"Pigs at a trough"

Greg Davis spars with residents during board meeting - Action News 5 - Memphis, Tennessee

This is a link to yet another story from Southaven, MS. I was not excited about covering another meeting of the mayor and board of alderman. But it seems we go to every meeting in the wake of allegations that Mayor Greg Davis misspent more than $170,000. At least citizens who sign up to speak are often animated. In this case, a bag of hog feed and references to the mayor's dining choices gave me enough raw material for a new, and entertaining, story.

Ask and you shall receive

Three children transported after hit and run crash - Action News 5 - Memphis, Tennessee

I started the day Thursday covering a meeting of the Transition Planning Commission. I was not excited. In fact, I was live in the 4:00 and 5:00 newscasts.. Although the meeting started at 4:30. Despite expectations, a big decision regarding a new unified school district wasn't made after all. I E-mailed the producer letting her know the story would be a re-hash of earlier information. I jokingly told her to find some breaking news. Moments later I received an E-mail alerting us to a hit and run crash in which 3 children were injured. Fortunately, their injuries were not life-threatening. However, I'm thrilled breaking news arose when it did.

Popping pills in the police evidence room

Stolen drugs lead police chief to resign

I've been in Memphis for more than 7 years..but this was my first story in Trumann, AR. Mayor Sheila Walters kept us waiting more than an hour before finally talking about police chief Tony Rusher's resignation. An internal investigation found he was stealing prescription drugs from the department's evidence room. The drugs had been seized and used in court. Rusher told the investigator he used more than a dozen Xanax, Hydrocodone, and Percocet pills per day. It's a wonder he could still function.

2 wives, 0 divorces lands man in jail

Bigamy suspect in jail after missing court date

I routinely check the Shelby County Jail database in search of stories. Well, the word "Bigamy" caught my eye Wednesday. I don't recall ever seeing anyone charged with that in Memphis. Sure..men leave their wives and, perhaps, move in with other women. Some men even father children with other women. But this particular gentleman decided to marry a second "wife" while still married to his first. I managed to track down the minister who conducted the ceremony.

Pastor accused of raping, impregnating teen

Pastor accused of rape
The pastor in this story is smiling in his mug shot.. But many in Cotton Plant, AR do not consider his arrest a laughing matter.  The preacher is accused of raping a 14 year-old girl who family claims is now pregnant.  Cotton Plant itself was intriguing to me.  Virtually every storefront in the town is empty, buildings deserted and falling apart.  It's like modern ghost town.  I'd like to go back and take photos.

Demons Made Me Do It

Defendant claims "demon" made him murder girlfriend - Action News 5 - Memphis, Tennessee
Here's a link to a story I covered about a murder defendant who claims a demon told him to kill his former girlfriend.  Curtis Stanton said he never heard voices before the murder or since..but did hear them the night he stabbed Regina Tidwell with a steak knife.  We got wind the trial was underway after the Commercial Appeal posted a story on its website.  I wasn't sure we'd be able to get inside the courtroom since we had not previously requested access.  Fortunately, Judge Chris Craft is always accommodating.

Sen. Ford at it again

Tenn. state Sen. Ophelia Ford rants, raves against nurses - Action News 5 - Memphis, Tennessee
State Senator Ophelia Ford is the gift that keeps giving.  Ford has made a practice of railing against groups from her perch in senate committee meetings.  This most recent rant is against, of all things, the nursing profession.  It came as the committee debated a proposal that would increase penalties against those who assault health-care workers.  Enjoy!