Did you know that amongst over 40 million Americans, there is a combined student loan debt of over $1.6 Trillion. Over the years, there have been countless programs to help alleviate the ever increasing cost of college education. Today Shelli King, from The TN Department of Treasury, will be calling in to speak with Darius Williams about their new TN Stars College Savings 529 Program.

Did you know that amongst over 40 million Americans, there is a combined student loan debt of over $1.6 Trillion. Over the years, there have been countless programs to help alleviate the ever increasing cost of college education. Today Shelli King, from The TN Department of Treasury, will be calling in to speak with Darius Williams about their new TN Stars College Savings 529 Program.

East Tennessee Now is a community oriented public affairs program designed to address local problems and issues and explore possible or existing solutions. The program features community leaders, representatives of area non-profits, healthcare professionals and other experts in their respective fields.

East Tennessee Now

Tennessee Stars Program

Frank Murphy interviews Kristy Altman, Vice President of Communications and Public Relations of MEDIC Regional Blood Center. MEDIC is the provider of blood and blood-related products for 25 hospitals in 23 counties in East Tennessee and Southeastern Kentucky and regional air transport services.

January is National Blood Donor Month. This month, donors can receive a Feelin' Frosty t-shirt. During Roll Up Your Sleeve Week, donors can receive a sweatshirt and a raffle entry for other prizes. Upcoming incentives include hoodies and orange t-shirts. 

Starting January 1, 2026, platelet donors will receive a $50 e-gift card following their donation. The IRS raised the limit for rewards from $600 to $2000 for 2026. With this change, donors should not reach the limit. Therefore will not need to have a 1099 issued.

Learn more or make an appointment to donate at https://medicblood.org/

Frank Murphy interviews Kristy Altman, Vice President of Communications and Public Relations of MEDIC Regional Blood Center. MEDIC is the provider of blood and blood-related products for 25 hospitals in 23 counties in East Tennessee and Southeastern Kentucky and regional air transport services.
January is National Blood Donor Month. This month, donors can receive a Feelin' Frosty t-shirt. During Roll Up Your Sleeve Week, donors can receive a sweatshirt and a raffle entry for other prizes. Upcoming incentives include hoodies and orange t-shirts.&nbsp;
Starting January 1, 2026, platelet donors will receive a $50 e-gift card following their donation. The IRS raised the limit for rewards from $600 to $2000 for 2026. With this change, donors should not reach the limit. Therefore will not need to have a 1099 issued.
Learn more or make an appointment to donate at https://medicblood.org/

MEDIC Regional Blood Center

Frank Murphy interviews Kelly Orrico, Co-Founder and President of the Widowed Parent Relief Project. Kelly and her husband C.J. were inspired to start the WPRP after Kelly survived a massive stroke at age 39. A series of unlikely events led to her being found by a stranger and being brought to the only hospital in her area that had the technology to perform life-saving surgery she needed. 

Widowed Parent Relief Project's mission is to help build an enduring support system and alleviate everyday stressors for widowed parents so they can spend more time on their family's mental health and healing. A WPRP “Family Friend” volunteer walks alongside the parent for one year, staying apprised of current needs and advocating for the family in the community. During that year, WPRP also provides paid services, which include regular cleaning services, home organizing, and self-care/babysitting stipends. Learn more at https://www.wprp.org/

Frank Murphy interviews Kelly Orrico, Co-Founder and President of the Widowed Parent Relief Project. Kelly and her husband C.J. were inspired to start the WPRP after Kelly survived a massive stroke at age 39. A series of unlikely events led to her being found by a stranger and being brought to the only hospital in her area that had the technology to perform life-saving surgery she needed.&nbsp;
Widowed Parent Relief Project's mission is to help build an enduring support system and alleviate everyday stressors for widowed parents so they can spend more time on their family's mental health and healing. A WPRP &ldquo;Family Friend&rdquo; volunteer walks alongside the parent for one year, staying apprised of current needs and advocating for the family in the community. During that year, WPRP also provides paid services, which include regular cleaning services, home organizing, and self-care/babysitting stipends. Learn more at https://www.wprp.org/

Widowed Parent Relief Project

Frank Murphy interviews Mike Witcher, owner and chief meteorologist of eastTNweather. Mike became well known as the morning meteorologist on WBIR-TV from 2005 to 2014 and again from 2017 to 2023. He decided to leave television and become an entrepreneur by starting his own digital forecast service. His ad-supported business provides weather information free of charge via multiple social media platforms and via his own eastTNweather app and website.

Learn more at https://easttnweather.com

Frank Murphy interviews Mike Witcher, owner and chief meteorologist of eastTNweather. Mike became well known as the morning meteorologist on WBIR-TV from 2005 to 2014 and again from 2017 to 2023. He decided to leave television and become an entrepreneur by starting his own digital forecast service. His ad-supported business provides weather information free of charge via multiple social media platforms and via his own eastTNweather app and website.
Learn more at https://easttnweather.com

Tennessee Stars Program

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