Tennessee Good Work
Paul Schmitz, Founder of ShowerUp
Paul Schmitz did not set out to build a mobile shower ministry.
The Redemption Project
The Redemption Project
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The Redemption Project is a civic-focused independent newsroom covering Knoxville, East Tennessee and the public institutions, decisions and people that shape everyday life.
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The Version of You That Gets There First
You apply for the apartment, job or loan. But before anyone decides, another version of you may already be in the room — assembled from records, histories, scores and data you may never have seen.
Podcast
Paul Schmitz, Founder of ShowerUp
Get full access to The Redemption Project Newsroom at newsroom.theredemptionproject.news/subscribe Paul Schmitz thought Christian radio would be his lifelong career. Then God took him on a left turn. In this Season 5 Good Works episode of The Redemption Project , Brandon Burley talks with Paul Schmitz, founder of ShowerUp , a ministry providing clean, private, hot mobile showers and laundry services for people experiencing homelessness. Paul shares how a simple act of serving meals grew into a national ministry, how a box truck became the first ShowerUp unit, why consistency builds trust on the street, and why the work is never really about soap and water. It is about dignity. It is about relationship. It is about helping people feel human again.
· Stories of Good Work
Newsroom
Federal Agents Disabled a Chinese Hacking Platform. Tennessee’s Critical-Infrastructure Operators Should Be Checking the Indicators.
DOJ says China-linked tools were used against federal agencies and critical infrastructure, including Energy Department systems.
Redemption Stories
Redemption Story: Jeff Henderson Learned How to Cook While the World Thought He Was Finished
From Drug Dealer to Celebrity Chef—Jeff Henderson’s Recipe for Redemption
Newsroom
D.C. Warned Schools About Parent Access. The Letter Changes Enforcement Priorities — Not FERPA
The Education Department is putting schools on notice over parent access to records, mental-health screening, surveys and education technology.
Newsroom
Tennessee Wants Students to Question AI Starting in Kindergarten. Teachers Still Need the Rules and Training.
Proposed computer-science standards would teach young children that AI is made by people, is not human and can be wrong.
Newsroom
Columbia’s $520 Million Water Plan Has Two Major Loans. Ratepayers Still Need the Full Debt Schedule.
Columbia’s long-term water program includes a $75 million state loan and a proposed $315 million federal loan.
Personal Reflections
The Same Police Car Can Mean Safety to One Person and Fear to Another
We often assume that if two people experience the same institution differently, one of them must be wrong. Policing offers a harder possibility: Sometimes both are telling the truth.
Watch & Listen
The Redemption Project Podcast
Stories of Good Work
Paul Schmitz, Founder of ShowerUp
Get full access to The Redemption Project Newsroom at newsroom.theredemptionproject.news/subscribe Paul Schmitz thought Christian radio would be his lifelong career. Then God took him on a left turn. In this Season 5 Good Works episode of The Redemption Project , Brandon Burley talks with Paul Schmitz, founder of ShowerUp , a ministry providing clean, private, hot mobile showers and laundry services for people experiencing homelessness. Paul shares how a simple act of serving meals grew into a national ministry, how a box truck became the first ShowerUp unit, why consistency builds trust on the street, and why the work is never really about soap and water. It is about dignity. It is about relationship. It is about helping people feel human again.
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Redemption Stories
Kathy Simmons S2:E17
Get full access to The Redemption Project Newsroom at newsroom.theredemptionproject.news/subscribe
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Civic Conversations
Understanding Lobbyists: Genevieve Turner on Influence, Advocacy and How Policy Gets Made
People hear the word lobbyist and often picture money changing hands, private dinners and powerful corporations attempting to buy political influence. That picture is not entirely invented. It is also far from complete. The better question is not simply whether lobbying is good or bad. It is: Who is attempting to influence public policy, whom do they represent, and what are they asking the government to do? In this Season 4 Civic Conversation, Brandon Burley speaks with Genevieve Turner, founder of Opal Advocacy, about what lobbyists actually do inside Tennessee’s legislative and government systems. Turner explains the difference between an in-house lobbyist representing one organization and a contract lobbyist working with several clients. Those clients may include corporations, nonprofits, community organizations, service providers or advocates seeking changes involving education, healthcare, corrections, disability services and other public-policy concerns. The conversation examines how lobbyists research legislation, follow committee hearings, monitor amendments, seek state appropriations and help clients communicate with legislators and government agencies. Lobbying may involve supporting a proposal, negotiating changes or attempting to stop legislation that a client believes would cause harm. Brandon and Genevieve also discuss ethics, conflicts of interest and transparency. Tennessee lobbyists must register with the state, and members of the public can search for lobbyists and the organizations employing them. That does not resolve every concern about political influence, but it gives citizens a place to begin examining who is involved. The episode also draws an important distinction between professional lobbying and citizen advocacy. A citizen may contact a legislator, testify before a committee or explain how a proposal affects their family or community. A lobbyist typically brings ongoing relationships, procedural knowledge and experience navigating the legislative process. One does not replace the other. Ultimately, this conversation is about how influence works before a bill becomes law—and why understanding that process helps citizens evaluate it more responsibly. I am a retired detective and criminal justice / government educator based in Tennessee. I am a commentary write for Tennessee Lookout and a weekly columnist with Knox TN Today . My work examines public policy, public safety systems and civic responsibility. My reporting and commentary have also appeared in Governing , The Arizona Capitol Times , South Florida Sun Sentinel , Police1 , among other state and regional outlets. Get full access to The Redemption Project Newsroom at newsroom.theredemptionproject.news/subscribe
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What listeners and readers say
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A live capture of the newsroom pages — the posts themselves, not a follow button. Facebook is read through Command Center. Nextdoor is snapshotted once a day.
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The Redemption Project Newsroom
Live from the page
It's more than just getting clean. A shower can completely change how you look and feel, transforming your energy and presence. Witness the refreshing magic for yourself. #Refresh #Rejuvenate #Transformation #SelfCare #Wellness
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Brandon Burley
Nextdoor
Daily snapshot
The other day, while working out I started to feel light headed. He immediately came over alerted me and was back with my medicine before I even sat down. Basically, the peoples champ is Dega!
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