Memphis Local, Sports, Business & Food News | Daily Memphian | News in Shelby County TN | Shelby County TN Breaking News

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.

XAI properties appraised at $3.5 billion, documents show

hardiman@dailymemphian.com (Samuel Hardiman) — Thu, 26 Mar 2026 16:20:10 -0500

The appraisals for the two data centers help to determine how much Elon Musk’s artificial intelligence company will pay in property taxes.

Family praises judge for sentence in fatal hit-and-run

jcallahan@dailymemphian.com (Jody Callahan) — Thu, 26 Mar 2026 16:32:37 -0500

Shelby County Criminal Court Judge Ray Lepone sentenced Julio Hernandez, 21, to five years in prison for vehicular homicide.

New approach to tidier Memphis interstates starts rolling

bdries@dailymemphian.com (Bill Dries) — Fri, 20 Mar 2026 16:12:19 -0500

The state has a five-year $60 million contract with a Pennsylvania company to maintain the city’s interstate system, including fixing potholes and removing snow and ice.

Some docs in Feagins’ initial lawsuit won't be 'released to Facebook'

Ltestino@dailymemphian.com (Laura Testino) — Fri, 20 Mar 2026 17:06:09 -0500

A judge ruled from the bench that former Memphis-Shelby County Schools Superintendent Marie Feagins and the school district can shield certain documents from the public in the case.

Federal civil suit over County Jail inmate's death gets new judge

afleming@dailymemphian.com (Aarron Fleming) — Thu, 19 Mar 2026 04:00:09 -0500

U.S. District Judge Brian Lea is now presiding over the case regarding the death of an inmate who died after an altercation with guards at the jail in October 2022.

County Commission fills Ford's former seat

bdries@dailymemphian.com (Bill Dries) — Mon, 9 Mar 2026 17:11:10 -0500

The Shelby County Commission returns to 13 members after the body named its newest member to serve the six months remaining in the term of Edmund Ford Jr.

County Commission will pick 13th commissioner

bdries@dailymemphian.com (Bill Dries) — Sun, 8 Mar 2026 15:09:01 -0500

A group of 10 applied for the six-month appointment to Edmund Ford Jr.’s former seat. One withdrew and another was a no-show for interviews last week. Here is who’s left.

Data-center tax estimates lift County Commission gloom

bdries@dailymemphian.com (Bill Dries) — Sat, 7 Mar 2026 16:26:44 -0600

When Shelby County commissioners began their budget retreat, the outlook for tough financial decisions in the upcoming budget season was as gloomy as the persistent rain and overcast skies outside the Memphis Zoo’s Teton Trek lodge.

Memphis families grapple with where to send students after approved school closures

bhatch@chalkbeat.org (Bri Hatch) — Thu, 5 Mar 2026 04:00:09 -0600

The MSCS school board voted last week to shutter five schools by the end of this year. That leaves over 1,200 students to find a new place to go next fall, with the district extending its priority transfer deadline to accommodate last-minute changes.

Two Democrats eye August state primary for chance to challenge Brent Taylor

bdries@dailymemphian.com (Bill Dries) — Thu, 5 Mar 2026 11:53:42 -0600

All 13 state House incumbents and three state senators representing Shelby County have checked out qualifying petitions for the August ballot. The filing deadline for primary challengers is March 10.

Democrats boot five, Republicans strike three from May primary ballot

bdries@dailymemphian.com (Bill Dries) — Mon, 13 Apr 2026 17:32:48 -0500

Another Republican claims another County Commission seat. And the busiest primary on the ballot remains the Democratic primary for County Clerk.