Behind the Headlines Podcast

Memphis Mayor Paul Young talked on "Behind The Headlines" about the March 28 No Kings march that ended with Memphis Police pepper-spraying demonstrators.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Shelby County District Attorney General Steve Mulroy talked on "Behind The Headlines" about the Task Force and criticism Memphis Mayor Paul Young has taken.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris says the number of jail deaths calls for dramatic change that could include the county or the state taking over the county jail currently run by Sheriff Floyd Bonner.

After nearly a year leading Memphis' school system, Interim Superintendent Roderick Richmond wants to keep going. Richmond discussed progress toward his goals for the district, his approach to school closures, and more.

State Rep. Justin J. Pearson talked about his tenure in the Tennessee House of Representatives and his views on the Memphis Safe Task Force on "Behind The Headlines."

U.S. Rep. Steve Cohen has been a vocal critic of President Donald Trump but agreed with Trump's assessment of the set of elections this past week that saw Democratic victory.

Millington City Manager Frankie Dakin and Millington Chamber of Commerce director Chris Thomas talked about the suburb's growth and unique development history.

Executive Director of Stand for Children Tennessee, Cardell Orrin, and Executive Director of Just City, Josh Spickler join host Eric Barnes and Daily Memphian reporter Bill Dries to discuss the impact of the federal intervention in Memphis, including transparency concerns and the long-term effects on public trust and community safety.

Mayor Paul Young is aware his strategy — and the Task Force itself — are controversial.

Shelby County Lee Harris' veto of a resolution to move school board elections and the National Guard coming to town were hot topics on "Behind the Headlines."

The city's Infrastructure and Development chief talked about affordable housing issues and the "appraisal gap" that challenges the drive to build more "starter homes" on WKNO's "Behind The Headlines."

Eric Barnes hosts a journalist roundtable with The Memphis Flyer's Kailynn Johnson, and The Daily Memphian reporters Laura Testino and Samuel Hardiman. The discussion covers the deployment of the National Guard in Memphis, looming school closures, the debate over a new county jail and a remembrance of longtime Memphis journalist Les Smith.

To the dean of the School of Public Health at the University of Memphis, its mission begins — but doesn't end — with data. Dr. Ashish Joshi joins Eric Barnes and Bill Dries to discuss the broader use of hard scientific data.

Reporters' roundtable looks at the problems plaguing Memphis Area Transit Authority, and the new trial for former Memphis Police officers convicted in Tyré Nichols' death.

Eric Barnes hosts a journalist roundtable with The Memphis Flyer's Kailynn Johnson, and The Daily Memphian's Samuel Hardiman and Jane Donahoe. Guests discuss some of Memphis's biggest stories — from the future of the jail and MATA leadership to crime trends, xAI development, TennCare cuts, and the city's negotiations with the Grizzlies.

Executive Director of First Eight Memphis, Kandace Thomas, and President of Porter-Leath, Sean Lee, discuss pre-K access, the $32 million Head Start funding, and the challenges of quality early learning, with The Daily Memphian's Eric Barnes and Laura Testino.

The head of the Downtown Memphis Commission talks about what's beyond Downtown's waiting period for several new and renovated institutions to come online.

It does not appear that Memphis Light, Gas and Water will give Elon Musk's xAI a meaningful amount of electricity for the company's second Memphis data center. MLGW CEO Doug McGowen said that MLGW will not be providing more than a small amount of power to xAI and that the Tennessee Valley Authority may not provide a lot either. Ursula Madden, the utility's vice president of communications, also discussed the utility's efforts to raise money for utility assistance.

President & CEO of The Works, Inc., Roshun Austin, Executive Director of United Housing, Amy Schaftlein, and Memphis Housing & Community Development Director, Ashley Cash, join host Eric Barnes and Bill Dries to discuss the challenges and solutions around affordable housing in Memphis.

Natalie McKinney and Michelle McKissack join The Daily Memphian's Eric Barnes and Laura Testino to discuss lawmakers' push for a takeover of the school district, the former superintendent Marie Feagins' lawsuit to get her job back, and more.

President and CEO of Crosstown Concourse, Todd Richardson, Associate VP of Meharry's Office of Memphis Programs, Dr. Stephanie Sweet, and Pastor of Mississippi Boulevard Christian Church, J. Lawrence Turner join host Eric Barnes and Daily Memphian reporter Bill Dries. Guests discuss transforming church-owned land into a mixed-use space, as well as the Cleveland Street Corridor.

Rep. Mark White and Sen. Brent Taylor, both Republicans, propose the next steps for their bills that would give the state more power over Memphis-Shelby County Schools.

Shelby County Election Commission Chairman Mark Luttrell says candidates running for office have much to do with how many voters turn out in elections. And voter turnout in Memphis and Shelby County has been lower for years. Luttrell and Shelby County Election Commission Administrator of Elections Linda Phillips are this week's guests on Behind the Headlines.

Casey Bryant, Executive Director of Advocates for Immigrant Rights, and Michael Phillips, Executive Director of Su Casa Family Ministries discuss how immigration law and enforcement are playing out locally, from daily ICE activity to concerns over due process.

The county property tax rate proposed by Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris is four cents higher than the state's certified rate, but he said it's not a tax hike. Harris and Shelby County Commissioner Erika Sugarmon join Eric Barnes and Bill Dries on this week's episode.

The executive director of Hospitality Hub and one of the Memphis City Council members who sought to find a second site for the shelter and program for those in homelessness talked on "Behind The Headlines" about future goals and the road to the North Memphis campus that broke ground last week.

Thompson joins Eric Barnes to discuss the fundraising goals for the Memphis Zoo funding and future exhibits.

A reporters roundtable on "Behind The Headlines" discusses this week's decision by the Trump Justice Department to withdraw its December 2024 report critical of the Memphis Police Department.

Leaders of MIFA and the Aging Commission of the Mid-South talk on Behind The Headlines about uncertainty about possible cuts to federal funding.

Kailynn Johnson of the Memphis Flyer and Katherine Burgess of MLK50 joined Laura Testino and Eric Barnes of The Daily Memphian to discuss updates about Memphis-Shelby County Schools' buildings, the 2026 Shelby County ballot, xAI and more.

Shelby County District Attorney General Steve Mulroy joins host Eric Barnes and Daily Memphian reporter Aarron Fleming. Mulroy discusses several important topics, including local crime reduction, the fast-tracking of violent crime cases, bail reform, and the political criticism he faces, among other issues.

Just City's Executive Director Josh Spickler and Program and People Experience Manager Yonée Gibson join host Eric Barnes and Daily Memphian reporter Aarron Fleming to discuss issues affecting the local criminal justice system, including inconsistent data, chronic court case delays, overcrowded jails and more.