Part of Barbecue Fest moves to Beale Street
The move of part of the barbecue contest to Beale Street follows an earlier relocation of the Blues Tent from the Beale Street Music Festival to the entertainment district.
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 4096 articles by Bill Dries :
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February 2023
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City of Memphis Shelby County Commission approves special adviser for Wanda Halbert
What began as a call for a special counsel to investigate the clerk’s office turned into a special adviser hired by and reporting to the county commission, working with Clerk Wanda Halbert in a three-month period.
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City of Memphis Shelby County Commission approves $5 million racial reparations review
The commission approved a resolution Wednesday, Feb. 22, on an 8-3-2 vote to fund a $5 million feasibility study “to establish, develop and implement reparations.”
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City of Memphis Music Festival plans move forward as last details on damage deposit hammered out
The City Council delayed approving a damage deposit fund on the contract between Memphis in May and the Memphis River Parks Partnernship to Feb. 21, so the city administration can verify that part of the agreement.
Related story:
Police reform ordinances clear second reading at City Council
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Shelby County Shelby County Commission may move their regularly scheduled meeting
The commission meets at 8 a.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 22, when it will vote to change its meeting schedule to allow for a meeting seven hours later.
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City of Memphis Police reform ordinances clear second reading at City Council
The council also tabled any action on a special-use permit for the Live Lounge, the scene of a shooting Sunday that killed one and injured at least 10.
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Public Safety Nearly 2,000 cars have been reported stolen in 2023
Crime stats reviewed by Memphis City Council members on Tuesday, Feb. 21, show 15-year-olds are the largest group by age of those arrested for car thefts.
Related stories:
Mass car break-ins in parking lots have locals talking — and posting
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Public Safety Additional Nichols’ video could be released, city attorney says
City Chief Legal Officer Jennifer Sink says disciplinary hearings for the last four officers cited for violating police policy should conclude Wednesday, Feb. 22. and video may be released to the public along with other officers’ records.
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City of Memphis City council weighs special-use permit for Whitehaven bar after Sunday shooting
The owner of the Whitehaven bar that was one of two connected shooting scenes where a total of 13 people were shot — one of whom died — Sunday, Feb. 19, is before the Memphis City Council Tuesday, Feb. 21, seeking a special-use permit to allow the sale of alcoholic beverages.
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Public Safety Civic leaders call for Justice Department inquiry into MPD
Twenty-three Memphis leaders say the death of Tyre Nichols indicates deeper problems with the police department, and criticizes Mayor Jim Strickland’s administration.
Related stories:
Five officers indicted in Tyre Nichols' death plead not guilty to murder
Ex-SCORPION officers transferred to MPD’s Organized Crime Unit
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Behind The Headlines Chamber confirms shift to advanced manufacturing, touts diversity on WKNO
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.
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Premium
On the RecordRetired MPD colonel still wants police review board with few limits, more bite
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.
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Premium
City of MemphisCity Council Scorecard: Tracking the latest police reform proposals
The Council Scorecard looks at a set of two resolutions and six ordinances the Memphis City Council approved at its Feb. 7 meeting.
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Elections Political Roundup: GOP, People’s Convention mull Memphis mayoral election
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.
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Premium
Shelby CountyCounty Commission Scorecard: Tyre Nichols, green fleet goals and more
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.
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Public Safety MFD: Fires at three locations of tax prep business are arson
The fires at three offices of Washington Credit and Tax Solutions were set Feb. 5 and Feb. 7 and one was captured on video.
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Public Safety Attorneys for Nichols family seek United Nations response
The appeal also called for the sixth officer identified and fired in the beating of Nichols to face criminal charges.
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City of Memphis Tom Lee Park’s Sunset Canopy dedicated to Tyre Nichols
The dedication was prompted by photos Nichols took in the park, including of sunsets on the river that the canopy overlooks.
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Behind The Headlines Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris using local office to focus on national issues
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.
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City of Memphis Memphis City Council redistricting group juggles maps and legal principles
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.
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City of Memphis City council casts critical eye on city’s handling of Nichols investigation
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.
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Public Safety More MPD officers under investigation in Nichols’ death
Memphis Police Chief C.J. Davis told Memphis City Council members that the total number of officers now facing internal police charges is 13.
Related story:
Former MPD Officer Demetrius Haley took photos of Tyre Nichols after beating
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City of Memphis Memphis City Council delays decision on Memphis in May damage-deposit impasse
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.
Related story:
City council casts critical eye on city’s handling of Nichols investigation
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Elections Political Roundup: A deeper look at dollar figures in the mayor’s race
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.
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Public Safety City Council to focus on Tyre Nichols incident during three-hour discussion
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.
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