Scenic Roots

The Art Of Conversation: “The A List With Alison Lebovitz” On WTCI PBS

Alison Lebovitz - at WUTC [https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/1e6e87b/2147483647/strip/false/crop/980x1008+0+0/resize/513x528!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F4a%2Ff9%2F56116c2c444fa2251d1a78da1be6%2Falison-lebovitz-at-wutc.jpg]Alison Lebovitz - at WUTC(Ray Bassett / WUTC) This week, “The A List” returns to our public media partner WTCI PBS. Alison Lebovitz hosts the 17th season of her one-on-one interview series, produced locally by WTCI, premiering Thursday at 8:30 PM and available on the PBS app. The first guest: Andrew Young - former Mayor of Atlanta, former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations and civil rights leader. “The A List With Alison Lebovitz” logo. [https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/200a16f/2147483647/strip/false/crop/393x393+0+0/resize/393x393!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F41%2F26%2Ffc0f20674ebbaadb51c09f4d204c%2Fthe-a-list-with-alison-lebovitz.jpg](WTCI PBS)

The Parkside Podcast: Transforming Chattanooga's Riverfront, Then - And Ahead

Karen Shostak, Hamilton County Parks and Recreation; Mitch Patel, founder and CEO of Vision Hospitality Group; Bob Corker, former Chattanooga Mayor and former U.S. Senator from Tennessee; and Brian Smith, the City of Chattanooga's Parks and Outdoors - at WUTC. [https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/9395ccb/2147483647/strip/false/crop/1820x1344+0+0/resize/715x528!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fff%2Fb0%2F124c022b46f1a7a8160026612662%2Fparkside-podcast-episode-5.jpg]Karen Shostak, Hamilton County Parks and Recreation; Mitch Patel, founder and CEO of Vision Hospitality Group; Bob Corker, former Chattanooga Mayor and former U.S. Senator from Tennessee; and Brian Smith, the City of Chattanooga's Parks and Outdoors - at WUTC.(Ray Bassett / WUTC) On this episode of "The Parkside Podcast," we're talking about the past - and future - transformation of Chattanooga's Riverfront, smart growth and the power of place. Our guests: * Bob Corker, former Chattanooga Mayor and former U.S. Senator from Tennessee * Mitch Patel, founder and CEO of Vision Hospitality Group in Chattanooga Brian Smith of the City of Chattanooga's Parks and Outdoors - and Karen Shostak of Hamilton County Parks and Recreation - are hosts of "The Parkside Podcast," in collaboration with Ray Bassett of Scenic Roots on WUTC.

For America 250, A Forum On Religious Freedom In Chattanooga

Holding hands in a prayer circle. [https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/09ad6da/2147483647/strip/false/crop/612x408+0+0/resize/612x408!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F36%2F30%2Ff020d13b4f078e1d3c73e2070d38%2Freligious-diversity-hands.jpg]Holding hands in a prayer circle.(Creative Commons) (Aired Mon 5/18/26) The First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution opens with these words: “Congress shall make no law respecting the establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.” On Wednesday, from 1 PM to 4 PM, a Chattanooga Faith Forum on “Strengthening Religious Freedom Through Civil Dialogue” will be held at the Bessie Smith Cultural Center. The multifaith forum is part of the America 250 celebration here in Chattanooga and Hamilton County. Jim Barrott is with the Religious Freedom Alliance Council of East Tennessee. Rev. Micah Fries is director of the Multi-Faith Neighbors Network. Jason Issacson is with the Chattanooga-Hamilton County America 250 Committee. Chattanooga Faith Forum banner. [https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/2fe5a20/2147483647/strip/false/crop/887x1123+0+0/resize/417x528!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F75%2Fca%2Fcba4aa234572b22f6699065e2633%2Fcha-faith-forum.jpg](Religious Freedom Alliance Council of East Tennessee)

Chatting With The Chancellor: Saluting UTC’s Class Of 2026

Dr. Lori Mann Bruce, UTC’s Chancellor, at the podcasting space in Fletcher Hall at UTC’s Gary W. Rollins College of Business. [https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/c661cde/2147483647/strip/false/crop/1422x1440+0+0/resize/521x528!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F8e%2Fb1%2F199056fe4dd296df4e2b7b67108d%2Fdr-lori-mann-bruce-may-2026-taping-a.jpg]Dr. Lori Mann Bruce, UTC’s Chancellor, at the podcasting space in Fletcher Hall at UTC’s Gary W. Rollins College of Business.(Ray Bassett / WUTC) (Aired Mon 5/18/26) Earlier this month, I sat down for a one-on-one conversation with Dr. Lori Mann Bruce, our Chancellor here on our campus - the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. Our conversations with Dr. Bruce - which air the third Tuesday of each month here on “Scenic Roots” - are recorded in the podcasting space at the Gary W. Rollins College of Business in Fletcher Hall. Among the topics for this conversation: Commencement at UTC; Shoutouts to Spring 2026 grads; Join the Momentum; State of the County on campus; America 250 and UTC - and more. _____ As discussed in this conversation with Chancellor Bruce, UTC encourages people who were on campus during the swatting call incident in August 2025 to complete a Victim Impact Information Form - available here: https://forms.fbi.gov/victims/university-swattings/view [https://forms.fbi.gov/victims/university-swattings/view] Dr. Lori Mann Bruce, UTC’s Chancellor, at commencement in McKenzie Arena in May 2026. [https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/b5b914a/2147483647/strip/false/crop/1200x877+0+0/resize/722x528!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F76%2Ffb%2F105583984892aa2182b86d4328b5%2Fdr-lori-mann-bruce-commencement-may-2026.jpg]Dr. Lori Mann Bruce, UTC’s Chancellor, at commencement in McKenzie Arena in May 2026.(Angela Foster / UTC / University of Tennessee at Chattanooga)Dr. Lori Mann Bruce, UTC’s Chancellor, waving the Power C at the podcasting space in Fletcher Hall at UTC’s Gary W. Rollins College of Business. [https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/5aa2920/2147483647/strip/false/crop/1770x1440+0+0/resize/649x528!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fa6%2F1c%2F875d221d441b9396b2c8e8ba0179%2Fdr-lori-mann-bruce-may-2026-taping-b.jpg]Dr. Lori Mann Bruce, UTC’s Chancellor, waving the Power C at the podcasting space in Fletcher Hall at UTC’s Gary W. Rollins College of Business.(Ray Bassett / WUTC)

Chattamatters: Kim’s Hot Fish, A Southside Staple

Kim Lloyd [https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/29af670/2147483647/strip/false/crop/658x646+0+0/resize/538x528!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F72%2Fff%2F71e46bb44735a5ab0cb6c88447dc%2Fkim-lloyd.jpg]Kim Lloyd(William Newlin / Chattamatters) From March to October here in Chattanooga, Kim Lloyd sets up - deep fryer and all - under a tent outside The Bethlehem Center on W. 38th St. There, she serves up hot fish and cold drinks with a side of community joy. A Southside staple, Kim’s table is for everyone - as you’ll hear from her and a few of her customers in this audio postcard from William Newlin of Chattamatters. _____ For more stories of Chattanoogans who build community through their art, visit Chattamatters on Instagram [https://instagram.com/chattamatters].