The Memo

Earlier this month, events were held across the nation to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the assassination of Civil Rights icon, the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.

The anniversary provided an opportunity for remembrance of that tumultuous time in our nation’s history and for reflection on how far we’ve come in the 50 years since then.

Those were also themes of a large-scale reporting project completed by Jones and her classmates in LaReeca Rucker’s journalism class at the University of Mississippi.

Through a partnership with the Daily Journal, the students reporting for Oxford Stories connected with more than 30 Mississippians, including some who met and worked with King. Their interview subjects shared their memories from April 4, 1968, and their thoughts about how King’s life and death have changed America.

On today’s episode of The Memo podcast, we’re talking about the resulting MLK memories project and the experiences of the students who reported on it. We talk to two of those students – T’Keyah Jones and Alexis Rhoden – about the stories they heard and about how the project broadened their perspective on King’s legacy.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Android | RSS

Most lawmakers agree the state must spend more to repair its aging system of roads and bridges. In fact, it’s one of the few bipartisan issues that most lawmakers agree upon.

And yet, finding a source for that funding has proven to be a challenge. Year after year, lawmakers go through the legislative session without passing a comprehensive plan to improve the state’s infrastructure.

Today, we’re talking about Mississippi’s search for more road money. Does it matter? Why has it been so difficult? And what is the path forward?

Guests include Daily Journal Capitol Bureau chief Bobby Harrison, Mississippi Department of Transportation Northern District Commissioner Mike Tagert, Republican House member Randy Boyd and Democratic Senator Hob Bryan.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Android | RSS

The pending retirement of U.S. Sen. Thad Cochran has created a unique political dynamic in the Magnolia State.

Mississippians tend to pick their senators and stick with them for decades. So having an open Senate race is a rarity here. Adding to the intrigue is the fact that this is a special election, meaning candidates from all parties will run on the same ballot, with no party primaries. That creates nuanced strategies and paths to victory.

In order to better understand the one-of-a-kind dynamics of the upcoming election, we gathered a roundtable of statewide political experts. Guests include Daily Journal political reporters Bobby Harrison and Caleb Bedillion; Sarah Ulmer, who covers state government for Y’all Politics; and longtime Mississippi political guru Marty Wiseman.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Android | RSS

This week, the Tupelo City Council narrowly approved a six-month trial period for a leisure and recreation district downtown.

It will allow people to carry alcoholic beverages in a designated cup outdoors within the district.

While some believe the go-cup zone could benefit the downtown Tupelo area, others aren’t as thrilled by the idea.

On this week’s episode, Emma Kent and Chris Kieffer discuss the new go-cup zone and what it will mean for downtown Tupelo.

Guests include Daily Journal local government reporter Caleb Bedillion, City Councilman Buddy Palmer, Mayor Jason Shelton and Downtown Tupelo Main Street Association Director Debbie Brangenberg. We’ve also got audio from Tuesday’s City Council meeting.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Android | RSS

On this week’s episode, we examine a Tupelo organization that is having a big impact across Mississippi.

Emma Kent and Chris Kieffer look at the what the Tupelo-based Family Resource Center does, its impact, and its recent expansion.

Guests include executive director Christi Webb, clients of the Family Resource Center, and Daily Journal reporter Cristina Carreon.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Android | RSS

When U.S. Senator Thad  Cochran steps down next month, he will leave as the 10th longest serving senator in United States history.

On this week’s episode, Emma Kent and Chris Kieffer will look back at Cochran’s 46-year career on Capitol Hill, including nearly 40 years in the U.S. Senate. And we’ll bring you behind-the-scenes personal stories from people who knew him well.

 

Guests include state Rep. Steve Holland, Paul “Buzzy” Mize and Capitol Bureau chief Bobby Harrison.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Android | RSS

People know the name Eight Days of Hope and have heard stories of its work to help people impacted by natural disasters.

But what they may not realize is how far-reaching the Tupelo-based nonprofit’s impact is or the story behind it.

On this week’s episode, Emma Kent and Chris Kieffer look at how Eight Days of Hope grew from one trip to rebuild homes after Hurricane Katrina into the organization it is today. They also talk about the organization’s work rebuilding homes in Houston, Texas, after Hurricane Harvey, and about its future expansion plans.

Guests include Steve Tybor, co-founder and executive director of Eight Days of Hope, and Daily Journal reporter Cristina Carreon. We also talk with Ben Baldwin, who leads a Houston rebuilding organization that is partnering with Eight Days of Hope.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Android | RSS

Why doesn’t Tupelo have a public transportation system? On this week’s episode, Emma Kent and Chris Kieffer talk about the latest in a long line of public transit proposals with city government reporter Caleb Bedillion and city leaders.

Interviews also include advocates Jim Casey and Jim Newman, City Council members Nettie Davis and Markel Whittington, Mayor Jason Shelton and Chief Operations Officer Don Lewis.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Android | RSS

On this week’s episode of The Memo podcast, Emma Kent and Chris Kieffer delve into the school funding debate. We compare the Mississippi Adequate Education Program with the new formula working its way through the Legislature, and we look at how schools use all of that money.

We also talk to State Sen. Hob Bryan, D-Amory, State Sen. Gray Tollison, R-Oxford, Booneville School District Superintendent Todd English, and Daily Journal Capitol Bureau chief Bobby Harrison.

 

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Android | RSS

This week’s episode covers the Tupelo Public School District’s search for a new leader. TPSD superintendent Gearl Loden announced in December that he would retire at the end of the current school year. 

As the board searches for his replacement, hosts Emma Kent and Chris Kieffer delve into the search process, what exactly a school superintendent does and the position’s unique importance to the city of Tupelo.

We also talk with Tupelo Mayor Jason Shelton, School Board President Eddie Prather, Loden, and a group of students at Pierce Street Elementary.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Android | RSS