The many candidates for a wide range of local, state and federal offices were a key theme among journalists on this episode of “Behind the Headlines” on WKNO-TV.

Superintendents from three suburban school districts appeared on “Behind the Headlines” to talk about the changes and challenges their districts face.

Brad Less, the Republican nominee for Shelby County sheriff, talked on “Behind The Headlines” about immediate solutions to problems at the Shelby County Jail and life after the Memphis Safe Task Force.

Democratic nominee for County Mayor Mickell Lowery talked about state intervention, his vote to raise county property taxes and tax breaks as economic development incentives on “Behind The Headlines.”

Election officials talk on “Behind The Headlines” about the disruption of new congressional districts and how that could lead to an increase in voter turnout.

The Shelby County Commission is looking at a possible tax increase while the Memphis City Council is expected to keep the city’s tax rate the same. 

The local face of SpaceX has been making a lot of news as the Houston-based company goes public with a record-setting IPO. The local controversies against that backdrop were discussed on “Behind The Headlines.”

Anthony Buckner talked about immigration and the Memphis Safe Task Force as well as a new jail in a wide-ranging interview on “Behind The Headlines”.

John DeBerry, the Republican nominee for Shelby County mayor, talked on “Behind The Headlines” about state intervention in Memphis and Shelby County as well as his hopes for a gradual withdrawal of the Memphis Safe Task Force.

The quick shift from the May elections to the August elections is the main topic of discussion on this week’s “Behind The Headlines.”

A landmark Supreme Court ruling has put the boundaries for Tennessee’s nine congressional districts in play, especially the Memphis-centric district now represented by Democratic U.S. Rep. Steve Cohen.

More than 300 people have been charged and indicted federally since the beginning of the Memphis Safe Task Force, U.S. Attorney Mike Dunavant said on the WKNO-TV program “Behind the Headlines.”

Leaders of the local Republican and Democratic parties talked about the May Shelby County primary elections on “Behind The Headlines.”

Memphis Mayor Paul Young talked on “Behind The Headlines” about the March 28 No Kings march that ended with Memphis Police pepper-spraying demonstrators.

The change in who runs the detention center on a daily basis began this past October — about the time the Memphis Safe Task Force began operations locally.

The new formula and its links to the city’s quest to create 10,000 new and renovated units of housing by 2030 is among the topics discussed on “Behind The Headlines.”

Downtown Memphis Commission CEO Chandell Ryan talked on “Behind The Headlines” about an early spring on Beale Street and the city’s plan for enhancing safety.

The Memphis Safe Task Force was among the topics discussed in a Behind The Headlines reporters roundtable. 

Republican sponsors of the bill have said they’ll push the Tennessee General Assembly to pass legislation that would kneecap the elected board by giving a new board of state appointees powers over MSCS.

Shelby County District Attorney General Steve Mulroy talked on “Behind The Headlines” about the Task Force and criticism Memphis Mayor Paul Young has taken.

Interim Shelby County Public Defender Jerri Green talked on “Behind The Headlines” about dropping crime rates, the overflowing jail and the differing numbers used by different parts of the criminal justice system.

The Memphis-Shelby County Schools board is about to decide on the district’s leadership, and candidates are campaigning for school board seats. But two sponsors of a state bill say little, if any, of that matters.

Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris’ goals as he leaves office at the end of August include negotiating new terms for funding universal prekindergarten services across the county.

Phyllis Aluko said there’s been a shift in people’s attitudes toward crime, punishment and due process, but public defenders play a key role in upholding constitutional standards. 

State Sen. Raumesh Akbari and County Commission Chair Shante Avant discussed the Memphis Safe Task Force’s immigration role on “Behind The Headlines” as well as legislation that would allow a state takeover of Memphis schools.