The coronavirus pandemic, never far from the top of the news in 2020, is back with a vengeance as new surges arise locally and nationally moving into the winter months. Local leaders are plotting a course to help people understand the problem in the absence of a statewide mask mandate, which is something Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris is pushing.
Another major cause of local concern — gun violence involving children — was on display last week, as well. Community leaders, alarmed about the record number of homicides involving children, expressed their frustration in a press conference, while a weekend Unity Walk against gun violence brought out 500 people to air their concerns. Also, local law enforcement got permission to use body cameras when participating in federal task forces. — Metro editor Ron Maxey
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The Unity Walk Against Gun Violence held Saturday marks a year when the city set a new high for homicides by September. As of Nov. 13, there have been 271 homicides, 43 more than the previous high of 228 in 2016.
By Omer Yusuf
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Homicides involving children are on the rise, and community leaders are looking for answers.
By Yolanda Jones
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If the field hospital has to open, the region will be in a mess, Dr. Richard Walker says, and health care workers will be scarce.
By Jane Roberts
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Podcast
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The effort short of a statewide mask mandate includes a coalition of local leaders across West Tennessee. Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris said he is also working on a long-term plan for the county to continue to deal with the pandemic through 2021 and after federal CARES Act funding runs out at the end of December.
By Bill Dries
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The Metal Museum has raised $12 million toward a $35 million goal to both renovate Rust Hall and create an endowment, states a resolution before the City Council.
By Tom Bailey
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As the numbers tick up, Memphis and four other municipalities see similar trajectories.
By Jane Roberts
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Health department director Alisa Haushalter and Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris react to the wave of confirmed COVID-19 cases, and a bill that could usurp local authority.
By Bill Dries
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Update
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Without a statewide mask mandate, leaders across West Tennessee are working to help people understand there is not a rural and urban virus.
By Jane Roberts
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The federal Department of Justice will allow local police serving on federal task forces to wear body cameras. In Memphis and other parts of the country, federal officials have been criticized for banning the use of cameras on joint local-federal operations.
By Yolanda Jones
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