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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...The post #307: MLK memories – 04/21/18 appeared first on The Memo.

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...The post #306: Why is the transportation issue so difficult to solve? – 04/12/18 appeared first on The Memo.

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...The post #305: Unpacking a unique Senate election – 03/29/18 appeared first on The Memo.

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...The post #304: Tupelo passes go-cup district – 03/23/18 appeared first on The Memo.

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...The post #303: Tupelo’s Family Resource Center has wide impact – 03/15/18 appeared first on The Memo.

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...The post #302: Looking back at Thad Cochran’s career – 03/08/18 appeared first on The Memo.

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...The post #301: Eight Days of Hope and how it grew – 03/01/18 appeared first on The Memo.

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,...The post #300: Why doesn’t Tupelo have public transportation? – 02/22/18 appeared first on The Memo.

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...The post #299: What’s all the fuss about school funding? – 02/15/18 appeared first on The Memo.

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...The post #298: Tupelo Schools seek new leader – 02/08/18 appeared first on The Memo.