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.
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 4392 articles by Bill Dries :
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February 2023
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Shelby County -
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.
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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.
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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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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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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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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.
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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.
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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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Shelby County County Commission takes first steps in reaction to Tyre Nichols case
The two resolutions approved unanimously drew criticism from activists because they are not binding on law enforcement. Commissioners are exploring ways to draft them as ordinances that could be more binding on the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office.
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Shelby County Shelby County clerk: No opening date yet for Riverdale branch office
Shelby County Clerk Wanda Halbert pledged the Riverdale branch office would open by the end of 2022. It’s not open yet, and Halbert told county commissioners Monday she doesn’t know when it will be.
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City of Memphis Herenton joins race for Memphis mayor
Former Mayor Willie Herenton makes a field of 11 declared candidates for this year’s Memphis mayoral election.
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Shelby County County Commission considers better law enforcement training in wake of Nichols’ death
The two resolutions signal a return to the issue of use of force by law enforcement for the commission as well as the Memphis City Council nearly three years after the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis prompted votes by both bodies on a series of similar resolutions.
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