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The AM/DM podcast: The first thing you need to know about the Shelby County primaries

mcashiola@dailymemphian.com (Mary Cashiola) — Thu, 30 Apr 2026 06:26:15 -0500

The Shelby County primaries are here, with early voting already ongoing, and election day coming fast and furious on Tuesday, May 5.

The AM/DM podcast: Is MSCS state takeover a land grab?

mcashiola@dailymemphian.com (Mary Cashiola) — Wed, 29 Apr 2026 06:27:17 -0500

In part two of our podcast about the takeover, reporter Laura Testino returns to talk about how churn factors in, what we can take from the school system takeover in Houston and what role school closures and land sales might play.

The AM/DM podcast: Burning questions about the state's MSCS takeover

mcashiola@dailymemphian.com (Mary Cashiola) — Tue, 28 Apr 2026 06:29:19 -0500

Who will the new board members be? And is former superintendent Marie Feagins expected to get her job back?

County Commission fills a board vacancy, approves a Downtown board appointment

bdries@dailymemphian.com (Bill Dries) — Mon, 27 Apr 2026 19:43:03 -0500

The Shelby County Commission welcomed a new member to the group that determines defendants’ bail and other conditions for release and also approved emergency Sheriff’s Office funding.

County Commission fails to fund MSCS takeover lawsuit

bdries@dailymemphian.com (Bill Dries) — Tue, 28 Apr 2026 06:49:28 -0500

A procedural vote Monday, April 27, killed a maneuver to fund a legal challenge by Memphis-Shelby County Schools to the state’s takeover of the school system. But there could be a second try.

Democratic mayoral candidates on MSCS lawsuit, Task Force, jail

bdries@dailymemphian.com (Bill Dries) — Mon, 27 Apr 2026 06:43:57 -0500

With Election Day around the corner, it was a busy week in Shelby County. Mayoral contenders hit forums across the area to talk with voters one-on-one. Meanwhile, early voting turnout is higher than the pivotal 2018 County primaries.

County Commission could discuss funding a challenge of MSCS takeover

bdries@dailymemphian.com (Bill Dries) — Sun, 26 Apr 2026 15:31:04 -0500

Over the weekend, two Shelby County officials talked about the possibility of commissioners considering taking legal action to stop the school district takeover.

County government could fund legal challenge of MSCS state takeover

bdries@dailymemphian.com (Bill Dries) — Sat, 25 Apr 2026 15:01:21 -0500

Two contenders in the Democratic primary for Shelby County Mayor, Mickell Lowery and Harold Collins, each said private talks could surface to get around a state law that prevents school boards from using public money to fight a school system takeover by the state.

Longtime state rep G.A. Hardaway dies

bdries@dailymemphian.com (Bill Dries) — Fri, 24 Apr 2026 10:43:10 -0500

G.A. Hardaway, a longtime public servant and state representative, died Friday, April 24.

Why are some Shelby County voters marked 'inactive' ahead of elections?

bdries@dailymemphian.com (Bill Dries) — Thu, 23 Apr 2026 21:25:57 -0500

The status of inactive voters comes up regularly during an election year, but inactive status does not mean the voter is ineligible to vote.

More than 3,400 show up for first day of early voting

bdries@dailymemphian.com (Bill Dries) — Thu, 16 Apr 2026 16:30:01 -0500

Most of the opening day voters were Democrats, whose ballot boasts a race with the largest field of candidates.

County Commission takes small step toward new or renovated jail

bdries@dailymemphian.com (Bill Dries) — Tue, 14 Apr 2026 05:56:14 -0500

Monday’s resolution could eventually result in a list of basic questions and cost options — but it probably won’t be until a new county mayor and commission take office.

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.

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.

City, county want input on new zoning plan

aashby@dailymemphian.com (Andy Ashby) — Fri, 10 Apr 2026 09:43:12 -0500

The new plan is a part of Memphis 3.0, which has received local pushback.

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.

Widow of Shelby County Jail inmate sues for husband's death

afleming@dailymemphian.com (Aarron Fleming) — Tue, 31 Mar 2026 16:51:28 -0500

The suit says Sheriff Floyd Bonner Jr. and Mayor Lee Harris “have engaged in an extraordinary public campaign of mutual finger-pointing ... while people continue to die.”

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 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.