Memphis-Shelby County Schools Superintendent Marie Feagins revealed last week that district employees have received $1 million in overtime payments she claims they didn’t earn. As a result, Feagins is proposing to update the school system’s overtime policy to require her own advance approval — or approval from someone she designates. The Memphis City Council voted in a committee to approve ground leases for the private development on the north side of Liberty Park bordering Central Avenue. The $112.5 million development could change Midtown by bringing an entertainment facility, hotel and apartments to the site. It also could be an essential step in paying off the Memphis Sports and Event Center’s debt. Also, the Memphis Police Department reported last week that overall major property and violent crimes were down 18% through the first half of the year compared to the same period in 2023; the local theater group that filed a lawsuit against Tennessee’s attempt to place restrictions on drag shows is planning to appeal a recent decision by a federal court to dismiss that suit; and the group trying to stop construction of the Memphis Art Museum on the riverfront Downtown is appealing to reverse a June Chancery Court ruling that they claim “improperly departed from the course of judicial conduct.” — 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.
Free with sign-up
A new policy would require all overtime to receive advance approval from Superintendent Marie Feagins, and make no exceptions for emergencies.
By Laura Testino
The Central Library will be closed until Monday, July 29.
By King Jemison
|
|
|
|
Inspired by a similar account in Atlanta, Conner McLeod created an Instagram account dedicated to leaving $50 in different places around the city. He has gained more than 3,500 followers in less than a week.
By King Jemison
|
|
|
|
Further development at Liberty Park took a key step forward Tuesday: A City Council committee approved the up-to $112.5 million project that could change Midtown.
By Samuel Hardiman
|
|
|
|
A shooting at Main Event was not its first. Because the victim and the alleged perpetrator were both guards at the facility, at least one security professional says the shooting gives his industry “a black eye.”
By Aarron Fleming
|
|
|
|
Friends for Our Riverfront argue a June ruling denying their motions to halt Brooks Museum construction “improperly departed from the course of judicial conduct.”
By Bill Dries
|
|
|
|
“I’m glad to see the numbers going down,” Council member Jerri Green said. “I do want to keep it in context. We’re comparing the numbers to the worst year on record for Memphis.”
By Julia Baker
|
|
|
|
The attorney representing Friends of George’s, the local theater group that sued to stop Tennessee from implementing the “anti-drag” law, acknowledged Tuesday, July 23, that the appeal process could be difficult.
By Jody Callahan
|
|
|
|
A nearly $400,000 scam has a local construction firm and the Memphis River Parks Partnership embroiled in a yearslong legal dispute.
By Samuel Hardiman
|
|
|
|
The Best Friends Animal Society report comes on the heels of city interim COO telling Memphis City Council that MAS Director Ty Coleman, who was placed on leave, is facing “serious allegations.”
By Jody Callahan
|
|
|
|
Memphis City Council member Jerri Green is moving from senior policy adviser to Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris to deputy chief of staff in the county administration.
By Bill Dries
|
|
|
|
A 49-year-old inmate died at the Shelby County Jail Monday, July 22.
By Aarron Fleming
|
|
|
|
The sponsor withdrew the referendum as other Memphis City Council members prepared to vote it down. The council also dealt with three other ballot questions.
By Bill Dries
|
|
|
|
free access
The vote totals in Thursday’s race for General Sessions Court clerk could be a larger political indicator than who is the next clerk. Also reaction from Cohen, Kustoff and Blackburn to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s visit to D.C.
By Bill Dries
|
|
|
|
..... |