Memphis Local, Sports, Business & Food News | Daily Memphian | Mary Evans

Memphis Safe Task Force pursuit ends in fatal multi-vehicle crash

mevans@dailymemphian.com (Mary Evans) — Fri, 16 Oct 2026 09:14:56 -0500

A 32-year-old man is facing vehicular homicide and other charges following a high-speed pursuit with law enforcement on Wednesday.

Man died of heart issues during traffic stop, Task Force says

mevans@dailymemphian.com (Mary Evans) — Thu, 15 Oct 2026 16:50:40 -0500

“Long-term issues associated with his heart” was the cause of death for the man found unresponsive during a Monday, Oct. 12, traffic stop, according to a Memphis Safe Task Force spokesman.

Justin J. Pearson suing Memphis City Council

mevans@dailymemphian.com (Mary Evans) — Thu, 15 Oct 2026 11:34:26 -0500

State Rep. Justin J. Pearson and community activists held a press conference in front of City Hall to announce a lawsuit alleging city officials violated their First Amendment rights by barring them from future council meetings.

Vigils held for 5 deaths in officer-involved car crash

mevans@dailymemphian.com (Mary Evans) — Wed, 14 Oct 2026 14:47:14 -0500

Two vigils were held on back-to-back nights to honor five young people killed in a crash involving Memphis police officers.

Man dies during Memphis Safe Task Force traffic stop

mevans@dailymemphian.com (Mary Evans) — Wed, 14 Oct 2026 13:31:38 -0500

A man was found unresponsive during a traffic stop made by Memphis Safe Task Force Officers. The cause of death has not been determined yet.

Man charged after Memphis police shooting

mevans@dailymemphian.com (Mary Evans) — Tue, 13 Oct 2026 20:34:29 -0500

Dalvin Johnson was arraigned Tuesday, and a judge set his bond at $500,000. He remains at Regional One Health after officers returned fire.

5 dead, 3 injured after crash involving MPD officers in Hickory Hill

mevans@dailymemphian.com (Mary Evans) — Mon, 12 Oct 2026 20:57:42 -0500

Five people were killed and three others were left in critical condition after a crash involving Memphis police officers overnight Saturday.

Jury finds man guilty for killing Memphis musician

mevans@dailymemphian.com (Mary Evans) — Mon, 12 Oct 2026 14:01:21 -0500

A man was charged with first-degree murder for the 2024 killing of Blake Rhea, a bass player in the band Southern Avenue.

Attorneys dealing with double the criminal cases a year after the Task Force's arrival

mevans@dailymemphian.com (Mary Evans) — Mon, 12 Oct 2026 05:36:46 -0500

During the Memphis Safe Task Force’s first year, the U.S. Attorney’s Office charged 543 defendants with complaints or indictments compared to 225 people charged during 2024.

Memphis 'mega docket' immigration court is booming

mevans@dailymemphian.com (Mary Evans) — Sun, 11 Oct 2026 10:30:54 -0500

The scale of the Memphis Immigration Court’s “mega master docket” is clear right away — and it’s part of a national shift in immigration policy.

Wrongful-conviction case of alleged killer delayed

mevans@dailymemphian.com (Mary Evans) — Fri, 9 Oct 2026 18:44:10 -0500

When Andrew Hayes returns to court in November, Judge Lee Coffee will hear a motion asking the judge to remove himself from the case.

Inmate accused of killing cellmate waives bond hearing

mevans@dailymemphian.com (Mary Evans) — Thu, 8 Oct 2026 14:40:05 -0500

Jonathan Griffin, 19, is charged with first-degree murder of his cellmate, Erick Jones, 23.

Jail East inmate died by suicide

mevans@dailymemphian.com (Mary Evans) — Thu, 8 Oct 2026 13:29:24 -0500

The autopsy report said Beverly Turnage was found unresponsive in her cell Sept. 12.

Shelby County jail inmate killed

mevans@dailymemphian.com (Mary Evans) — Tue, 6 Oct 2026 21:43:40 -0500

The Shelby County Sheriff’s Office is launching a homicide investigation after an inmate’s death on Tuesday, Oct. 6, at 201 Poplar.

Memphis City Council advances call to remove federal agencies from Task Force

mevans@dailymemphian.com (Mary Evans) — Tue, 6 Oct 2026 20:36:05 -0500

The Memphis City Council will vote on a nonbinding resolution calling for the removal of ICE and National Guard personnel from the Memphis Safe Task Force.

More than half of Tennessee death row inmates are from Shelby County

mevans@dailymemphian.com (Mary Evans) — Fri, 2 Oct 2026 18:52:14 -0500

The failed attempt to execute Christa Pike has put Tennessee under scrutiny.

Members of Unknown Vice Lords gang sentenced for attempted murder

mevans@dailymemphian.com (Mary Evans) — Fri, 2 Oct 2026 05:32:38 -0500

Three members of the Unknown Vice Lords, also known as Ghost Mob, drew prison sentences of seven to 25 years each for a 2020 retaliation shooting in the city.

Memphis warehouse raid nabs 30K packages of synthetic kratom

mevans@dailymemphian.com (Mary Evans) — Thu, 1 Oct 2026 16:39:24 -0500

Law enforcement called in an 18-wheeler to haul away what officials estimate to be nearly 30,000 packages of illegal synthetic kratom that law enforcement agencies seized from a Memphis warehouse.

Shuttered nightclub will remain closed for now

mevans@dailymemphian.com (Mary Evans) — Tue, 29 Sep 2026 14:00:37 -0500

The club was forced to shut down less than a week ago after what authorities described as a long-term investigation into violence and criminal activity linked to the business.

Nightclub shut down after history of crime

mevans@dailymemphian.com (Mary Evans) — Tue, 29 Sep 2026 13:43:52 -0500

A Hickory Hill nightclub that was recently the scene of a Memphis Safe Task Force raid has been forced to shutter.