U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn joined Chad Graves on 97.7 WBMC's Behind the Mic last week for a wide-ranging conversation that touched on veteran healthcare, AI data centers, Tennessee farmland, and what the future may hold for communities like Warren County.

While much of the discussion centered on issues happening at the national level, Blackburn repeatedly brought the conversation back to how those decisions affect rural communities and the people who live in them.

One of the first topics discussed was healthcare for veterans.

Although the McMinnville VA clinic is expected to remain open at least through the end of 2026, Blackburn said the larger issue is making sure veterans have long-term access to quality care. She said one of the priorities being discussed by the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee is giving veterans more control over where and when they receive treatment.

Currently, veterans often have to work through the VA system to schedule appointments and receive approval for outside care. Blackburn said she would like to see that process become easier, particularly for veterans living in rural areas.

"We're trying to change that so that the veteran is going to be able to schedule appointments and take that primary position and the VA gets the bill," Blackburn said.

She added that expanding community care options could help veterans receive care more quickly while reducing some of the challenges associated with navigating the federal healthcare system.

The conversation also turned to one of the biggest topics currently being discussed in Warren County: Data centers.

With a proposed AI data center generating considerable debate among residents, Blackburn said data centers are becoming increasingly common as artificial intelligence continues to expand, but stressed that every project is different and should be evaluated on its own merits.

"Every data center is going to be different," Blackburn said.

Some local residents have expressed concerns about electricity usage, infrastructure demands and whether such facilities create enough jobs to justify their impact on a community.

Blackburn said those are reasonable questions for local leaders and citizens to ask, adding that decisions regarding data centers should ultimately be made by the communities that may host them.

She also noted that data centers often create demand for skilled trades, including electricians, welders, plumbers, and HVAC technicians.

"There are some communities that are going to say yes, we want to have data centers. There are going to be other communities that are going to say no," Blackburn said. "It's going to be up to those city councils and county commissions to evaluate these and make a decision as to whether or not they think that's going to be a fit for their community."

Another issue Blackburn discussed was the continued loss of farmland across Tennessee.

According to Blackburn, preserving agricultural land has become increasingly important as development continues across the state. She pointed to efforts aimed at preventing foreign adversaries from purchasing farmland while also helping family farms remain financially viable for future generations.

Blackburn said lawmakers have focused on lowering costs for farmers and making it easier for agricultural operations to be passed from one generation to the next without creating an overwhelming tax burden. She also emphasized the importance of maintaining strong export markets for Tennessee agricultural products.

When asked what gives her confidence about the future of Warren County and rural Tennessee, Blackburn pointed to the state's workforce, local leadership and continued population growth.

"We've got a great workforce. We have great communities," Blackburn said. "People love our state. People are moving to our state."

The interview concluded with discussion about independent pharmacies and recent efforts to reform pharmacy benefit managers, commonly known as PBMs. Blackburn said those changes will help independent pharmacies continue serving rural communities across Tennessee.

The full interview can be viewed here:

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