Memphis Parks Director leaving the city
Nick Walker has been the head of Memphis Parks since 2019.
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 4044 articles by Bill Dries :
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January 2025
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City of Memphis -
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Public SafetyAfter French Quarter attack, Beale Street safety means bollards, barriers and beyond
In the wake of the New Year’s Day attack in New Orleans that killed 14 people, questions about Beale Street security are the latest concerns for those who try to plan for the worst.
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City of Memphis City Council takes next step for Memphis gun control
The ordinance, which is up for the first of three votes, would make a set of gun-ownership limits a part of the city code of ordinances.
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Behind The Headlines Reporters dig into crime, Mulroy ouster attempt, other top 2024 stories
Violent crime and efforts to battle it were among the top stories of the year as discussed in a reporters’ roundtable on “Behind The Headlines.”
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Metro Blackburn says Senate priorities are Trump nominees, immigration, tax cuts
U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn of Tennessee talked with reporters online after taking the oath of office Friday, Jan. 3, to begin her second six-year term in the upper chamber.
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Shelby County County Commission to weigh ‘no confidence’ vote on MSCS board
A connected resolution would also hold up funding for the new Frayser school project for three months and urges school leaders to work through a mediator.
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City of MemphisOuster attempts, off-the-ballot action and other highlights: 2024 Political Roundup
The year in politics was topped by the presidential general election and several local election races that warmed political fires left untended by the distant campaign for president. The top political stories of 2024 also include the transition from elections to governing for other leaders.
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City of Memphis Young: ‘Turn down the drama and the foolishness’
Memphis Mayor Paul Young marked the first year of his four-year term as mayor at a New Year’s Day prayer breakfast where he talked about “turmoil” in schools and other “drama” locally.
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December 2024
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MetroJimmy Carter’s journey to and from Memphis
The former president, who died Sunday, Dec. 29, came to Memphis at the height of his political power and after losing to Ronald Reagan. His visits were a snapshot of how his political fortunes changed and his pursuits after the White House.
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Spirit of Memphis Celebration planned for 100-year anniversary of Tom Lee’s heroism
This coming May will mark 100 years since the 1925 river rescue, when Tom Lee saved 32 people from the Mississippi River south of Memphis after their boat capsized.
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City of MemphisTaxes, guns, cops and schools: The top City Council votes of 2024
Here’s a review of some of the major decisions the Memphis City Council made in 2024, including tax hikes, gun referendums and more.
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Shelby CountyBudget, balancing and timing: The top County Commission votes of 2024
The top votes by the Shelby County Commission in 2024 revolved around the budget season and balancing funding for big projects.
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Behind The HeadlinesState senator has sights set on DA
State Sen. Brent Taylor says on “Behind The Headlines” he is ready to make the case for the ouster of Shelby County District Attorney General Steve Mulroy when the Tennessee Legislature returns to session in January.
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City of MemphisPolitical Roundup: The school board’s bad night, tracking D.C. votes and new council meeting time
The MSCS board has a history of lots of citizens showing up at its meetings in a bad mood. The political roundup also tracks how the city’s D.C. representatives voted on the plan to keep the federal government open. Meanwhile, the city council will meet at 4 p.m. in the new year instead of 3:30 p.m.
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EducationFeagins-school board dispute may be more than two-way skirmish
In a “Behind the Headlines” interview that will air Dec. 27 on WKNO, State Senator London Lamar talked about her Facebook post about Tuesday’s emotional school board meeting.
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State Government Gov. Lee pardons 43 including Memphis software engineer
All of those pardoned by the governor have been out of prison for at least five years.
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City of Memphis City Council punts vote on Chickasaw Gardens gates to new year
The proposed gates have been met with opposition, with an attorney for those in surrounding neighborhoods saying it gives “at least the appearance of being elitist and exclusionary.”
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EducationFrom Herenton to Cash to Ray: How MSCS has selected superintendents
The saga of Willie Herenton’s 1979 selection by the school system has influenced the pick of every superintendent since.
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Shelby County Despite sharp words, More for Memphis advances at County Commission
In addition to the More for Memphis debate, the Shelby County Commission voted down redistributing county pay raises, and dealt with other fiscal matters.
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Education County approves Frayser school funding despite news of MSCS turmoil
There were no votes opposing the new Frayser high school, but word that the Memphis-Shelby County Schools board will vote on a possible ouster of Superintendent Marie Feagins cast a long shadow over the discussion.
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City of Memphis City Council takes final vote on ‘More for Memphis’ startup
The last City Council meeting of 2024 also includes the return of a pair of Chickasaw Gardens street closings to the agenda and the appointment of a new city public works director.
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Shelby CountyCounty Commission retreat gets at what makes it tick — and what makes it go off
The Shelby County Commission met for a retreat where the aim was to get at the working relationship among the body of 13. That relationship has been rocky during the first half of the group’s four-year term.
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Shelby County Latest twist in Frayser and Cordova schools saga goes to County Commission
The last County Commission meeting of 2024 is likely to be a long one. The Monday, Nov. 16, agenda features 89 items including a set of 22 funding resolutions for the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office totaling nearly $18 million — much of it for repairs to the county jail.
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Shelby CountyShelby County Commission looks for smoother, swifter budget season
The rules discussed at a Saturday, Dec. 14, retreat at Shelby Farms Park include a budget subcommittee to hash out details of budget amendments.
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Behind The HeadlinesMemphis mayor plans task force to address police reform
Paul Young offered more detail in a Behind The Headlines interview on what’s next for MPD after a scathing federal report into the department’s policies and practices.
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