National Guard won’t be making arrests, governor says
Gov. Bill Lee outlined plans for Trump’s Memphis Safe Task Force on Friday, saying that the first personnel could be in the Bluff City on Monday, Sept. 29.
Samuel Hardiman
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 568 articles by Samuel Hardiman :
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September 2025
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State Government -
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State GovernmentIn a city plagued by crime rate, leaders hope Memphis Safe Task Force can shift the narrative
In detailing specifics of the Memphis Safe Task Force, Gov. Bill Lee didn’t dwell on the city’s crime rate. Instead, flanked by Mayor Paul Young and Police Chief C.J. Davis, he pledged that the crime reduction that could come would be lengthy and sustainable.
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City of MemphisAsk the Memphian: Why are my lights off but my neighbor’s are on?
To understand why the lights may be on on one side of a street but not on the other is to gain a window into the intricate, man-made spiderweb that is MLGW’s distribution system.
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City of Memphis Some documents in Tyré Nichols’ civil rights lawsuit could become public
For about a year, the City of Memphis has sought information from a California family who were close with Nichols. However, attorneys for Nichols’ mother sought to prevent the records from being handed over.
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Metro Bondi, Hegseth to visit Memphis this week
U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth could visit Memphis this week, Bondi said in a cable news interview Tuesday morning, Sept. 30.
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Public Safety Federal judge declines to dismiss civil rights lawsuit against City of Memphis
U.S. District Judge Sheryl Lipman ruled that the City of Memphis’ motion to dismiss the case was denied in part.
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City of Memphis First National Guard deployments expected within 2 weeks, MPD chief says
Chief C.J. Davis said the Memphis Safe Task Force is still evolving and the Memphis Police Department is still learning information every day.
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October 2025
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Shelby CountyAs federal task force arrives, Republicans focus ire on Steve Mulroy
The stark partisan lens that many Republicans have brought to President Trump’s crime-fighting efforts was on display during the Tuesday Senate hearing where state Sen. Brent Taylor spoke.
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City of Memphis City, Police Association headed to mediation in one lawsuit
The negotiation could resolve a dispute about the legality of at least one of the City of Memphis’ employee associations.
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City of MemphisArrest info suggests task force focused on outstanding warrants, traffic stops
Recent arrest affidavits suggest the Memphis Safe Task Force is reliant on traffic stops and instances of stop-and-frisk policing.
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City of Memphis More than 700 Task Force members in city, police chief says
The first significant deployment of Tennessee National Guard troops to Memphis is expected by Friday, Oct. 10.
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City of Memphis Memphis guard deployment could last into 2026, defense secretary says
Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth could authorize the use of up to 1,000 Tennessee National Guard troops for a whole year as part of the Memphis Safe Task Force.
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City of Memphis National Guard patrols to begin Friday, city says
It remains unclear how many guard personnel will be in the city. MPD Chief C.J. Davis has stated that the guard will serve as a deterrent in high-traffic areas.
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Business ‘This is what progress looks like,’ xAI breaks ground on water recycling plant
During the groundbreaking, no one said xAI primary owner Elon Musk’s name aloud, but he was referenced multiple times.
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City of MemphisAbout 1,500 feds working in Memphis, US Marshals director says
Gov. Bill Lee declined to set an end date for when the task force’s work would be completed in Memphis. He said it could last forever.
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Metro Urban League CEO says Black America is in ‘state of emergency’
Marc Morial told Memphis’ business and elected leadership the nation is a facing a full frontal assault on voting rights, civil rights and diversity programs.
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Public Safety State, local leaders sue Gov. Lee about guard, although City of Memphis opts out
Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris and Commissioners Erika Sugarmon and Henri Brooks are among those seeking a preliminary injunction to stop the guard’s deployment.
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Public Safety Judge Norris defends himself: ‘I do not harbor any bias toward MPD’
U.S. District Judge Mark Norris wrote that he recused himself “because of the apparent bias of others against the Court.”
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