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

Harris backs Collins, a win for citizen journalism and Lowery weighs in on LeBron

bdries@dailymemphian.com (Bill Dries) — Mon, 13 Apr 2026 06:30:26 -0500

In this week’s political roundup: Harris backs Collins, Memphis loses a public records case, Lowery weighs in on LeBron, and Green talks medical debt and executive orders.

More specific plan for new jail and justice center could be on the horizon

bdries@dailymemphian.com (Bill Dries) — Sun, 12 Apr 2026 22:36:43 -0500

Shelby County commissioners meet Monday to consider a resolution calling a professional study for a new jail and justice center.

Democrats and Republicans strategize ahead of May county primaries

bdries@dailymemphian.com (Bill Dries) — Sat, 11 Apr 2026 04:00:13 -0500

Leaders of the local Republican and Democratic parties talked about the May Shelby County primary elections on “Behind The Headlines.”

US Sen. Hagerty said Memphis public safety solutions must be long-term, 'military buildup' necessary in Iran

bdries@dailymemphian.com (Bill Dries) — Thu, 9 Apr 2026 13:01:52 -0500

U.S. Sen. Bill Hagerty talked with The Daily Memphian about the Memphis Safe Task Force and President Donald Trump’s pledge to destroy Iran’s “whole civilization.”

Audit clears county clerk's finances but still cites reporting problems

bdries@dailymemphian.com (Bill Dries) — Thu, 9 Apr 2026 13:01:16 -0500

Wanda Halbert’s office did not provide the auditing firm reviewing county finances with an annual financial statement or a reconciliation of funds collected by the clerk and deposited into the county’s bank account.

As Shelby County preps for May and August votes, a TMZ video grabs attention

bdries@dailymemphian.com (Bill Dries) — Sun, 5 Apr 2026 10:18:35 -0500

As the governor’s race heats up, a camera captures Marsha Blackburn at the D.C. airport. And when early voting starts April 15, all Memphis area locations will be open.

Reaction to No Kings police response centers on city permit process

bdries@dailymemphian.com (Bill Dries) — Fri, 3 Apr 2026 17:16:37 -0500

Memphis Mayor Paul Young talked on “Behind The Headlines” about the March 28 No Kings march that ended with Memphis Police pepper-spraying demonstrators.

Halbert ouster attempt could be back in play

bdries@dailymemphian.com (Bill Dries) — Wed, 1 Apr 2026 14:15:18 -0500

The Tennessee Supreme Court decided not to hear Shelby County Clerk Wanda Halbert’s appeal of the second attempt to remove her from office. This means the County Attorney’s office could move ahead with a private attorney.

Construction of riverboat landing on Mud Island kicks off

bdries@dailymemphian.com (Bill Dries) — Mon, 30 Mar 2026 21:58:48 -0500

Leaders of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers broke ground Monday, March 30, as several barges passed by on a windswept river.

Post-Ford County Commission sets new rules for ‘disruptive' commissioners

bdries@dailymemphian.com (Bill Dries) — Mon, 30 Mar 2026 21:25:33 -0500

The new rule allows the body to possibly remove a disruptive commissioner from discussion with a two-thirds vote. The Commission also approved an increase in funding for a UTHSC contract and voted down a $65,000 grant by Commissioner Henri Brooks.

Cops on leave after violent No Kings march

afleming@dailymemphian.com (Aarron Fleming) — Mon, 30 Mar 2026 16:53:39 -0500

Memphis Mayor Paul Young announced that the city will investigate police actions at a No Kings march in Downtown Memphis.

No Kings march ends with pepper spray and arrests

bdries@dailymemphian.com (Bill Dries) — Mon, 30 Mar 2026 12:02:12 -0500

The march began peacefully at Robert R. Church Park, but confrontations with police at the end of the day led to arrests. Two of the arrested marchers have been released, but two others remain in custody.

No Kings march rallies Dems. Young stresses crime-decline timeline. Trump cagey in governor's race.

bdries@dailymemphian.com (Bill Dries) — Mon, 30 Mar 2026 04:00:14 -0500

Before the violent end of the No Kings march, Democrats talked about holding elected officials accountable. Meanwhile, a Republican candidate on this year’s ballot is pointing to state takeovers.

No small change: Commissioners tackle penny problem

bdries@dailymemphian.com (Bill Dries) — Sun, 29 Mar 2026 16:57:53 -0500

Amid the phase-out of the penny, a resolution seeks help from the Tennessee Legislature to change state laws that don’t allow court clerks to round up or down the amounts they collect in court fines and fees.

Changes to county juvenile detention include uniforms and toothbrushes

bdries@dailymemphian.com (Bill Dries) — Sat, 28 Mar 2026 04:00:09 -0500

The change in who runs the detention center on a daily basis began this past October — about the time the Memphis Safe Task Force began operations locally.

As Frayser celebrates 200 years, this group wants to make their neighborhood a place people stay

bdries@dailymemphian.com (Bill Dries) — Fri, 27 Mar 2026 09:59:50 -0500

“You didn’t have to leave Frayser. Now you have to leave. That is our fault.”

Case dismissed in lawsuit to stop Brooks' Downtown museum

bdries@dailymemphian.com (Bill Dries) — Wed, 25 Mar 2026 15:06:57 -0500

The 2023 lawsuit, filed by Friends for our Riverfront and others, challenging the new Memphis Art Museum Downtown has hit another barrier.

City Council approves big changes to city impasse procedure

bdries@dailymemphian.com (Bill Dries) — Tue, 24 Mar 2026 19:58:10 -0500

The rewrite of the impasse procedure is the most significant change in a process drafted in the wake of 1978 strikes by Memphis police and firefighters.

Analysis: To Trump, rise in crime is political, foreign and enabled by Democrats

bdries@dailymemphian.com (Bill Dries) — Tue, 24 Mar 2026 15:14:00 -0500

As President Donald Trump touts the Memphis Safe Task Force as proof that tough immigration policies and aggressive enforcement are restoring “law and order,” Mayor Paul Young argues Memphis’ long-term safety depends more on tackling poverty, disinvestment and other root causes.

Noem touts Memphis Safe Task Force on her way out at DHS

bdries@dailymemphian.com (Bill Dries) — Mon, 23 Mar 2026 10:44:41 -0500

Kristi Noem’s last appearance as Department of Homeland Security Secretary came at a Nashville law enforcement conference.