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Behind the Headlines Podcast

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

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for Behind the Headlines Podcast

Latest Episodes

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."

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.

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Recent Guests

Anthony Buckner
Democratic candidate for Shelby County Sheriff
Shelby County Sheriff's Office (candidate)
Episode: 1648: Buckner takes wait and see approach on sheriff's cooperation with federal immigration
John DeBerry
Republican candidate for County Mayor
Republican Party
Episode: 1647: GOP nominee for county mayor defends state intervention in city and county
Kaylin Johnson
Journalist from The Memphis Flyer
The Memphis Flyer
Episode: 1645: The fast track to the August state and federal primary elections
Mary Caciela
Editorial Director with The Daily Memphian
The Daily Memphian
Episode: 1645: The fast track to the August state and federal primary elections
Zach Amos
Director of Public Policy for Habitat for Humanity of Greater Memphis
Habitat for Humanity of Greater Memphis
Episode: 1644: Affordable housing wins come a few lots at a time
Kelbert Fagan
Program Manager for Convergence Memphis
Convergence Memphis
Episode: 1644: Affordable housing wins come a few lots at a time
Ron Brooks
President of River City Capital
River City Capital
Episode: 1644: Affordable housing wins come a few lots at a time
Mike Dunavant
U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Tennessee
U.S. Department of Justice
Episode: 1642: US attorney on being back in office and Task Force
Rachel Wall
Head of the Shelby County Republican Party
Republican Party
Episode: 1641: Democrats and Republicans strategize ahead of May county primaries

Hosts

Eric Barnes
Host of Behind the Headlines; central figure in civic reporting and analysis.
Bill Dries
Reporter and analyst contributing journalism context and local governance insight.

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.

Clear, data-driven local coverage that connects policy to daily life.
Consistently strong guest mix and practical context for local issues.
Great on-the-ground reporting with thoughtful questions about policy and governance.

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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?

This show features roundtable-style and interview-style discussions focused on Memphis-area politics, governance, crime, education, housing, and urban development. Hosts frequently anchor conversations with local journalists, public officials, and community leaders, creating data-informed takes on issues like school governance, public safety, and city growth. The format tends to blend reporting context with policy analysis, often highlighting how state decisions intersect with Memphis-area realities. A standout trait is its steady involvement of veteran local journalists and a broad mix of stakeholders—from elected officials to nonprofit and business leaders—delivering a grounded, civically focused briefing for residents interested in how l... 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. The Indicator from Planet Money
5. Marketplace

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. Anthony Buckner
2. John DeBerry
3. Kaylin Johnson
4. Mary Caciela
5. Zach Amos
6. Kelbert Fagan
7. Ron Brooks
8. Mike Dunavant

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