Katie Riordan

Reporter

Katie is a freelance contributor to WKNO. She's always eager to hear your story ideas. You can email her at kriordan@wkno.org

After Removal of Confederate Memorial, Officials Say a Park Can Just “Be a Park”

By • Jun 11, 2021
Katie Riordan

The remains of Confederate General Nathan Bedford Forrest and his wife were disinterred from Memphis’ Health Sciences Park on Monday. 

Officials announced Friday that the exhumed remains are being kept at an undisclosed location until their future reinterment at the National Confederate Museum in Middle Tennessee, where a more than 100-year-old equestrian statue of Forrest that once also stood in the park will too be reconstituted. 

Buttigieg Touts Biden Infrastructure Plan During Memphis Bridge Visit

By • Jun 3, 2021
Katie Riordan

 

Representatives from local industries affected by the protracted shutdown of the Hernando de Soto Bridge had the ear of the White House this week. 

Bridge Investigation Continues as Boats Allowed to Pass Beneath

By • May 15, 2021
Arkansas Department of Transportation

 

Authorities now consider it safe to re-open a mile-long stretch of the Mississippi River near Memphis after a multi-day closure of the maritime passageway. In addition to suspending the movement of boats and barges on Tuesday, officials also cutoff Interstate 40 traffic on the Hernando de Soto bridge after inspectors found a visibly large crack in a steel support beam.

The U.S. Coast Guard greenlighted boats to start moving again Friday morning.

Cracked Bridge Causes Shipping Delays on Mississippi

By • May 13, 2021
The Tennessee Department of Transportation

 

UPDATE: May 14, 11:30 a.m.: River traffic under the Hernando de Soto Bridge resumed this morning. More than 60 stalled vessels and 1,000 barges are now able to pass, though motorists will continue to be rerouted to the I-55 bridge for an indefinite time. 

Labor Secretary, Second Gentleman Promote Democrats' Economic Plans in Memphis

By • May 7, 2021
Katie Riordan

 

 

The Biden administration is promoting its multi-trillion dollar American Jobs Plan and American Families Plan in cities across the country. And on Thursday, that effort included a stop in the Mid-South for Vice President Kamala Harris’ husband, Doug Emhoff, and Labor Secretary Marty Walsh. 

Leftover Pills Are Saving Lives: The Promise of Prescription Drug 'Recycling'

By • Apr 26, 2021
Katie Riordan


Mary Janine Bolchazy knew something was wrong in late 2019 while addressing her Christmas cards at home in California.

“I realized that my handwriting was atrocious,” she says. “I couldn’t really form the letters, and I was a Catholic school principal, so you know, we were taught by nuns...cursive writing.” 

After finding a brain lesion, doctors diagnosed Bolchazy, 77, with primary central nervous system lymphoma. The regimen of intravenous chemotherapy that followed took a toll on her kidneys, so her physician switched her to a daily oral chemotherapy pill. 

Through Music, Memphis Students Explore the Complicated and Colorful World of Feelings

By • Mar 29, 2021

 


As the second graders at the STAR Academy Charter School in North Memphis settle into their weekly music class, one of their instructors, Carrington Truehart, quickly reminds them of expectations.

Rules related to the virtual classroom: keep the mics on mute unless called on, put comments in the chat box and make sure they’re relevant to class.  

Coming Friday in Shelby County: Vaccines for All Adults

By • Mar 22, 2021
Courtesy of Regional One Health

 

Update, March 22, 5:40 - The City of Memphis announced that begining Friday, anyone 16 and older in Shelby County can sign up for a COVID-19 shot.  Until then, officials have broadened current eligibility to include those 45 and older and individuals in the state's third and final priority group.  

State Teases Vaccines for All as Shelby County Looks to Speed Up Delivery

By • Mar 19, 2021
Shelby County Health Department's Facebook page

 

 

“Open season” for COVID-19 vaccines, a reference to the term used by the nation’s top medical adviser, might come earlier than expected in Shelby County.

The Tennessee Department of Heath said in a statement Friday that moving forward—with more details to come on Monday—counties will be able to set their own timelines for who gets vaccines based on availability and demand. 

Restaurant Times Getting Back Closer to Normal, But Masking Still on the Menu

By • Mar 17, 2021
Katie Riordan

 

As Shelby County approaches the one-year anniversary of shutting down restaurants' dining rooms due to the pandemic, health officials continue to soften restrictions on them.

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