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 3980 articles by Bill Dries :
The agreement announced Thursday, Sept. 1, bypasses a city backstop of a reserve fund Carlisle Corp. had sought. Instead, the city puts up $10 million to be repaid by the One Beale developers in 10 years.
The former director of the city’s Division of Housing and Community Development unveiled an online campaign presence on 901 Day.
The 12 council members have seven applicants for the seat, vacant since the Aug. 9 resignation of Jamita Swearengen.
Native Memphian Aftan Strong will lead the group of judges that will hear cases on a daily basis in the court.
Shelby County Commissioner Van Turner will declare he’s in the running for the new Memphis mayor Thursday, Sept. 1, at the former home to Confederate monuments.
The move could have been a start toward ouster proceedings against Clerk Wanda Halbert.Related story:
Shelby County Clerk Wanda Halbert also responded to allegations from the Assessor’s office that her cut off of information from a county database on new business permits has cost the county $4 million in tax revenue. Assessor alleges Halbert decision costs county $4M a year in lost tax revenueRelated story:
Michalyn Easter-Thomas has the backing of a coalition of groups who want to explore not only new district lines for the council but possibly a restructuring, including runoffs and eliminating super districts.
The next move for county funding toward a new Regional One Health center in the Medical District is an appointed committee to come up with recommendations on what is likely to be some kind of bond financing. Five County Commissioners attend last meeting after hitting term limitRelated story:
Five departing commissioners were honored with plaques, framed proclamations and green-and-gold county flags while reflecting about holding elected office.
The city filed in Federal Court this past month following two elevated walkways collapsing and a fire that burned the apartment leasing office to the ground.
Six of the 13 commissioners are ending their time on the legislative body with Monday’s session. The commission also takes a vote that sets in motion $350 million in funding over several years for a new Regional One Health center.
With little fanfare, the council pulled its Aug. 9 vote defeating a ballot question on partisan city primaries. The reconsideration could amend that plan to a proposal to restore the runoff provision in the race for Memphis mayor.
A reporters’ roundtable recaps those events and more on “Behind The Headlines.”Related story:
Negotiations between the festival and the partnership hit a rough patch this week over the amount. Mayor tells MIM and Memphis River Parks Partnership to work it outRelated story:
The day after Memphis in May president Jim Holt said the dispute over holding the festival at Tom Lee Park should be settled by Mayor Jim Strickland, Strickland flatly rejected the idea at least for now and in public. Memphis in May ‘down but not out,’ worries about 2023 festival in Tom Lee ParkRelated articles:
The response from Comptroller Jason Mumpower is a response to a bipartisan resolution from the Shelby County Commission calling for state oversight of the county clerk’s office led by clerk Wanda Halbert. It also raises the possibility of some kind of local ouster effort
Memphis in May is eager to return to Tom Lee Park but cites issues with a lease and damage deposit lead to ‘uncertainty’ at its annual meeting.Related story:
The Shelby County Election Commission meets Monday, Aug. 22, to certify the August election results, including winners of the state and federal primaries from that ballot.
The Daily Memphian’s “On The Record” podcast takes a closer look at the numbers in the certified vote totals from August, previews the nearly complete November ballot and features a few political notes.
The unaudited Memphis in May annual report shows a loss as sponsorships and contributions dropped along with revenues from the record 2019 month-long event. The cost or expense of putting on the events was also up due to relocation.
The City Council Scorecard tracks the council votes that killed a bid for city primaries and sent a One Beale financial backstop to the mayor’s office even though the mayor says he won’t act on it.
With the funding, MATA is looking to add “service in the streets,” but it also hopes to move to a new headquarters within three years.
Here’s a look at key players at Memphis-Shelby County Schools as the system investigates allegations of sexual misconduct against Superintendent Joris Ray. Here’s a look at the changes MSCS has seen over the past decadeRelated story:
Crews working on the $62 million redesign are on seven-day-a-week schedule. The Memphis River Parks Partnership is hosting events next month to field proposals for events in the park as well as food and beverage vendors.