The Memphis City Council was the center of the local news universe last week, when the elected body ultimately decided to institute a 135-day moratorium on new data centers while it develops land-use standards and regulations. The vocal, capacity crowd at the Oct. 20 meeting favored an indefinite moratorium — which previously had been defined as a one-year pause — but the ordinance failed on a 6-6 tie vote.

As part of the drama leading up to the meeting, Council member Yolanda Cooper-Sutton was suspended from her committee-leadership duties for 30 days due to her conduct at the also-fractitious-as-well-as-prematurely-adjourned Oct. 6 meeting. The suspension did not prevent Cooper-Sutton from attending and voting at council meetings but she nevertheless missed last week due to a family emergency. State Rep. Justin J. Pearson was another casualty of a council-imposed ban, and he took that issue to court. Hours before the council meeting was to start, a federal judge temporarily lifted bans preventing six plaintiffs, including Pearson, from attending City Council meetings during the applicable 14-day period. But the broader legal dispute over the City Council’s speech policies, which the lawsuit also challenges, will continue. 

Here’s hoping the council’s fireworks don’t find their way to any dry leaves: Memphis has had just 2.29 inches of rain since Aug. 1, compared with a normal of 10.38 inches for this period, and fire officials are urging caution. As temperatures are easing and fall finally arrives, trees are shedding their now-crunchy leaves that can serve as kindling.

Regional One Health CEO Reginald Coopwood recently told The Daily Memphian he isn’t sure he has the money to build a new hospital, a project with a $900 million to $1 billion price tag that’s already had a highly visible beginning with the demolition of the former Commercial Appeal building on Union Avenue. Former Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris’ administration previously promised county dollars, but Coopwood acknowledged that new Shelby County Mayor Mickell Lowery and the County Commission would ultimately decide what the county could afford.

You’re not too late to vote early. Yet. But you are running out of time. Early voting in Shelby County continues through Thursday. The Daily Memphian’s Voter Guide — which includes information on the sets of ballot amendments, both to the Tennessee Constitution and the city charter (for City of Memphis residents) — is a good resource to brush up on before hitting the voting booth. Stay tuned to The DM for all sorts of election-related news in the runup to next week’s Election Day.

— Jane Donahoe, metro editor

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Relatives said Tyrin Johnson, who was shot and killed by the National Guard, had traveled from Nashville to Memphis for the July 4 weekend to help shoot a music video.

City Council votes down indefinite data center pause By Bill Dries, Mary Evans

How the City Council voted on data centers By Bill Dries

City Council asks ICE, National Guard to leave Memphis By Bill Dries, Mary Evans

Yolanda Cooper-Sutton suspended from City Council committee duties By Mary Evans

Pearson celebrates lifted ban for Memphis City Council attendees By Mary Evans

Cohen gives 'Yellow Dog' endorsement of Pearson as Election Day nears By Samuel Hardiman, Bill Dries

Cohen, NAACP address voting machine problems in separate events By Bill Dries, Samuel Hardiman

Nov. 3 midterm voter guide By The Daily Memphian Staff

Will Shelby County pay for a new Regional One? Coopwood isn't sure. By Samuel Hardiman

Record heat, near-record drought leave Memphis primed for fires By Jody Callahan

Lowery’s transition team delivers recommendations for Shelby County’s future By Brandon LaGrone II

Violent-crime rate continues slide, led by robbery decline By Mary Evans

From Millington to Slovenia, how a viral post and a bar ended the hunt for a teen's accused killer By Jody Callahan

Spending in MSCS-takeover suit nears county's limit By Laura Testino, Bill Dries

This consulting firm is advising Memphis state takeover leaders. Here's what we know so far. By Bri Hatch

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