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Commissioner Erika Sugarmon charged with vandalism

bdries@dailymemphian.com (Bill Dries) — Tue, 11 Aug 2026 16:37:48 -0500

Shelby County Commissioner Erika Sugarmon made a brief appearance Tuesday, Aug. 11, in General Sessions Court on at least four charges of vandalism under $1,000.

County Commission tries one last time on new-jail study

bdries@dailymemphian.com (Bill Dries) — Mon, 10 Aug 2026 20:45:44 -0500

Shelby County commissioners debated whether they should do nothing and let the new commission with a new majority start anew on the issue.

Newly elected commissioners will watch as outgoing board tackles school budget, jail plans

bdries@dailymemphian.com (Bill Dries) — Sun, 9 Aug 2026 15:40:07 -0500

The two agenda items come as commissioners prepare to give way on Sept. 1 to a new commission and a new county mayor.

Outgoing mayor Lee Harris said state oversight will make Mickell Lowery's job harder

bdries@dailymemphian.com (Bill Dries) — Sat, 8 Aug 2026 11:47:00 -0500

Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris talks about his eight years as mayor on “Behind The Headlines” and the challenges facing his successor, Mayor-elect Mickell Lowery.

City leaders designate Aug. 7 to honor Memphis’ only HBCU

blagrone@dailymemphian.com (Brandon LaGrone II) — Fri, 7 Aug 2026 15:33:15 -0500

Shelby County and the City of Memphis have officially declared Aug. 7 as LeMoyne-Owen College Day.

Shelby County Commission keeps 9-vote Democratic majority with 8 new faces

bdries@dailymemphian.com (Bill Dries) — Fri, 7 Aug 2026 13:48:25 -0500

The Shelby County Board of Commissioners’ new majority elected with the Thursday, Aug. 6, Election Day will retain the 9-vote Democratic majority it currently has.

Mickell Lowery elected Shelby County mayor

blagrone@dailymemphian.com (Brandon LaGrone II) — Thu, 6 Aug 2026 23:21:18 -0500

Democrat Mickell Lowery will be the next mayor of Shelby County.

Voters elect four Democrats in first partisan MSCS board election

Ltestino@dailymemphian.com (Laura Testino) — Thu, 6 Aug 2026 23:11:28 -0500

No Republicans ran for the Memphis school board seats on the ballot. Democratic nominees bested independent challengers in races for two open seats, while two incumbents on the board secured their victories in May’s primary races.

Buckner beats Less in Shelby County Sheriff's race

sbohnel@dailymemphian.com (Steve Bohnel) — Thu, 6 Aug 2026 22:11:22 -0500

Democratic candidate Anthony Bucker claims victory in the race for Shelby County Sheriff’s Office.

Molder to face Hatcher in 5th District

hardiman@dailymemphian.com (Samuel Hardiman) — Fri, 7 Aug 2026 06:04:19 -0500

Also, two Memphians — Heidi Kuhn and Marquita Bradshaw — quickly secured Democratic nominations Thursday, Aug. 6.

Brent Taylor wins Republican nomination for 9th District, will face Pearson

hardiman@dailymemphian.com (Samuel Hardiman) — Thu, 6 Aug 2026 23:19:47 -0500

State Sen. Brent Taylor continued his political ascendance Thursday night, winning the 9th Congressional District Republican nomination.

Pearson takes 9th District Democratic nomination

nmclane@dailymemphian.com (Noah McLane) — Fri, 7 Aug 2026 06:03:43 -0500

State Rep. Justin J. Pearson capitalized on his nationwide fame and appeared ready to cruise to an easy victory in the Democratic primary.

Conflicting polls and what becomes of competition after the primaries

bdries@dailymemphian.com (Bill Dries) — Sun, 2 Aug 2026 04:00:14 -0500

The Republican primary for Governor includes battling polls and a look at post primary unity — the hopes, and the reality.

Elections, SpaceXAI and schools dominate local headlines

editors@dailymemphian.com ( The Daily Memphian Staff) — Sat, 1 Aug 2026 13:01:41 -0500

The many candidates for a wide range of local, state and federal offices were a key theme among journalists on this episode of “Behind the Headlines” on WKNO-TV.

Early-voting turnout this year ahead of what it was in 2022

bdries@dailymemphian.com (Bill Dries) — Sat, 1 Aug 2026 20:02:43 -0500

Saturday is the last day to vote early in advance of the Aug. 6 Election Day. Here are some numbers about where turnout appears to be going locally and statewide.

Old police HQ building considered for Juvenile Court move

bdries@dailymemphian.com (Bill Dries) — Fri, 31 Jul 2026 18:15:26 -0500

Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris is considering a rehab of the old Memphis Police Department headquarters building as a new home for Memphis-Shelby County Juvenile Court. But Juvenile Court Judge Tarik Sugarmon isn’t a fan of the idea.

Endorsement ballots: A unique Memphis tradition

bdries@dailymemphian.com (Bill Dries) — Fri, 31 Jul 2026 04:00:07 -0500

A warning from District Attorney General Steve Mulroy about misleading endorsement ballots is the latest chapter in the tale of a unique Memphis political institution.

Road rage shooting suspect among arrests announced by MPD

blagrone@dailymemphian.com (Brandon LaGrone II) — Thu, 30 Jul 2026 20:23:41 -0500

Memphis police and the Memphis Safe Task Force announced dozens of recent arrests on Thursday, July 30, including a suspect in a road rage shooting and three suspected gang members.

Commission approves $125M in loans for county

bdries@dailymemphian.com (Bill Dries) — Tue, 28 Jul 2026 09:29:04 -0500

Shelby County commissioners also heard a call from Juvenile Court officials for a complete replacement of the court building and approved a manufactured-housing park in Frayser.

Facing state scrutiny, Memphis schools intensify efforts to reduce chronic absenteeism

bhatch@chalkbeat.org (Bri Hatch) — Mon, 27 Jul 2026 04:00:11 -0500

MSCS enrollment has suffered in the past decade. But the district doesn’t just struggle to get students in the door, it also has trouble keeping them in their seats day after day.