Street cred: Behind-the-scenes man has run Beale for decades
Al James has been the “Manager of Beale Street” since 1979. (Ziggy Mack/Special to The Daily Memphian)
In 1983, when Beale Street reopened as the city-owned entertainment district, Al James, now 71, became its official manager, running the hardscape of one of the country’s most famous streets like it was his own front yard.
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Jane Roberts
Jane Roberts has reported in Memphis for more than 20 years. As a senior member of The Daily Memphian staff, she was assigned to the medical beat during the COVID-19 pandemic. She also has done in-depth work on other medical issues facing our community, including shortages of specialists in local hospitals. She covered K-12 education here for years and later the region’s transportation sector, including Memphis International Airport and FedEx Corp.
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