Memphis asks court to reconsider MPD demotions
The City of Memphis has asked the Tennessee Court of Appeals to reconsider its recent decision not to block the demotions of 100-plus Memphis Police Department second lieutenants.
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 506 articles by Samuel Hardiman :
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July 2025
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City of Memphis -
City of Memphis Here’s how Memphis could spend portion of xAI tax money
The city on Monday released the proposed ordinance that would set aside 25% of xAI’s tax bill.
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City of Memphis City must demote MPD second lieutenants, court rules
The Tennessee Court of Appeals threw a wrench into the City of Memphis’ efforts to stop the pending demotions of the Memphis Police Department’s second lieutenants.
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South MemphisHow the fight over Elon Musk’s air permit could change Memphis
The conversation about air pollution in the 38109 ZIP code has focused on xAI. Government data shows that there’s been a lot of pollution in that zip code before Elon Musk’s company took up residence in the former Electrolux plant.
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BusinessWhat Mitch Graves wants to bring to the TVA board
The CEO of West Cancer Center plans to provide the perspective of the federal agency’s largest customer: MLGW.
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South MemphisXAI raises $10 billion. What does it mean for Memphis?
News of xAI securing more funding also comes as the company looks to move ahead on one of its key promises to Memphis — a water recycling plant that could cut long-term usage of the Memphis Sand Aquifer by about 9%.
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City of MemphisCity Council Scorecard: Setting the budget past the impasse process
The City Council Scorecard tracks how the 13 council members voted on the critical events of the budget season.
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South Memphis Despite community concern, xAI gets air-emissions permit
The Shelby County Health Department received more than 1,000 public comments on the project.
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Metro Trump names Memphian to TVA board
TVA board members are nominated by the president and confirmed by the U.S. Senate. Trump fired three board members this spring, leaving the board without a quorum.
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June 2025
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Public Safety 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.
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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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Update
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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