WNZR shines the spotlight on the 2025 Knox County Junior Fair Board, Species Ambassadors and Liaisons

WNZR talked with members of the 2025 Junior Fair Board about their experience, responsibilities and what they are learning in their positions. We also recognize the 2025 Species Ambassadors and Liaisons. The students shared about the process of their competitions, memories they have of the Fair and how this experience is impacting their future. We congratulate these amazing young leaders!

Click HERE or click the Play button below to hear these conversations.
The pictures below are from the Junior Fair Breakfast hosted by the Knox County Chamber of Commerce and CES Credit Union. The Junior Fair Board received a donation of $3,000 at that breakfast!

WNZR will bring your coverage of the 2025 Knox County Fair all week. Listen for our live broadcasts from 4pm – 9pm each day. Keep checking back on our blog for your chance to meet more of the amazing youth participating at this year’s Fair. There are 1,477 participants!

2025 Junior Fair Board Members:

  1. Hudson Adrian
  2. Shae Amstutz
  3. Kennedy Auker
  4. Dalton Bailey
  5. Catlin Ball
  6. Ellie Boggs
  7. Raegan Blanchard
  8. Michael Brady
  9. Luci Byler
  10. Meira Bryant
  11. Nason Bryant
  12. Ryleigh Scarpitti
  13. Logan Daubenmier
  14. Jenelle Doup
  15. Lane Dugan
  16. Joslin Frazer
  17. Addyson Gerhart
  18. Kinley Grogg
  19. Peyton Harris
  20. Blake Hegemier
  21. Bristol Hegemier
  22. Lane Hillier
  23. Phoebe Hults
  24. Trevor Mills
  25. Macy Miller
  26. Emily Norris
  27. Ava Page
  28. Sierra Shields
  29. Will Stokes
  30. Haley Unger
  31. Taylor Vance
  32. Anysten VanHouten
  33. Alayna Wittel
  34. Annalia Wolf
  35. Sophie Wolf

Make the most of your summer!

Today on The Morning Thing, we shared some great ways to have fun with your family for the rest of this summer! Summer is a fantastic time to make memories with your kids and chances are these are the memories that your kids will remember for a long time to come.

All of these are sure fire ways to spend quality time together!

To see the list click HERE!

Some of the wackiest foods you’ll ever hear about!

Today on The Morning Thing, we celebrated National State Fair Food Day! We detailed some of the wildest and wackiest foods that are offered at state fairs across the country!

From pickle juice popsicles to chocolate covered scorpions, there is definitely some foods you would try… and wouldn’t try!

If you want to learn some more about the day and the history of it, click HERE!

To read about the crazy foods and see the pictures that go along with them, click HERE!

Spreading Positive Vibes on Good News Tuesday!

On The Morning Thing on WNZR Tuesday, co-host Eric Brown shared a series of uplifting, encouraging, and downright cool stories as part of our Good News Tuesday.

Throughout the morning, we brought you heartwarming and positive news stories designed to brighten your day and lift your spirits.

Sharing good news helps balance the often overwhelming stream of negative headlines, offering hope and reminding us that there is still kindness, progress, and joy in the world. It can inspire positive action, improve mental well-being, and foster a sense of community and resilience.

We featured a variety of these inspiring stories all morning long to bring encouragement and a smile to your face:

🧠 Wisdom Teeth and Stem Cells – Who Knew?
Turns out those pesky wisdom teeth we all dread might be way more useful than we thought. Researchers in Spain have discovered that the soft center inside wisdom teeth—called dental pulp—contains powerful stem cells that could one day help heal bones, hearts, and even brain tissue. These cells can actually turn into neuron-like cells that show electrical activity, similar to real brain cells. Scientists are even testing them in mice with heart issues, and early results look promising. And the best part? Since over 10 million wisdom teeth are pulled each year, collecting them could be as easy as tossing them in a vial and sending them off to a lab. So before you toss yours in the trash, you might want to think twice—they could be your body’s future backup plan.

🎓 Small Town, Big Scholarships
In Swanville, Minnesota—a tiny town of just 328 people—graduation means more than just a diploma. Every single year for the past 30 years, the whole town has chipped in to raise money for scholarships for its seniors. Think chili cookoffs, bingo nights, bake sales—you name it. What started as a $166 gift back in the day just hit new heights: This year, one lucky grad walked away with $5,000. That’s a whole semester of college, right there. It’s more than just money—it’s about making sure their kids know they’re supported, wherever life takes them. In Swanville, it’s clear: once a Bulldog, always a Bulldog.

🥾 Detention? Let’s Take a Hike
At Morse High School in Maine, detention looks a little different. Forget sitting in a classroom staring at the wall—here, misbehaving students can choose “hiking detention.” That’s right. If you skip class or mouth off to a teacher, you might find yourself lacing up your boots and heading into the woods. School counselor Leslie Trundy came up with the idea after an outdoor ed conference, and now it’s a hit. Students say the walking clears their heads and helps them think straight. Not everyone’s sold—some parents think it’s too soft—but the kids are showing up, breathing fresh air, and maybe even learning a thing or two. Sounds like a win.

Click HERE for more POSITIVE stories from the Good News Network!

July First Friday is tonight! Join WNZR and kick-off a great Independence Holiday weekend!

The Morning Thing talked with Lacey Filkins, Executive Director for Experience Mount Vernon about July’s First Friday. It IS happening on a Thursday (7/3/25).
Click HERE to hear the full conversation, or click the link below.

Lacey shares the details about this exciting event for families. She gives us highlights of the schedule, entertainment, food choices, parking and the theme – Red, White, & Blue Party! The event happens tonight from 6pm – 9pm in downtown Mount Vernon. We hope to see you there to celebrate our Independence Holiday.

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