Shelby County Director of Re-Entry DeAndre Brown was arrested last week on 12 felony charges, including theft and money laundering. Brown and his wife Vinessa Brown, face the same set of charges for allegedly using their nonprofit, Lifeline to Success, to pay themselves inappropriate compensation and make personal purchases. A report from the Tennessee Comptroller’s Office detailed more than $625,000 of alleged misappropriation of public funds and another $756,000 in “questionable disbursements” tied to the Browns. The accusations cast a long shadow on a man who was widely heralded for his years of work with ex-offenders looking to turn their life around. DeAndre Brown is himself a former felon who served more than two years in prison for bank fraud, assault, forgery and theft. He and Vinessa Brown founded Lifeline in 2009; the county hired him as a director in 2021; and Gov. Bill Lee pardoned him for his prior crimes in 2023.

The question of why U.S. District Judge Mark Norris recused himself from the case of the officers who were federally convicted for their roles in Tyré Nichols death was answered this week when U.S. District Judge Sheryl Lipman unsealed a trove of previously hidden court documents. In the days after the federal trial that secured convictions for three of the former cops, Norris allegedly said that he could not meet with anybody from the Memphis Police Department because it is “infiltrated to the top with gang members.” He made the comments in reference to an MPD investigation into the shooting of his former law clerk, a crime he wanted investigated at the federal level. As a result, Lipman also ruled that the men would receive a new trial, which their lawyers had requested following Norris’ recusal in June. The new trial has not yet been scheduled. The Daily Memphian filed a motion to intervene in the case in July, seeking the release of the documents. 

And turmoil inside the Memphis Area Transit Authority continues with the abrupt cancellation of CEO candidate public interviews and the resignation of more than half of the board, which Mayor Paul Young installed less than a year ago.

— Metro editor Jane Donahoe

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A former prisoner who was chosen to lead the Shelby County Office of Re-Entry is behind bars again, charged with 12 felony counts.

State report questions $1.38M in spending by County Re-Entry Director By Aarron Fleming

DeAndre Brown was once celebrated for his comeback. Now he faces a steeper slide. By Bill Dries

Former police officers charged in Tyré Nichols' death to get new federal trial By Aarron Fleming

How 3 cops charged in Tyré Nichols’ death went from conviction to new trial By Jane Donahoe, Aarron Fleming

Two area legislators want TBI to audit MPD crime stats By Samuel Hardiman, Aarron Fleming

MATA officials overstepped authority with CEO search, City Council attorney says By Jody Callahan

Majority of MATA board quits as city flexes control over CEO search By Bill Dries, Jody Callahan

Calkins: He’s going to get people believing in this city once again — if he has to do it one Memphian at a time. By Geoff Calkins

Protesters gather at U of M after school announces anti-DEI efforts By Jody Callahan

MSCS student numbers drop at start of school year By Laura Testino

Ask the Memphian: Justin Timberlake, his tequila and two annoyed women: How 901 Day began By Jody Callahan

Memphis doesn't need a new jail, new study says. At least, not right now. By Aarron Fleming

Tennessee Supreme Court halts MPD demotions. For now. By Samuel Hardiman

Shelby County to get two new judges By Aarron Fleming

Arts school or MLGW substation? MSCS to decide fate of Elvis' alma mater By Laura Testino

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