Behind the Headlines Podcast

Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris discusses COVID-19, next year’s County budget, and more with host Eric Barnes and the Daily Memphian’s Bill Dries.

The New Tri-State Defender’s Karanja Ajanaku joins host Eric Barnes for a journalist roundtable with The Daily Memphian reporter Bill Dries to discuss the local protests that have taken place. Ajanaku explains why the Black Lives Matter movement has recently gained momentum and the effects it is having locally and across the nation. Dries also talks about the Memphis city council passing an ordinance requiring individuals to wear face masks in public. In addition, guests discuss the City of Memphis’ decision to halt phase three of reopening the city.

Faith Morris, Chief Marketing and External Affairs Officer for the National Civil Rights Museum, and Archie Willis, President of ComCap Partners, discuss the protests in Memphis.

Dr. Jon McCullers, Pediatrician in Chief at Le Bonheur Children's Hospital, discusses where Memphis and Shelby County stand in the fight against COVID-19 and discusses how efforts of social distancing have contributed to a positive measure of containment, but stresses that we must be vigilant as we re-open our communities.

President and CEO of Memphis Light, Gas and Water J.T. Young joins host Eric Barnes and Bill Dries with the Daily Memphian to talk about the Integrated Resource Plan (IRP), which is a process to help MLGW find the most cost effective, eco-friendly, reliable energy source. In addition, Young discusses the positive and negative effects of finding a new power source.

President and CEO of Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) Jeff Lyash joins host Eric Barnes and The Daily Memphian reporter Bill Dries to discuss the benefits of MLGW’s partnership with TVA, as well as the effects of MLGW ending its 80-year-old contract with TVA.

Karl Schledwitz and Jim Gilliland with $450 Million for Memphis join host Eric Barnes and The Daily Memphian's Bill Dries to discuss the proposed plan for MLGW to leave the Tennessee Valley Authority, including other possible energy sources and the obstacles the City of Memphis is weighing.

Darrell Cobbins and Kemp Conrad join host Eric Barnes to discuss the COVID-19 pandemic in Memphis, including the impact it has had on businesses and future developments.

City of Memphis Chief Operating Officer Doug McGowen joined host Eric Barnes and Daily Memphian reporter Bill Dries to discuss the metrics that the City of Memphis’ elected officials and health officers studied to determine when to start gradually reopening the city. In addition, McGowen talked about initiatives taken by the local, state, and federal government to alleviate the negative effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Dr. Manoj Jain, infectious disease physician and epidemiologist, discusses how Memphis moves forward during the pandemic with host Eric Barnes and Bill Dries with the Daily Memphian.