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Behind the Headlines Podcast

WKNO/The Daily Memphian
Memphis, United States
Memphis
Memphis Shelby County Schools
Memphis, Tennessee
Shelby County
Memphis Safe Task Force
Redistricting
XAI
Memphis-Shelby County Schools
MATA
Affordable Housing
Immigration Policy
Voter Turnout
National Guard
Shelby County Election Commission
Downtown Memphis Commission
Crime
Beale Street
Education
Advocates For Immigrant Rights

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.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes300Founded7 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
PoliticsNews

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Latest Episodes

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."

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 el... more

Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris talks about his eight years as mayor and the challenges facing his successor, Mayor-elect Mickell Lowery.

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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Recent Guests

Lee Harris
Outgoing County Mayor of Shelby County, Tennessee
Shelby County Government
Episode: 1706: Outgoing mayor Lee Harris said state oversight will make Mickell Lowery's job harder
Laura Testina
Daily Memphian journalist
Daily Memphian
Episode: 1705: Elections, SpaceXAI and schools dominate local headlines
Kailin Johnson
Journalist
Memphis Flyer
Episode: 1705: Elections, SpaceXAI and schools dominate local headlines
Katherine Burgess
MLK 50
MLK50
Episode: 1705: Elections, SpaceXAI and schools dominate local headlines
Jason Manuel
Superintendent, Germantown Municipal School District
Germantown Municipal School District
Episode: 1704: The changing landscaping for suburban schools
Allison Clark
Superintendent, Arlington Community Schools
Arlington Community Schools
Episode: 1704: The changing landscaping for suburban schools
Ted Orle
Superintendent, Lakeland School System
Lakeland School System
Episode: 1704: The changing landscaping for suburban schools
Mary Caciola
Editorial Director, Daily Memphian
Daily Memphian
Episode: 1704: The changing landscaping for suburban schools
Brad Less
Republican candidate for County Sheriff
Sheriff's Office / candidate
Episode: 1703: Sheriff candidate Brad Less suggests separate jail to divert nonviolent offenders

Hosts

Eric Barnes
Host of the program and interviewer, Daily Memphian.
Bill Dries
Reporter and moderator, provides journalistic context and questions about elections and policy.

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 18 ratings
  • Great service to local/regional communities

    Eric Barnes and Bill Dries have consistently provided excellent journalism over many years. Thank you and the Daily Memphian!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    ftssss
    United States2 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Listeners appreciate the clarity and practical takeaways on elections and governance.
Strong value for sponsors tied to local government, education, housing, and civic engagement.
Excellent local journalism with deep policy context from trusted hosts.
High-quality guests and thoughtful, data-driven discussions keep complex topics accessible.
Consistent focus on local issues may appeal to civic-minded professionals and public-sector audiences.

Top Politics Podcasts

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

1552: Candidates 'have the responsibility for turnout'
Q: What is the Election Commission's view on turnout and how to influence it?
The Commission aims to inform and educate voters while recognizing that turnout is largely driven by candidates and issues; they work to keep the process nonpartisan and accessible, and stress the responsibility of candidates to encourage turnout.
1606: TVA likely to be backup power for xAI
Q: What's the status of moving MLGW's downtown headquarters and the broader grid modernization plan?
The plan is to stay downtown with the headquarters, but modernize with a new control room and grid modernization investments; location decisions depend on approved redevelopment plans, with a focus on creating a central hub for operations rather than a standalone HQ move.
1606: TVA likely to be backup power for xAI
Q: Where do you stand on solar and battery storage integration with TVA and the grid?
MLGW is evaluating responses to a solar and battery RFP; they have authorized a contract to help with siting and expect large-scale storage within a year, working under an all-requirements contract with TVA to ensure grid integration and reliability while exploring cost-effective, low-cost energy options.
1606: TVA likely to be backup power for xAI
Q: But I wanna start with XAI and power demand. What are the expected power needs for XAI and how is MLGW planning to meet them?
The first data center site at Paul Lowry is being served with about 150 megawatts now, with a planned 150 more (to 300 MW total) from TVA; the larger Tulane Road site will be served by a different arrangement and may rely on a private natural gas plant connected to XAI's cogeneration, with potential backup from the grid. TVA's study and approval are critical steps, and MLGW is coordinating reliability and capacity while considering future needs for both sites.
1647: GOP nominee for county mayor defends state intervention in city and county
Q: If elected, how would you interact with the state-appointed school board and the role of the county mayor in education?
As county mayor, I would act to facilitate collaboration between the school board and other agencies, while ensuring the board operates within its charter and prioritizes responsible budgeting and student outcomes, rather than letting partisan fights derail progress.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Behind the Headlines Podcast

What is Behind the Headlines Podcast about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Listeners-get local governance, policy, and politics in Memphis through high-signal conversations with journalists, elected officials, and community leaders. Recent episodes frequently tackle school governance, district funding, and state intervention, along with how elections, redistricting, and large-scale developments (like data centers and housing initiatives) shape regional policy and public perception. The show often blends hands-on reporting with policy analysis, offering practical insights for audiences who need to understand how decisions at city and county levels translate into real-world outcomes. A notable strength is the regular mix of interviews, roundtables, and roundups that connect local political dynamics to broader nation... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Behind the Headlines Podcast?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Behind the Headlines Podcast:

1. The Sidebar with Eric Barnes
2. The AM/DM
3. Sound Bites
4. Throughline
5. The Indicator from Planet Money

How many episodes of Behind the Headlines Podcast are there?

Behind the Headlines Podcast launched 7 years ago and published 300 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on Behind the Headlines Podcast?

Recent guests on Behind the Headlines Podcast include:

1. Lee Harris
2. Laura Testina
3. Kailin Johnson
4. Katherine Burgess
5. Jason Manuel
6. Allison Clark
7. Ted Orle
8. Mary Caciola

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