Christopher Blank

Each year, the Republican-supermajority Tennessee General Assembly proposes a number of laws guaranteed to infuriate people who live in urban areas, minorities, scientists, and those who believe government should not favor one religion over another. 

As Memphians bundled up and stayed indoors last week during the winter storms, two other storms were a-brewing, as they say, in the public sphere. More than 2,000 unused COVID vaccine doses went into the garbage -- a major waste blamed on weather and miscommunication. In addition, the Shelby County Health Department ended up with a massive stockpile of more than 30,000 doses, that ran afoul of state policy.

Marc Perrusquia is no stranger to lawsuits over access to public records. Back when he was an investigative reporter for the Commercial Appeal, the paper’s lawyers filed a number of suits on his behalf to acquire government documents.

But the University of Memphis’ Institute for Public Service Reporting, where Perrusquia is director, is not a big-budget news organization. 

Across Shelby County, eight primary pumping stations send water flowing into the sprawling network of water mains beneath our streets, which adds up to about 3,700 miles worth of civic plumbing. And that massive aquatic infrastructure was hit with a one-two punch this week, according to Memphis Light Gas & Water officials. 

First, pumping station wells (there are 140 of them) began freezing up, their machinery and electronics burning out due to the strain. They’re still being fixed, but it means reservoirs are low and less water is entering the system.

A proposed pipeline designed to pump crude oil from the Valero refinery in Southwest Memphis to a second Valero facility south of Collierville would run nearly 50 miles across North Mississippi. But the first few miles, at least, would pass through some predominately African American neighborhoods where activists have been fighting the project for at least a year. 

In Texas and Arkansas, regional power suppliers have struggled to keep up with the demand as the week-long winter storm keeps people at home with the heat cranked up. Millions are without power for a third consecutive day, and Texas Gov. Greg Abbott faces a backlash for placing the blame on frozen windmills and green energy. 

Tennessee Governor Bill Lee delivered his third annual State of the State address this week, promising massive funding so rural areas can get broadband Internet and new mothers on TennCare might receive more postpartum care.