Shelby County
Ford gets heated in County Commission debate about deputy’s benefits
The County Commission ultimately extended benefits for a severely injured Shelby County sheriff’s deputy.
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 4083 articles by Bill Dries :
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November 2025
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Shelby County -
Shelby County County fixes cash-flow crunch with $43 million loan
The “interfund tax anticipation note” solves the short-term cash-flow problem for county government. But long-term financial concerns around county reserves remain.
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Shelby CountyQuestions linger for Marsha Blackburn on phone records pay out
Also in the political roundup, one county mayoral contender calls out current Mayor Lee Harris’ administration for its funding shortfall and another calls for change in the government’s relationship to the school system.
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City of Memphis Wolf River bottomland tops City Council committee talks
A clean-up in Raleigh, MLGW division budgets, restrooms at the Shell and crime stats are expected to be up for discussion on Tuesday at City Hall.
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Shelby County County to vote on $30M monthly payroll cash flow crisis
The county administration blames the shortfall on the Memphis Safe Task Force and federal government shutdown.
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Spirit of MemphisThe six-way intersection that defines South City gets a new look
Artwork installation stands at the crossroads of historic neighborhood.
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Behind The Headlines State Rep. Pearson said he can work across the aisle without moderating his political views
State Rep. Justin J. Pearson talked about his tenure in the Tennessee House of Representatives and his views on the Memphis Safe Task Force on “Behind The Headlines.”
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City of Memphis Overton Park’s Old Forest fence formally falls: ‘The Old Forest is whole again’
The Thursday, Nov. 13, formal opening of the new Old Forest acreage served as an epitaph for the conflict over what to do about overflow Memphis Zoo parking on the Overton Park greensward.
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Arts & Culture The Sultana Museum starts to gain steam in Marion
The renovation of the school gym in Marion, Arkansas is just about complete. It will be followed by exhibits to chronicle the history of the nation’s worst maritime disaster 7 miles from Memphis.
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State GovernmentBill that ended government shutdown could pay Tennessee’s US senators minimum $500K each
Here’s how Memphis’ D.C. representatives voted on the measure to fund the government until January.
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Shelby County County moves money toward new Regional One
Design work for Regional One Health is about to begin as well as demolition of the old Commercial Appeal building that will be the center of the hospital’s new campus.
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Metro Shelby County Chancellor dismisses gun-group lawsuit against city
The group alleged the city had violated the state law that forbids local governments from regulating firearms in any way.
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MetroU.S. Marshals director: Next Task Force phase to target MPD policy changes
U.S. Rep. Steve Cohen has redistricting concerns, U.S. Sens. Marsha Blackburn and Bill Hagerty vote against a war-powers resolution on Venezuela and a court ruling on local gun-control measures and “virtue signaling.”
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Behind The Headlines Public holds GOP responsible for ongoing government shutdown, Cohen says
U.S. Rep. Steve Cohen has been a vocal critic of President Donald Trump but agreed on “Behind The Headlines” with Trump’s assessment of the set of elections this past week that saw Democratic victory.
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Shelby County County mayor wants more judges for Task Force cases
Lee Harris also called for better demographic numbers on those arrested and charged, as well as a total county of traffic stops including those where no one is charged or jailed.
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Elections Mayoral candidates define themselves at first campaign forum
Five of the six declared Democratic candidates for Shelby County mayor spoke at the forum held by the Germantown Democratic Party at the Great Hall Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2025.
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City of Memphis Chair, vice chair elections will mark halfway point for City Council’s term
Council members also will meet Mayor Paul Young’s two latest appointees, including his pick for the city’s new fire chief.
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State GovernmentMPD is not working with ICE on immigration, Young says
“Certainly, one of the challenges is the issue around immigration enforcement, we know that immigration is not an issue in Memphis,” Memphis Mayor Paul Young said
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Shelby CountyA history of Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris’ vetoes
Lee Harris has vetoed six ordinances or resolutions approved by the Shelby County Commission in his seven years as county mayor. Some have stood, others have been overridden by the commission and one was some of both.
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MetroPartisan school board primaries are coming
Also, the anatomy of a veto override, and a school board member says she’s running for County Commission.
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MetroPastors take steps to control task force impact on their congregations
Bishop Brandon Porter and Pastor Keith Caldwell are among those who are mindful law enforcement presence, especially at events such as Saturday’s Christmas in November giveaway.
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Behind The Headlines Millington leaders talk Navy Road comeback, big-box growth
Millington City Manager Frankie Dakin and Millington Chamber of Commerce Director Chris Thomas discussed the suburb’s growth and unique development history on “Behind The Headlines.”
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October 2025
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City of Memphis Memphis fire chief retiring
Gina Sweat, the first woman to serve as director of fire services in the city’s history, has left the administration.
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Shelby County Halbert likely to go to Tennessee Supreme Court on revived ouster complaint
The appeal to the Tennessee Supreme Court is up to the state’s highest court to grant.
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Shelby County Halbert ouster revived in appeals court ruling
The Tennessee Court of Appeals revived the ouster complaint against Shelby County Clerk Wanda Halbert and sent it back to the circuit court.
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