Topics this week range from an discovery that could lead to new treatments for COVID-19 and other viral diseases to events in Oak Ridge, Knoxville, Nashville and Washington, DC.

Whether you're in the mood to watch chalk artists, see a concert, or run a marathon, there's something for everyone this weekend in Knoxville.

Current Roane State programs to be housed in the new 130,000-square-foot center will include nursing, EMS, polysomnography, and respiratory therapy, with the college planning to add new programs such as cardiovascular technology, healthcare administration, and public health.

Here’s your weekly roundup of business news from throughout the Knoxville region.

SSTI, better known as the State Science and Technology Institute, writes that "the opportunity for growth in the nation demands a thoughtful and actionable plan." Caution is advised rather than succumbing to the temptation to get the money out the door as fast as possible.

The goal of the new program is to match business minds outside the university with breakthrough inventions created within its walls and provide those ventures with funding. For starters, Venture Partners at CU Boulder has selected 50 technologies that are available.

Chattanooga's Fenix24, a cyber disaster recovery company, has raised $5 million in funding, and Oak Ridge National Laboratory is teaming with the National Energy Technology Laboratory to jointly explore a range of technology innovations for the Appalachian region.

The newly announced program is designed to uncover opportunities to improve the student-athlete experience, increase on-field competitiveness, and grow a pipeline of venture-backable sports tech start-ups.