177 articles by Omer Yusuf :

• May 2019

  • Harris, faith and union leaders push living wage for SCS cafeteria workers

    Mayor Lee Harris held a press conference Wednesday urging county leaders to find a way to raise the minimum wage of SCS cafeteria workers to $15 per hour.

    By Omer Yusuf May 08, 2019

  • Commission committee backs resolution to support censuring Judge Jim Lammey

    A resolution condemning Criminal Court Judge Jim Lammey's social media postings won committee support from county commissioners Wednesday. 

    By Omer Yusuf, Yolanda Jones May 08, 2019

  • Hospitality Hub continues efforts to help the homeless in Memphis

    The Hospitality Hub may be undergoing a potential relocation and expansion if the city and county approve millions in additional funding over the next month. 

    By Omer Yusuf May 06, 2019

  • Shelby County discusses efforts to fight potential measles outbreak

    Shelby County officials held a press conference Friday to discuss efforts to fight any measles outbreaks after several cases were reported in East Tennessee. 

    By Omer Yusuf May 03, 2019

  • Commissioner Wright talks Harris’ budget proposal, MATA discussion

    Shelby County Commissioner Mick Wright joined The Daily Memphian Politics Podcast to discuss Mayor Lee Harris' budget proposal and what lies ahead for the commission. 

    By Omer Yusuf May 02, 2019

  • Organizations raise questions about Hospitality Hub expansion

    Questions about the Hospitality Hub expansion come less than a week after Memphis and Shelby County announced a proposal to relocate and expand the facility Downtown.

    By Omer Yusuf, Tom Bailey May 01, 2019

• April 2019

  • Harris proposes creation of technology startup fund

    Mayor Lee Harris' $1.3 billion budget proposal includes funding for a new tech startup fund, raises for county employees and one of the county's largest investments in prekindergarten. 

    By Omer Yusuf April 30, 2019

  • Commission approves resolution to 'retain and protect' legislative authority

    Shelby County Commissioners voted unanimously in favor of a resolution to “retain and protect” its authority to fill county office vacancies Monday.

    By Omer Yusuf April 29, 2019

  • Ford Jr., Harris administration disagree on phone call about school board vacancies

    Shelby County Commissioner Edmund Ford Jr. and Mayor Lee Harris’ administration disagree about the intent of a phone call between a Nashville lobbyist and a special assistant to the mayor last month regarding filling school board vacancies.

    By Omer Yusuf April 29, 2019

  • Harris to propose budget with no tax increase, small raise for employees

    Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris is expected to present a budget next week with no property tax increase, a small raise for county employees and one of the county’s largest investments in prekindergarten.

    By Omer Yusuf April 27, 2019

  • Memphis, Shelby County announce effort to reduce homelessness

    A plan to address homelessness in Memphis includes funding a new women's shelter as part of a relocation and expansion of Hospitality Hub. 

    By Omer Yusuf April 25, 2019

  • Memphis congressional leaders react to redacted Mueller report

    Local legislators reacted along party lines Thursday to the release of special counsel Robert Mueller's report on Russian interference into the 2016 presidential election.

    By Omer Yusuf April 19, 2019

  • SCS officials, County Commissioners discuss $1.04B preliminary schools budget

    Shelby County Schools board members and County Commissioners held a historic joint meeting Wednesday to discuss the district’s preliminary 2019-20 operating budget.

    By Omer Yusuf April 18, 2019

  • SCS, County Commission to hold joint meeting about upcoming budget

    Shelby County commissioners will likely get an early preview of the Shelby County Schools budget Wednesday. 

    By Omer Yusuf April 17, 2019

  • New chief public defender's vision built around 'client-centered representation'

    Phyllis Aluko is the first woman to lead the Shelby County Public Defender's Office in its 102-year history. She was sworn in Tuesday.

    By Omer Yusuf April 16, 2019

  • U of M alumni, United Campus Workers push for $15 minimum wage

    Amid concerns about the University of Memphis’ commitment to raising the minimum wage for its employee to $15 per hour, the United Campus Workers and several alumni held a press conference Friday urging the university to implement wage increases by 2020.

    By Omer Yusuf April 13, 2019

  • Memphis overhauls curbside trash collection system

    The city is rolling out a new curbside collection system for garbage and debris beginning May 1.

    By Omer Yusuf April 10, 2019

  • Commissioners approve funding for new EDGE case managers

    Shelby County Commissioners have approved committing $450,000 to the Economic Development Growth Engine over three years to hire two economic development case managers.

    By Omer Yusuf April 09, 2019

  • Commission to vote on giving EDGE $450,000 for new employees

    Shelby County Commissioners are expected to vote Monday on committing $450,000 to the Economic Development Growth Engine over the next three years, which officials say would go toward funding two employees to strengthen local economic development.

    By Omer Yusuf April 08, 2019

  • Budget process begins for Shelby County

    Shelby County is holding a budget retreat Saturday to allow newly and returning county officials to discuss the current budget as well as next steps for the upcoming budget cycle.

    By Omer Yusuf April 06, 2019

  • Construction begins on new Shelby County Health Department headquarters

    Construction has begun on a new $25 million Shelby County Health Department headquarters. 

    By Omer Yusuf April 02, 2019

• March 2019

  • Commissioners back $15 minimum wage for public-sector workers

    In a vote split along party lines Monday, the Shelby County Commission approved a resolution supporting a $15 minimum wage for all public-sector employees in the county.

    By Omer Yusuf March 25, 2019

  • Commission to vote on Pre-K ordinance, appoint new chief public defender

    The Shelby County Commission will meet for the first time in nearly a month when it convenes Monday afternoon. 

    By Omer Yusuf March 23, 2019

  • Turner: Shelby County no longer has 'us-versus-them' mentality toward Memphis

    Shelby County Commission Chairman Van Turner was a guest on The Daily Memphian Politics Podcast to discuss the joint meeting with City Council and other county topics. 

    By Omer Yusuf March 22, 2019

  • City Council, County Commission discuss pre-K, MATA funding at joint meeting

    The Memphis City Council and Shelby County Commission met together for the first time in 2019, the first of two planned meetings to discuss issues affecting both the city and county. 

    By Omer Yusuf March 21, 2019