1540: Busy week for public education includes new school construction, new leader's contract
Release Date: 04/04/2025
1612: Journalist Roundtable
Behind the Headlines Podcast
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.
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1611: How U of M scientists navigate conspiracy theories and the polarized world of public health
Behind the Headlines Podcast
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.
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1610: MATA roils in turmoil. What's the next step?
Behind the Headlines Podcast
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.
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1609: Journalist Roundtable
Behind the Headlines Podcast
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.
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1608: Early Childhood Education
Behind the Headlines Podcast
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.
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1607: How to keep interest in Downtown Memphis ahead of big projects
Behind the Headlines Podcast
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.
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1606: TVA likely to be backup power for xAI
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.
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1605: Affordable housing in Memphis
Behind the Headlines Podcast
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.
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1604: Memphis-Shelby County School Board of Education
Behind the Headlines Podcast
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.
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1603: Mississippi Boulevard Christian Church Development
Behind the Headlines Podcast
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.
info_outlineThe Memphis education landscape is among the topics discussed on “Behind The Headlines.”