Photo Gallery: Flyway construction begins reach toward Mississippi River
The observation deck and boardwalk are due to open next year. It will offer an unobstructed view of the Mississippi River.
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 4087 articles by Bill Dries :
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September 2025
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Downtown -
Shelby County County Commission approves moving all MSCS board seats to 2026 ballot
The vote effectively shortens the four-year terms of office that five school board members were elected to in 2024.
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Shelby County A divided County Commission to decide its response to National Guard
Shelby County commissioners will weigh in on the coming of National Guard troops to Memphis. Commissioners also return to the question of a new jail and moving Memphis school board elections.
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Metro New deputy governor, county commission turnover, and Washington votes
Political Notebook: How Memphis’ representatives in Washington voted on honoring Turning Point founder Charlie Kirk, and a resolution to keep the federal government funded.
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State Government National Guard becomes issue in Tennessee governor’s race
The coming deployment of the Guard to the city is also finding its way into other parts of local politics including a surprise appearance by a Democratic County Commissioner at a Republican rally backing the Guard’s arrival.
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City of Memphis Competing rallies demonstrate partisan divide over National Guard deployment
Opponents of an “occupation” by National Guard troops in the city and Republicans backing the arrival of the Guard both rallied to their cause Thursday in the city.
See The Daily Memphian’s full coverage of the Memphis Safe Task Force
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City of Memphis Council members to push Gov. Lee to reject Guard deployment
The City Council could vote on the resolution, so far backed by a group of council members, at its meeting next week. It is not binding on Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee.
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Shelby County ‘I don’t want to see a tank in my neighborhood’— County Commission debates Guard deployment
County Commissioners got their first look at two resolutions offering different responses to the coming deployment of National Guard troops to the city.
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City of Memphis Memphis-area leaders take to national airwaves to talk National Guard
A “threat to democracy” vs. making Memphis “the most safe city in America,” area leaders give their thoughts on what the National Guard deployment can mean for the city.
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Premium
Shelby CountyWhat’s next in the Republican race for Shelby County mayor?
For now, the 2026 Republican primary has no candidates for Shelby County mayor. Where does that leave the race? Also in the political roundup, more reaction to the National Guard coming to the city and a golf net at Audubon.
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State Government Millington native’s return to US attorney seat clears Senate Judiciary Committee
Ahead of the roll call vote, U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn spoke in favor of Dunavant, calling him an “experienced prosecutor.”
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Behind The Headlines How U of M scientists navigate conspiracy theories and the polarized world of public health
To the dean of the School of Public Health at the University of Memphis, its mission begins — but doesn’t end — with data.
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City of Memphis Mayor Young’s strategy for working with the National Guard
The arrival of National Guard troops in Memphis is the most rigorous test yet of Mayor Paul Young’s strategy for working with Republicans at the state and federal levels in the Tennessee’s bluest city.
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City of Memphis Cohen says mayor has little choice in National Guard deployment to Memphis: ‘The mayor’s got a tough job’
“If (Trump) will say ... after the National Guard leaves and tells the world that Memphis is the safest city in the world, Donald come on,” U.S. Rep. Steve Cohen said Friday.
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Public Safety New federal charges target Ghost Mob again
A new federal racketeering indictment unsealed Thursday in Memphis federal accuses six alleged Ghost Mob gang members of conspiracy to murder and attempted murder in the aid of racketeering for a 2020 incident firefight with a rival gang.
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City of Memphis Council delays vote on Regional One Health rebuild
The Memphis City Council delayed a vote to halt the building of a new $1.9 billion campus for the county-owned hospital, a move that will slow down county funding.
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City of Memphis Control of MATA money goes to city trust
The trust controlling city funding to the Memphis Area Transit Authority is the result of discontent by City Council members as well as the City of Memphis administration about the bus system’s interim leadership.
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Germantown Germantown mayor to run for a fourth term
Palazzolo seriously considered a bid for county mayor in the May 2026 Republican mayoral primary.
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Shelby County Firestone site in North Memphis won’t house new jail
The Shelby County Commission has approved a resolution that rules out the New Chicago area of North Memphis from being the site of any new jail county government may decide to build.
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Shelby County Commission narrowly avoids moving MSCS board elections (for now)
After a motion to move all board elections to the 2026 ballot failed on a tie vote, the commission voted to try again in two weeks on a proposal for the 2030 ballot.
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Shelby County After County Commission delay, mayor ‘not coming back’ with ethics appointments
The vote came after harsh words were exchanged between Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris and Commissioner Edmund Ford Jr.
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Premium
DowntownHow does the reopened Riverside Drive work?
Mayor Paul Young cut the ribbon on a new Riverside Drive that works for those on foot, on bicycles and in cars and narrows down access to parking for Tom Lee Park.
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City of Memphis City Council talks MATA and Regional One Health rebuild
City Council members will talk about next steps for the city’s bus system as one member calls for talks with County government on Regional One Health’s campus rebuild.
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Behind The Headlines MATA roils in turmoil. What’s the next step?
Reporters’ roundtable looks at the problems plaguing Memphis Area Transit Authority, and the new trial for former Memphis Police officers convicted in Tyré Nichols’ death.
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Premium
Shelby CountySchool board elections, a new jail and ethics top County Commission agenda
The Shelby County Commission is scheduled to vote on cutting short the terms of some Memphis-Shelby County Schools board members and a new jail resolution that would rule out the old Firestone plant site.
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