Show overview
Behind the Headlines Podcast has been publishing since 2024, and across the 2 years since has built a catalogue of 104 episodes. That works out to roughly 55 hours of audio in total. Releases follow a weekly cadence.
Episodes typically run twenty to thirty-five minutes — most land between 31 min and 32 min — and the run-time is fairly consistent across the catalogue. None of the episodes are flagged explicit by the publisher. It is catalogued as a EN-US-language News show.
The show is actively publishing — the most recent episode landed 4 days ago, with 17 episodes already out so far this year. Published by The Daily Memphian.
From the publisher
Each week host Eric Barnes discusses major stories in the Memphis area with business executives, community leaders and politicians, as well as local journalists. WKNO's Behind the Headlines Podcast is powered by the Daily Memphian.
Latest Episodes
View all 104 episodes1644: Affordable housing wins come a few lots at a time
1643: Journalist Roundtable
1642: US attorney on being back in office and Task Force
1641: Democrats and Republicans strategize ahead of May county primaries
1640: Reaction to No Kings police response centers on city permit process
Memphis Mayor Paul Young talked on "Behind The Headlines" about the March 28 No Kings march that ended with Memphis Police pepper-spraying demonstrators.
1639: Changes to county juvenile detention include uniforms and toothbrushes
The change in who runs the detention center on a daily basis began this past October — about the time the Memphis Safe Task Force began operations locally.
1638: The latest version of the sales tax rub between the state and local governments
The new formula and its links to the city's quest to create 10,000 new and renovated units of housing by 2030 is among the topics discussed on a journalist roundtable on this week's episode of Behind The Headlines.
1637: Downtown Memphis Commission President & CEO Chandell Ryan
Chandell Ryan joins host Eric Barnes and The Daily Memphian's Bill Dries to discuss new safety and infrastructure investments, improvements along Beale Street, and efforts to attract businesses and conventions to Downtown Memphis.
1636: Crime has dropped in Memphis but why is a question that still divides those in the crime fight
The ongoing difference among those working in and with the Memphis Safe Task Force was among the topics discussed in a Behind The Headlines reporters roundtable.
1635: MSCS could challenge state takeover in court, board chair says
Republican sponsors of the bill have said they'll push the Tennessee General Assembly to pass legislation that would kneecap the elected board by giving a new board of state appointees powers over MSCS.
1634: Steve Mulroy's mixed review of the Memphis Safe Task Force
Shelby County District Attorney General Steve Mulroy talked on "Behind The Headlines" about the Task Force and criticism Memphis Mayor Paul Young has taken.
1633: Fixing Shelby County Jail is key to justice system, Green says
Interim Shelby County Public Defender Jerri Green talked on "Behind The Headlines" about dropping crime rates, the overflowing jail and the differing numbers used by different parts of the criminal justice system.
1632: School board elections and superintendent contract 'irrelevant' with MSCS takeover looming, lawmakers say
The Memphis-Shelby County Schools board is about to decide on the district's leadership, and candidates are campaigning for school board seats. But two sponsors of a state bill say little, if any, of that matters.
1630: Journalist Roundtable
Eric Barnes hosts a journalist roundtable with The Memphis Flyer reporter Kailynn Johnson and Daily Memphian reporters Samuel Hardiman and Bill Dries. The panel discusses pre-K funding delays, a possible state takeover of Memphis-Shelby County Schools, immigration enforcement, xAI's Memphis operations, and more.
1629: Outgoing Public Defender Phyllis Aluko
Phyllis Aluko said there's been a shift in people's attitudes toward crime, punishment and due process, but public defenders play a key role in upholding constitutional standards.
1628: Immigration enforcement doing more harm than good, Memphis lawmakers say
State Sen. Raumesh Akbari and County Commission Chair Shante Avant discussed the Memphis Safe Task Force's immigration role as well as legislation that would allow a state takeover of Memphis schools.
1627: Two of the biggest Memphis stories of 2025 have a surprising connection
Reporters discuss top local stories of 2025, including the link between the Memphis-Shelby County Schools ouster of Marie Feagins, and the arrival of the National Guard.
1626: How clear is the line between immigration stops and MPD policy?
Activists responding to immigration police calls on behalf of those detained said on "Behind The Headlines" the lines look blurred at times as a police stop is followed by a federal presence.
1625: Services helping poor county residents are putting 'Band-Aids on bullet wounds'
The leader of Shelby County's Community Services Division talks about the safety net of programs and the balancing act that comes with uncertain money.
1624: Selling another big economic development project in the age of the 'Digital Delta'
The announcement of a multi-billion dollar plan for a cloud computing hub on the site of another blockbuster development that never panned out is among the topics discussed on Behind The Headlines in a reporters roundtable.