President Biden signs bill to remove Klansman’s name from Memphis’ federal building
President Biden signs bill removing a Klansman’s name from Memphis’ federal building and renaming it solely for the late Judge Odell Horton.
Ben Wheeler
Ben Wheeler is an investigative reporter and is a member of The Daily Memphian’s public safety reporting team. He previously worked at the Yankton Daily Press and Dakotan and Herald-Citizen.
There are 175 articles by Ben Wheeler :
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December 2021
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Metro
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March 2022
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City of Memphis MLGW posts financial disclosure forms following investigation
The utility pledges to City Council to revise forms that report the financial holdings of its board members.
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April 2022
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Public Safety Suit seeks records of MPD efforts to correct troubled officers’ behavior
The lawsuit contends the public has a right to know how police supervisors attempted to intervene with Eric Kelly and others.
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May 2022
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Shelby County Southern Baptists to release secret list of pastors accused of sexual abuse
The report on sexual-abuse coverups among Southern Baptist congregations includes connection to a local megachurch.
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June 2022
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MetroFilings in sex-abuse suit against Bellevue Baptist Church reignite parents’ claim
New court documents show leaders at Bellevue Baptist Church fired a paid volunteer coordinator accused of sexual abuse, and he did not resign as they previously stated.
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Shelby County‘It’s been drastic': New camping law ups risk of felonies for homeless population
The new bill will make it a felony to camp on local public property, punishable by up to six years in prison. With transitional homes filling up faster than ever, where does that leave Memphis’ homeless community?
Related story:
Memphis group receives $3.8M grant to help combat youth homelessness
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July 2022
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EducationSchools superintendent admits to adultery in divorce filing
Three women were named in the filing. Two of the names match current or former employees of the district. The Daily Memphian is not naming these women because it could not confirm their employment with certainty.
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MSCS board begins external review of superintendent Joris Ray
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Education MSCS board begins external review of superintendent Joris Ray
The Memphis-Shelby County Schools Board of Education will launch an external review following the allegations of impropriety by MSCS superintendent Joris Ray.
Related story:
Schools superintendent admits to adultery in divorce filing
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Education Superintendent Joris Ray denies violating policy; board member voices support
The Memphis-Shelby County Schools superintendent said he respects the board’s responsibility to conduct due diligence as it relates to violations of policies and he will cooperate in every way possible.
Related stories:
Schools superintendent admits to adultery in divorce filing
MSCS board begins external review of superintendent Joris Ray
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Education MSCS board will address Joris Ray allegations in special meeting
Memphis-Shelby County School board members will be reviewing allegations of sexual impropriety by Superintendent Joris Ray with former or current members of school staff alleged in divorce proceedings.
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Education MSCS Board announces investigation, puts Superintendent Ray on leave
Board chair Michelle McKissack announced that Ray will be on paid administrative leave while the investigation is being conducted. Deputy superintendents John Barker and Angela Whitelaw will serve in the interim.
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Metro ‘Giant of a Judge:’ The life and legacy of Judge Odell Horton
When President Carter appointed Odell Horton to the federal bench in 1980 he became the first Black U.S. judge in Tennessee since Reconstruction. On Monday, Memphis’ federal building will be renamed for him.
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Business Graceland bonds hit snag on payment
Elvis Presley Enterprises had to transfer money from a reserve fund to cover the cost of some bonds, but some bonds were unable to be paid.
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Education Joris Ray formerly supervised woman with whom he allegedly had affair
Superintendent Joris Ray had a supervisory role over at least one of the women with whom he is alleged to have had had an affair, according to personnel files from the Memphis-Shelby County School System.
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Education Joris Ray supervised second employee named as alleged affair
This marks the second connection made through records obtained by The Daily Memphian through open records requests to show Ray supervised a woman named in divorce filings as having had alleged affairs.
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August 2022
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Update
EducationMSCS calls special meeting to decide on Joris Ray’s fate
The Memphis-Shelby County Schools board will meet Tuesday evening to vote on one item — the employment of superintendent Joris Ray.
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Education MSCS Superintendent Joris Ray resigns amid investigation of misconduct
Ray was put on paid leave on July 13 after the Board voted 7-2 to open a full investigation into allegations of his misconduct that were first reported by The Daily Memphian days before.
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EducationRay involvement in MSCS superintendent hunt would be ‘inappropriate,’ educator says
School board Chair Michelle McKissack says input from former superintendent Joris Ray isn’t expected, although the language included in Ray’s resignation agreement suggests he will be. McKissack said the clause was instead just standard language.
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September 2022
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Update
Public SafetyThree victims in shooting spree identified
Three of the victims of alleged mass shooter Ezekiel Kelly, 19, have been identified.
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Jackson Avenue vigil hosts prayers, praise to honor victims of shooting spree
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Metro Casualty of Wednesday’s shooting ‘wasn’t just a random victim. He was an uncle’
Richard Clark was a humble, quiet man, the youngest of seven, and, for him, family came first.
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Jackson Avenue vigil hosts prayer, praise to honor victims of shooting spree
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Public SafetyGunshot detection technology is under fire
ShotSpotter was installed as part of test in Memphis last year, but a lawsuit out of Chicago claims the gunshot detection system isn’t as effective as advertised.
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Public SafetyShooting suspect charged with first-degree murder, more charges to come
Ezekiel Kelly was arrested late Wednesday after allegedly killing three and injuring three others in a day-long shooting spree, some of which was streamed to Facebook Live.
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A tally of terror: 6 shot, 3 dead in gunman’s daylong, cross-city rampage
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Exclusive
Public SafetyReport poses fresh questions about 2021 Cleotha Henderson rape inquiry
As information emerges linking Eliza Fletcher’s alleged killer to a 2021 rape, the rape victim and two retired detectives are questioning what more could have been done to solve the case.
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Public Safety‘They didn’t care’ — Rape victim blames police for inaction
Exclusive: A woman who said she was sexually assaulted by Cleotha Henderson, aka Cleotha Abston, the same man accused of killing Eliza Fletcher, says Memphis Police Department didn’t make solving her case a priority.
Related story:
Report poses fresh questions about 2021 Cleotha Henderson rape inquiry
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Public Safety Rape victim’s appearance on ‘Good Morning America’ prompts calls for reform
As the woman who police think was raped last year by Eliza Fletcher’s alleged killer takes her story to a national audience on ‘Good Morning America,’ community leaders are demanding answers about law enforcement’s slow-moving investigation of the 2021 rape.
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