Memphis-area leaders take to national airwaves to talk National Guard
A “threat to democracy” vs. making Memphis “the most safe city in America,” area leaders give their thoughts on what the National Guard deployment can mean for the city.
Bill Dries
Reporter
Bill Dries covers city and county government and politics. He is a native Memphian and has been a reporter for almost 50 years covering a wide variety of stories from the 1977 death of Elvis Presley and the 1978 police and fire strikes to numerous political campaigns, every county mayor and every Memphis Mayor starting with Wyeth Chandler.
There are 4279 articles by Bill Dries :
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September 2025
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City of Memphis -
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Shelby CountyWhat’s next in the Republican race for Shelby County mayor?
For now, the 2026 Republican primary has no candidates for Shelby County mayor. Where does that leave the race? Also in the political roundup, more reaction to the National Guard coming to the city and a golf net at Audubon.
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State Government Millington native’s return to US attorney seat clears Senate Judiciary Committee
Ahead of the roll call vote, U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn spoke in favor of Dunavant, calling him an “experienced prosecutor.”
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Behind The Headlines How U of M scientists navigate conspiracy theories and the polarized world of public health
To the dean of the School of Public Health at the University of Memphis, its mission begins — but doesn’t end — with data.
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City of Memphis Mayor Young’s strategy for working with the National Guard
The arrival of National Guard troops in Memphis is the most rigorous test yet of Mayor Paul Young’s strategy for working with Republicans at the state and federal levels in the Tennessee’s bluest city.
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City of Memphis Cohen says mayor has little choice in National Guard deployment to Memphis: ‘The mayor’s got a tough job’
“If (Trump) will say ... after the National Guard leaves and tells the world that Memphis is the safest city in the world, Donald come on,” U.S. Rep. Steve Cohen said Friday.
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Public Safety New federal charges target Ghost Mob again
A new federal racketeering indictment unsealed Thursday in Memphis federal accuses six alleged Ghost Mob gang members of conspiracy to murder and attempted murder in the aid of racketeering for a 2020 incident firefight with a rival gang.
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City of Memphis Council delays vote on Regional One Health rebuild
The Memphis City Council delayed a vote to halt the building of a new $1.9 billion campus for the county-owned hospital, a move that will slow down county funding.
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City of Memphis Control of MATA money goes to city trust
The trust controlling city funding to the Memphis Area Transit Authority is the result of discontent by City Council members as well as the City of Memphis administration about the bus system’s interim leadership.
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Germantown Germantown mayor to run for a fourth term
Palazzolo seriously considered a bid for county mayor in the May 2026 Republican mayoral primary.
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Shelby County Firestone site in North Memphis won’t house new jail
The Shelby County Commission has approved a resolution that rules out the New Chicago area of North Memphis from being the site of any new jail county government may decide to build.
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Shelby County Commission narrowly avoids moving MSCS board elections (for now)
After a motion to move all board elections to the 2026 ballot failed on a tie vote, the commission voted to try again in two weeks on a proposal for the 2030 ballot.
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Shelby County After County Commission delay, mayor ‘not coming back’ with ethics appointments
The vote came after harsh words were exchanged between Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris and Commissioner Edmund Ford Jr.
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DowntownHow does the reopened Riverside Drive work?
Mayor Paul Young cut the ribbon on a new Riverside Drive that works for those on foot, on bicycles and in cars and narrows down access to parking for Tom Lee Park.
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City of Memphis City Council talks MATA and Regional One Health rebuild
City Council members will talk about next steps for the city’s bus system as one member calls for talks with County government on Regional One Health’s campus rebuild.
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Behind The Headlines MATA roils in turmoil. What’s the next step?
Reporters’ roundtable looks at the problems plaguing Memphis Area Transit Authority, and the new trial for former Memphis Police officers convicted in Tyré Nichols’ death.
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Shelby CountySchool board elections, a new jail and ethics top County Commission agenda
The Shelby County Commission is scheduled to vote on cutting short the terms of some Memphis-Shelby County Schools board members and a new jail resolution that would rule out the old Firestone plant site.
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MetroPolitics infiltrates festivals; school board races show signs of life
Also in the political roundup, County Mayor Lee Harris has connections to several contenders on the 2026 ballot and U.S. Rep. Steve Cohen signs onto the Epstein files discharge petition.
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Shelby County Memphis Zoo expands ‘Free Tuesdays’ program, adds new rules
The Memphis Zoo is expanding its program to offer free admission on Tuesdays year-round.
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Public SafetyPardoned for his crimes, DeAndre Brown built a life helping other former inmates. That changed abruptly this past week.
Former public official DeAndre Brown and his wife Vinessa Brown were charged with misusing $1.38 million in public money. The pair ran the Lifeline to Success non-profit, which is now also under scrutiny.
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August 2025
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Shelby CountyMayor Young says police task force getting to ‘nitty gritty’ after delays
Also in the Political Roundup: Jerri Green at Wiseacre and one less contender for Shelby County Mayor.
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City of MemphisMajority of MATA board quits as city flexes control over CEO search
The departing MATA board members appear to have been surprised by City Council members asserting a role in hiring the new permanent CEO. One former member called the move “insulting.”
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BusinessThe former Firestone site is a brownfield. Does it matter?
Proponents of a plan to move the Shelby County Jail to the former Firestone plant say the site’s status as a brownfield is a positive for the project.
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Shelby County County Commission plans next steps for Shelby County Jail
The Shelby County Commission has an amended plan to seek proposals on where and how to build a new jail. The detailed process was pushed Monday, Aug. 25, to a Sept. 3 committee meeting for more discussion.
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State Government Jerri Green’s run for TN governor hits a red road
Green acknowledged that part of her campaign’s struggle is to convince Democrats that a Democrat can win in Republican-dominated state political landscape.
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