Thursday, mayor Willie Herenton suggested the Memphis City Council should perhaps hold back $93 million dollars in funding from the Memphis City School System. Herenton cited an opinion from a former TN Attorney General that if such an event were to take place Shelby County may have to take over MCS. The take over could eliminate the MCS school board which members vow to fight. School board members also say the city should not eliminate its funding. Proponents though say it could save money since Shelby County has to give MCS $3 everytime it spends $1 on its students.
Archive for May, 2008
You may have seen the report yesterday on the murder and dismemberment of Charlene Gaither. In February, pieces of Gaither’s body were found in a field. Wednesday, her daughter said her father forced her to help cut up her mother with a circular saw he bought at a local store. The father is also accused of sexually abusing a family member. There is great concern for the daughter and her future since her mother is dead and her father is likely headed to prison.
29
May
Bush v McClellan
What’s your take on Scott McClellan’s new book and the comments he’s making on President Bush? I always wondered why he left the White House so quickly.
28
May
Pot Punishment
Tuesday, we did a story about a dad who caught his son smoking marijuana and made him wear a sign in public saying just that. The dad hopes the public humiliation will make his son think twicein the future, the son says it will.
What do you think?
23
May
Gas Prices
As we head into summer we know gas prices will rise, they always do, but now that rise means gas at nearly $4 a gallon. The rising price has nothing to do with a shortage or demand, we’re now told it’s the stock market. So many people are investing in oil, it’s pushing the price up and up with no end in sight. The push to start drilling in Alaska and build new oil refineries is increasing each day.
Edmund Ford was found not guilty on all six charges of bribery and extortion. The jury came to it’s verdicts after six hours of deliberations. Ford thanked God and his family. Ford was accused of taking $8900 for his influence on the Memphis City Council. Ford has a trial starting August 4 on similar charges. The August trial involves Joseph Lee and MLGW. Since I know some of you will ask, the jury was majority white.
What do you think.
We were first to report interim superintendent Dan Ward was leaving next month, before a replacement is chosen. Last night, Ward announced school board president Tomeka Hart talked him into staying. Ward was named interim almost a year ago and gets paid between $150-185,000 per year. I could tell you the exact amount but MCS wants me to file a freedom of information act which gives them several days to answer and, believe me, they’ll take it. It’s not really clear what Ward does on a daily basis but he’ll continue to do it until a permanent person steps in.
After a year as the “temporary” superintendent, Dan Ward has decided he’s had enough. Ward has announced he’ll leave the job before a replacement is hired, tentatively in July. School board members have taken their time finding a replacement while paying Ward a huge salary to do…well noone’s sure what Ward does. Only three of five finalists for the job still remain to take the job on a permanent basis. School board member Dr. Kenneth Whalum said he is disappointed in Ward’s performance and the fact that he won’t wait for his replacement to arrive.
15
May
Alejandro Gauna
Alejandro Gauna has been sentenced to life in prison without the chance of parole. The jury which found Gauna guilty of first degree murder in 30 minutes could not decide whether he deserved life in prison or life in prison without the chance of parole. The judge in the case had to issue the sentence and his only choice was life with the chance of parole. Gauna shot and killed TN state trooper Calvin Jenks after being stopped by Jenks. Click HERE for complete background info.
WHAT DO YOU THINK?
15
May
Joel Olsteen
Last night, we ran a piece on Joel Olsteen. Olsteen is becoming a religious force to be reckoned with. Some call Olsteen the new Billy Graham. One thing that is unique about Olsteen is his ability to bring all types of people from different genders, races etc together when he preaches.
What do you think makes Olsteen so popular?
14
May
Edmund Ford Trial
Read the real time blog by clicking HERE
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?
