Podcast appearances and mentions of Sam Brooks

Hear from panelists Rod Davies, Jessica Boock, Morgan Lewis, Shannon Courson, Tom Hawkins, Nancy Mowen, Amy Rogers, Ed Fletcher, Jeannie Weber, Stephanie Hilten, Carol McCrery, Robin Henry, Sam Brooks, Susan Van Kirk, Chris Gavin, and moderated by Senator Mike Halpin and WRAM's Vanessa Wetterling.

Consumer Voice's Public Policy Director, Sam Brooks, talks with Dr. Norma Coe, a professor of Medical Ethics and Health Policy at Perleman School of Medicine, whose research on the minimum staffing rule in nursing homes found that the rule would save 13,000 resident lives annually. Sam and Dr. Coe will discuss the rule, its impact on residents, and the current barriers to its implementation. Guest: Dr. Norma Coe, Professor of Medical Ethics and Health Policy at Perleman School of Medicine

Currently, the reconciliation process is underway in Congress. At stake are hundreds of billions of dollars in cuts to Medicaid, which would permanently alter the Medicaid program and have long-lasting and devastating impacts on tens of millions of Americans nationwide. In this episode, Consumer Voice's Public Policy Director, Sam Brooks, will discuss the reconciliation process with Nicole Jorwic and Gelila Selassie and what it will mean for Medicaid recipients, including nursing home residents and other consumers of long-term care supports and services. Additionally, this episode includes a call to action and lays out what you can do to help stop these catastrophic cuts to this essential healthcare program.

Sam Brooks talks with Greg Bibb about his life story, siblings, work history, playing ball, and coaching! Hear everything you need to know about what it takes to coach high school basketball, through the perspective of Greg Bibb. Listen to the latest Local Matters Podcast today. News Talk 94.1 · Presented By Office Mart

Sam Brooks talks with Upperman Baseball Head Coach Wes Shanks. They discuss what it was like growing up in Baxter for him, what it means to him to be a part of Upperman's athletic program and its traditions as an alumnus of the school, as well as how important the community in Baxter is for Upperman Athletics. Listen to the latest Local Matters Podcast today. News Talk 94.1 · Presented By Office Mart

Sam Brooks talks with former Tennessee Tech University Golden Eagle Football all-star Thomas Squires. They discuss his background and upbringing in eastern North Carolina, advice for young student athletes, especially those who might be getting key playing time early in high school, as well as the coaching staff at TTU while he was there, and what he remembers most about them. Listen to the latest Local Matters Podcast today. News Talk 94.1 · Presented By Office Mart

In April 2024, a new federal rule requiring minimum staffing levels in nursing homes was released. This rule is an important step toward improving quality conditions in nursing homes and ensuring that residents receive the care they need. Listen in on a discussion between Consumer Voice's Lori Smetanka and Sam Brooks, who talk about the importance of the rule, what it says, and how we can start thinking about using it in advocating for quality care.

This Day in Legal History: Free Exercise Clause Applies to StatesOn this day, May 20, in 1940, the United States Supreme Court made a landmark decision in the case of Cantwell v. Connecticut, significantly shaping the landscape of religious freedom in America. The Court held that the Free Exercise Clause of the First Amendment, which guarantees individuals the right to practice their religion freely, applied to state governments. This decision was pivotal as it extended the protections of the Bill of Rights to state actions, not just federal, through the incorporation doctrine.The incorporation doctrine is a constitutional principle that ensures the fundamental rights and freedoms outlined in the Bill of Rights are protected against infringement by state governments. This doctrine relies on the Due Process Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment, which has been interpreted to incorporate most of the protections guaranteed in the Bill of Rights. The Cantwell case was a critical moment in the application of this doctrine, marking the first time the Supreme Court applied the Free Exercise Clause to the states.In Cantwell v. Connecticut, the case involved Jehovah's Witnesses who were arrested for soliciting without a permit and for inciting a breach of the peace. The Supreme Court ruled in favor of the Cantwells, stating that their arrests violated their First Amendment rights. This decision underscored the importance of protecting religious expression from state interference and set a precedent for future cases involving the incorporation of other Bill of Rights protections.This ruling reinforced the principle that religious freedom is a fundamental right that must be respected by all levels of government, ensuring that individuals could practice their faith without undue state interference. It paved the way for broader interpretations of the First Amendment and fortified the legal framework that guards against religious discrimination and promotes religious liberty in the United States.Donald Trump, currently on trial in New York for falsifying business records, may testify in his defense this week, although his decision remains uncertain. While Trump initially indicated he would testify, his lawyer Todd Blanche has since expressed uncertainty. Trump faces 34 counts related to hush money payments to Stormy Daniels, aimed at silencing her allegations of an affair before the 2016 election, which Trump denies. Outside the courtroom, Trump has labeled the trial a politically motivated effort to undermine his 2024 presidential campaign. Inside, he has listened to testimony, including lurid details from Daniels and accounts of efforts to suppress negative stories. Prosecutors are expected to conclude their case after testimony from Michael Cohen, Trump's former fixer who made the payment to Daniels.Trump's legal team will soon present their defense, potentially calling witnesses, including Trump himself. If Trump chooses to testify, he could challenge the allegations directly but would also face rigorous cross-examination, posing risks of perjury and damaging his credibility. The outcome of this trial, one of four criminal cases Trump faces, could impact his political future.Trump has the chance to testify at hush money trial - if he so chooses | ReutersColorado is set to become the first U.S. state to enact a comprehensive law regulating the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in employment and other critical areas with Senate Bill 24-205 (SB205). Passed on May 8 and awaiting Governor Jared Polis' signature, the law aims to prevent algorithmic discrimination and will take effect in 2026. It targets high-risk AI systems influencing decisions in employment, education, finance, government services, healthcare, housing, insurance, and legal services.SB205 imposes significant compliance obligations on both developers and users of high-risk AI systems. Developers must provide detailed information about their AI systems, publish risk management strategies, and disclose known discrimination risks to the attorney general. Deployers are required to implement risk management policies, conduct annual impact assessments, and notify consumers about the use of AI systems in decision-making.The law also mandates that businesses inform consumers about the purpose and nature of AI systems, their influence on decisions, and the right to opt out of profiling. The Colorado attorney general will enforce the law, treating violations as unfair and deceptive trade practices, though there is no private right of action. Businesses can defend themselves by showing they discovered and corrected violations through feedback or internal reviews.This groundbreaking legislation is expected to influence broader AI regulation across the U.S., as other states consider similar measures, prompting employers nationwide to prepare for stricter AI compliance requirements.Colorado Passes Groundbreaking AI Discrimination Law Impacting EmployersThe U.S. Supreme Court upheld the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau's (CFPB) funding mechanism, which allows it to draw funds from the Federal Reserve rather than through annual congressional appropriations. This 7-2 decision, issued on May 16, has broader implications for other financial regulators such as the Federal Reserve, Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. (FDIC), and the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC), which also rely on independent funding mechanisms. Justice Elena Kagan, in a concurring opinion joined by Justices Sonia Sotomayor, Amy Coney Barrett, and Brett Kavanaugh, emphasized that Congress has historically used various funding mechanisms for federal agencies, underscoring the constitutionality of such arrangements. This decision signals to potential litigants that challenges against the funding of financial regulators are unlikely to succeed.The ruling reassures that the established funding methods for these agencies, which include assessing fees on the banks they supervise, are constitutionally sound. The decision also highlighted that the independent funding of U.S. regulatory agencies has long been accepted due to its prevalence and practical necessity.Dissenting Justices Samuel Alito and Neil Gorsuch, while disagreeing with the majority on the CFPB, did not find the funding methods of other regulators constitutionally problematic. They pointed out that the Federal Reserve, FDIC, and OCC operate on specific charges for services, contrasting with the CFPB's unique funding ability.Legal experts see this ruling as a robust defense of the current financial regulatory framework, suggesting that any future claims against the funding structures of these agencies will likely face significant hurdles. The case referenced is CFPB v. Community Financial Services Association of America, U.S., No. 22-448.Banking Regulators See Relief From Funding Fights in CFPB RulingStates poised to receive portions of $7 billion for bringing solar power to low-income communities face a significant skilled labor shortage in the construction industry. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has selected 60 applicants, including many state energy departments, to implement the Solar for All program, aimed at providing residential solar to disadvantaged populations as part of the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund.The program faces a shortage of 500,000 skilled construction workers, exacerbated by early retirements and recruitment challenges, according to Ben Brubeck of the Associated Builders and Contractors. The Department of Energy's 2023 US Energy and Employment Report noted that 97% of construction employers find it difficult to hire qualified solar workers.The Solar for All funding encourages project labor agreements, which may deter non-union contractors. Currently, only about 11% of solar energy workers are unionized. This shortage raises concerns about maintaining high-quality and safe infrastructure.Labor union representatives argue that the issue is more about wages than worker availability. Higher wages, as mandated by the program, might attract more skilled workers. However, the absence of solar-specific apprenticeship programs, unlike those in other construction sectors, contributes to the labor gap.States like Michigan, Colorado, Washington, and New York are planning to address these workforce challenges during their planning periods. Michigan is considering partnerships with community colleges and labor organizations to meet the expected demand surge. Colorado aims to balance labor distribution between rural and urban areas, while Washington plans to require an apprentice for each solar installation project. New York will leverage federal funding to enhance its existing clean energy jobs and workforce development programs. The EPA emphasizes that workforce development is crucial for the success of Solar for All, with many applications proposing partnerships to build a robust clean energy workforce.States Set for Solar Cash Infusion Aim to Build Worker PipelineNew federal staffing requirements for nursing homes, introduced by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) in April, aim to enhance care quality but face significant hurdles due to waivers and exemptions. These regulations, set to take full effect in 2026, mandate specific staffing levels for registered nurses (RNs) and nurse aides. However, federal laws and the Social Security Act allow states and the Health and Human Services (HHS) secretary to grant waivers, potentially delaying compliance for many facilities.Thousands of nursing homes may qualify for exemptions from these staffing requirements, which worries advocates like Sam Brooks from the Consumer Voice for Quality Long-Term Care. These exemptions could disproportionately benefit poorly performing homes, undermining the rule's intent. Enforcement is further complicated by a shortage of state nursing home inspectors, affecting timely compliance verification.The rule stipulates that facilities must provide 3.48 hours of care per resident per day (HPRD), with specific hours allocated to RNs and nurse aides. Significant staffing gaps exist, with an estimated need for 12,000 RNs and 77,000 nurse aides to meet the new standards. Facilities in nonrural areas have three years to comply, while rural ones have five.Exemptions are not guaranteed; facilities must document efforts to hire staff and meet transparency requirements. Critics argue the exemption process is cumbersome and may lead to facility downsizing or closures, limiting seniors' access to care. CMS aims to encourage compliance through these transparency and documentation mandates, but industry representatives are concerned about the feasibility and impact of these rules. The ongoing labor shortage in the nursing home sector and the high cost of compliance, estimated at $43 billion over 10 years, present additional challenges to the successful implementation of these staffing requirements.Nursing Home Watchers Wary of Staffing Rule Waivers, Exemptions Get full access to Minimum Competence - Daily Legal News Podcast at www.minimumcomp.com/subscribe

Sam Brooks sits down with former Cookeville Cavaliers football players Mason Taylor and Jourdyn Burruss. They talk about their takeaways and what they have learned over the last four years, what's going on at CHS and how they feel about the upcoming future, & both Jourdyn and Mason give updates on their futures with football at the next level.  Listen to the latest Local Matters Podcast… Presented by Office Mart Visit them at 215 S Jefferson Ave in Cookeville to see what they can do for your office News Talk 94.1 · Presented By Office Mart

Sam Brooks talks to Blaine Espinosa, a former quarterback at CHS and football player at Lindsey Wilson College. They look at what he noticed most with football when going from middle school to high school, which offense he likes the best between the pro style and the spread, & how important his relationship was with Watson Brown being able to take from his experiences at all different levels of football. Listen to the latest Local Matters Podcast… Presented by Office Mart Visit them at 215 S Jefferson Ave in Cookeville to see what they can do for your office News Talk 94.1 · Presented By Office Mart

Sam Brooks talks with Bobby Wilder, the new head football coach for the Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles. Bobby talks about how fast time has moved since he arrived in December, how running a spread offense allows you to throw multiple looks at the defense in one play, and highlighting the coaching staff that he has put together including some coaches from last year. Listen to the latest Local Matters Podcast… Presented by Office Mart Visit them at 215 S Jefferson Ave in Cookeville to see what they can do for your office News Talk 94.1 · Presented By Office Mart

Sam Brooks meets with Workout Anytime co-owner EJ Williams, gym personal trainer Luke McBroom, and gym member Robert Haney. Robert talks about what his urge was to getting into the gym, that people should not feel intimidated before coming into the gym for the first time, & some trends that all three are seeing from people coming off the street. Listen to the latest Local Matters Podcast… Presented by Office Mart Visit them at 215 S Jefferson Ave in Cookeville to see what they can do for your office News Talk 94.1 · Presented By Office Mart

Camp A Low Hum jealousy is rife this morning- but Rachel and Stella are very happy for all those there. Grace from Rebel Yell chats about their show with Power Nap and Marcus Whale this Wednesday. Lochie Noble from Mirror Ritual speaks to Rachel about Cross Street Music Festival on Saturday 9 March. Jenna dials in from Camp A Low Hum to review the reprint of Lord Jim At Home on Loose Reads. Sam Brooks (writer and actor) and Sean Rivera (actor) are in the studio talking about their play, The Perfect Image, on as part of Auckland Pride. Whakarongo mai nei!

Sam Brooks talks with Prescott South Middle School Girls' Basketball Coaches Rachel & Justin Vann, and 8th grade team members Sadie Garrett & Lauren Gillies. They discuss how both players having sisters on the 2022 state championship team prepare the girls for this state championship run, Lauren talks about how it works going from playing for one coach to having a coach at home with her mom Jamie Gillies, and what separates this year's team from the state championship team two years ago. Listen to the latest Local Matters Podcast… Presented by Office Mart Visit them at 215 S Jefferson Ave in Cookeville to see what they can do for your office News Talk 94.1 · Presented By Office Mart

Sam Brooks visits with Jerry Pugh and EJ Williams, owners of Workout Anytime, continuing the discussion on fitness. Jerry and EJ discuss their resolutions in the new year, discussing some of the trends the gym has with different recovery methods, and how the gym got started and rapidly became something they both wanted to do. Listen to the latest Local Matters Podcast… Presented by Office Mart Visit them at 215 S Jefferson Ave in Cookeville to see what they can do for your office News Talk 94.1 · Presented By Office Mart

Sam Brooks talks with Workout Anytime Gym co-owner Jerry Pugh. Jerry talks about the growth of the gyms with 20 locations spread across six states, what attracted Jerry to working in EMS, and everything a person can expect when they walk in the gym for the first time. Listen to the latest Local Matters Podcast… Presented by Office Mart Visit them at 215 S Jefferson Ave in Cookeville to see what they can do for your office News Talk 94.1 · Presented By Office Mart

Sam Brooks is joined by Peyton West, a former member of the boys' basketball team at Monterey High School. They begin with discussing the 2020 season when playing at Vol State , the experience going from middle school basketball to high school basketball as a freshman, and how it was different playing without his brother during his junior year.  Listen to the latest Local Matters Podcast… Presented by Office Mart Visit them at 215 S Jefferson Ave in Cookeville to see what they can do for your office News Talk 94.1 · Presented By Office Mart

Sam Brooks meets with Jake New, former member for the Tennessee Tech baseball team and pro baseball player. They talk about what Jake's experience was like in the recruitment process to come to Tennessee Tech, how good the players are at that level of rookie league baseball, possible new legislation in the world of Name, Image, & Likeness that every college athlete at every level is compensated. Listen to the latest Local Matters Podcast… Presented by Office Mart Visit them at 215 S Jefferson Ave in Cookeville to see what they can do for your office News Talk 94.1 · Presented By Office Mart

Sam Brooks sits down with Rachael Lynn, a junior on the volleyball team at Jackson County High School. They discuss all that it takes for Rachael's parents to support her to play the sport she loves, and different things she has seen with Coach Lucas Martin in his first year. Listen to the latest Local Matters Podcast… Presented by Office Mart Visit them at 215 S Jefferson Ave in Cookeville to see what they can do for your office News Talk 94.1 · Presented By Office Mart

Sam Brooks meets with Mason Taylor, a senior on the Cookeville Cavaliers football team. They discuss what about football interested him when he was growing up, how important the personal growth for him and growth of the program was in 2022, breaking down the 2023 season and a second round trip to the playoffs.  Listen to the latest Local Matters Podcast… Presented by Office Mart. Visit them at 215 S Jefferson Ave in Cookeville to see what they can do for your office News Talk 94.1 · Presented By Office Mart

On today's Local Matters...Sam Brooks is joined by Dustin Baxter, a former basketball player at Upperman High School. Dustin talks about what he would say to upcoming athletes on playing multiple sports, how important AAU was to him in with getting to play against different players outside of the Upper Cumberland, & the biggest difference in playing high school basketball to college basketball. Listen to the latest Local Matters Podcast… Presented by Office Mart. Visit them at 215 S Jefferson Ave in Cookeville to see what they can do for your office News Talk 94.1 · Presented By Office Mart

Sam Brooks sits down with Matt Bragga, the Head Baseball Coach at Tennessee Tech University. Matt talks about growing up in northeast Ohio, how he executes his faith without pushing it upon current and future players, and the process of being recruited and finding his path to playing college baseball. Listen to the latest Local Matters Podcast… Presented by Office Mart. Visit them at 215 S Jefferson Ave in Cookeville to see what they can do for your office News Talk 94.1 · Presented By Office Mart

Sam Brooks is joined by Girls' Track and Field Coach at Upperman High School Bruce Heady. They talk about a story about one of Coach Heady's former players from his time at Hillsboro, who made the difference in Bruce's life that led him down the path of coaching, and how his experience as a student helper at Tennessee Tech in college opened career doors elsewhere. Listen to the latest Local Matters Podcast… Presented by Office Mart. Visit them at 215 S Jefferson Ave in Cookeville to see what they can do for your office News Talk 94.1 · Presented By Office Mart

Sam Brooks sits down with member of the Upperman Girls' Track & Volleyball teams Meiah Moss and Girls' Track Coach Bruce Heady. Meiah discusses the turning point in Upperman's volleyball season, leading up to a pentathlon meet the week before competing in a state championship, & how she handles both volleyball and track essentially year round.  Listen to the latest Local Matters Podcast… Presented by Office Mart. News Talk 94.1 · Presented By Office Mart

Sam Brooks talks with Upperman Volleyball Coach Barbie Cook and her three seniors Kaitlyn Foster, Lila Cade, and Kailyn Stevens. They talk about the expectations the three players had going into the season, what some of the top shelf names in Tennessee high school volleyball brought to Coach Cook and the team, & how the team came up with the "eyes up" mantra and the meaning. Listen to the latest Local Matters Podcast… Presented by Office Mart. Visit them at 215 S Jefferson Ave in Cookeville to see what they can do for your office News Talk 94.1 · Presented By Office Mart

Sam Brooks visits with Sam Williamson, the defensive line and associate head coach for the TTU Golden Eagles football team. They touch on life growing up in Greeneville, Alabama and very tight knit community, when he saw he had more of a future playing football, and his experiences going from high school to playing Division I football. Listen to the latest Local Matters Podcast… Presented by Office Mart. Visit them at 215 S Jefferson Ave in Cookeville to see what they can do for your office News Talk 94.1 · Presented By Office Mart

Sam Brooks visits with Matt Manzaro & Lee Maxwell, golf pros for the Cookeville City team that took part in the Cookeville Cup. They discuss Lee and Max discuss their memories of playing in their first Reels Cup, how huge of a lead four points is with teammate Paul Ballard going 4-0, and what the weekend's schedule looked like beginning on Friday.  Listen to the latest Local Matters Podcast… Presented by Office Mart. Visit them at 215 S Jefferson Ave in Cookeville to see what they can do for your office News Talk 94.1 · Presented By Office Mart

Sam Brooks meets with JB Rittenberry, a golf pro in the Upper Cumberland for part two after last week's part one. They pick up with more on JB's partnership with Fly on the golf course, how equipment has evolved and different brands have come along to get more interested in the game, what the average person doesn't know about how hard it is to breakthrough in the sport.  Listen to the latest Local Matters Podcast… Presented by Office Mart. Visit them at 215 S Jefferson Ave in Cookeville to see what they can do for your office News Talk 94.1 · Presented By Office Mart

Sam Brooks talks with UC Golf Pro JB Rittenberry in part one of a two part conversation. They discuss how JB got his taste for golf as a caddy, growing up in Cookeville and starting the first golf team at the high school, and the next step after high school with a golf scholarship to Tennessee Tech in play. Listen to the latest Local Matters Podcast… Presented by Office Mart. Visit them at 215 S Jefferson Ave in Cookeville to see what they can do for your office News Talk 94.1 · Presented By Office Mart

Sam Brooks meets with Head Football Coach at Cookeville High School Taylor Hennigan. They talk about the importance of going through first year experiences while building a good foundation, the thought process of running plays versus signaling them in, and the evolution of the spread offense with defenses trying to defend better. Listen to the latest Local Matters Podcast… Presented by Office Mart. Visit them at 215 S Jefferson Ave in Cookeville to see what they can do for your office News Talk 94.1 · Presented By Office Mart

Sam Brooks talks with Kristie Phillips, Assistant Athletic Director of Giving at Tennessee Tech. They talk about moving from a small town like Cookeville to a big city like Dallas, some of the things Ottis was able to do with Tennessee Tech and the facilities there, and how Ottis influenced the reunion weekend the football program does every summer. Listen to the latest Local Matters Podcast… Presented by Office Mart. Visit them at 215 S Jefferson Ave in Cookeville to see what they can do for your office News Talk 94.1 · Presented By Office Mart

Sam Brooks sits down with Melanie Bussell, a current employee with Putnam County Schools and a former Cookeville Lady Cavalier. Melanie covers her family and growing up in Cookeville, any advice she'd tell student athletes and parents on academics, and her thoughts on the word failure.  Listen to the latest Local Matters Podcast… Presented by Office Mart. Visit them at 215 S Jefferson Ave in Cookeville to see what they can do for your office News Talk 94.1 · Presented By Office Mart

Sam Brooks is joined by Mike McCloud, owner of MMA Creative for a part two on academics and athletics. The two talk about building MMA Creative into what it is today and also being interested in world food shows, what advice Mike would give to a high school athlete that's looking at the big world, and what the rules of the game when he joined the World Food Championships. Listen to the latest Local Matters Podcast… Presented by Office Mart. Visit them at 215 S Jefferson Ave in Cookeville to see what they can do for your office News Talk 94.1 · Presented By Office Mart

Sam Brooks visits with Mike McCloud, former athlete at Monterey High School and owner of MMA Creative. They talk about Mike growing up in Monterey and how he remembers the town from when he was in high school, expecting children to be successful while not letting them experience failure, and teachers that were influential and made a difference on Mike in school. Listen to the latest Local Matters Podcast… Presented by Office Mart. Visit them at 215 S Jefferson Ave in Cookeville to see what they can do for your office News Talk 94.1 · Presented By Office Mart

Sam Brooks talks with John Pelphrey, the head coach of Tennessee Tech Men's Basketball team. They look at the playoff system for high school basketball in Kentucky wit hall schools playing for one championship,  being a small fish in a big pond and figuring how he could contribute when playing at the University of Kentucky, and John on how he talks to his players on the topic of character. Listen to the latest Local Matters Podcast… Presented by Office Mart. Visit them at 215 S Jefferson Ave in Cookeville to see what they can do for your office News Talk 94.1 · Presented By Office Mart

Sam Brooks meets with Devin Squires, a junior on the Tennessee Tech football team. They talk about the excitement the team is feeling with a new season underway, what Tech has to do this year to get where they want to be as a program, and breaking down this year's schedule that features a lot of teams that had a good 2022 season. Listen to the latest Local Matters Podcast… Presented by Office Mart. Visit them at 215 S Jefferson Ave in Cookeville to see what they can do for your office News Talk 94.1 · Presented By Office Mart

On today's Local Matters...Sam Brooks visits with Dewayne Alexander, the Head Football Coach for the Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles. The two discuss recapping the golf tournament and alumni weekend that was in July, highlighting some of the new coaching staff additions in 2023, and how well Tech did in the transfer portal. Listen to the latest Local Matters Podcast… Presented by Office Mart. Visit them at 215 S Jefferson Ave in Cookeville to see what they can do for your office News Talk 94.1 · Presented By Office Mart

Sam Brooks sits down with TTU Men's Basketball Coach John Pelphrey. They talk about how coaching has been a huge part of his family following in his dad's footsteps, John looks back on being a younger athlete playing with older kids in the developmental stage as a kid, and turning his office in to a "No Phone Zone" when he's trying to communicate and teach his players. Listen to the latest Local Matters Podcast… Presented by Office Mart. Visit them at 215 S Jefferson Ave in Cookeville to see what they can do for your office News Talk 94.1 · Presented By Office Mart

Sam Brooks meets with Kevin Bray, the former boys' basketball coach at Cookeville High School and assistant coach on the men's basketball team at Tennessee Tech.  Kevin talks about what athletics provide for student athletes, remembering some of the great players Kevin coached at the high school level, and sharing some regrets he has and advice on his experiences in coaching. Listen to the latest Local Matters Podcast… Presented by Office Mart. Visit them at 215 S Jefferson Ave in Cookeville to see what they can do for your office News Talk 94.1 · Presented By Office Mart

Sam Brooks visits with Dr. Michael Torrence, President of Motlow State Community College. They discuss how being the President of Motlow State along with both kids being student athletes work together, aviation opportunities that have come up with the school's partnership with MTSU, the difference between today's athlete than when Michael played. Listen to the latest Local Matters Podcast… Presented by Office Mart. Visit them at 215 S Jefferson Ave in Cookeville to see what they can do for your office News Talk 94.1 · Presented By Office Mart

Sam Brooks visits with Mark Hutchins, the President of the Motlow College Foundation. Mark talks about his background growing up in Arkansas, how he was attracted to the business side of things in college, and what he shares with athletes and their parents about the importance of academics. Listen to the latest Local Matters Podcast… Presented by Office Mart. Visit them at 215 S Jefferson Ave in Cookeville to see what they can do for your office News Talk 94.1 · Presented By Office Mart

Sam Brooks, along with guest host Mackenzie Vester, visits with Kelly Averitt, a former offensive lineman at TTU. The three talk about Kelly's background growing up in Lebanon and attending Castle Heights Military Academy, what it means for a player to get redshirted, and what the TTU Alumni Weekend means to him as he gets involved with the aspects.  Listen to the latest Local Matters Podcast… Presented by Office Mart. Visit them at 215 S Jefferson Ave in Cookeville to see what they can do for your office News Talk 94.1 · Presented By Office Mart

Sam Brooks, along with guest host Mackenzie Vester, visit with Dr. Chris Winningham, an avid wrestling fan. The group looks at the difference between wrestling the actual sport and the wrestling that is more of a show and following a storyline, the "Monday Night Wars" between Monday Night Nitro and Monday Night RAW, and the stardom of guys like Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson going from wrestling to making movies in Hollywood. Listen to the latest Local Matters Podcast… Presented by Office Mart. Visit them at 215 S Jefferson Ave in Cookeville to see what they can do for your office News Talk 94.1 · Presented By Office Mart

Sam Brooks, along with guest host Mackenzie Vester, visit with TTU Football Head Coach Dewayne Alexander. The group discusses the strides the team made in the 2022 season with five games coming down to one play, Coach Alexander's plan to build up Tennessee Tech's football program, and the alumni that have invested in the program and participated in the golf tournament in the summer. Listen to the latest Local Matters Podcast… Presented by Office Mart. Visit them at 215 S Jefferson Ave in Cookeville to see what they can do for your office News Talk 94.1 · Presented By Office Mart

Sam Brooks sits down with Lucas Brown, the new head volleyball coach at Jackson County High School. The two discuss the opportunity to transition from Cookeville to Jackson County, how Lucas decided he wanted to go into the counseling side of education, and all of the different things a kid learns and gains from playing team sports in high school. Listen to the latest Local Matters Podcast… Presented by Office Mart. Visit them at 215 S Jefferson Ave in Cookeville to see what they can do for your office News Talk 94.1 · Presented By Office Mart

Sam Brooks, joined by Mackenzie Vester, talks with the Head Volleyball Coach from Upperman High School Barbie Cook. They look at attending things like open gym during the off-season to see who shows interest in playing, what character and representing the team at all times means, and the rewarding feeling of winning the district and watching this young team come together. Listen to the latest Local Matters Podcast… Presented by Office Mart. Visit them at 215 S Jefferson Ave in Cookeville to see what they can do for your office News Talk 94.1 · Presented By Office Mart

Sam Brooks, joined by Mackenzie Vester, visits with Mark Wilson, the Director of Athletics for Tennessee Tech. The group recaps the exciting year for Tennessee Tech Athletics, all of the different hats Mark wears as the Athletics Director, and more thoughts on the championship season for the Tennessee Tech women's basketball team. Listen to the latest Local Matters Podcast… Presented by Office Mart. Visit them at 215 S Jefferson Ave in Cookeville to see what they can do for your office News Talk 94.1 · Presented By Office Mart

Sam Brooks meets with Coach Wes Shanks. Head Baseball Coach at Upperman High School. The two discussed how it felt coming into the 2023 season after winning the 2022 state championship, the consistent culture within the program from grades to performance in the sport, and the challenges and needs that go into hosting a tournament. Listen to the latest Local Matters Podcast… Presented by Office Mart. Visit them at 215 S Jefferson Ave in Cookeville to see what they can do for your office News Talk 94.1 · Presented By Office Mart

Sam stopped by for a chat and we got into some interesting stories..about his career and some oddball stuff!! y'all check him out in Fear Street Part 2, 1978, Stargirl, Long Slow Exhale and These Streets We Haunt.Nashville Native!!imdb: Sam BrooksThe Avenue AgencyBottled Water and Sweet Tea Provided By PURITY DairySupport the showThe David Bradley ShowHost: David Bradleyhttps://www.facebook.com/100087472238854https://youtube.com/@thedavidbradleyshowwww.thedavidbradleyshow.com Like to be a guestContact Usjulie@thedavidbradleyshow.comRecorded at Bradley StudiosProduced by: Caitlin BackesProud Member of CMASPONSERSBottled Water and Sweet Tea provided by PURITY DairyABlaze Entertainment

This month marks the one-year anniversary of President Biden's announcement of historic nursing home reforms. Creating a minimum staffing standard, which would be the most significant increase in protections for nursing home residents in decades, was central to his plan. In this episode, we are sharing the audio from Consumer Voice's webinar earlier this month that launched our “Dignity for All: Staffing Standards Now!” campaign. Through this campaign, Consumer Voice is advocating for a minimum staffing standard in nursing homes. In this episode you will hear about the importance of adequate staffing for residents' safety and health from Sam Brooks at Consumer Voice, and Toby Edelman, at the Center for Medicare Advocacy. You will also hear from Shelley Jackson, a CNA in Pennsylvania, and Margarite Grootjes, a resident in Ohio, as they share what it is like to live and work in a facility without adequate staffing.