Behind the Headlines Podcast

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.