Spring sprung early — and with it, so does heightened Downtown security
Downtown Memphis Commission CEO Chandell Ryan talked on “Behind The Headlines” about an early spring on Beale Street and the city’s plan for enhancing safety.
Topic: Behind The Headlines
RSSThere are 338 article(s) tagged Behind The Headlines:
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March 2026
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Crime has dropped in Memphis. ‘Why’ is a question that still divides.
The Memphis Safe Task Force was among the topics discussed in a Behind The Headlines reporters roundtable.
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February 2026
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MSCS could challenge state takeover in court
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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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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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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School board elections, 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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January 2026
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Universal pre-K money in Shelby County tied up amid ongoing negotiations
Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris’ goals as he leaves office at the end of August include negotiating new terms for funding universal prekindergarten services across the county.
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Outgoing Public Defender: ‘We’re not into assembly line justice’
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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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 on “Behind The Headlines” as well as legislation that would allow a state takeover of Memphis schools.
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Two of the biggest Memphis stories of 2025 have a surprising connection
On Behind The Headlines, 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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December 2025
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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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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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‘Largest development in the history of Downtown Memphis’ faces hope and skepticism
A future cloud computing hub — at the site of a another development that never panned out — is among the topics on “Behind The Headlines” a reporters’ roundtable.
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‘I don’t think I have seen a mug shot that is not Latino or African American,’ county mayor says about Task Force arrests
On “Behind The Headlines,” Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris said he has tried to meet with federal officials from the Memphis Safe Task Force to talk about his concerns ICE agents are racially “profiling” Memphians.
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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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Richmond wants to stay in charge at Memphis-Shelby County Schools
“I’d love to have the permanent superintendent role,” interim Memphis school Superintendent Roderick Richmond said during a recent interview on WKNO-TV Channel 10’s “Behind The Headlines.”
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November 2025
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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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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 on “Behind The Headlines” with Trump’s assessment of the set of elections this past week that saw Democratic victory.
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Millington leaders talk Navy Road comeback, big-box growth
Millington City Manager Frankie Dakin and Millington Chamber of Commerce Director Chris Thomas discussed the suburb’s growth and unique development history on “Behind The Headlines.”
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October 2025
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The shrinking middle ground between ‘occupation’ and help with violent crime
On “Behind The Headlines,” two vocal critics of the Memphis Safe Task Force say there isn’t much — if any — middle ground as Mayor Paul Young tries to thread the political needle.
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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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Mayor Young says Sheraton hotel deal worth delays
Memphis Mayor Paul Young said on “Behind The Headlines” the city’s $22 million purchase of the 600-room hotel helps protect the city’s $200 million investment in the Renasant Convention Center.
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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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September 2025
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Why aren’t there more starter homes in Memphis?
“Right now we’re at a point where the cost of constructing housing is so high,” the City of Memphis’ chief of infrastructure and development said.
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Reporters explore National Guard questions, remember Les Smith
WKNO’s “Behind the Headlines” remembered Smith, who died Sept. 17, for his early contributions to the show. The reporter’s roundtable edition also discussed the pending National Guard deployment to Memphis.
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