Political analyst Otis Sanford discusses the week in politics for July 14-20, 2019.
After President Donald Trump's Sunday tweet calling for four democratically elected women of color to "go back" to their country of origin (for three of them, that country is the United States), Trump declined to consider criticism that his words could be perceived as racist and divisive. "I don't have a racist bone in my body," Trump objected. He is not alone in defending his linguistic naivete.
Spanish-language reporter Manuel Duran is back in Memphis after more than a year of detention by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. He spoke to reporters Tuesday for the first time.
When the Stax Museum of American Soul Music opened to the public 17 years ago, the tourist attraction was heralded as the first of many improvements for Soulsville, U.S.A. But economic growth has been slow to come to the historic neighborhood that includes LeMoyne-Owen College and nonprofits such as Memphis Rox climbing gym. Commercial Appeal reporter Desiree Stennett says a combination of factors explain why plans to revitalize McLemore Avenue in the model of Broad Avenue have fallen short.
A group of independent observers have been monitoring the Memphis Police Department for several months, carrying out a very specific assignment: confirm police aren’t unlawfully keeping tabs on political activists.
“Our goal is, again, to ensure that the MPD is not violating the consent decree,” said monitoring committee leader Ed Stanton at a community meeting last Thursday. Stanton is referencing a decades-old compact between the city and the American Civil Liberties Union designed to broaden citizens' privacy protections.
The City of Memphis will hold municipal elections on Oct. 3, with early voting starting in mid-September.
Top candidates include incumbent Mayor Jim Strickland, former Mayor Willie Herenton, and Shelby County Commissioner Tami Sawyer.
This week on WKNO-TV's Behind the Headlines, Eric Barnes hosts a journalist roundtable to talk about the election with The New Tri-State Defender’s Karanja Ajanaku, The Memphis Flyer’s Toby Sells, The Commerical Appeal’s Sam Hardiman, and The Daily Memphian’s Bill Dries.
In addition, Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris’ veto decision on a $1 million grant to the University of Memphis is discussed, including some of the political and personal reasons behind the veto.
To wrap up, guests deliberate on the controversial installation of Sky Cop Cameras in the Cooper-Young area. Sells and Ajanaku discuss the reasoning for the Sky Cops and some of the concerns being voiced.
Ahead of an Aug. 23 special session of the Tennessee General Assembly, the House Republican caucus will select their nominee to replace disgraced Speaker Glen Casada, who formally resigns his leadership position on Aug. 2. Political analyst Otis Sanford explains that it's partially an attempt to get past the scandals that have plagued the legislature and caused voters to lose confidence in their elected officials.
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Political analyst Otis Sanford discusses the week of Tennessee Politics for July 7-13, 2019.
The City of Memphis has found private developers, M&M Enterprises and Belpointe REIT, to aid in the redevelopment of the Memphis Fairgrounds. Paul Young, the city's Director of Housing and Community Development, says this is a big move forward in the renovation plans for the Fairgrounds.
Young joins host Eric Barnes and Daily Memphian reporter Bill Dries on WKNO-TV'S Behind the Headlines. Young talks about what the plans are for the Fairgrounds, including retail stores, a hotel, and an indoor youth sports facility; as well as how the City of Memphis will benefit from the development.
Gentrification and displacement is common for low-income individuals, Young says, when cities redevelop and revitalize neighborhoods. In order to help prevent that, in conjunction with the rapid growth and development in Memphis, Young believes that it is important to have affordable housing and discuss such accommodations.
