City wants access to docs in Memphis officers’ criminal case
On Wednesday, June 25, the city’s private attorneys filed a motion requesting that the city, which is not a party to the case, be granted access to 16 sealed documents in the case.
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 497 articles by Samuel Hardiman :
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June 2025
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Public Safety -
City of Memphis Federal judge removes himself in another high-profile case
Judge Mark Norris’ removal of himself follows his recusal in the federal criminal case of the five former Memphis Police Department officers who were charged in relation to Tyré Nichols’ 2023 death.
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South Memphis City tests air quality near xAI sites
The city conducted the testing following community concern about Elon Musk-founded xAI’s use of natural gas turbines at its supercomputer in Southwest Memphis.
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Business ‘Most important Memphian of all time’ has died
FedEx founder and executive chairman Frederick W. Smith, who changed the face of global commerce and his adopted hometown of Memphis, has died at age 80.
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MetroElon Musk talks xAI in Memphis and beyond
Billionaire Elon Musk shed new light last week on exactly what technology his artificial intelligence company has in Memphis, and what his plans are for the future of xAI.
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City of Memphis City loses another round vs. Memphis Police Association
Shelby County Circuit Judge Damita Dandridge ruled that she would not stay her ruling over the city and the police union’s fight over the controversial second lieutenant position.
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North MississippiXAI stockpiling massive equipment at vacant Mississippi lot
Filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission shed further light on xAI and Solaris Energy Infrastructure’s joint venture. They also offer further confirmation that xAI’s plans in the Memphis metro area will likely cross state lines.
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Public Safety Alleged trespasser was ‘angry’ with Mayor Young
Court documents reveal details about the man who was arrested for on suspicion of aggravated criminal trespassing, stalking and criminal attempted kidnapping.
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Metro David vs. Goliath: NAACP readies lawsuit against Musk’s xAI over turbines
They plan to sue Elon Musk’s xAI for alleged violations of the federal Clean Air Act, stemming from the company’s use of natural gas turbines to partially power its Southwest Memphis supercomputer.
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MetroMPD investigating trespasser at Mayor Young’s home
The Memphis Police Department is currently investigating an incident that involved a man knocking on Memphis Mayor Paul Young’s door Sunday night, June 15.
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City of MemphisCouncil strikes compromise over city worker pay raises
Council member Pearl Walker proposed the amendment that would give all city employees a flat 3% raise across all divisions, superseding the 5% raises the City Council passed in May.
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Public SafetyNichols’ attorneys want stay lifted for former cops
Attorneys for Tyré Nichols’ family and estate want a federal judge to remove a stay that has protected five former Memphis officers from parts of the civil lawsuit over Nichols’ death.
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City of MemphisMemphis hires hotel consultant as Sheraton deal remains incomplete
Last year, the City of Memphis issued about $30 million in debt to buy the hotel — and is already making payments — but the sale hasn’t been finalized.
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City of Memphis City of Memphis seeks to shield DOJ records from Nichols lawsuit
The city wants to use the Department of Justice’s retreat from its civil rights investigation of the MPD as a tool to fight the lawsuit stemming from Nichols’ January 2023 beating and death at the hands of five now-former Memphis police officers.
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City of MemphisWhat John Zeanah says his new job will be all about
John Zeanah’s new role with the City of Memphis boils down to an essential question: “How do we best pull the levers of city government in order to advance goals for housing, for community development, for economic development?”
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May 2025
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City of MemphisJohn Zeanah to be city’s new head of infrastructure and development
For years, he has led Memphis’ efforts at smart growth. Much of that smart growth work was embodied in the city’s comprehensive plan, known as Memphis 3.0.
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City of MemphisHow Memphis police salaries have increased since 2016
Memphis police officers are poised to secure a 5% pay raise.
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City of MemphisMemphis mayor, council clash over ‘poor budgeting’
New budget proposal relies on rosy projections, cutting MATA funding in half and extending ongoing hiring freeze.
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Public Safety DOJ dropping MPD investigation ‘does not change anything,’ mayor says
The U.S. Department of Justice said Wednesday, May 21, that it was dropping the civil rights investigation into the Memphis Police Department and retracting its previous findings into MPD.
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City of Memphis Most Memphis employees could see raises — but city needs to find $39M
In a surprise move, the Memphis City Council suspended its rules and voted on raises for solid waste employees, machinists and police officers. But the mayor has warned it could mean cutting 550 positions.
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City of Memphis City Council pushes to install public toilets Downtown
The Memphis City Council expressed frustration about the state of Downtown, also pushing to move 201 Poplar and change the state of Beale Street.
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City of Memphis What Elon Musk said about xAI’s second Memphis data center
Elon Musk confirmed in an X post how much electricity xAI’s second Memphis data center, Colossus 2, could use.
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City of MemphisHere’s how much water xAI is using to cool its supercomputer
Progress on xAI’s water-recycling facility has slowed to a bureaucratic trickle, but construction could come like a flood in a matter of weeks.
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South Memphis Decision on xAI’s air emissions permit will take time
Following a deluge of public comments, the Shelby County Health Department said a decision on xAI’s application for an air emissions permit will take approximately 60 days.
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Midtown Liberty Park hotel, apartments could break ground this fall, city says
Work on a hotel and apartments at the former Mid-South Fairgrounds property may begin in the fourth quarter of 2025. The projected opening date is in early 2027.
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