The Daily Memphian wrapped up our Minor Offenders, Major Offenses series last week with a package of stories focused on Memphis and Shelby County Juvenile Court as well as a long look at the various strategies and programs in place to deal with the issue of juvenile crime. In Memphis, leaders seem to agree that youth can get guns too easily and that they are seeing a trend of younger juvenile offenders and more violent offenses, even as the number of juvenile charges is still below pre-pandemic levels. 

But there are varying opinions on how to deal with those trends. If local leaders don’t find a solution — or solutions — to violent juvenile crime, “we’ll be living out this vicious nightmare over and over again,” said Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris. “It’s not going to go away unless we do something.”

In other news … We’re barely past spring break and already the October election for Memphis mayor is full-blown hot: Two candidates have filed lawsuits contesting a residency requirement and a poll shows it’s anybody’s race to win. Also, 11 days before he was due to be sentenced for campaign fraud, former state Sen. Brian Kelsey (R-Germantown) is asking to withdraw his guilty plea.

— Metro editor Jane Donahoe

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A line added to a page on the Shelby County Election Commission’s website the last day of February has turned this year’s race for Memphis mayor upside down.

Floyd Bonner Jr. contests residency requirement in Memphis mayor's race By Bill Dries

Turner files second mayoral residency requirement challenge By Bill Dries

Polling data shows Memphis mayoral contest is 'anyone's game' By Samuel Hardiman

Brian Kelsey seeks to withdraw guilty pleas in campaign fraud case By Ian Round

'It's not going to go away unless we do something:' Local leaders eye juvenile crime solutions By Julia Baker, Ian Round

Officials work to increase juvenile transparency amid tight state laws By Julia Baker

Advocate knows change is possible in Juvenile Court because she's seen it By Jane Roberts

A primer: How Shelby County Juvenile Court works By Bill Dries

When the Justice Department came for Shelby County Juvenile Court By Bill Dries

No 'more pressing' issue in Memphis community than juvenile crime By Julia Baker

‘The kids that did this to us’: Juveniles driving car crimes higher By Julia Baker

'Trying to survive:' Chronic absenteeism, more than truancy, concerning to local educators By Aarron Fleming

Here’s how Tennessee lawmakers plan to target juvenile crime this session By Ian Round

'Not in the best condition': Tennessee looks to replace youth detention center By Ian Round

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