Elon Musk-founded xAI to build ‘gigafactory of compute’ in Memphis
The facility could be worth billions of dollars and be one of the most advanced computing sites in the world.
Samuel Hardiman
Reporter
Samuel Hardiman is an enterprise 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.
There are 645 articles by Samuel Hardiman :
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June 2024
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City of Memphis ‘The city has to stop doing bad deals:’ Council sounds off as Liberty Park is underwater
“This is a 100-year deal ... The city has to stop doing bad deals,” said Memphis City Councilman Chase Carlisle about development at Liberty Park.
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City of Memphis ‘What could we gain?’: Council remains skeptical of MLGW voting seats for suburbs
The Memphis City Council once again expressed broad skepticism of adding voting suburban seats to the Memphis, Light, Gas and Water board.
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City of Memphis City’s annual payment for Grizzlies’ shortfalls coming out of rainy day fund
On Tuesday, the Memphis City Council is scheduled to amend the existing budget so the city can pay the Grizzlies; the payment was not part of the budget when it passed last summer.
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May 2024
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State Government Taylor wants to hire former NYPD commissioner to study Memphis crime
State Sen. Brent Taylor is asking Gov. Bill Lee to hire a former NYPD commissioner to help combat Memphis’ crime problem.
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Public SafetyHomicide investigator headcount at MPD dwindles
Recently obtained records show that MPD’s homicide investigator count is shrinking in a city that saw almost 400 homicides last year and where more than 100 have occurred to date in 2024.
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City of MemphisPolitical Roundup: Camp GloJo and gavels drawn at City Hall
Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Gloria Johnson campaigns in Memphis over the long holiday weekend and hopes Democrats throw national support behind her effort to upset incumbent Republican Senator Marsha Blackburn.
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Public SafetyCity responds to state legislator’s questions about MPD policies
John Gillespie questioned MPD’s policies in a Thursday news release. He and Brent Taylor sponsored the law that bans police departments from not pulling someone over when they have reasonable suspicion the person violated the law.
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City of MemphisYoung said Davis’ reappointment to MPD chief could come after budget
Memphis Mayor Paul Young said Wednesday, May 22, he plans to seek permanent status for Interim Memphis Police Chief C.J. Davis and two other key executives after budget season.
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Shelby CountySheriff’s Office has the highest vacancy rate of county government
The Daily Memphian reviewed human resources data and the county budget to determine the number of SCSO vacancies and the amount of funding the sheriff’s office receives.
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City of Memphis ‘A tough push:’ Council skeptical of adding suburban votes to MLGW board
The suburbs make up about 32% of the MLGW’s revenue but have no voting power and no vote on rates.
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City of MemphisMemphis voters could decide if suburbs get MLGW representation
In November, Memphis voters could allow the other residents of Shelby County — who all pay for at least electricity from Memphis Light, Gas and Water — to have a vote on their electric rates.
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City of Memphis Memphis subpoenas DA’s correspondence with Nichols’ attorneys, DOJ
In the subpoena, the city is seeking any information that Shelby County DA Steve Mulroy’s office passed on information to attorneys for Tyre Nichols’ estate.
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Public SafetyMemphis is going into debt to keep MPD body cams
The City of Memphis plans to issue up to $54 million in debt over five years to pay for police body-worn cameras, video storage and the capability that the cameras automatically start recording when an officer draws their weapon.
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State Government Lee says constitutional carry not a problem in Memphis, voucher bill to return
Gov. Bill Lee said Tuesday, May 7, the ability to open carry firearms — and “constitutional rights” — are not the issue when it comes to Memphis and Shelby County crime.
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City of MemphisSafety at community centers in focus after shooting in Douglass
Memphis City Council members talked about better camera surveillance and other measures with Memphis Parks Director Nick Walker.
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Shelby County Petition filed to remove Wanda Halbert from office
Hamilton County District Attorney General Coty Wamp is seeking Halbert’s removal because “Defendant has willfully neglected to perform duties enjoined upon Defendant by the laws of the State.”
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Support for Wanda Halbert’s raise requests vanishes with legal move to oust her
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City of MemphisWhere do Memphis and Shelby County property taxes go?
With the City of Memphis looking at a proposed 28% property-tax increase and some citizens calling for the government to cut the fat instead, The Daily Memphian reviewed the city’s proposed fiscal year 2025 budget.
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City of MemphisMud Island Amphitheater could get major renovation
The City of Memphis’ proposed capital-improvement budget includes issuing $17.6 million in debt over four years for the amphitheater’s renovation. A potential big-name operator could be interested, too.
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City of Memphis City to ink High 5 Entertainment to 30-year lease at Liberty Park
High 5 would build an entertainment facility that would include a full-service restaurant and bar with bowling, video games and laser tag.
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Public SafetyCould MPD change how officers are armed? Davis says it’s possible.
“Right now, we have a sense of urgency about what our equipment looks like in the Memphis Police Department, and how we can make sure that our officers are not outgunned as well,” Interim MPD Chief Davis said.
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April 2024
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State Government Memphis legislators have high hopes for weed legalization
The Associated Press reported the DEA planned to reclassify marijuana as a less dangerous drug. The move is a bureaucratic step that could open up further pathways to legalization.
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City of Memphis Dozens of MPD sergeants ask to join lawsuit against Memphis
The filing is another front in the deepening legal conflict over the disputed second lieutenant position.
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City of MemphisOne reason Memphis can’t touch its rainy day fund: pending lawsuits
Outside of its bond rating and requirements from the state comptroller, Memphis has another reason to keep its $100 million rainy-day fund intact: the pending civil rights lawsuit from Tyre Nichols’ family and estate.
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City of MemphisHow do Memphians feel about raising taxes? Poll offers clues
A late 2023 poll indicates how voters felt about a tax increase as perception of crime worsened and the city geared up for a municipal-election season.
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