PODCAST · news
Behind the Headlines Podcast
by WKNO/The Daily Memphian
Each week host Eric Barnes discusses major stories in the Memphis area with business executives, community leaders and politicians, as well as local journalists. WKNO's Behind the Headlines Podcast is powered by the Daily Memphian.
Episodes
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1716: Midterm campaigns turn to numbers as early voting begins
The mix of early voting and campaigns watching the turnout while trying to mobilize their voters and partisans is the main topic of conversation on Behind The Headlines.
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1715: Kuhn says Kustoff is vulnerable in reelection bid
Heidi Kuhn, 8th Congressional District Democratic nominee, discusses her challenge of Republican incumbent David Kustoff on 'Behind The Headlines.'
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1714: Pearson says no U.S. military aid to Ukraine or Israel
Democratic Congressional nominee Justin J. Pearson talked about ongoing U.S. aid to Ukraine and "America First" on Behind The Headlines in the latest discussion with Congressional contenders on the Nov. 3 general election ballot.
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1713: New county mayor focused on money
Almost a month into his four-year term, Shelby County Mayor Mickell Lowery said his top priority is the county's financial stability.
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1712: Task Force's 1-year mark comes with questions
MSTF is among the topics discussed on the WKNO-TV program "Behind The Headlines." The reporters' roundtable includes Toby Sells of The Memphis Flyer and Aarron Fleming, Mary Cashiola and Bill Dries of The Daily Memphian.
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1711: Buckner says new jail could unfold one unit at a time
Shelby County Sheriff Anthony Buckner discussed getting ahead on jail maintenance, a new "step-down" unit for prisoners with medical conditions and a return to using a former federal prison in Millington.
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1710: Chaz Molder backs data center pauses in campaign for Congress
The Democratic nominee in the 5th Congressional District and outgoing Mayor of Columbia, Tennessee, talked about a wide range of issues on "Behind The Headlines."
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1709: Meals on Wheels turns 50 as MIFA's 'flagship' program
The new president and CEO of the Metropolitan Inter-Faith Association talked about MIFA's complex structure and long reach into the problems of poverty and areas of need in Memphis and beyond the city.
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1708: Brent Taylor touts end of birthright citizenship, immigration crackdown
The Republican nominee for the 9th Congressional District also called for a Constitutional amendment to limit birthright citizenship and said legal immigrant should "assimilate" to American culture instead of "taking advantage of America."
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1707: Green says path to winning Governor's race is past Blackburn's 'culture war' rhetoric
TN Democratic gubernatorial candidate Jerri Green talked about why her call to abolish ICE doesn't mean she wants to abandon enforcement of immigration laws and how she would handle the state appointed board to run Memphis-Shelby County Schools if elected Governor Nov. 3.
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1706: Outgoing mayor Lee Harris said state oversight will make Mickell Lowery's job harder
Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris talks about his eight years as mayor and the challenges facing his successor, Mayor-elect Mickell Lowery.
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1705: Elections, SpaceXAI and schools dominate local headlines
The many candidates for a wide range of local, state and federal offices were a key theme among journalists on this episode of "Behind the Headlines" on WKNO-TV.
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1704: The changing landscaping for suburban schools
Superintendents from three suburban school districts talk about the changes and challenges their districts face.
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1703: Sheriff candidate Brad Less suggests separate jail to divert nonviolent offenders
Brad Less, the Republican nominee for Shelby County sheriff, talked about immediate solutions to problems at the Shelby County Jail and life after the Memphis Safe Task Force.
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1702: Lowery on 'Collaboration' with state, not intervention or takeover
Democratic nominee for County Mayor Mickell Lowery talked about state intervention, his vote to raise county property taxes and tax breaks as economic development incentives on "Behind The Headlines."
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1652: Redistricting could fuel higher turnout, election official says
Election officials talk about the disruption of new congressional districts and how that could lead to an increase in voter turnout.
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1650: Reporters address SpaceX promises as Elon Musk company goes public
The local face of SpaceX has been making a lot of news as the Houston-based company goes public with a record-setting IPO. The local controversies against that backdrop were discussed in a journalist roundtable.
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1648: Buckner takes wait and see approach on sheriff's cooperation with federal immigration
Democratic nominee for Shelby County Sheriff Anthony Buckner talks about immigration and the Memphis Safe Task Force as well as a new jail.
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1647: GOP nominee for county mayor defends state intervention in city and county
John DeBerry, the Republican nominee for Shelby County mayor, talks about state intervention in Memphis and Shelby County as well as his hopes for a gradual withdrawal of the Memphis Safe Task Force.
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1645: The fast track to the August state and federal primary elections
The quick shift from the May elections to the August elections is the main topic of discussion on this week's journalist roundtable on "Behind The Headlines."
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1644: Affordable housing wins come a few lots at a time
Habitat for Humanity recently hit a milestone in Uptown: Two homes it finished building in February had their appraisals match their costs, which isn't a given when talking about affordable housing in Memphis. Zach Amos, the public policy director of Habitat for Humanity of Greater Memphis…
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1643: Journalist Roundtable
Eric Barnes hosts a journalist roundtable to discuss the Voting Rights Act ruling, the Memphis-Shelby County Schools state takeover, immigration enforcement, and more with Memphis Flyer's Toby Sells, MLK50's Katherine Burgess, and the Daily Memphian's Bill Dries and Mary Cashiola.
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1642: US attorney on being back in office and Task Force
Since the Memphis Safe Task Force began, federal prosecutors in the city have charged and indicted 368 people, according to Michael Dunavant, U.S. attorney for the Western District of Tennessee. Dunavant joins Eric Barnes and Aarron Fleming on this week's episode of Behind the Headlines.
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1641: Democrats and Republicans strategize ahead of May county primaries
Leaders of the local Republican and Democratic parties talk about the May Shelby County primary elections
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1640: Reaction to No Kings police response centers on city permit process
Memphis Mayor Paul Young talked on "Behind The Headlines" about the March 28 No Kings march that ended with Memphis Police pepper-spraying demonstrators.
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1639: Changes to county juvenile detention include uniforms and toothbrushes
The change in who runs the detention center on a daily basis began this past October — about the time the Memphis Safe Task Force began operations locally.
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1638: The latest version of the sales tax rub between the state and local governments
The new formula and its links to the city's quest to create 10,000 new and renovated units of housing by 2030 is among the topics discussed on a journalist roundtable on this week's episode of Behind The Headlines.
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1637: Downtown Memphis Commission President & CEO Chandell Ryan
Chandell Ryan joins host Eric Barnes and The Daily Memphian's Bill Dries to discuss new safety and infrastructure investments, improvements along Beale Street, and efforts to attract businesses and conventions to Downtown Memphis.
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1636: Crime has dropped in Memphis but why is a question that still divides those in the crime fight
The ongoing difference among those working in and with the Memphis Safe Task Force was among the topics discussed in a Behind The Headlines reporters roundtable.
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1635: MSCS could challenge state takeover in court, board chair says
Republican sponsors of the bill have said they'll push the Tennessee General Assembly to pass legislation that would kneecap the elected board by giving a new board of state appointees powers over MSCS.
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1634: Steve Mulroy's mixed review of the Memphis Safe Task Force
Shelby County District Attorney General Steve Mulroy talked on "Behind The Headlines" about the Task Force and criticism Memphis Mayor Paul Young has taken.
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1633: Fixing Shelby County Jail is key to justice system, Green says
Interim Shelby County Public Defender Jerri Green talked on "Behind The Headlines" about dropping crime rates, the overflowing jail and the differing numbers used by different parts of the criminal justice system.
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1632: School board elections and superintendent contract 'irrelevant' with MSCS takeover looming, lawmakers say
The Memphis-Shelby County Schools board is about to decide on the district's leadership, and candidates are campaigning for school board seats. But two sponsors of a state bill say little, if any, of that matters.
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1630: Journalist Roundtable
Eric Barnes hosts a journalist roundtable with The Memphis Flyer reporter Kailynn Johnson and Daily Memphian reporters Samuel Hardiman and Bill Dries. The panel discusses pre-K funding delays, a possible state takeover of Memphis-Shelby County Schools, immigration enforcement, xAI's Memphis...
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1629: Outgoing Public Defender Phyllis Aluko
Phyllis Aluko said there's been a shift in people's attitudes toward crime, punishment and due process, but public defenders play a key role in upholding constitutional standards.
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1628: Immigration enforcement doing more harm than good, Memphis lawmakers say
State Sen. Raumesh Akbari and County Commission Chair Shante Avant discussed the Memphis Safe Task Force's immigration role as well as legislation that would allow a state takeover of Memphis schools.
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1627: Two of the biggest Memphis stories of 2025 have a surprising connection
Reporters discuss top local stories of 2025, including the link between the Memphis-Shelby County Schools ouster of Marie Feagins, and the arrival of the National Guard.
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1626: How clear is the line between immigration stops and MPD policy?
Activists responding to immigration police calls on behalf of those detained said on "Behind The Headlines" the lines look blurred at times as a police stop is followed by a federal presence.
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1625: Services helping poor county residents are putting 'Band-Aids on bullet wounds'
The leader of Shelby County's Community Services Division talks about the safety net of programs and the balancing act that comes with uncertain money.
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1624: Selling another big economic development project in the age of the 'Digital Delta'
The announcement of a multi-billion dollar plan for a cloud computing hub on the site of another blockbuster development that never panned out is among the topics discussed on Behind The Headlines in a reporters roundtable.
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1623: Shelby County Sheriff should not manage the jail, Harris says
Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris says the number of jail deaths calls for dramatic change that could include the county or the state taking over the county jail currently run by Sheriff Floyd Bonner.
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1622: Richmond wants to stay in charge at Memphis-Shelby County Schools
After nearly a year leading Memphis' school system, Interim Superintendent Roderick Richmond wants to keep going. Richmond discussed progress toward his goals for the district, his approach to school closures, and more.
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1620: State Rep. Pearson said he can work across the aisle without moderating his political views
State Rep. Justin J. Pearson talked about his tenure in the Tennessee House of Representatives and his views on the Memphis Safe Task Force on "Behind The Headlines."
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1619: Public holds GOP responsible for ongoing government shutdown, Cohen says
U.S. Rep. Steve Cohen has been a vocal critic of President Donald Trump but agreed with Trump's assessment of the set of elections this past week that saw Democratic victory.
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1618: Millington leaders talk Navy Road comeback, big-box growth
Millington City Manager Frankie Dakin and Millington Chamber of Commerce director Chris Thomas talked about the suburb's growth and unique development history.
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1617: Federal intervention in Memphis
Executive Director of Stand for Children Tennessee, Cardell Orrin, and Executive Director of Just City, Josh Spickler join host Eric Barnes and Daily Memphian reporter Bill Dries to discuss the impact of the federal intervention in Memphis, including transparency concerns and the long-term…
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1616: How Mayor Young wants to work with the Memphis Safe Task Force — instead of contesting it
Mayor Paul Young is aware his strategy — and the Task Force itself — are controversial.
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1615: County commissioners split on whether to fight Harris' veto
Shelby County Lee Harris' veto of a resolution to move school board elections and the National Guard coming to town were hot topics on "Behind the Headlines."
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1613: Affordable housing push looking beyond subsidies to supply need
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."
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1612: Journalist Roundtable
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…
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
Each week host Eric Barnes discusses major stories in the Memphis area with business executives, community leaders and politicians, as well as local journalists. WKNO's Behind the Headlines Podcast is powered by the Daily Memphian.
HOSTED BY
WKNO/The Daily Memphian
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Behind the Headlines Podcast have?
Behind the Headlines Podcast currently has 100 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Behind the Headlines Podcast about?
Each week host Eric Barnes discusses major stories in the Memphis area with business executives, community leaders and politicians, as well as local journalists. WKNO's Behind the Headlines Podcast is powered by the Daily Memphian.
How often does Behind the Headlines Podcast release new episodes?
Behind the Headlines Podcast has 100 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
Where can I listen to Behind the Headlines Podcast?
You can listen to Behind the Headlines Podcast on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Behind the Headlines Podcast?
Behind the Headlines Podcast is created and hosted by WKNO/The Daily Memphian.
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