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

County primary election results have been certified, but there may be a challenge

bdries@dailymemphian.com (Bill Dries) — Thu, 21 May 2026 19:31:28 -0500

The second-place finisher in one of the MSCS board Democratic primaries — the closest race in the May 5 county primaries — is reportedly weighing a recount.

$18M in additional funding for sheriff's office hits snag

bdries@dailymemphian.com (Bill Dries) — Tue, 19 May 2026 06:23:22 -0500

Shelby County Sheriff Floyd Bonner Jr. and Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris agreed earlier this month to settle Bonner’s lawsuit against Harris with a “confidential” deal for an $18 million amendment to the sheriff’s budget for the current fiscal year.

New rules for county ‘community’ grants head to committee

bdries@dailymemphian.com (Bill Dries) — Mon, 18 May 2026 23:32:19 -0500

A new proposal would require receipts for money spent and a 5-year ban on new grants if nonprofits don’t follow the rules. The commission also set the stage for budget hearings.

Commission to consider new rules for one of the county's 'biggest financial concerns' — grants

bdries@dailymemphian.com (Bill Dries) — Mon, 18 May 2026 21:58:48 -0500

One commissioner is proposing to put more conditions on the $2.6 million the body allocates for grants days after Mayor Lee Harris warned that funding grants is a great share of the county’s budget.

DA releases footage of police spraying protesters, fellow officers during No Kings march

bdries@dailymemphian.com (Bill Dries) — Mon, 18 May 2026 15:18:24 -0500

The nearly 9 minutes of footage is from the body camera of one of the MPD officers who used pepper spray on No Kings marchers.

Cohen calls off congressional reelection campaign

bdries@dailymemphian.com (Bill Dries) — Mon, 18 May 2026 10:26:59 -0500

U.S. Rep. Steve Cohen said Friday that he is exiting the August Congressional primaries after the Tennessee General Assembly redrew the state’s district lines, dividing Memphis among three Congressional districts and drawing Cohen out of the 9th District seat he’s held for 20 years.

Cohen's exit notes and Alexander's memoir

bdries@dailymemphian.com (Bill Dries) — Mon, 18 May 2026 08:53:55 -0500

In this political roundup, new congressional districts shake up contenders with August primaries around the corner. Plus, a senator explains what he’s learned from “JFK to Trump.”

The fast track to the August state and federal primary elections

bdries@dailymemphian.com (Bill Dries) — Sat, 16 May 2026 04:00:09 -0500

The quick shift from the May elections to the August elections is the main topic of discussion on this week’s “Behind The Headlines.”

‘We ain’t surprised’: NCRM's Legacy Experience links past struggles to present politics

bdries@dailymemphian.com (Bill Dries) — Fri, 15 May 2026 22:04:27 -0500

The $55-million renovation offers an expanded look at the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. and of the movement since his death in 1968.

Election commission to seek $350K from state for district shake-up

bdries@dailymemphian.com (Bill Dries) — Fri, 15 May 2026 12:18:00 -0500

Redistricting plans mean an “aggressive timeline” and overtime costs for the Shelby County Election Commission, Linda Phillips told reporters Tuesday.

Pearson staying in 9th, plus a few Memphis surprises on first congressional candidates list

bdries@dailymemphian.com (Bill Dries) — Fri, 15 May 2026 12:09:09 -0500

Pearson declares ahead of a Friday filing deadline for the congressional seats with new district lines.

City Council to consider resolution opposing new congressional district lines

bdries@dailymemphian.com (Bill Dries) — Fri, 15 May 2026 12:06:31 -0500

The resolution is not binding on state lawmakers, who have already passed the controversial plan. Council members also take a look at affordable housing in Orange Mound.

Lee greenlights special session for redistricting next week

bdries@dailymemphian.com (Bill Dries) — Fri, 15 May 2026 10:52:18 -0500

Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee has called a special session of the Tennessee Legislature to consider redrawing the lines of the state’s nine Congressional districts in a bid to turn the state’s largest and only blue district red in this year’s midterm elections.

Trump says Gov. Lee on board with redistricting push

bdries@dailymemphian.com (Bill Dries) — Fri, 15 May 2026 10:51:15 -0500

Trump posted Thursday on social media that he had talked with Gov. Bill Lee about a special session of the Tennessee legislature. Lee hasn’t commented.

Blackburn, Rose call to ‘flip Memphis' in wake of Supreme Court ruling

bdries@dailymemphian.com (Bill Dries) — Fri, 15 May 2026 10:47:48 -0500

The calls to eliminate Tennessee’s only Democratic-held U.S. House seat follow Wednesday’s U.S. Supreme Court ruling that changes the Civil Rights Act standards for drawing legislative districts.

What's in Lee Harris' 'lean and mean' county budget proposal?

bdries@dailymemphian.com (Bill Dries) — Wed, 13 May 2026 16:09:21 -0500

Lowering the property-tax rate a few cents and another proposed school, the third of his tenure, highlighted Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris’ final budget proposal.

Mayor Young vetoes council rewrite of impasse ordinance

bdries@dailymemphian.com (Bill Dries) — Tue, 12 May 2026 20:00:03 -0500

In a three-page letter, Young writes that the ordinance “seeks to enlarge the Council’s authority in direct contravention of the charter.”

A quick history of Tennessee redistricting and a closer look at unofficial vote totals

bdries@dailymemphian.com (Bill Dries) — Mon, 11 May 2026 09:44:23 -0500

This political roundup dives into the surprising number of write-ins in the Shelby County primary races, a short — and litigious — history of redistricting in Tennessee and more.

Tom Lee Day will move to October, but poetry honored today

bdries@dailymemphian.com (Bill Dries) — Sat, 9 May 2026 10:08:57 -0500

The Memphis River Parks Partnership announced the change Friday, May 8, as it honored recipients in the 5th annual Tom Lee Poetry and Spoken Word competition.

Affordable housing wins come a few lots at a time

bdries@dailymemphian.com (Bill Dries) — Sat, 9 May 2026 04:00:13 -0500

Habitat for Humanity recently hit a milestone in Uptown: Two homes it finished building in February had their appraisals match their costs, which isn’t a given when talking about affordable housing in Memphis.