Three Memphis firefighters fired in Nichols probe
Three Memphis firefighters have been fired for violating “numerous” department protocols in the treatment of Tyre Nichols, the Memphis Fire Department announced.
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.
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January 2023
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Public Safety -
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City of MemphisHernando DeSoto Bridge is a symbol of protest amid calls for reform
As public officials expressed outrage about Tyre Nichols’ death online, the protests marking the release of the videos returned to the symbol of local protest in the age of Black Lives Matter — the bridges across the Mississippi River.
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Behind The Headlines Calls for reform in wake of Nichols’ death have roots in George Floyd protests
The “Behind The Headlines” reporters roundtable focused on the death of Tyre Nichols and its long-term impact on policing and criminal justice reform in Memphis.
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Public Safety Two Sheriff’s deputies suspended as Nichols investigation expands again
Shelby County Sheriff Floyd Bonner Jr. announced the suspensions and investigation Friday, Jan. 27, after viewing the video of the incident.
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Tyre Nichols
Public SafetyStrickland says outside review of MPD essential to police culture questions
Mayor Jim Strickland said an outside review of MPD’s special units will likely determine if police culture needs to change or if more training is the answer.
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Reaction to charges in Tyre Nichols case echo calls for justice
Here’s what’s closing early Friday ahead of Tyre Nichols footage release
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Public Safety Reaction to charges in Tyre Nichols case echo calls for justice
President Joe Biden and local officials speak ahead of the release of police video of the arrest of Tyre Nichols. Much of the reaction followed the filing of second-degree murder charges against five Memphis Police officers.
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Public Safety MPD chief orders probe of specialized units; additional officers under investigation
In a recorded statement released late Wednesday evening, Cerelyn “C.J.” Davis said other MPD officers, besides the five already fired last week for violating department policies in Tyre Nichols’ death, are under investigation.
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City of Memphis City Council’s public safety committee avoids talking about Tyre Nichols
Memphis Police Chief Cerelyn “C.J.” Davis, who generally attends the council’s biweekly public safety committee, was not present for the Tuesday, Jan. 24, morning meeting.
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Elections Pearson heading to Nashville after appointment to state House seat
Environmental activist Justin J. Pearson followed up his Tuesday victory in the District 86 Democratic primary with a 9-0 county commission vote Wednesday, appointing him to the open seat in the Shelby County delegation.
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Elections Environmental activist Justin Pearson wins state House District 86 seat
In his first race for elected office, Pearson easily beat attorney and former Shelby County Commissioner Julian Bolton in the Democratic primary. Pearson will be running uncontested in the general election.
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City of Memphis City Council looks at long-term police reforms in wake of Tyre Nichols’ death
Proposals include keeping data on police traffic stops and renewing plans to increase police training.
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City of Memphis City Council sets up compromise provisions for Memphis in May damage deposit
The council votes on the Memphis in May measure at its first meeting in February. The council delayed several other matters, including a possible new name for Audubon Park and a decision on the Dream Hotel.
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Memphis facility should reduce cancer-causing emissions, City Council says
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Shelby County Shelby County Commission approves three-month moratorium on Land Bank sales
The unanimous Shelby County Commission vote Monday for the moratorium came despite county attorneys warning the commission might be overstepping its authority.
Related story:
Winner of District 86 primary to get an extra day’s jump on appointment
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East Memphis Council member proposes name change for Audubon Park
The Memphis City Council is also expected to take up the Dream hotel project on South Main and a damage deposit proposal for Memphis in May’s return to Tom Lee Park.
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Shelby County Anticipating February ‘rush,’ Halbert to close Downtown vehicle registration for two weeks
Less than 24 hours before the partial closing begins, the Shelby County Clerk says it is to “stay ahead of February’s anticipated rush.”
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Shelby County Winner of District 86 primary to get jump on appointment
The County Commission will vote Wednesday on a move to make the primary winner of the District 86 special election the appointee until the uncontested March election results are certified.
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Shelby County County Commission considers 3-month moratorium on Land Bank sales
The moratorium on the Monday, Jan. 23, agenda is the latest indication that commissioners want to reexamine land use and property transfers in blighted areas.
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State Government Ballot Basics: Election Day is Jan. 24 in state House District 86
With an empty Republican primary on Tuesday’s ballot and no independent candidates, the winner of the 10-candidate Democratic primary will be the de facto winner of the seat after the token March special general election.
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Behind The Headlines National Civil Rights Museum moves to digitize archives
Russell Wigginton, president of the NCRM, says on “Behind The Headlines” the museum’s expansion includes digitizing 11,000 items not currently on display.
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ElectionsTurner, Young mayoral campaigns reflect a generation’s return to Memphis
Van Turner and Paul Young talked about returning to Memphis after college and the role that’s played in their campaigns at separate fundraisers Saturday, Jan. 14.
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Public Safety City pledges to release Nichols incident police body cam footage next week
The joint statement from Mayor Jim Strickland and Memphis Police Chief Cerelyn “C.J.” Davis Tuesday, Jan. 17, came as the funeral of Tyre Nichols was underway.
Related story:
‘Tyre was a man': Loved ones of Tyre Nichols demand transparency from MPD
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City of MemphisVan with AI, laser imaging to scan Memphis streets for potholes
The effort will comprehensively map the condition of all 6,714 lane miles of Memphis’ streets.
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City of Memphis MLGW CEO McGowen: Priority is infrastructure overhaul
MLGW president and CEO Doug McGowen says his priority is finding ways to accelerate the $1.2 billion, five-year plan to upgrade the utility’s infrastructure.
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On the Record Cohen, Kustoff on either side of Washington’s new power balance
Republican David Kustoff sees the prolonged balloting for the new Speaker as a healthy sign for Republican unity. Democrat Steve Cohen says Republicans will remain unified in the short term, but not in the longer term.
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City of Memphis Uptown TIF’s $14 million funding gets final approval
The council vote comes the day after the Shelby County Commission approved the same resolution. The funding is spread across four projects, including new affordable housing in Uptown and rehab of existing homes for legacy homeowners.
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