It was a historic finish to the runoffs for Memphis City Council. All three races were won by female candidates making women a majority on the council. Never before has the 13-member body had a majority of women. Bill Dries wrote a not-to-be-missed, in-depth look at all 13 members of the city council that takes office in January.

Over the weekend, many Memphians were jolted awake by a city-wide manhunt that was pushed via text, phone and wireless emergency alert. Police say Mavis Christian Jr. killed four female relatives and injured a fifth before taking his own life Saturday, Nov. 18. Using court records, Julia Baker chronicled his history of domestic violence. 

These deaths follow a Downtown shooting that killed a St. Jude researcher as well as two teens fatally shot within days of each other in Frayser. Our public safety team reported on these killings as well as developments in the Phil Trenary case, two lawsuits filed against the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office and a leadership restructuring at the Memphis Police Department.

Meanwhile, hearings on accepting federal education funding continued in Nashville; Rhodes College faced an uproar over a BDSM lecture; Wanda Halbert dealt with another closed office and increased scrutiny from a special prosecutor; and Michael Oher wants the Tuohys to stop using his name.

— Metro editor Jane Donahoe

We hope you enjoy catching up on the latest news stories from our community. If you’re a Daily Memphian subscriber, we appreciate your support. If not, please consider signing up for unlimited access to all of our local news coverage.

The winners of the three races make a majority of seven women on the city council that takes office in January — the first majority of women on the 13-member body in the 55-year history of the mayor-council form of government.

The new Memphis City Council: What each member brings in 2024 By Bill Dries

Manhunt following shootings at three locations ends with suspect's death By The Daily Memphian Staff

Multiple shooting suspect had history of domestic violence charges By Julia Baker

Death of St. Jude researcher is the ninth Downtown slaying this year By Ben Wheeler

Two teens fatally shot within days, miles of each other in Frayser By Julia Baker

Judge to rule on confession from suspect in Trenary's killing By Aarron Fleming

Two jailers indicted in connection to inmate assault By Julia Baker

Second inmate death lawsuit filed against Bonner, chief jailer and county By Aarron Fleming

Police Chief Davis changing MPD's 'top-heavy' leadership structure By Julia Baker

Tennessee Department of Education refuses to take stance on federal funds By Ian Round

Tenn. lawmakers unsure of how to go about rejecting federal funding By Ian Round

BDSM lecture causes Rhodes uproar By Jane Roberts

Herrington: Rhodes' BDSM brouhaha should have been a blip By Chris Herrington

Shelby County Clerk's Millington office closed Tuesday By Abigail Warren

County Commission wants 'status update' from Wanda Halbert prosecutor By Bill Dries

Lawyers for Michael Oher want the Tuohys to stop using his name By Aarron Fleming

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