Commission steps in to pay county clerk’s rent in Millington
The commission initially planned to only pay the back rent for Wanda Halbert’s Shelby County Clerk’s Office, but decided Monday to approve money for future rent, too.
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 4185 articles by Bill Dries :
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January 2026
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Shelby County -
Education County Commission votes to keep all nine MSCS seats on 2026 ballot
Commissioners decided Monday they want a lawsuit to stay in place and a court to put an end to the dispute over MSCS elections one way or another.
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Elections Opening day action to get on August ballot dominated with familiar faces
Six of the 13 incumbent state House members representing Shelby County in Nashville checked out petitions on Friday’s opening day. Meanwhile, several judicial positions on the August ballot as special elections are also filling up.
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City of Memphis First City Council meeting of 2026 features more changes in public safety funding
The city will be at halfway point in its fiscal year, as the council discusses pay raises for firefighters, renovating a police precinct, relocating a Downtown MPD unit and “Hyde Square.”
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MetroLee Harris makes a list. Marie Feagins makes Democrats nervous. A candidate makes reference to Wanda Halbert’s inspirational leadership.
Also in the political roundup, Jerri Green gets a new job and stays on the campaign trail. And meet the first Republican contender for County Mayor.
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Shelby County Will Shelby County pay back rent for the clerk’s Millington office?
Shelby County commissioners will vote on a resolution that would settle an ongoing dispute with the City of Millington for the $28,800 owed in rent for the County Clerk’s office on Navy Road.
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MetroWhitehaven preachers lament Memphis’ long debate about crime and violence
Standing outside Berean Missionary Baptist Church in the Whitehaven neighborhood of Memphis, the preachers led a series of prayers for an end to violent crime in the immediate area.
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Behind The Headlines Immigration enforcement doing more harm than good, Memphis lawmakers say
State Sen. Raumesh Akbari and County Commission Chair Shante Avant discussed the Memphis Safe Task Force’s immigration role on “Behind The Headlines” as well as legislation that would allow a state takeover of Memphis schools.
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Elections Here come the candidates for August elections
Friday is the first day to check out and file qualifying petitions to get on the Aug. 6 ballot featuring state and federal primaries.
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Elections Morgan resigns as local Republican Party chairman
The local Republican Party’s executive committee meets later this month to elect a new chair.
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MetroPolitical roundup: Mike Williams picks a race, Cohen doesn’t endorse, more
Former Memphis Police Association president Mike Williams picks a race. Also, a nonendorsement by U.S. Rep. Steve Cohen, a new city policy director and a review of the Election Commission’s revamped website.
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City of Memphis Young says goal of 40% drop in crime met two years ahead of campaign promise
Memphis Mayor Paul Young talked about the 2023 campaign promise at Thursday’s Lowery New Year’s Day Prayer Breakfast Downtown.
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City of MemphisMoney, MATA, xAI: Top Memphis City Council votes of 2025
The most important Memphis City Council decisions of 2025 were about the flow of city funds, the city-owned bus system, what to do with property tax revenues from xAI and the council’s relationship with the Mayor’s office.
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Metro After US topples Maduro, Memphis-area leaders react
The Memphis area’s representatives in Washington, D.C., reacted hours after the military operation that took Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro into custody for trial on federal drug charges in the U.S.
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Public SafetyWhat do Memphians think about Memphis Safe Task Force?
Some say the National Guard “shouldn’t be here,” while others say Memphis “got the message.” The Daily Memphian captured a snapshot of where Memphians stand on the Memphis Safe Task Force and its impact.
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Public Safety Trump claims Memphis crime drop due to Task Force
President Donald Trump linked Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro’s regime to the alleged presence of Venezuelan gangs in American cities, including Memphis.
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Behind The Headlines Two of the biggest Memphis stories of 2025 have a surprising connection
On Behind The Headlines, reporters discuss top local stories of 2025, including the link between the Memphis-Shelby County Schools ouster of Marie Feagins, and the arrival of the National Guard.
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Shelby County Top County Commission votes: MSCS board elections, budget, ethics
Many of the issues the current commission voted on will persist into a new year that includes county elections.
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December 2025
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Elections First five qualify as 2026 Shelby County primary field takes shape
Take a look at the latest list of who has a petition in circulation and who has gotten the 25 signatures required to get on the May 5, 2026, county primary ballot.
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Public Safety What to expect on Beale Street this New Year’s Eve
Memphis police are promising a noticeably heavier presence on and around Beale Street as 2025 becomes 2026. Here’s what else to expect Downtown.
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Behind The Headlines How clear is the line between immigration stops and MPD policy?
Activists responding to immigration police calls on behalf of those detained said on “Behind The Headlines” the lines look blurred at times as a police stop is followed by a federal presence.
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Elections More than 70 would-be candidates get petitions for 2026 elections
Most of those checking out qualifying petitions Monday, Dec. 22, are looking to run in the May 5 Shelby County Democratic primaries. There are already some interesting trends.
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Shelby County Services helping poor county residents are putting ‘Band-Aids on bullet wounds’
The leader of Shelby County’s Community Services Division talks about the safety net of programs and the balancing act that comes with uncertain money.
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Spirit of MemphisDowntown church’s rich history is intertwined with the stories of people it served
The present St. Patrick Catholic Church was built in 1905 but the congregation dates back to 1866 on the same property south of FedExForum.
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Elections Push cards, blue pens and big ambitions: 2026 Shelby County races get underway
The first day Monday, Dec. 22, of the period to get on the May 5 Shelby County primary ballot opened to a crowd of contenders Downtown and those who are already working on their campaigns.
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