East Tennessee Now

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.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Frank Murphy interviews Chris Hall, Chief Operating Officer at Remote Area Medical. Since 1985, Remote Area Medical (RAM®) has provided free healthcare services to those in need through the operation of mobile pop-up clinics around the country. Remote Area Medical was founded in 1985 by Stan Brock, known as co-host of Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom.  RAM will offer a free medical, dental, and vision clinic in the Jacob Building at Chilhowee Park in Knoxville on February 6, 7, and 8, 2026. Learn more at https://www.ramusa.org/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Frank Murphy interviews Dana Soehn, President and CEO of Friends of the Smokies. Dana joined Friends in 2023 after serving as a National Park Service employee for more than 30 years, including ten years as Park Spokesperson. During the government shutdown, Friends of the Smokies joined with other partners to provide funding to  keep the Great Smoky Mountains National Park open to the public. Friends of the Smokies is seeking donations to continue funding projects in the Park.  Learn more at https://friendsofthesmokies.org/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Frank Murphy interviews Jen Corbin, this year's president of the Nativity Pageant of Knoxville and Erica Moore, this year's vice president. The 57th annual Nativity Pageant will be presented on Saturday, December 13, 2025 at 3:00 p.m.; Sunday, December 14, 2025 at 3:00 p.m., and Monday, December 15, 2025 at 7:00 p.m. in the Knoxville Civic Coliseum.  Parking is $5, credit or debit card only. Admission to the Pageant is free. Doors open one hour prior to each performance. A musical prelude begins 30 minutes prior to each performance. Arrive early enough to find seats before the performance, which begins in total darkness. The performance lasts about one hour.  The Nativity Pageant of Knoxville features live animals, a cast of over 100 actors, a choir of over 100 singers, a full orchestra and four professional narrators. It tells the biblical story of the birth of Jesus. For more information, visit https://www.knoxvillenativity.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Frank Murphy interviews Fr. David Boettner, rector of the Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, 711 S. Northshore Drive in Knoxville. Fr. David discusses the first Sunday of Advent and the coming of the Christmas season. Visit the Cathedral's website at https://www.shcathedral.org/ for Mass times and other information.  For details about the free Cathedral Concert Series, go to https://www.shcathedral.org/cathedral-concert-series/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Frank Murphy interviews local media personality Beth Haynes and Pamela Coleman of the McNabb Foundation about the Beth Haynes 12 Days of Christmas Online Auction benefiting the McNabbCenter’s Dear Santa Program. Funds raised through the auction will help provide gifts and experiences for more than 2,500 children and families in need this holiday season. Bidding opens Monday, December 1, 2025 at 8:00 a.m. and runs through Friday, December 12, 2025 at 10:00 p.m. Text 12days25 to 243-725 to view the auction items, or visit the website athttps://www.mcnabbfoundation.org/12daysSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Frank Murphy interviews Aram Demirjian, Music Director of the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra about their upcoming performances including Rhapsody in Blue on November 20 and 21, 2025; Elf on November 23, 2025; Handel's Messiah on November 30, 2025, and the Clayton Holiday Concerts on December 19, 20, and 21, 2025. Aram also discusses the Knoxville Symphony Youth Ensembles and their upcoming Fall concerts. Find the full schedule at https://knoxvillesymphony.com/concert-calendar/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Frank Murphy interviews Natalia Havasy, Director of Marketing & Community Benefit at East Tennessee Children's Hospital about their Adopt a Family program and the Fantasy of Trees.  To Adopt a Family, donate $15 or more to benefit East Tennessee Children's Hospital, and get back $15 in a gift card from Salsarita's. https://www.etch.com/ways-to-give/adopt-a-family/  East Tennessee Children's Hospital Fantasy of Trees takes place Wednesday, November 26 to Sunday, November 30, 2025 in the Knoxville Convention Center. https://www.etch.com/ways-to-give/events/fantasy-of-trees/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Frank Murphy interviews Caroline Bean, Public Relations & Communications Manager for the Gatlinburg Convention & Visitors Bureau and Elaine Frank, Deputy Director of Special Events for the City of Knoxville.  Caroline discusses upcoming events in Gatlinburg including the Winter Magic Kickoff and Chili Cookoff on November 7; the 50th annual Fantasy of Lights Christmas Parade on December 5; and Gatlinburg's New Year’s Eve Celebration at the Space Needle on December 31. Learn more at https://www.gatlinburg.com/events/seasonal-events/winter/ Elaine discusses upcoming events in Knoxville including Christmas at Chilhowee on November 21; Holidays on Ice in Market Square from November 28 to January 4; and New Year's Eve at the Sunsphere on December 31. Elaine invited Frank to emcee New Year's Eve at the Sunsphere. Learn more about Christmas in the City events at https://www.knoxvilletn.gov/ChristmasSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Frank Murphy interviews Executive Editor Joel Christopher and Photo Editor Jennifer Dedman of Knox News about the Empty Stocking Fund, which has been helping families in need since 1912. Empty Stocking Fund recipients receive 40 food items including a five-pound ham to provide for Christmas dinner as well as other meals during the holiday season. The News Sentinel Charities, Inc. is a nonprofit - 501(c)3 - organization that was established in 1975 to manage and govern the Empty Stocking Fund. News Sentinel staff that serve on the News Sentinel Charities board manage the program. Volunteers are needed during the week of December 15 to pack boxes with food. Volunteer registration for 2025 opens on Tuesday, October 28, 2025 at https://www.esfknox.org/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Frank Murphy interviews Bethany Jackson, Location Leader for the Sevier County Isaiah 117 House. There are currently 37 Isaiah 117 House locations across 13 states with 7 more opening by February, 2026.  The mission of Isaiah 117 House is to reduce trauma on removal day and to provide a safe place where children can await placement. Children generally stay up to 72 hours and receive clothing, shoes, hygiene items, suitcases, and anything they may need to start their journey into foster care. Learn more at https://isaiah117house.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Frank Murphy interviews Michael Ray, Executive Director of The Joy of Music School, which provides free weekly music lessons to 150 in-house students and reaches over 1,000 children per year through 19 partner sites. Learn more at https://joyofmusicschool.org/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Frank Murphy interviews Alan Lowe, director of the American Museum of Science & Energy and the K-25 History Center in Oak Ridge. The American Museum of Science & Energy attracts about 65,000 visitors per year. Among other activities, AMSE provides interactive curriculum-based classroom programs for school groups and STEM education programs. AMSE houses permanent and rotating exhibits, provides live demonstrations, hosts evening events, and holds spring, summer, and fall camp programs for students. AMSE is also the starting point for bus tours of historic sites on the federal government’s Oak Ridge Reservation, and it hosts the National Park Service (NPS) programs and events for the Manhattan Project National Historical Park. Learn more at https://amse.org/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Frank Murphy interviews Brian Salesky, Executive and Artistic Director of Amadeus Concert Ensemble about its 2025-2026 season of free concerts as part of the Cathedral Concert Series at the Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus.  Learn more at https://www.shcathedral.org/cathedral-concert-series/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Frank Murphy interviews Amanda Marr of the Sevierville Chamber of Commerce about Smoky Mountain Harvest Fest and other activities in the Sevierville area.  Learn more at https://visitsevierville.com/fall/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Frank Murphy interviews Alyssa Cook, development director of Tennessee Out-Reach Center for Homeless (TORCH), and Naomi Asher of The Maven consultancy.  Learn more at https://oakridgetorch.org/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Frank Murphy interviews Mike Kitchens, chairman of Smoky Mountain Service Dogs, which trains and provides mobility assistance service dogs to military veterans and first responders who need them.  This program aired on Sunday, September 7, 2025. Learn more at https://www.smokymountainservicedogs.org/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Frank Murphy interviews Aaron Snukals of Concerts For Our Own and Caroline Timpson of Breast Connect. The concerts benefit three charities: Breast Connect, the Love Kitchen, and Choice Health Network. Tickets on sale at https://www.concertsforourown.org/  Learn more about Breast Connect at https://breastconnect.org/ This program aired on Sunday, August 31, 2025. Concerts For Our Own season: Friday, October 10, 2025 - "The Purple xPeRIeNCE" Prince Tribute Show Thursday, October 30, 2025 - "MummFest" - Here Come the Mummies with special guests Lachy Doley & Platinum MoonSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Frank Murphy interviews Sara Dickson and Mark Dulniak with the Alzheimer's Association's Tennessee chapter. This program aired on Sunday, August 24, 2025. Ales for Alz runs through August 31. Information at https://alesforalz-knox.org/ The 2025 Walk to End Alzheimer's will take place on Saturday, September 20, 2025 at Zoo Knoxville. Information at http://www.alz.org/KnoxvilleWalkSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Frank Murphy interviews Kesha Waters and Hannah Fatheree of CASA of the Tennessee Heartland. This program aired on Sunday, August 17, 2025. CASA stands for Court Appointed Special Advocate. The core purpose of CASA of the Tennessee Heartland is to provide a voice for abused and neglected children in Anderson and Blount counties. As a non-profit, volunteer-based agency, our mission is to empower CASA volunteers to advocate on behalf of abused and neglected children in juvenile court. Our vision is to provide a court-appointed volunteer advocate for every child who needs one.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.