Harris says he's surprised commission delayed detention center funding
The County Commission will revisit Harris' proposal for a third time at its next committee meeting Jan. 23.
Omer Yusuf
Reporter
50 recent articles by Omer Yusuf:
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January 2019
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Commission delays vote on initial funding for new detention center
The Shelby County Commission delayed a vote Monday on allocating $1.3 million for a new Shelby County Juvenile Detention Center after several commissioners raised concerns they were moving too fast on the project.
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Commissioners want more Juvenile Court reforms after DOJ report discussion
The Shelby County Commission discussed a Department of Justice report criticizing Juvenile Court's due process procedures.
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New juvenile detention center, DOJ report to be discussed in commission committees Wednesday
The Shelby County Commission will reconvene for the first time in 2019 during its committee session Wednesday.
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Shelby County Juvenile Court changes defense procedure after DOJ report
Shelby County Juvenile Court staff members will no longer select defense attorneys for juvenile detainees, Mayor Lee Harris’ office announced Tuesday.
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Lee Harris begins laying out priorities for 2019
Juvenile justice reform, education and Democratic leadership will be among Lee Harris' top priorities in 2019 as the county's new mayor.
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Improving MWBE numbers a priority for some commissioners in 2019
Shelby County Commission Chairman Van Turner said he wants to make more changes to the MWBE ordinance in 2019.
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December 2018
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Shelby County government to be more involved in education
Some issues county government would like to address in education in 2019 are pre-K initiatives, workforce development and school facilities.
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Shelby County to decide in 2019 whether to invest in MATA
One of the biggest decisions facing Shelby County government in 2019 is whether it will allocate funding for the Memphis Area Transit Authority in its 2019-2020 fiscal year budget.
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Shelby County putting final touches on legislative agenda
Allowing sports betting on Beale Street and better implementation of the state’s standardized TNReady test are two of the Shelby County Commission's latest requests to the Tennessee General Assembly.
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Shelby County hires Cedrick Gray as first director of education
Cedrick Gray will start his new role as director of education in January if the County Commission approves his appointment.
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Commissioners write letter to Haslam urging clemency for Cyntoia Brown
Four Shelby County Commissioners wrote a letter to Gov. Bill Haslam urging him to grant clemency for 30-year-old Cyntoia Brown, who is currently serving a 51-year prison sentence for killing a man when she was 16.
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Commission approves TIF for $950 million Union Row development
The Shelby County Commission voted to authorize a 30-year, $100 million tax increment financing district for phase I of the $950 million Union Row development Monday, despite a request from Mayor Lee Harris and two county commissioners to delay the vote.
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Harris criticizes county’s vetting process of $950 million Union Row development
With the Shelby County Commission set to vote on approving a 30-year, $100 million tax increment financing district for Phase I of the $950 million Union Row development Monday, Mayor Lee Harris said he is uncomfortable with the lack of vetting done on the project in county government.
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Committee recommends TIF for $950 million Union Row development
A Shelby County Commission committee is recommending the creation of a tax increment financing district to fund public infrastructure for the $950 million Union Row project, though two commissioners expressed concerns about minority- and women-owned business involvement and gentrification.
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County still in 'research phase' on finding MATA revenue stream
The recently formed Memphis and Shelby County ad hoc transportation/transit committee met Tuesday afternoon – continuing its discussion on finding a dedicated funding source for the Memphis Area Transit Authority.
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County CAO Patrice Thomas grateful to be in new role
Even after working in city and county government for more than a decade, Patrice Thomas is still grateful for the opportunity to serve a community she said has done so much for her.
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Mayor Harris on key hires, update on education liaison search
Over the past few months, Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris has continued assembling a team he hopes will lead the county into “a new era” of success.
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County Commission to seek state funding for more school resource officers, counselors
The Shelby County Commission approved adding five items to its legislative agenda Monday night – including a request the state fund more school resource officers, social workers and counselors in local schools.
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November 2018
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Commissioners delay recommendations on appointing interim senator, EDGE changes
Moves to begin the process of appointing an interim state senator for District 32 and to recommend changes to the Economic Development Growth Engine (EDGE) were deferred at Shelby County Commission committee meetings Wednesday.
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New Office of Preparedness director continues to make history
Whitehaven resident Brenda Jones is no stranger to making history.
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Proposal to pay county temp workers $15 an hour to be finalized by year's end
A memorandum of understanding that will result in more than 300 temporary workers in county government being paid at least $15 an hour will be finalized by the end of the year, according to Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris.
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Shelby County organizing legislative agenda for General Assembly
Additional funding for TBI tops Shelby County government’s list of requests to the Tennessee General Assembly for its upcoming legislative session in January.
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Hopson resigns from SCS for new role with Cigna
Dorsey Hopson announced Tuesday that he is resigning as superintendent of Shelby County Schools to take a newly created national role at Cigna in January.
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Commission approves food services contract for Sheriff's Office
The Shelby County Commission approved the food services contract between the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office and Aramark Correctional Services for its three correctional facilities – despite several commissioners and competing vendor CBM Managed Services asking that the contract be rebid.
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Shelby County eliminates phone call costs for juvenile detainees
Shelby County has reached an agreement with its inmate telephone services vendor, Global Tel, to eliminate charges on all phone calls made by juveniles to their parents or guardians and vice-versa, Mayor Lee Harris announced Monday.
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Commission committee debates food services contract for Sheriff's Office
A dispute between two potential vendors for a food management services contract from the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office for its three correctional facilities was reignited at the Shelby County Commission’s committee meeting Wednesday afternoon.
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Women make significant impact in Shelby County elections
More than 60 women ran for elected office in 40 races throughout Shelby County during the 2018 election cycle, resulting in several historic firsts and government representation being a little more reflective along both gender and racial lines in the county.
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County Commission, mayor close to ending dispute over opioid litigation
The Shelby County Commission took another step toward rebuilding its relationship with the administration of county government Wednesday.
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Cohen, Kustoff sound off on impact of Democrats retaking control of House
Both Memphis U.S. Reps. Steve Cohen and David Kustoff easily won re-election Tuesday night and are preparing for a new Congress after the Democrats regained control of the 435-member House of Representatives for the first time since 2010.
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Kelsey fends off strong challenge from Democrat Salinas in state Senate race
Incumbent Republican state Sen. Brian Kelsey appears to have held off Democrat Gabby Salinas in one of the most competitive races District 31 has seen in recent memory.
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Marcy Ingram named Shelby County Commission attorney
Marcy Ingram was named the Shelby County Commission attorney effective immediately, county Mayor Lee Harris announced Friday.
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October 2018
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Democrats reveal findings over McCormick's attendance record
Shelby County Schools Board member Scott McCormick missed 72 of 94 committee meetings from January 2017 to September 2018, according to records obtained by Tennessee House Democratic Caucus chairman Mike Stewart.
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Commission approves resolution asking DOJ to continue Juvenile Court oversight
The Shelby County Commission has approved a resolution proclaiming a vote of no confidence in the U.S. Department of Justice’s decision to end federal oversight of Shelby County Juvenile Court.
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201 Poplar Ave. named after former Commissioner Walter Bailey
Walter Bailey, the longest-serving Shelby County commissioner, can now add having a county building named after him to his list of accomplishments.
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Judge Dan Michael reveals his plan for Juvenile Court after DOJ
Juvenile Court Judge Dan Michael has revealed how he plans to move forward after the U.S. Department of Justice’s surprise announcement last week to end federal oversight over the court after six years.
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Resolution would ask DOJ to continue Juvenile Court oversight
The Shelby County Commission is making one final push to convince the U.S. Justice Department to reconsider its decision to end oversight over Shelby County Juvenile Court.
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County mayor proposes MOU to pay temp workers $15 an hour
Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris has proposed a non-binding memorandum of understanding that could result in more than 300 temporary workers in county government being paid at least $15 an hour.
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Justice Department ends federal oversight of Juvenile Court
The Department of Justice said Friday it has ended its six-year federal oversight of Shelby County Juvenile Court.
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County Mayor Harris announces five new hires in his administration
Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris announced five new hires to his administration Thursday.
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Early voting issues resolved, voting machines up and running
Four early voting sites lost connectivity with electronic polling books Wednesday morning, the Shelby County Election Commission confirmed, but all of those issues have since been resolved.
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Memphis police union tells officers not to talk to TBI
The Memphis Police Association is advising police officers not to talk to the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation when the state agency is investigating officer-involved shootings, the TBI was told Sunday. The advice includes police officers who witnessed shootings but are not involved.
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Chamber chairman disagrees with Harris' request for public input on Trenary's successor
Greater Memphis Chamber chairman Richard Smith says the organization welcomes input from local elected officials on the process of replacing its president and CEO, but the Chamber does not need to make it a public process.
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Trump defends Kavanaugh, stumps for Hyde-Smith in Southaven
President Donald Trump defended his Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh’s qualifications — amid allegations of sexual misconduct against him — during a stump speech for U.S. Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith’s election campaign in Southaven Tuesday night at the Landers Center.
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An inside look at Lee Harris’ transition team
The work for Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris’ transition team began weeks before he celebrated his election night victory Aug. 2.
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September 2018
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Harris appoints former councilman to run Office of Re-entry
Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris has appointed former Memphis City Council member Harold Collins to serve as administrator and executive director of the Shelby County Office of Re-Entry, according to a news release Tuesday.
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Commission to vote on Harris’ proposals Monday
The Shelby County Commission will vote on several of Mayor Lee Harris’ initial proposals for his administration at its meeting Monday.
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New Shelby County officials make history, hope to excel
The swearing-in ceremony for the new Shelby County elected officials highlighted many firsts in Shelby County government after the Democrats won all 10 countywide elected positions Aug. 2.
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New county commissioners bring fresh eyes, new perspectives
The 13-member Shelby County Commission has entered a new four-year term with eight new faces. Those new commissioners soon will have to make key decisions while, at the same time, learning about the ins and outs of county government.
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Harris says he will focus on education, transit, other poverty-reduction efforts
Newly elected Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris kicked off “A New Era” in Shelby County government by doing something past county mayors have rarely done – being sworn-in at the same ceremony as the 13-member Shelby County Commission.
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