Good morning, Johnson City.

Food City donated $15,000 to Coalition for Kids on Thursday, Jan.

29 to support its after-school programs that help children grow academically, socially, and emotionally.

Food City donated $25,000 to Communities in Schools of Appalachian Highlands on Wednesday — the gift supports programs to improve attendance and engagement for more than 40,000 students in Northeast Tennessee and Southwest Virginia.

The ETSU Mary B. Martin School of the Arts Showcase returns tomorrow at Grand Hall with a gallery opening at 3 p.m. — followed by a 4 p.m. concert featuring student performances in music, dance, and spoken word; the event is free and open to all.

Musical Ensemble Cantus will perform live on Saturday, Feb.

7 at the ETSU Foundation Grand Hall in the Martin Center for the Arts. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and tickets cost $20.

ETSU is hosting 30-minute Trivia Talks and writing projects this week to prepare for John Green’s visit on Feb.

26 during the Festival of Ideas (the sessions focus on his essays and offer swag bags for participants).

ETSU professors are integrating narrative medicine into courses, blending storytelling with clinical training to help future doctors explore patient care (including humanities and nursing classes).

Ballad Health is also applying narrative medicine by using music and conversation to improve patient experiences in Johnson City today.

Broadway actor and teacher Steve Maurice Jones has been named ETSU’s 2026 Wayne G.

Basler Chair of Excellence and will work with Dr. Joshua Reid to offer a Shakespeare class — he will also direct a spring production of Passage to boost interdisciplinary learning.

ETSU Outdoor Adventure will host Worley Caving Day on Saturday, Feb.

7 in a local natural cave where students will explore safely using helmets and three light sources, proper clothing, and supplies while paying $5 + $10 for transportation and cave entry to learn about geology and local cave ecosystems.

State climatologist Andrew Joyner says Tennessee's drought, worsened by seasonal dryness linked to La Niña, may see relief in the coming weeks as forecasts predict rain.

However, a single rainfall event will not restore deep soil moisture.

Dr. Aaron Polichnowski, who received ETSU's 2025 Distinguished Faculty Award, leads research at Quillen College of Medicine that studies how high salt intake and PFAS chemicals raise kidney disease risks (using machine learning to predict individual susceptibility).

His work aims to improve health for our community.

ETSU researcher Dr. Brooke Schmeichel received over $2.5 million to study new treatments for drug addiction (targeting fentanyl and methamphetamine use) in the Appalachians.

Her team will test FDA-approved drugs for insomnia to restore brain balance during withdrawal.

ETSU women's tennis beat Tusculum 6-0 on Friday at home, winning singles positions No.1 through No.5 and capturing the doubles point (showing strong team depth).

They will face Appalachian State on Feb. 5 to continue their spring season.

ETSU men’s tennis beat Tusculum on Friday, Jan.

23 by 7-0 — improving their record to 2-3, and players Oscar Martinez and Martin Vergara earned SoCon Men’s Tennis Player of the Week honors ahead of their Jan. 31 match against DePaul in Richmond.

Beginner Blacksmithing: Steel Hooks Workshop

2-4:30 p.m. — The Inventor Center — Fee applies — Create your own steel hooks and explore the art of blacksmithing with expert guidance.

Furman Paladins vs. East Tennessee State Buccaneers Basketball

7-9 p.m. — Freedom Hall Civic Center Arena — Cost varies — Cheer on the Furman Paladins as they take on the East Tennessee State Buccaneers in an exciting basketball showdown.

Chattanooga Mocs vs. East Tennessee State Buccaneers Basketball

7-9 p.m. — Freedom Hall Civic Center Arena — $43+ — Catch an exciting college basketball matchup with budget-friendly tickets.

SuperBull Pro Bull Riding Event

8-10 p.m. — Freedom Hall Civic Center Arena — Registration closes Feb 18 — Experience the thrill of SEBRA Bull Riding & Ranch Bronc Riding in Johnson City.