Reporter
Samuel Hardiman is a reporter who focuses on government and politics. He began his career at the Tulsa World where he covered business and K-12 education. Hardiman came to Memphis in 2018 to join the Memphis Business Journal, covering government and economic development. He then served as the Commercial Appeal’s city hall reporter and later joined The Daily Memphian in 2023. His current work focuses on xAI, energy needs and how local governments spend money.
There are 535 articles by Samuel Hardiman :
“We hear our citizens loud and clear,” said Memphis Mayor Paul Young. “They want to see action. They want to see us strategizing and figuring out how we’re going to reduce the chaos, the hurt and the pain that we see in our community.”
The holiday’s most extensive outage was caused when part of a high-voltage transmission tower broke, triggering a safety response.
Fouché served in city government for years, succeeding Ursula Madden for the top communications job in September 2022.
With an ability to cross racial lines, the outgoing Memphis mayor was a boss who knew how to delegate and trust experts but did not abdicate responsibility for making decisions.
Jim Strickland’s years as mayor took Memphis into its third century of existence, through the COVID-19 pandemic and brought it face-to-face with some of the worst crimes and crime waves in its modern history.
Memphis Mayor-elect Paul Young’s administration continued to take shape this week with the incoming mayor announcing most of his remaining appointments.
Bernice Donald was selected as the mediator in confidential discussions that could lead to a potential settlement or set the stage for trial if no resolution is reached, according to court documents.
Memphis City Council approved the Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium ownership transfer but with the caveat that the U of M, the City and Fred Jones would continue to negotiate.
The City Council voted 8-2-1 Tuesday, Dec. 19, to approve conveying ownership of the stadium to the U of M Auxiliary Services Foundation and $120 million in cash to help pay for $220 million in renovations.
The University of Memphis awaits a City Council vote next week, Dec. 19, that would transfer ownership of the stadium to the U of M’s Auxiliary Services Foundation. Cost of dorms at U of M will go up 3.5% each year for four yearsRelated story:
Memphis Mayor Jim Strickland’s portrait was unveiled Friday at City Hall.
Documents outline the transfer of stadium ownership from the city to University of Memphis Auxiliary Services Foundation.
“We’ve had a number of dialogues over the past couple of months, and I feel confident that she can and will be able to lead us into a better space with regards to public safety.”
If approved by the Memphis City Council in a Dec. 19 vote, the mayoral salary would increase from $170,000 to $210,000 for Mayor-elect Paul Young.
Springer will continue to serve in his role with the City of Memphis through the end of Strickland’s term that ends Jan. 1.
Michael Oher’s legal fight with the Memphis Tuohy family over “The Blind Side” film and using his name, image and likeness has pulled in famed author Michael Lewis.
The council aired its concerns about what the city was receiving for transferring ownership, the future of the Southern Heritage Classic football game, how the City Council learned about the deal and more.
Richard Smith said Tuesday that the family could pull its pledged $50 million gift if the Memphis City Council doesn’t transfer ownership of Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium to the University of Memphis. Council member’s push for U of M foundation board seats could stall Liberty stadium dealRelated story:
The U of M has said that the city can’t have seats on the foundation board, setting up a potential showdown over the vote Tuesday to transfer ownership of the city-owned stadium.
The council also spent more than $66,000 on travel, staying in hotels in Nashville and Washington, D.C. Taxpayers paid for the travel by picking up the tab for the City Council’s credit card payments.
The complex deal clears the path to focus on FedExForum improvements. FedEx founder to help fund Liberty Stadium renovations; U of M could control stadiumRelated story:
In something of a domino effect, the Smith family donation for the Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium will free up cash for the Memphis Grizzlies and the City of Memphis to do renovations at FedExForum. Calkins: Fred Smith rides to the rescue (with $50 million) to forge a stunning stadium dealRelated story:
Ting Internet could start serving Memphis customers late next year.
The Downtown Memphis Tourism Development Zone is likely to face another shortfall in next year’s debt payment, though it should be the smallest seen in the past three years.
The University of Memphis, Greater Memphis Chamber, Moore Tech and others are partnering on what will be known as UpSkill MidSouth.