Memphis Local, Sports, Business & Food News | Daily Memphian | Bill Dries

Some on City Council oppose renaming street after former Mayor Lee Harris

bdries@dailymemphian.com (Bill Dries) — Thu, 3 Sep 2026 07:33:54 -0500

One day out of office, an honorary street renaming for outgoing county mayor Lee Harris was approved by the Memphis City Council, but not without some rare and vocal opposition.

New MATA board signals gradual move away from trustee

bdries@dailymemphian.com (Bill Dries) — Tue, 1 Sep 2026 22:04:36 -0500

For the time being, the new MATA board will coexist with a trustee. The Memphis City Council also approved funding for four parks projects.

Mickell Lowery takes oath of office along with other countywide elected officials

bdries@dailymemphian.com (Bill Dries) — Tue, 1 Sep 2026 07:35:11 -0500

It took about two hours to administer the oaths of office Monday, Aug. 31, to a group of 30 elected county leaders who formally begin four-year terms of office Tuesday.

City Council talks data center pause and votes on new MATA board

bdries@dailymemphian.com (Bill Dries) — Mon, 31 Aug 2026 15:36:36 -0500

The one-year moratorium on new data centers would be to develop guidelines and regulations for the centers as part of the county’s Unified Development Code.

Harris’ final days highlight a mayor focused on transition, legacy and what comes next

bdries@dailymemphian.com (Bill Dries) — Mon, 31 Aug 2026 04:00:14 -0500

Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris leaves office Tuesday after eight years in office and a unique governing style that shifted county government’s priorities.

Meals on Wheels turns 50 as MIFA's 'flagship' program

bdries@dailymemphian.com (Bill Dries) — Sun, 30 Aug 2026 17:31:24 -0500

The new president and CEO of the Metropolitan Inter-Faith Association spoke on Behind The Headlines about MIFA’s work addressing poverty and food insecurity in Memphis and beyond.

Halbert exits office, votes are certified and Green gets reintroduced

bdries@dailymemphian.com (Bill Dries) — Sun, 30 Aug 2026 14:32:21 -0500

Shelby County’s August votes are certified, but the data may be disheartening for Democrats. Also in the political roundup, Democratic Party leaders “introduce” Jerri Green, and Wanda Halbert exits office after two tumultuous terms.

County doesn't want to pay Wanda Halbert's legal fees

bdries@dailymemphian.com (Bill Dries) — Fri, 28 Aug 2026 11:11:49 -0500

The county’s second attempt to oust Wanda Halbert as County Clerk ended with a court order dictating county government should pay her legal fees.

Lee Harris exits county government with portrait and new job at Ole Miss

bdries@dailymemphian.com (Bill Dries) — Thu, 27 Aug 2026 18:43:37 -0500

Outgoing Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris said his portrait will take his place at the county building.

Gov. Lee chooses commutation instead of exoneration in Nashville murder conviction

bdries@dailymemphian.com (Bill Dries) — Thu, 27 Aug 2026 16:00:13 -0500

Gov. Bill Lee also announced his decision to grant pardons to 33 other Tennesseans who have completed prison sentences and have not been convicted of any crime for at least five years since they were released.

Mickell Lowery begins transition to Shelby County mayor

bdries@dailymemphian.com (Bill Dries) — Wed, 26 Aug 2026 17:21:44 -0500

Shelby County Mayor-elect Mickell Lowery has 250 appointed positions within his administration to fill as he prepares to take the oath of office Monday.

With days left in office, second ouster attempt of Wanda Halbert is near dismissal

bdries@dailymemphian.com (Bill Dries) — Tue, 25 Aug 2026 16:07:44 -0500

An order requiring the county to pay Halbert’s attorney's fees was signed this week, although the county’s outside attorney objected and could appeal.

County Commission ends term with cap on school-takeover legal fees

bdries@dailymemphian.com (Bill Dries) — Tue, 25 Aug 2026 05:38:36 -0500

Shelby County commissioners closed out their four-year term of office Monday, Aug. 24, by capping the county’s share of legal expenses at $200,000 in the ongoing federal-court case about the state takeover of Memphis-Shelby County Schools.

How AOC, Cohen shared flight illustrates the Democratic divide

bdries@dailymemphian.com (Bill Dries) — Mon, 24 Aug 2026 09:30:09 -0500

Also in the political roundup: more from state Senator Brent Taylor on Behind The Headlines, a closer look at the 5th Congressional District Democratic primary results and Mongo’s campaign art.

Changing of the guard at Shelby County Commission

bdries@dailymemphian.com (Bill Dries) — Mon, 24 Aug 2026 04:00:02 -0500

The Monday, Aug. 24, session of the Shelby County Commission is the last of the four-year term for eight of the 13 commissioners. Here is a rundown of the old commission versus the new body that takes office Sept. 1 and a few last-minute moves on Monday’s agenda.

Baron Von Opperbean weathers HVAC problems to draw more than 10K people

bdries@dailymemphian.com (Bill Dries) — Sun, 23 Aug 2026 04:00:14 -0500

Leaders of the immersive experience built in the old River Museum on Mud Island are hoping the recent activity can bring some momentum to the city-owned river park.

Brent Taylor said legal immigration should be 'paused'

bdries@dailymemphian.com (Bill Dries) — Sat, 22 Aug 2026 09:02:59 -0500

The “Behind the Headlines” interview with the Republican nominee for the 9th Congressional District also covered Taylor’s support for limiting birthright citizenship, war in Iran, the economy, the Epstein files and whether President Donald Trump won the 2020 election.

Sawyer federal corruption case stays on track to January trial date

bdries@dailymemphian.com (Bill Dries) — Wed, 19 Aug 2026 17:48:06 -0500

The Jan. 11, 2027, trial date stands in the public corruption case as defense attorneys continue to review 50,000 documents from discovery.

MPD chief looks to post-Task Force future

bdries@dailymemphian.com (Bill Dries) — Tue, 18 Aug 2026 20:25:02 -0500

Memphis Police Department Chief C.J. Davis said she and other police brass have asked leaders of the federal law enforcement agencies making up the Memphis Safe Task Force to have a permanent presence in the city after the deployment ends.

4 Memphis attorneys nominated for 2 new Criminal Court judicial positions

bdries@dailymemphian.com (Bill Dries) — Mon, 17 Aug 2026 20:22:30 -0500

The four applicants include three prosecutors and an attorney with the Tennessee Innocence Project.