018, she became Tennessee’s first female U.S. senator, where she has continued fighting for President Trump’s America First agenda. Follow her campaign at MarshaBlackburn.com and on social media @VoteMarsha.   – Tennessee Today is your inside look at state government: what’s happening, why it matters, and how it affects you in your daily life. I break down key legislative topics, have important discussions with special guests, share my experiences in the Senate, and give you a firsthand perspective on how policies come to life. You’ll get the information you need straight from the source, so you can stay informed, engaged, and empowered! Share your questions for future episodes by emailing [email protected]!

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• Conservative Leadership & Legacy - A Conversation with Newt Gingrich | Episode 7

  Very few people have shaped modern conservatism like Newt Gingrich, and even fewer are still shaping it today. In our conversation, we explore the ideas behind his latest book, Trump’s Triumph, and how they connect to the larger conservative movement.  From the legacy of the Contract With America to the future of entrepreneurial government, we discuss what it takes to govern in today’s political climate, and why Gingrich believes leadership, innovation, and cultural engagement will define the next generation of conservative policy. Key Takeaways: How conservatism has evolved since the 1990s and where it might be headed next The difference between campaigning and governing (and why it matters now more than ever) Why Newt Gingrich believes “entrepreneurial government” is essential to America’s future The role of education, AI, and values in shaping the next generation of conservative leaders About the Guest: Newt Gingrich served as the 50th Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives from 1995 to 1999. His tenure fundamentally shaped Congress’s approach to balancing the budget, welfare reform, and strengthening national defense. In 2012, he was a Republican candidate for President of the United States. He’s written 44 books - including his latest, Trump’s Triumph, and he is a frequent commentator on national policy and global affairs as a Fox News contributor, as well as the podcast host of Newt’s World. If you’re interested in purchasing a copy of Trump’s Triumph or listening to Newt’s World, visit gingrich360.com – Tennessee Today is your inside look at state government: what’s happening, why it matters, and how it affects you in your daily life. I break down key legislative topics, have important discussions with special guests, share my experiences in the Senate, and give you a firsthand perspective on how policies come to life. You’ll get the information you need straight from the source, so you can stay informed, engaged, and empowered! Share your questions for future episodes by emailing [email protected]!

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• Federal and State: Working Together for Tennessee | Episode 6

  U.S. Congressman Chuck Fleischmann joins me to unpack how State and Federal governments don’t just work at different levels… they play by different rules.  We discuss how the federal budget process actually works, what it means for Tennesseans at the state and local levels, and clear up some of the most common misconceptions about how government really operates. Key Takeaways: The biggest structural differences between Congress and the Tennessee General Assembly Why most of the federal budget isn’t actually up for debate What committees, vetoes, and filibusters mean for real-world policy in Tennessee About the Guest: Congressman Fleishmann was elected in 2010 and is currently serving his eighth termin the U.S. House of Representatives. He represents Tennessee’s 3rd Congressional District, which includes Anderson, Bradley, Campbell, Hamilton, McMinn, Monroe, Morgan, Polk, Roane, and Scott counties. He serves on the Appropriations Committee and the Science, Space, and Technology Committee, as well as three subcommittees (Energy and Water Development, and Related Agencies; Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies; Defense). – Tennessee Today is your inside look at state government: what’s happening, why it matters, and how it affects you in your daily life. I break down key legislative topics, have important discussions with special guests, share my experiences in the Senate, and give you a firsthand perspective on how policies come to life. You’ll get the information you need straight from the source, so you can stay informed, engaged, and empowered! Share your questions for future episodes by emailing [email protected]!

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