Behind the Headlines Podcast

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.