Top line metro news of the week: The polls are open, and the Tennessee General Assembly is closing.

Early voting started in the Shelby County primary election started last week and continues through the end of April. The Daily Memphian has you covered with election news including story overviews of key races — Democratic county mayoral primary; County Clerk; school board seats; County Commission districts; Shelby County Sheriff candidates and more — as well as a ballot basics guide to early voting. Looking for all of The Daily Memphian’s election coverage? Navigate to the elections page by hovering over the metro tab on our homepage, where you’ll find the green ‘Elections’ link at the top of the drop-down menu.

As election season heats up in Shelby, the state house is winding down in Davidson. Tennessee’s $58 billion fiscal 2027 budget passed both the House and Senate last week with big money for private-school vouchers; $50 million for Downtown Memphis public safety; and $350 million for the University of Tennessee Health Science Center. Arguably the biggest local storyline brewing in the state Capitol this session is the Memphis-Shelby County Schools takeover legislation, which took a big step forward today with a conference committee ironing out details. A new provision in the compromise essentially grants the appointees of the new board blanket authority to force or prohibit any decision by an elected school board or the superintendent. We’ll continue reporting from Nashville through the end of the week as the takeover bill heads for floor votes in the House and Senate and as state legislators head toward adjournment.

Also, the NAACP, represented by the Southern Environmental Law Center, is suing xAI alleging that Elon Musk’s company violated the Clean Air Act; a 16-year-old has been charged with first-degree murder in the death of a 17-year-old following a midday shooting at Shelby Farms Park last week; a federal judge has removed the five former Memphis police officers who fatally beat Tyré Nichols from the civil rights lawsuit stemming from his death; and prosecutors dropped charges against the three people arrested at last month’s No Kings protest Downtown.

— Metro editor Jane Donahoe

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What to know about early voting in the first of three 2026 elections

Early voting ahead of the May 5 election day in Shelby County begins Wednesday, April 15, at 26 locations across the county. Here’s everything you need to know about the start of the first election of 2026.

The Democratic primary race for Shelby County mayor By Bill Dries

Meet the candidates for Shelby County sheriff By Aarron Fleming

A guide to the 13 races for Shelby County Commission By Bill Dries

Partisan MSCS board races begin as state considers takeover. Here's who is running for office. By Laura Testino

Democratic primary race for county clerk is biggest field on May 5 ballot By Bill Dries

All 11 candidates in the Democratic primary for County Clerk By Bill Dries

Fundraising picture for May county primary election remains unclear By Samuel Hardiman

Tennessee passes $58B budget By Noah McLane

Memphis gets another $50M for Downtown Memphis safety By Samuel Hardiman

Tennessee to expand voucher program to 35,000 students in second year By Melissa Brown

XAI sued because of alleged Clean Air Act violations By Samuel Hardiman

Teen arrested in fatal Shelby Farms shooting, officials say By Jody Callahan

Charges dropped for No Kings protestors By Aarron Fleming

Five former MPD officers dismissed from Tyré Nichols civil suit By Samuel Hardiman

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