Mike Sparks

State Rep. Mike Sparks on Tennessee Politics, Mentorship, and Community Impact

Oct 15, 2026 at 10:17 am

Effective leadership isn't just about passing policy—it’s about mentorship, community connections, and finding common ground across party lines. In this episode.... Read More

Rutherford County Infrastructure, Death Penalty Debates, & Local Road Projects

Oct 01, 2026 at 11:14 am

Tennessee state politics and local infrastructure clash as lawmakers grapple with complex system failures and rising local costs. State Representative Mike Sparks and Highwa.... Read More

Rutherford County History, Local Politics, and Community Growth with Mike Sparks

Sep 29, 2026 at 10:23 am

Smyrna and Murfreesboro are growing at a rapid pace, but the personal stories, local history, and political debates continue to define Rutherford County. From childhood memo.... Read More

Rutherford County Sheriff & Jail Ministry: Transforming Inmate Rehabilitation in TN

Sep 17, 2026 at 11:10 am

Rutherford County Sheriff Kenneth Barrett and Jail Administrator Bernard Salandy are taking a ground-up approach to law enforcement, fiscal accountability, and inmate rehabi.... Read More

The Evolution of Local Media & Community Impact with Neil Orne and Rep. Mike Sparks

Sep 03, 2026 at 11:07 am

Local media is experiencing a massive transformation, from anchorless TV newscasts to AI-generated news hosts replacing traditional anchors. In this episode of Rutherford Is.... Read More

Tennessee Primary Election Special: Marsha Blackburn & Murfreesboro Overdose Awareness Day

Aug 06, 2026 at 11:37 am

Tennessee primary election insights and critical community health initiatives take center stage as Senator Marsha Blackburn calls in live from the campaign trail. Blackburn.... Read More

Rutherford County Election Districting and Low Voter Turnout Explained

May 14, 2026 at 12:21 pm by Producer

Rutherford County election districting changes are shifting local political boundaries, introducing complex adjustments for residents and candidates alike. For the first tim.... Read More

Crossing the Political Aisle: Middle Tennessee State University's No Labels Movement with Mike Sparks

Apr 30, 2026 at 11:57 am by Producer

MTSU students are proving that the art of conversation isn’t dead, even in the heated landscape of modern campus politics. This episode dives into the "No Labels" move.... Read More

Tennessee Lawmakers Mourn Death of District 93 Representative G.A. Hardaway

Apr 24, 2026 at 11:14 am by WGNS News

MEMPHIS, Tenn. - A longtime lawmaker in Tennessee has passed away at the age of 71. The death of Rep. G.A. Hardaway from Memphis was confirmed by the Democratic Party.... Read More

TN State Rep. Mike Sparks: School Bus Safety Bills & Nashville Traffic Updates

Apr 16, 2026 at 11:13 am by Producer

Tennessee's legislative halls are buzzing with debates over school bus safety and local infrastructure that could reshape the daily commute for thousands. State Representati.... Read More

Breaking the Stigma: Navigating Youth Mental Health in Rutherford County and Throughout Middle Tennessee

Apr 09, 2026 at 10:41 am by WGNS News

PODCAST: In this episode, WGNS' Scott Walker sits down for a critical conversation on the state of mental health resources in Middle Tennessee. The segment begins with State R.... Read More

Tennessee Legislative Update: Abortion Pill Crackdown, Hit-and-Run Penalties, and School Bus Safety

Mar 27, 2026 at 09:14 am by Producer

Tennessee’s legislative session is hitting high gear, and State Representatives Dr. Bryan Terry, Robert Stevens, and Mike Sparks are pulling back the curtain on the co.... Read More

State Rep. Mike Sparks on Broadband Expansion and Predatory Lending

Mar 05, 2026 at 11:02 am by Producer

Tennessee’s rural landscape is undergoing a massive digital transformation, but at what cost to the most vulnerable citizens? State Representative Mike Sparks joins th.... Read More

Legislative Lockdown: State Reps Discuss Prison Capacity and Predatory Lending

Mar 05, 2026 at 09:35 am by WGNS News

PODCAST: In this edition of WGNS Action Line, host Scott Walker sits down with State Representatives Mike Sparks, Bryan Terry, and Robert Stevens for an inside look at the cur.... Read More

"Unsafe and Unsustainable" - Rep. Mike Sparks on TN Incarceration Rates

Mar 04, 2026 at 07:46 pm by WGNS News

NASHVILLE, TN — Rutherford County is not the only area in need of a new jail. Apparently, prisons across the State of Tennessee are also increasing their inmate.... Read More

Rep. Mike Sparks Targets 400% Interest Rates in Legislation Targeting Predatory Lenders

Mar 03, 2026 at 06:11 pm by WGNS News

SMYRNA, TN — State Representative Mike Sparks (R-Smyrna) is hitting the horn on what he describes as a systemic failure to protect vulnerable Tennesseans from pr.... Read More

Are Robots Taking Over the Sidewalk? Mike Sparks on TN’s Latest Legislation, Fresh Food & Fatherhood

Feb 19, 2026 at 11:03 am by Producer

Eliminating state sales tax on fresh produce could save Tennessee families $96 million annually, providing essential relief at the checkout line. State Representative Mike S.... Read More

Checkmate for Charity: A $50,000 Challenge Lands in Rutherford County

Feb 08, 2026 at 10:43 pm by WGNS News

MURFREESBORO, TN (WGNS) - Rutherford County’s growing chess initiative just received a jolt of energy—and a jaw‑dropping pledge—from one of the most accomp.... Read More

State Lawmakers Sound Alarm on Homeless Relocations, Landfill Expansion on WGNS Action Line

Jan 30, 2026 at 06:09 pm by WGNS News

On this episode of WGNS Action Line, host Scott Walker talks with state lawmakers representing Rutherford County for an in-depth and candid conversation on issues directl.... Read More

Slideshow

Big Turnout, Big Flavor at Mike Sparks' Long-Running Smyrna Chili Tradition

Jan 06, 2026 at 06:57 am by WGNS News

SMYRNA, TN (WGNS News) - Hometown spirit was on full display last Saturday at the Historic Sam Davis Home as the 15th Annual Chili Cook-Off brought a record crowd to what ha.... Read More