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14
May
Edmund Ford Trial
12
May
The First 48
The First 48 is a TV show that airs on A&E and follows homicide detectives in several large U.S. cities. Memphis has been profiled for several years and is said to be a favorite of viewers. There are reports the city has told the show’s producers to pack up and leave because it generates negative publicity for the city. Others say it shows how hard homicide detectives in Memphis work and what a high “solve” rate they have.
Have you seen the show? What do you think about its effect on the city?
After Mike Matthews reported MLGW VP Armstead Ward lied about living in the city of Memphis, it was announced Ward will soon be out of a job. The CA says, “Utility president Jerry Collins said today that Ward was being released from his $164,964 a year job because he willfully violated MLGW’s residency policy.” MLGW however tells us Ward resigned. Either way he is set to stay in the job until early September.
What do you think?
We just ran a story about a video that was running on YouTube called, ”Mitchell High School Memphis … Rape Dat Ho.” The video shows high school students involved in a type of dance that can only be called extremely sexual. The students simulate sex acts in the high school gymnasium. Some students can be heard shouting, “Rape Dat Ho” in the background. A group of five administrators watched a copy of the video last week then offered a response. “We’ve had an opportunity to look at the video and just want to make it very clear that behavior that we saw on the tape is very disturbing,” said MCS spokesperson Staci Franklin. “However, in just what we’ve seen today we cannot clearly identify that those are our students and that it is one of our schools.” We are giving the school system a copy of the dance tape which you can see on wreg.com.
What do you think about this video and the videos that have been popping up all over YouTube with teenagers fighting, dancing lewdly and other things?
05
May
aclu v. mcs
We’re told representatives from the ACLU will attend tonight’s school board meeting over a recent incident at Hollis F. Price Middle College High School on the Le Moyne Owen campus. The ACLU contends student privacy was violated when the Principal made a list of student couples on campus. MCS contends the list was made because numerous students were engaged “in explicit sexual behavior in public view on the college campus.” The principal contacted each students parents to inform them of the incidents. Two male students claim they were “outed” due to the principals actions and a list she reportedly had in her office. The students claim they have been harrassed and were told by the principal she doesn’t like gay people. MCS says it supports the principal and her actions. The ACLU wants an apology or it may sue. Read more by clicking HERE.
What do you think?
George george.brown@wreg.com
We were talking in the newsroom today about Memphis In May and Beale Street Music Fest. I’m wondering how many of you plan to head down to Tom Lee Park? With the storms we’re getting, it’s definitely going to be a mess!!! Organizers are hoping a strong line up will draw in more people.
Watchdog Mike Matthews broke the story of an MLGW exec, Armstead Ward, who says he lives in one place while he really in another. Mike found the home Ward listed as his address to get a job at MLGW (Execs are required to live within city limits) is worth $28,000, doesn’t appear to have utilities and neighbors say no one ever enters the home. Mike then found Ward really lives in a $650,000 home in Eads. MLGW president Jerry Collins admitted the rules aren’t tough enough and plans to address the matter Thursday.
What do you think? Should city employees be told where they can and cannot live?
29
Apr
sales tax holiday
I’m just wondering if you took part in the tax free weekend? Tennessee was offering no tax on items like clothing, computers etc. The idea originally started to give parents a break on back to school supplies but then a second weekend was added in April. There’s word there may not be another tax free weekend anytime soon since the state is having financial trouble. The state reimburses cities and towns for taxes lost during the weekend.
28
Apr
John Ford In Prison
As of 1:48 p.m. Monday, former Tennessee Senator John Ford became a federal prisoner. Ford’s name will be replaced with a prison ID number at a prison camp in Pollock, LA. The camp is not like a prison many of us envision, there are no walls or razor wire fences. We’re told if a prisoner does wander away, they enter up in a maximum security prison. Ford was sentenced to 5.5 years in prison after being convicted of bribery in Operation Tennessee Waltz.
25
Apr
sean bell verdict
As you may have heard, a judge in New York cleared police officers in the shooting death of a man. Please read THIS story BEFORE you comment as it is a little complicated.
24
Apr
14 year old arrested
A veteran officer working undercover said he was shocked when a 14 year old girl solicited him for sex this morning during an undercover bust of prostitutes. Dressed in what appeared to be her school uniform, khaki pants and a white shirt, the girl was arrested. Instead of being in class at Hamilton High School, she was working as a prostitute in front of St. Augustine Catholic School. ”Apparently she doesn’t have the proper parenting at home or doesn’t have any parenting and trying to do a trick for $35 for oral sex with a guy like me who is 42 years old,” the officer explained.
What do you think about this?
Memphis police have arrested two MLGW workers and a Memphis firefighter in an undercover sting on prostitution. The two MLGW employees were working and in a company truck when police say they tried to solicite sex from a decoy prostitute. The firefighter was off duty at the time of his arrest. One man was arrested with his 7-year-old daughter with him in the car and birthday presents in the back seat.
Police say this is part of their ongoing crack down on prostitution and drugs.
Your thoughts? Do you think this program is working?
