Behind the Headlines Podcast

MLGW president and CEO Doug McGowen says his priority is finding ways to accelerate the $1.2 billion, five-year plan to upgrade the utility’s infrastructure. 

Crime and the city’s power grid were among the major issues and stories of 2022 as discussed on a “Behind The Headlines” reporters roundtable. The two stories cut across the boundaries separating the city’s politics, business and quality of life. They are also likely to be major stories in the year ahead.

In addition to advocating for bail reform, Mulroy’s office has launched a Justice Review Unit and is working on juvenile reforms alongside newly elected Juvenile Court Judge Tarik Sugarmon, among other things. 

Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris and Germantown Mayor Mike Palazzolo talked in more specific terms about the Germantown schools transfer on “Behind The Headlines.”

The incoming president and CEO of the Greater Memphis Chamber said most of the economic development projects the chamber is pursuing are advanced manufacturing plants. On “Behind The Headlines,” Ted Townsend called it a “vast change” from being a magnet for logistics and distribution that could bode well as Blue Oval City makes plans in Haywood County.

Two suburban economic development pros said on “Behind The Headlines” that infrastructure and real estate are Shelby County’s two critical areas as it sees growth from Ford’s BlueOval City in Haywood County.

Eric Barnes hosts a journalist roundtable with The Memphis Flyer's Toby Sells and The Daily Memphian reporters Abigail Warren and Bill Dries to discuss midterm election results, including constitutional amendments, newly elected officials, and voter turnout. In addition, guests talk about local environmental justice issues, MLGW, and bills targeting drag shows and transgender adolescent treatments.

The leaders of the Mid-South Food Bank and Metropolitan Inter-Faith Association say food insecurity isn’t going anywhere in the city as inflation and other economic factors replace barriers to food created in the COVID pandemic.

The head of the Memphis Education Fund says on “Behind The Headlines” that a national search is essential to choosing the next MSCS superintendent.

A funding plan for a physical remake of Regional One is one of the first major decisions for the new Shelby County Commission. And the new commission is taking its first swing at enduring problems in the Shelby County Clerk’s office. Both topics discussed with three commissioners on “Behind The Headlines.”