Katherine Burgess on Muck Rack

Katherine Burgess

Verified
  • Government Accountability Reporter, MLK50
Memphis
As seen in: MLK50, MSN, HuffPost, The Washington Post, USA Today, Yahoo News, Aol, Associated Press, The Toronto Star, U.S. News and World Report, Chron and
Covers:  education, racial reconciliation, social justice, human trafficking, christianity, international relations, religion, poverty
Journalist, loves words and people // Reporter for @MLK50Memphis, previously @memphisnews, @kansasdotcom and @jsunnews

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Katherine Burgess’s Biography

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I cover Shelby County government and religion for The Commercial Appeal in Memphis, Tennessee. I previously worked as faith and culture reporter at The Wichita Eagle in Wichita, Kansas, and education reporter at The Jackson Sun in Jackson, Tennessee. I spend my days chasing fascinating stories and meeting fascinating people.

Having grown up as the child of relief and development workers in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, I delight in travel and other cultures. I love good stories, interesting people, de…

Katherine Burgess’s Journalist Portfolio

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Conviction review units are moving exonerations around the US. Will Shelby County get one?

Conviction review units are moving exonerations around the US. Will Shelby County get one?

In 2019, the Davidson County Conviction Review Unit made its first recommendation to vacate a conviction. …

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The U.S. has no Black Catholic saints. Could a future one be buried in Memphis?

The U.S. has no Black Catholic saints. Could a future one be buried in Memphis?

She wore African dress, began by singing, preached on what it meant to be Black and Catholic in America — and…

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Horn Lake’s rejection of mosque likely violation of federal law

Horn Lake’s rejection of mosque likely violation of federal law

The City of Horn Lake’s rejection of a mosque site plan is likely a violation of federal law, several experts…

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Fetal cell lines, abortion & vaccines: Why religious conservatives say J&J vaccine can be OK.

Fetal cell lines, abortion & vaccines: Why religious conservatives say J&J vaccine can be OK.

The authorization of Johnson & Johnson's COVID-19 vaccine has resulted in hesitancy among some who oppose abo…

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Family of Tennessee death row inmate awaits 'miracle' as 11th hour DNA test underway

Family of Tennessee death row inmate awaits 'miracle' as 11th hour DNA test underway

Carl Payne believes his son is innocent of murder. He believes that for 33 years, his son has been wrongfully…

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ConnecTI offers millennials a chance to connect to Jewish heritage 'on their own terms'

ConnecTI offers millennials a chance to connect to Jewish heritage 'on their own terms'

On a Friday night in January, about 40 young adults crammed into a midtown apartment. The group fell silent a…

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Articles

Questions for the Candidates

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By Chris McCoy, Katherine Burgess Verified
| Memphis Flyer Verified
It’s a big election year, and among the offices voters will be choosing is Shelby County Mayor. On May 5, seven candidates will be vying for the Democratic nomination. The winner will face Republican John DeBerry Jr., a pastor, former state representative and advisor to Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee in the general election on August 6. Early voting has already started. The Democratic candidates for county mayor are: Melvin Burgess, currently Shelby County’s assessor of property.
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ProPublica: President Trump’s Memphis Crime Task Force Arrested Over 800 Immigrants, Records Show. Only 2% of the Arrests Were for Violent Crimes.

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By Katherine Burgess Verified
| The Sierra Sun Times Verified
Elmer, a street vendor from Honduras, said he saw three immigrants arrested by federal agents near his shoe stand in Memphis, Tennessee. Kevin Wurm/MLK50/CatchLight Local/Report for America Reporting Highlights Less Violent Crime: Trump ordered a law enforcement surge in Memphis to end violent crime. But crime in the city has fallen steadily since 2023, hitting a 25-year low before the surge began.
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Memphis Safe Task Force has made over 800 immigration arrests; 2% were for violent crime

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By Wendi Thomas Verified, Katherine Burgess Verified
| The Commercial Appeal Verified
The task force, created to fight violent crime in Memphis, has arrested over 800 immigrants, most for nonviolent offenses. Only 2% of the immigrants arrested by the task force were also arrested for violent crimes. Most immigration arrests by the task force followed traffic stops for minor violations. On an overcast Saturday in February, a street vendor named Elmer lined up dozens of pairs of worn but carefully cleaned tennis shoes on tables next to a convenience store.
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