MPD Officer Hailed Hero For Helping Injured Girl

MPD officer receives award for saving girl crushed under grandfather clock

The Memphis Police Department's Facebook page tipped us off to this story.  Officer Kevin Jackson transported an injured little girl in his squad car after seeing the family stranded on the side of the road.  He received an award this week.  I found the family through a property search and, fortunately, the mom and little girl were more than willing to talk about Jackson's heroism.  Jackson, on the other hand, is shy.  He did agree to do an over-the-phone interview.  We're the first to jump on the story when a cop gets caught doing something wrong.  It's nice to tell positive stories too.

Arrest Fails To Alleviate Germantown Crime Concerns

Burglary arrest doesn't alleviate Germantown crime worries

The news release regarding this arrest got some in the newsroom excited.  They assumed it was the guy wanted for a number of armed robberies.  But, alas, it concerned a number of recent burglaries.  At this point, police say there is no connection to the more serious robbery cases.  I was dispatched to Germantown to get community reaction.  People were relieved a suspect was off the streets.  But they hope those behind the armed crimes are caught soon too.

My Decade Covering Bass Pro At The Pyramid

Bass Pro Shops gets ready for May grand opening

I first covered talk of Bass Pro taking over the then-empty Pyramid arena a decade ago.. in 2005.  There have been doubts, delays, and general skepticism ever since.  But the company announced this week that May 1 will be a definitive opening date.  I was able to snag an interview with the newly named store manager who said he's confident the mega-store will open on schedule (even if not fully completed).  This really is an amazing transformation.  The Pyramid is reportedly the only former sports arena to be adaptively re-used into anything other than a church.  Lets also hope it helps revitalize the adjacent Pinch District.  Sadly, some of the business owners I interviewed in 2005 are no longer in business.

Emotions Run High On Murder Scene

Man shot to death in SE Memphis - WMC Action News 5 - Memphis, Tennessee

We were dispatched to this murder scene only knowing a man was shot dead.  I did a quick hit for the 4:00 news with very limited information.  I was able to interview a neighbor or two for the 5:00.  Family members arrived during this time and it was so sad witnessing their reaction.  It's something I've seen dozens, if not hundreds, of times in Memphis.  I still cannot imagine the grief.  I included the emotion in my 6:00 story (seen here).  I often feel this can be exploitative.. But it's difficult to ignore the impact it may have on viewers.

Macy's Closing Southland Mall Store

Macy's Southland Mall location to close - WMC Action News 5 - Memphis, Tennessee

This is big economic news for Whitehaven.  We got wind of it late on a Thursday evening.  I was on the scene of a murder after having done live shots for 4:00, 5:00, and 6:00.  We drove to Southland Mall, got video, and then spoke with residents.  City Councilman Harold Collins was at the Memphis movie premiere of "Selma."  I thought his input was important, so I included a statement in this story.  I'd hate to see Southland go the way of Raleigh Springs Mall, Hickory Ridge Mall, and the Mall of Memphis.

MLGW Policy A Cold Reality

MLGW customer faces cutoff amid cold snap - WMC Action News 5 - Memphis, Tennessee

This MLGW customer contacted us out of desperation.  Extremely low temperatures had her worried since the utility cut her gas due to an overdue bill.  She thought, like many in our newsroom, that MLGW would not cut service with impending wintry weather.  Actually, it's a day-to-day determination based on wind chill on those days.  I think this story was a good opportunity to explain the policy.  Fortunately, many viewers contacted me about helping this customer pay her bill.