Behind the Headlines Podcast

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.

The head of the Crime Commission and the principal investigator behind a new report on the path of court cases through the criminal justice system talked on "Behind The Headlines" about a clearing house for the data to change the system.

Church Health CEO Jennie Robbins talked about concerns that show up with the nonprofit's patients amid national policy changes in Washington, D.C.

The Memphis education landscape is among the topics discussed on "Behind The Headlines."

Three Memphis restaurant professionals joined The Daily Memphian's Eric Barnes and Holly Whitfield to discuss the struggles, successes and realities of the local industry.

The legislation and local reaction to it were among the topics discussed by a reporters' roundtable on "Behind The Headlines."

Memphis Police Chief C.J. Davis talks on "Behind The Headlines" about getting group violence intervention right by looking at Detroit's approach, the pressure that comes with last year's drop in crime and pretextual traffic stops.

The CEO of Regional One Health talks on "Behind The Headlines" about alternatives for the rebuild of the county-owned hospital should state funding not come through and why the decision was made to shift the project to a new site.

Worth Morgan and Willie Simon talked about the path forward politically on "Behind The Headlines." It's a path where there is some common ground as well as some profound differences - especially around a recent immigration raid on Summer Avenue.

The TacoNGanas incident and what it means for the immigration effort President Donald Trump promised during his 2024 campaign is among the topics discussed on "Behind The Headlines."

Shelby County Commissioners Mickell Lowery and Britney Thornton talked on "Behind The Headlines" about the political boundary between the commission and the MSCS board.

The "Behind The Headlines" reporters roundtable also reviewed the end of the Tennessee Legislature's special session and the change Regional One Health's new plans.

Mayor Lee Harris and Juvenile Court Judge Tarik Sugarmon talk on "Behind The Headlines" about the compromise they have taken to Sheriff Floyd Bonner to run the juvenile detention center.

Three Shelby County commissioners who supported a no-confidence vote aimed at Memphis-Shelby County Schools board members talked on "Behind The Headlines" about the ongoing standoff between the school board and its superintendent.

The incoming chairman of the Memphis City Council says on "Behind The Headlines" the discussion is just beginning on what to include in a Memphis gun control ordinance now that voters have approved a wide range of options in a set of Nov. 5 referendums. Ford Canale and outgoing chairman JB Smiley also talk about the city's response to a scathing DOJ report on the Memphis Police Department.

Violent crime and efforts to battle it were among the top stories of the year as discussed in a reporters' roundtable on "Behind The Headlines." The show also included discussion of the effort by some MSCS board members to fire school superintendent Marie Feagins and the ouster attempt by state leaders against District Attorney General Steve Mulroy.

State Sen. Brent Taylor says on "Behind The Headlines" he is ready to make the case for the ouster of Shelby County District Attorney General Steve Mulroy when the Tennessee Legislature returns to session in January.

Shelby County District Attorney General Steve Mulroy discussed the DOJ's investigation into MPD, attempts to remove him from office and conditions at the Shelby County Jail on WKNO's "Behind the Headlines."

Paul Young offered more detail in a Behind The Headlines interview on what's next for MPD after a scathing federal report into the department's policies and practices.

The Justice Department report on the Memphis Police Department is the major topic on a reporters roundtable edition of "Behind The Headlines."

Memphis attorneys talk about the need for legal representation and the barriers to it on Behind The Headlines.

MATA's interim CEO Bacarra Mauldin addressed the myriad problems facing the transit system, even while noting progress on some fronts.

Leaders of the three separate initiatives joined Eric Barnes to talk about their programs this week on the WKNO-TV's "Behind The Headlines."

On this week's "Behind The Headlines," Toby Sells, news editor for The Memphis Flyer, and reporter Abigail Warren of The Daily Memphian joined Eric Barnes to talk about the election.

Once mailboxes are clear of campaign mailers and the Nov. 5 election, 120,000 MLGW customers will be getting a notice on replacing lead water lines. MLGW president and CEO Doug McGowen says on "Behind The Headlines" the utility has the money to replace its lines and is working on funding to replace it on the customer's side of the connection.

Executive Director of Compass Community Schools, Kristi Baird, Chief Academic Officer of Gestalt Community Schools, Bobbie Turner, and Schools of Perea's Tia James join host Eric Barnes and The Daily Memphian reporter Laura Testino. Guests discuss what has led to chronic absenteeism at the national and local levels, and strategies schools are using to keep kids in school.

How Memphians will vote on the referendum, and whether it will ultimately impact Tennessee's gun laws, was a hot topic for local reporters this week.

Ashley Coffield talked on "Behind The Headlines" about the impact of the 2-year-old law and the political effort to flip seats in the Tennessee Legislature based on Republican votes on abortion access.

Memphis Mayor Paul Young says on BTH that the city's deal to buy the Sheraton convention center hotel has risks that are outweighed by the hotel's role in convention business. The 39-year-old hotel has a history of bond defaults - the first one a year after it opened.

On "Behind the Headlines," Memphis City Council Chairman JB Smiley Jr. said the body would likely sue if the Tennessee Legislature attempted to withhold sales-tax revenue from the city.

MSCS superintendent Marie Feagins talked on "Behind The Headlines" about the look at closing some schools and the changes to the school system including eliminating 600 vacant positions and reassigning those in other positions.

In its final action, the former MSCS board tasked incoming members with creating a strategic plan and evaluation for Superintendent Marie Feagins.

The incoming and outgoing chairs of the Shelby County Board of Commissioners talked on "Behind The Headlines" about new Cordova and Frayser schools funding and rebuilding Regional One Health's campus.

Tina Sullivan talked on "Behind The Headlines" about her 12 years as Overton Park Conservancy's first executive director and what's next for the greensward as she prepares to step down.

Frederick Agee — the Republican District Attorney for Tennessee's Crockett, Gibson and Haywood counties — talks on "Behind The Headlines" about his defense of Shelby County District Attorney General Steve Mulroy, who is likely to face an ouster attempt in the Tennessee legislature led by Republicans.