A controversial measure that will allow Tennessee gun owners to carry their weapons, either concealed or openly, without a license made its way through the Tennessee General Assembly and onto the desk of Gov. Bill Lee last week. If Lee signs the measure into law, as expected, it will raise the concern level of law enforcement statewide and particularly in Memphis, where there has been near-unanimous opposition. Local officials, including a vocal Memphis Police Director Michael Rallings, say the new law will only exacerbate problems in a city already dealing with a record homicide rate.

Meanwhile, the war of words continued between the City of Memphis and Waste Pro USA over garbage collection in Cordova, Hickory Hill and parts of East Memphis. The private contractor said it wanted to collect on Good Friday but was denied permission by the city because it was a holiday. The city disputes the claim, but it’s a sign of the ongoing strained relations between Memphis leaders and Waste Pro, which has said it wants out of its five-year contract. And a group of Cordova residents filed a lawsuit over the spotty garbage collection service. — Ron Maxey

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Memphis Police Department say interstate shootings are increasing and road rage is at the center of many of the incidents. And a permitless carry law could make the situation worse, officials fear. 

Law enforcement, advocates and others react to the passage of permitless carry legislation approved by lawmakers that will allow handguns to be carried, either openly or concealed, without a permit as of July 1.  By Yolanda Jones

The bill, which had already passed the Senate, passed the House 64-29 Monday. Some Republicans defected to vote against the measure, whose opponents include influential law enforcement entities. By The Associated Press

Six Cordova homeowners have filed a civil lawsuit against the city and MLGW seeking $38.8 million in damages for a group of 35,000 households. By Bill Dries

Better weather and a relentless barrage of complaints about garbage piling up seem to have been the breaking point in the city’s relationship with Waste Pro USA. The chairman of the City Council said it felt like the private waste company was “stringing us along.”  By Bill Dries

The Thursday, April 1, press release from the company is the latest salvo in an exchange between the city and the company that went public last week. By Bill Dries

ShotSpotter is being used by police departments across the U.S. to curb gun violence. By Yolanda Jones

Social justice group seeks to be part of the discussion and decisions about police reforms and the selection of the next Memphis Police director. By Bill Dries

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