The Memo

The Memo


Latest Episodes

#307: MLK memories – 04/21/18
April 21, 2018

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...

#306: Why is the transportation issue so difficult to solve? – 04/12/18
April 12, 2018

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.

#305: Unpacking a unique Senate election – 03/29/18
March 29, 2018

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.

#304: Tupelo passes go-cup district – 03/23/18
March 23, 2018

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.

#303: Tupelo’s Family Resource Center has wide impact – 03/15/18
March 15, 2018

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.

#302: Looking back at Thad Cochran’s career – 03/08/18
March 08, 2018

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,

#301: Eight Days of Hope and how it grew – 03/01/18
March 01, 2018

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.

#300: Why doesn’t Tupelo have public transportation? – 02/22/18
February 22, 2018

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.

#299: What’s all the fuss about school funding? – 02/15/18
February 15, 2018

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,

#298: Tupelo Schools seek new leader – 02/08/18
February 08, 2018

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,