Last week brought some closure to the nearly four-week federal trial of three ex-cops charged in the January 2023 fatal beating of Tyre Nichols. Two former Memphis Police Department officers, Tadarrius Bean and Justin Smith, were convicted on one charge — obstruction of justice for witness tampering. The third, Demetrius Haley, was convicted on four counts, although the jury lessened two of the charges. All three men were taken into federal custody following the verdict’s reading on Thursday; they had been free on bond since their initial arrests in January 2023. On Monday, Bean and Smith were released pending a sentencing hearing in January. Haley will remain in custody.

School threats that captivated and confused Memphians last month — and led to a district-wide lockdown for all Memphis-Shelby County Schools buildings — were part of a soaring number of school violence threats across the state and the U.S. A leader in the state’s Homeland Security department talked about the threats with The Daily Memphian’s Laura Testino, saying the volume was higher than any level he’d seen since joining the state department in 2020. However, the volume didn’t proportionally correlate to credible threats. “The vast majority of all these reported threats that we investigate are not credible,” Greg Mays said.

And The Daily Memphian has launched a new series, “Point of Impact,” focused on gun violence in Memphis as well as gun-related laws passed by the Tennessee Legislature. The first installment, which published Monday morning, focuses on the city’s regional trauma centers, Regional One Health for adults and Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital for minors, where gun violence is seen and treated first hand. Look for more coverage over the next few weeks. 

Also, the Memphis City Council voted 9-0 Tuesday to buy the Downtown Sheraton for $22 million — as part of a $30 million bond sale. And there was news on two fronts for xAI in Memphis: A company subsidiary was approved to lease an additional 552 acres in southwest Memphis in a deal that could allow xAI to grow its footprint in Memphis by at least threefold or fourfold, and public records revealed that the Elon Musk-founded artificial intelligence startup filed plans in September for construction of a greywater plant. — Metro editor Jane Donahoe

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Threats of school violence soar across Tennessee, but most aren’t credible By Laura Testino

Tyre Nichols trial: 'Former MPD officers charged in Nichols' death found guilty on some charges By The Daily Memphian Staff

Two of three former cops convicted in Nichols federal case released pending sentencing By Aarron Fleming

Memphis City Council says yes to $30M Sheraton deal By Samuel Hardiman

Stores wiped clean of toilet paper, but experts say not to panic By Jody Callahan

MSCS board awaits Feagins' feedback on evaluation plan By Laura Testino

XAI approved to lease 552 acres in Southwest Memphis for expansion By Sophia Surrett

Memphis Flyway construction offers rare river's edge wilderness view By Bill Dries

Sheraton's impact worth risk despite hotel's volatile past, mayor says By Bill Dries

XAI applies for permits for greywater facility By Samuel Hardiman

Steve Cohen asks for federal assistance in MATA 'crisis' By Bill Dries

Shelby County tops 600,000 voters as registration deadline nears By Bill Dries

Phish frontman, jam bands strike a chord with Mempho fans By Jody Callahan

New law prioritizes public safety in setting bail, officials say By Julia Baker

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