Roblin Webb of Freedom Preparatory Academy, Yetta Lewis of Gestalt Community Schools and Bobby White of Frayser Community Schools joined Behind the Headlines to talk about what they’re doing to prepare for the return to classrooms.

Behind the Headlines Podcast

1204: Charter school leaders explain what their 2021-22 school year will look like

If masks have been the face of the nation’s political divide during the pandemic, what are COVID vaccinations?

1203: Vaccinations join masks in pandemic politics

On “Behind the Headlines,” Porter-Leath’s Rob Hughes discusses the future of preschool in Shelby County after the abrupt end to its partnership with Shelby County Schools. 

1202: Porter-Leath talks future without SCS

On “Behind The Headlines,” county commissioners Van Turner and Mark Billingsley clashed over whether the commission should reopen its budget season later this month to consider a one-cent property tax hike.

1201: Turner says penny tax hike about a more comprehensive response to violent crime

The nonprofit’s new executive director talked on “Behind the Headlines” about the end of a truce between the City Council, County Commission and the builders of the proposed Byhalia Connection oil pipeline. Final votes on several new local hurdles for the pipeline are set for next month. Sarah Houston also talked a long-term goal of a regional groundwater trust.

1152: End of Byhalia pipeline truce approaches with more specific proposals

Collierville Mayor Stan Joyner and Bartlett Mayor Keith McDonald talked on “Behind The Headlines” about property tax hikes passed and up for a final vote, respectively, in the cities they lead and why the estimated share of federal ARPA funds in each of their cities took a tumble in the latest estimates.

1151: The case for property tax hikes in the suburbs

The County Commission’s vote approving a one-cent property tax hike and the City Council’s consideration next week of a 29-cent city property tax hike were the dominant topics in a reporter’s roundtable on “Behind The Headlines.”

1150: Local budget seasons command attention as final city and county votes near

The path of the two budget seasons and the use of federal funds to close financial gaps — plus other topics — are the focus of a reporters roundtable on “Behind The Headlines.”

1149: City and county budget paths get more interesting as fiscal year nears

Executive Director of BLDG Memphis Deveney Perry and the Executive Director of Stand for Children Tennessee Cardell Orrin join host Eric Barnes to discuss the budget priorities for 2021-22 budgets for both the City of Memphis and Shelby County. In addition, guests talk about local economical issues the new budgets are and are not addressing.

1147: Don't forget the children; Budgets and BLDG Memphis

City parks and neighborhoods director Nick Walker, on “Behind The Headlines,” talks about the new Gaisman Park and community center, the success of David Carnes Park in Whitehaven and the transition of the nonprofit group “Bloom.”

1146: City parks post-pandemic demand requires programming, upkeep, changes to meet diversity

City Council budget committee Chairman Worth Morgan and city Chief Financial Officer Shirley Ford talked about revenue estimates and the impact of federal American Rescue Plan funds as well as restrictions on its use during “Behind The Headlines.”

1145: City Council members eye $27 million estimated excess in revenues

Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris said on “Behind The Headlines” that the estimated drop in the county property tax rate to $3.50, accounting for increases in values, should be the line to hold on the county tax rate. But county commissioners this week reviewed numbers suggesting some want to raise taxes beyond that point.

1144: Harris says county tax rate should hold steady

On “Behind The Headlines,” the incoming CEO of the Downtown Memphis Commission says federal pandemic relief funding due the city will likely make up the loss. The drop in sales tax revenue for the TDZ comes as sales tax revenues across the city have exceeded bleak projections at the outset of the pandemic.

1143: Downtown Tourism Development Zone lost $5m in sales tax revenue

The Assessor said on “Behind The Headlines” home sales in  Germantown reflected an increase in values in this year’s reappraisal despite 2019 flooding in some parts of the city. Burgess also talked about a change in the valuation of commercial property and his call for a reappraisal every other year.

1142: Burgess says no promises of relief made to flooded Germantown homeowners

The co-leaders of the countywide vaccination distribution effort talked on “Behind The Headlines” about a move this week to no appointments for some and why the federal vaccination presence at the Fairgrounds is unique.

1141: Pandemic end game features lots of changes in short amount of time

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.

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Behind the Headlines Podcast

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