Join Kosta and his guest: Dr. Justin Murdock, Ecologist, Professor of Biology, and Director of The Water Research Center at Tennessee Technological University.

In this episode: Let’s start from the top, because if I’m being honest, my knowledge of Tennessee’s wetlands is that I’d assume it’s wet land. In April a bill passed the Tennessee House Legislature 71-21 to remove protections for up to 80% of Tennessee’s wetlands. What does that actually mean for our land, our water, and our safety? Lawmakers behind this bill claimed that isolated wetlands (especially small ones) are just “damp dirt.” From a scientific perspective, what do we lose when we lose even “minor” wetlands? This bill was framed as a defense of property owners’ rights. For anyone that’s tried to get flood insurance lately, I bet you can think of other property owners’ rights you might want more. Who pays the price when developers are no longer required to mitigate destruction of wetlands?

Find out more about The Water Research Center and Dr. Justin Murdock:
https://www.tntech.edu/research/wrc/
https://www.tntech.edu/directory/cas/biology/justin-murdock.php

Better Together with Kosta Yepifantsev is a product of Morgan Franklin Media and recorded in Cookeville, TN.

This episode of Better Together with Kosta Yepifantsev is made possible by our partners at Aspire Barber and Beauty Academy.

Find out more about Aspire Barber and Beauty Academy:
https://aspirebarberandbeauty.com

Join Kosta and his guest: Aaron Cofer, Community and Event Organizer for Indivisible.

Indivisible Upper Cumberland is a non-partisan, issues-focused grassroots community, promoting civic engagement to hold our elected officials accountable.

In this episode: We have a lot of ground to cover in this episode, but I think there’s one overarching question that sums up most of what we’re here to discuss. Does protesting work? Whether you’re on the right, left or center, we all want change. We’re in a political climate the United States has never seen before, and it’s overwhelming. How do in-person demonstrations whether they be protests, marches or simply meeting people with the same ideologies as you help to create political change? The First Amendment of the Constitution protects our freedom of speech, our freedom to assemble and our freedom to express views through protest. If this is true, why do so many people get arrested protesting?

🚨 Join Indivisible at the No Kings Protest

📆 Saturday, June 14, 2025
⏱️ 12:00 PM - 3:00 PM
📍 Courthouse Square (300 E Spring St. Cookeville, TN)

*A message from Indivisible: The purpose of this event is to send a clear message against any form of authoritarian rule or monarchy, ensuring that the United States remains a republic where power is held by the people. This event is a peaceful protest against the perceived dangers of an authoritarian leader, particularly a new administration's actions seen as threats to democracy, higher education, science, and working families.

Find out more about Indivisble:
https://indivisible.org/

Better Together with Kosta Yepifantsev is a product of Morgan Franklin Media and recorded in Cookeville, TN.

This episode of Better Together with Kosta Yepifantsev is made possible by our partners at Miss Sallie's Market.

Find out more about Miss Sallie's Market:
https://www.misssallies.com

Join Kosta and his guest: Alex Garcia, Mayor of Monterey, TN.

In this episode: When you were elected as Mayor, one of your greater missions was to be a new voice for Monterey. You wanted to represent Monterey in Putnam County and across the Upper Cumberland. When you think about Monterey, and how you want it to be represented, what does that mean to you? Earlier this year, we found out about the closure of Perdue Farms. This was devastating news for Monterey and the entire community. From the moment you found out you were working on rebuilding those employment opportunities and you’ve done an outstanding job. In your opinion, what’s the next major industry of Monterey? You served as Alderman for several cycles before running for Mayor. You’ve watched and helped Monterey grow to this point. When you leave office, what will true success look like to you?

Find out more about Monterey, TN:
https://www.townofmontereytn.com/

Better Together with Kosta Yepifantsev is a product of Morgan Franklin Media and recorded in Cookeville, TN.

This episode of Better Together with Kosta Yepifantsev is made possible by our partner Sabrina Brazle, The Realty Firm.

Find out more about Sabrina Brazle:
https://www.sabrinabrazle.com/