Political Roundup: Battleground rhetoric, Blackburn in Milwaukee, Cohen on Biden
The roundup also looks at postponed plans for a Democratic fundraiser.
Bill Dries
Reporter
Bill Dries covers city and county government and politics. He is a native Memphian and has been a reporter for more than 40 years.
There are 3660 articles by Bill Dries :
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July 2024
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Shelby County -
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ElectionsUS Sen. Blackburn has $9.2M for reelection bid
The specter of 85,000 new Internal Revenue Service employees hired specifically to go after taxpayers surfaced again Monday as U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., gave her second speech of the day to the Republican National Convention.
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Metro Gov. Lee touts ‘school choice’ at Republican convention
Tennessee Governor Bill Lee, who is chairman of the Republican Governors Association, also endorsed Republican presidential nominee and former President Donald Trump as he talked about political unity by the nation’s Republican Governors in resisting Democratic policies.
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Shelby County Confusion over land-bank ordinance tangles up County Commission
County Commissioners found out Wednesday the ordinance they thought they approved last month — on changes to the Shelby County Land Bank — actually failed. But not before County Mayor Lee Harris vetoed it. The result is a confusing parliamentary mess.
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Shelby County Car dealer services at Shelby Farms clerk’s office closed for rest of week
The location at Mullins Station Road will continue to provide all other services.
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State Government New bridge gets formal launch with ‘old bridge’ in background
Federal, state and local leaders gathered Thursday, July 18, by the river at the Metal Museum to talk about the path to the $800 million project.
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Education CBU continues recovery as new academic year nears
Interim CBU president Brother Chris Englert and board chairwoman Emily Greer talk about the university’s effort to rebuild its finances and grow enrollment.
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Shelby County County Commission to review raises, a veto override and clerk’s office lease
The Shelby County Board of Commissioners will discuss a 6% pay raise for employees, could reopen a Land Bank ordinance and vote on a new lease for Millington office space for the Shelby County clerk’s office.
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City of MemphisNew plans for Mud Island echo its compelling past
The museum is slated to become an immersive experience built around the riverboat models that were its centerpiece. It began with some high-tech touches when it opened, and Sidney Shlenker had plans beyond those touches.
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Update
State GovernmentLocal Democratic reaction to Biden withdrawal is backing for Harris
Local Democratic elected officials reacted to President Joe Biden’s decision to call off his reelection bid Sunday, July 21, and support Vice President Kamala Harris as the new Democratic nominee for president.
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State GovernmentInside the Tennessee Democratic delegation’s decision to back VP Harris
The Tennessee delegation’s Sunday online meeting wasn’t a quick vote to back Vice President Kamala Harris, but many of the delegates had endorsed her as President Joe Biden’s successor before the virtual vote.
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City of MemphisMud Island amphitheater’s foundation unstable
For Memphis River Parks Partnership, one question is: Can the amphitheater be repaired? The second is: Should it be?
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City of Memphis Council moves another ballot question to November, debates MLGW board changes
Council members also take the second of three votes Tuesday on a city referendum that would expand the Memphis Light, Gas and Water board by two seats, with the two new voting members coming from outside the City of Memphis.
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Shelby County Whaley selected as County Commission chair
The vote Monday, July 22, revealed some enduring gaps among the commission’s nine-vote Democratic majority.
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City of Memphis Ballot question to add suburban seats to MLGW board fails at City Council
The sponsor withdrew the referendum as other Memphis City Council members prepared to vote it down. The council also dealt with three other ballot questions.
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Elections Who on the August ballot has already won?
Ten races in the August election were decided at the April 12 deadline for candidates to file their qualifying petitions. In these 10 races, those who filed are unopposed.
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Shelby County Jerri Green becomes Shelby County deputy chief of staff
Memphis City Council member Jerri Green is moving from senior policy adviser to Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris to deputy chief of staff in the county administration.
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Downtown Appeal in Brooks Museum construction lawsuit alleges mistake by judge
Friends for Our Riverfront argue a June ruling denying their motions to halt Brooks Museum construction “improperly departed from the course of judicial conduct.”
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Elections Saturday is final day to vote early in Aug. 1 election
A total of 26 early voting sites across Shelby County are open Saturday, July 27, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
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ElectionsFirst week of early voting less than half 2020 turnout
The first-week turnout is less than half of votes cast during the same time frame in 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic led to an easing of absentee voting restrictions.
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City of Memphis Memphis Zoo funding new research center in Sri Lanka
Construction on the eco-friendly research station in Sri Lanka began in 2023 and is scheduled to open later this year.
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State Government City’s D.C. reps react to proposed Supreme Court changes
The proposals Monday by U.S. President Joe Biden would require Congressional approval. That seems unlikely given the reaction of the city’s representatives in the U.S. House and U.S. Senate.
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August 2024
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Elections Heat is suppressing turnout, elections official says
Shelby County elections administrator Linda Phillips said the afternoon rush hour might boost vote totals.
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Elections On the vote totals you are about to see
Early voting numbers, which are the first vote totals released after the polls close, won’t include the absentee total. Up until now, absentee votes have been included in the first release.
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The afternoon ‘rush’ and the value of the vote
Through 3 p.m. today, the Shelby County Election Commission counted 15,754 voters since the polls opened at 7 a.m.
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