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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 3663 articles by Bill Dries :
The chief economic development officer of the Greater Memphis Chamber said on “Behind The Headlines” that companies are seeking out the city’s diversity when looking to expand or relocate.
CLERB chairman James Kirkwood talks in The Daily Memphian’s “On The Record” podcast about the review board’s possible role in investigating allegations of police misconduct, pending legislation in Nashville.
The Council Scorecard looks at a set of two resolutions and six ordinances the Memphis City Council approved at its Feb. 7 meeting.
Several city council races start to take shape with familiar names from the past, and the local Democratic party will have a new leader this spring. Former New York Congressman Lee Zelden talks to Memphis Republicans about competing.
This Commission Scorecard covers calls at the Feb. 6 meeting for police reform in the wake of the death of Tyre Nichols and the political clash with protesters and activists who pushed for more than resolutions.
The fires at three offices of Washington Credit and Tax Solutions were set Feb. 5 and Feb. 7 and one was captured on video.
The appeal also called for the sixth officer identified and fired in the beating of Nichols to face criminal charges.
The dedication was prompted by photos Nichols took in the park, including of sunsets on the river that the canopy overlooks.
Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris talks on “Behind The Headlines” about his renewed second-term focus on national issues and his willingness to cross jurisdictional and political boundaries.
The ad hoc council committee had its third meeting on Feb. 9. The group could have some closed attorney-client meetings in the future if it decides to change council districts.
Memphis City Council members came with questions about police culture and some criticism of the administration during an extended Tuesday, Feb. 7, discussion about the death of Tyre Nichols. That was followed by a series of first council votes on a package of 8 police reform measures.
Memphis Police Chief C.J. Davis told Memphis City Council members that the total number of officers now facing internal police charges is 13. Former MPD Officer Demetrius Haley took photos of Tyre Nichols after beatingRelated story:
The city’s chief operating officer says the festival wants a limited-liabilty provision for damages to the park that the city has never granted for past festivals in Tom Lee Park. Everything else has been agreed to. City council casts critical eye on city’s handling of Nichols investigationRelated story:
Three contenders reported raising $300,000 or better in the first financial report of the mayor’s race. J.W. Gibson talked on The Daily Memphian’s “On The Record” podcast about his mix of contributions with self financing and why he wants to depart from outgoing Mayor Jim Strickland’s “brilliant at the basics” theme.
The unusually long committee discussion comes with six ordinance proposals that would reform police policies and begins with what are expected to be lots of questions for Memphis Police Chief Cerelyn “C.J.” Davis.
The two resolutions approved unanimously drew criticism from activists because they are not binding on law enforcement. Commissioners are exploring ways to draft them as ordinances that could be more binding on the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office.
Shelby County Clerk Wanda Halbert pledged the Riverdale branch office would open by the end of 2022. It’s not open yet, and Halbert told county commissioners Monday she doesn’t know when it will be.
Former Mayor Willie Herenton makes a field of 11 declared candidates for this year’s Memphis mayoral election.
The two resolutions signal a return to the issue of use of force by law enforcement for the commission as well as the Memphis City Council nearly three years after the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis prompted votes by both bodies on a series of similar resolutions.
Sarah Houston talked on “Behind The Headlines” about the coal ash cleanup still in progress at the old TVA Allen Fossil Plant and its impact on the Memphis Sands aquifer, which supplies the city’s water.
The review of the department will include a look at special police units and use-of-force policies. It is the second MPD review by the Justice Department in six years. A 2016 review was cut short by the Trump administration.
Hemphill is the sixth MPD officer to be fired for violating police policies in the Jan. 7 death of Tyre Nichols. State board suspends 2 of 3 fired EMTs over failure to help Tyre NicholsRelated story:
The City of Memphis has a new system to alert citizens of emergency situations.
On The Daily Memphian’s “On The Record” podcast, Michalyn Easter-Thomas talks about trying out a ban on traffic stops by police for certain offenses. Other council members want a department-wide review.
Memphis City Council member Frank Colvett formally announced his candidacy Thursday, Feb. 2.