Memphis rapper Young Dolph was shot to death at a South Memphis cookie shop last week, shocking and saddening fans who gathered to mourn the loss as police searched for suspects into the weekend and early this week. The death of the well-known local figure, whose real name was Adolph Robert Thornton Jr., came as he was in the process of holiday turkey giveaways that had become a tradition of sorts.

Also last week, City Council member Edmund Ford Sr. landed in hot water after berating an assistant to Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris who appeared before the council over the listing of pronoun choices at the bottom of a correspondence. It was but the latest in a serious of controversial comments from Ford to different people. After other council members said they should have spoken out and the Tennessee Equality Project called for action against Ford, he issued a statement late in the week saying he meant no offense and simply didn’t understand the meaning of the pronoun reference.

And the death sentence awaiting Pervis Payne, on Tennessee death row for two 1987 Millington murders, was reduced to two consecutive life terms after District Attorney Amy Weirich said a state-appointed expert was unable to determine if Payne’s intellectual ability was high enough to execute him. The U.S. and Tennessee Supreme Courts have said it is unconstitutional to execute anyone with an intellectual disability.

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Memphis rapper and Billboard Top 10 artist Young Dolph died at a local cookie shop after being fatally shot Wednesday, Nov. 17, spurring an outpouring of grief.

From calling a councilwoman “baby” to berating a city division director, Memphis City Council member Edmund Ford Sr. has a history of outbursts prior to Tuesday’s comments to two members of county government.  By Bill Dries

Memphis Mayor Jim Strickland spoke Thursday morning about the death of rapper Young Dolph.  By Bill Dries

City Council member Martavius Jones is the first member of the body to react to several angry outbursts by fellow council member Edmund Ford Sr. at Tuesday’s session.  By Bill Dries

Memphis City Council member Edmund Ford Sr. said Friday evening he asked about a county employee’s use of personal pronouns because he didn’t know what they meant, but “could have been less harsh in my delivery and tone.” By Bill Dries

Pervis Payne will not face the death penalty and will instead get two consecutive life terms, District Attorney General Amy Weirich announced Thursday, Nov. 18. By Yolanda Jones

The statewide group working for LGBTQ equality called a pair of tirades by council member Edmund Ford Sr. at Tuesday’s council session “bullying, trolling and abusive.” By Bill Dries

“None of us are doing well, but Dolph would have wanted us out here, so we out here giving back to the people just like he would have wanted.” By Yolanda Jones

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