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 3972 articles by Bill Dries :
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.
The Freedom Awards will be held Oct. 20 at the Orpheum.
The goal was to set new boundaries for the District 4 special election in November but the map, released just ahead of the Tuesday vote, featured changes to other districts. The council appeared likely Tuesday, Aug. 23, to reopen and redraw the map next year ahead of regular October 2023 city elections.
The results show 23.6% of Shelby County’s registered voters cast ballots.
The Tennessee Comptroller’s office confirmed Halbert’s vacation to Jamaica with Comptroller Jason Mumpower calling her “AWOL.”
The council sets the district lines for the Nov. 8 ballot special election in council District 4. Meanwhile, the council plans to appoint someone to the seat in the interim to serve until the special election winner is certified.
Until recently, the building housed a Memphis Fire station and headquarters for the department.
Here is The Daily Memphian’s guide to who is who in the 31 contested judicial races, including endorsements and polling by the city’s two bar associations.