125 North Main

Following Saturday's severe storm, Memphis Light, Gas & Water Division crews are scrambling to restore power, costing upwards of $9 million, MLGW CEO Jerry Collins says in this week's episode of podcast 125 North Main. Collins' estimate bumps up the total cleanup cost for MLGW and the city of Memphis to around $19 million.

U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions met with around 100 judges, prosecutors and law enforcement in Memphis to discuss his department's crime strategy, including a reversal of some polices in place during the Obama administration. Meanwhile, protestors gather outside the federal courthouse shouting, "Hey, ho, Sessions must go."

City of Memphis spokesman Kyle Veazey explains to beat writer Ryan Poe why he thinks more police officers mean less crime and gives the behind-the-scenes view of the Rev. Jesse Jackson's visit with Mayor Jim Strickland last week. They also discuss city employee pay raises, new economic development incentives for apartment developers, mending relationships with state lawmakers and RoboCop.

The Rev. Jesse Jackson is asking Mayor Jim Strickland to deliver a plan that would show how the city will give African-American owned business half of all city contracts. So what happens next? Reporter Ryan Poe also reports on the future of the controversial 'Beale Street Bucks' program. Is it dead after the council's vote?

This week's episode of The Commercial Appeal's 125 North Main podcast features a discussion on a proposed hike on sewer and storm water fees, including why both Mayor Jim Strickland and Public Works Director Robert Knecht said it's needed for sewer infrastructure and flooding improvements.

In this debut episode of 125 North Main, reporter Ryan Poe discusses Mayor Jim Strickland's budget proposal to the city council and the grumblings it's already causing with some. The Mayor says no tax increase is needed, but will council members agree?