Behind the Headlines Podcast

Election officials talk about the disruption of new congressional districts and how that could lead to an increase in voter turnout.

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. 

Democratic nominee for Shelby County Sheriff Anthony Buckner talks about immigration and the Memphis Safe Task Force as well as a new jail.

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.

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."

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; Kelbert Fagan, program manager of Convergence Memphis; and Ron Brooks, president of River City Capital, join...

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.

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.

Leaders of the local Republican and Democratic parties talk about the May Shelby County primary elections

Memphis Mayor Paul Young talked on "Behind The Headlines" about the March 28 No Kings march that ended with Memphis Police pepper-spraying demonstrators.

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.

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.

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.   

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. 

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.

Shelby County District Attorney General Steve Mulroy talked on "Behind The Headlines" about the Task Force and criticism Memphis Mayor Paul Young has taken.

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.

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.

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 operations, and more.

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. 

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.