Friday, January 14 2011 5:30 PM EST2011-01-14 22:30:11 GMT
A Memphis organization is set to launch a plan designed to empower girls and reduce teen pregnancy. The group 'Girls Incorporated' will soon zero-in on the Frayser community, where the teen pregnancy rate has reached shocking proportions.More >>
Thursday, January 13 2011 5:53 PM EST2011-01-13 22:53:28 GMT
The percentage of teenagers having babies in the United States has fallen to its lowest point in 70 years. It's encouraging news but it won't mean much to people who live in the Frayser neighborhood of Memphis.More >>
Tuesday, May 21 2013 1:33 AM EDT2013-05-21 05:33:24 GMT
(WMC-TV) - Most people associate the word strep with strep throat. But imagine a strain of strep with side effects so shocking and dangerous that it leads to obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD). Mid-SouthMore >>
Most people associate the word strep with strep throat. But imagine a strain of strep with side effects so shocking and dangerous that it leads to obsessive compulsive disorder.More >>
Tuesday, May 21 2013 1:26 AM EDT2013-05-21 05:26:35 GMT
(WMC-TV) - Students at a Memphis high school are celebrating the success of one of their own as the Memphis Grizzlies gears up for another game against the Spurs. Teachers and staff at Lausanne CollegiateMore >>
Students at a Memphis high school are celebrating the success of one of their own as the Memphis Grizzlies get ready for another game against the Spurs.More >>
Tuesday, May 21 2013 12:59 AM EDT2013-05-21 04:59:43 GMT
(WMC-TV) - When many Memphians think of the Bluff City they think of Elvis, barbecue, and now the Grizzlies – but many also think of Action News 5's Joe Birch. A young Joe Birch stepped into the ActionMore >>
When many Memphians think of the Bluff City they think of Elvis, barbecue, and now the Grizzlies – but many also think of Action News 5's Joe Birch.More >>
Tuesday, May 21 2013 12:51 AM EDT2013-05-21 04:51:42 GMT
(WMC-TV) - Two people were airlifted to The MED after a stabbing near the Tipton/Shelby County line Monday night. According to officials, three people were stabbed at 25 Kelly Cove off of Tracy Road. TheMore >>
Two people were airlifted to The MED after a stabbing near the Tipton/Shelby County line Monday night.More >>
MEMPHIS, TN (WMC-TV) - As Memphis City Schools leaders discuss the best way to deal with the crisis at Frayser High School, one young student is dealing with parenthood.
The Action News 5 Investigators recently discovered 90 girls who attend Frayser High School are now pregnant or have already had a baby this school year.
Frayser is in Memphis City School Board member Stephanie Gatewood's district. She said a former principal of the school first sounded the alarm about the issue about a year ago.
Sources told Action News 5 there is a massive initiative in the works dedicated to preventing teen pregnancy in the Frayser community. The initiative will include after-school and in-school programs funded with grant money and run by a local nonprofit that already does some work for city schools.
Gatewood said there are programs right now to help students.
"Noting that our young ladies absolutely did not get pregnant in the hallways of our schools," said Gatewood. "So while everything that happens in our communities, it just spills over into our schools. Now we as a community have to deal with them."
Greenwood said the school board has implemented some plans to help children who are already parents or are about to become parents.
Meanwhile, Terrika Sutton is getting used to the challenges of being a teen mom.
Sutton's two-month-old daughter, Camiya, keeps the 16-year-old Frayser High School student busy.
"In the morning time, she'll wake me up about 5:00, and I'll get up and find me something to wear to school," said Sutton. "I'll get her dressed, and if she has to go somewhere, her daddy keeps her sometimes and I'll get ready for school."
Sutton said she was five months along when she found out she was pregnant. Her parents and classmates were stunned.
"They were like, 'Terrika, I never knew you would get pregnant,'" she said. "I was like, 'well, it happened.'"
Roughly 20 percent of the female student population at Frayser High is already experiencing the trials of parenthood.
"It's a shame that all these girls at Frayser are pregnant, but it ain't nothing new," said Sutton. "Some girls just try to do it because they think it's cute. For some, it's an accident."
Sutton said she believes some girls are making agreements with each other to get pregnant.
"They probably plan it," she said. "Plan what they're going to do to get pregnant. No telling."
Sutton said educators need to do more to try to help prevent teen pregnancies.
"They need a class where they can teach the girls before they get pregnant to use protection and stuff," said Sutton. "And don't try to get pregnant."
Tuesday, May 21 2013 12:51 AM EDT2013-05-21 04:51:42 GMT
(WMC-TV) - Two people were airlifted to The MED after a stabbing near the Tipton/Shelby County line Monday night. According to officials, three people were stabbed at 25 Kelly Cove off of Tracy Road. TheMore >>
Two people were airlifted to The MED after a stabbing near the Tipton/Shelby County line Monday night.More >>
LAWRENCE COUNTY, AR (KAIT) - Lawrence County Sheriff Jody Dotson has confirmed the body of a young female has been found in the Black River near the Lawrence/Randolph County line. We have a crew onMore >>
Lawrence County Sheriff Jody Dotson confirms the body of a young woman found in the Black River near the Lawrence and Randolph County lines Saturday evening is that of Sidney Randall.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 1:33 AM EDT2013-05-21 05:33:24 GMT
(WMC-TV) - Most people associate the word strep with strep throat. But imagine a strain of strep with side effects so shocking and dangerous that it leads to obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD). Mid-SouthMore >>
Most people associate the word strep with strep throat. But imagine a strain of strep with side effects so shocking and dangerous that it leads to obsessive compulsive disorder.More >>
Tuesday, May 21 2013 1:26 AM EDT2013-05-21 05:26:35 GMT
(WMC-TV) - Students at a Memphis high school are celebrating the success of one of their own as the Memphis Grizzlies gears up for another game against the Spurs. Teachers and staff at Lausanne CollegiateMore >>
Students at a Memphis high school are celebrating the success of one of their own as the Memphis Grizzlies get ready for another game against the Spurs.More >>
Tuesday, May 21 2013 12:46 AM EDT2013-05-21 04:46:07 GMT
(WMC-TV) - Tennessee Task Force One, based out of Memphis, is activated to respond to Oklahoma. Sponsored by the Memphis and Shelby County emergency management agency, TNTF-1 is scheduled for deploymentMore >>
Tennessee Task Force One, based out of Memphis, was activated to respond to Oklahoma Monday night.More >>
Monday, May 20 2013 7:31 PM EDT2013-05-20 23:31:04 GMT
(WMC-TV) - Parents and students are reacting to the dress code policy for Shelby County Schools. If your child goes to a former school within Memphis City Schools, they will continue to wear uniforms. ShelbyMore >>
Parents and students are reacting to the dress code policy for Shelby County Schools.More >>
Monday, May 20 2013 12:10 PM EDT2013-05-20 16:10:06 GMT
(WMC-TV) - Arlington High School senior Taylor Flake thought she was making history when her classmates elected her to be the school's first African-American class president. "It's more than just me representingMore >>
Arlington High School senior Taylor Flake thought she was making history when her classmates elected her to be the school's first African-American class president.
So when the school started planning for the commencement, Flake said she was shocked to find out that she was not among those chosen to speak.More >>
Tuesday, May 21 2013 2:01 AM EDT2013-05-21 06:01:07 GMT
(RNN) – A day after long track tornadoes devastated Shawnee and Edmond, OK, another round has begun near Oklahoma City.KOCO broadcast a slow rotating cloud that slowly extended down towards the groundMore >>
At least 51 have died in a storm the National Weather Service described as large and violent.More >>
Tuesday, May 21 2013 12:59 AM EDT2013-05-21 04:59:43 GMT
(WMC-TV) - When many Memphians think of the Bluff City they think of Elvis, barbecue, and now the Grizzlies – but many also think of Action News 5's Joe Birch. A young Joe Birch stepped into the ActionMore >>
When many Memphians think of the Bluff City they think of Elvis, barbecue, and now the Grizzlies – but many also think of Action News 5's Joe Birch.More >>
Monday, May 20 2013 6:50 PM EDT2013-05-20 22:50:01 GMT
(WMC-TV) Two people are dead and two others are wounded after a shooting at 2323 Ketchum Road, according to police.Three victims were transported to The MED by ambulance, and one other by private vehicle.TwoMore >>
Two people are dead and two others are wounded after a shooting at 2323 Ketchum Road, according to police.More >>
