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Panel rules new TN district maps will stand for now, have no 'evidence of racial animus'

nmclane@dailymemphian.com (Noah McLane) — Thu, 23 Jul 2026 20:46:30 -0500

Three judges denied an injunction in a combined civil rights lawsuit that challenged Tennessee’s new congressional map. The map favors Republicans as it splits majority-Democratic Shelby County into three different districts.

Pearson rally puts Memphis at center of Democratic Party debate

bdries@dailymemphian.com (Bill Dries) — Mon, 20 Jul 2026 14:49:32 -0500

Plus, GOP gubernatorial candidates push to change Tennessee constitution for tougher control over Memphis courts and the Memphis Safe Task Force.

Congressional Democrats show support for Justin J. Pearson

ataylor@dailymemphian.com (Amaya Taylor) — Sat, 18 Jul 2026 18:09:02 -0500

U.S. Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-New York, Ayanna Pressley, D-Massachusetts, and Summer Lee, D-Pennsylvania, headlined the “Get Out the Vote Rally.”

Sheriff candidate Brad Less suggests separate jail to divert nonviolent offenders

bdries@dailymemphian.com (Bill Dries) — Wed, 22 Jul 2026 14:14:21 -0500

Brad Less, the Republican nominee for Shelby County sheriff, talked on “Behind The Headlines” about immediate solutions to problems at the Shelby County Jail and life after the Memphis Safe Task Force.

U of M Public Safety Institute spearheads plan to address domestic violence

wrogin@dailymemphian.com (Wallis Rogin) — Sat, 18 Jul 2026 09:21:41 -0500

The Public Safety Institute at the University of Memphis launched a strategic plan on Friday designed to strengthen the region’s response to domestic violence.

10 apply for two new Criminal Court Judge positions

bdries@dailymemphian.com (Bill Dries) — Sat, 18 Jul 2026 09:05:05 -0500

Shelby County’s two new courts are dedicated to violent crime cases.

Voter Guide: Shelby County general, federal primary election

editors@dailymemphian.com ( The Daily Memphian Staff) — Wed, 22 Jul 2026 14:28:46 -0500

Shelby County is back at the polls and the ballot is lengthy.

Ready. Set. Vote.

jdonahoe@dailymemphian.com (Jane Donahoe) — Fri, 17 Jul 2026 17:30:44 -0500

Here’s a rundown to help you with the what, when and where of voting in the 2026 August elections.

Council member said he's not subject of ethics investigation

bdries@dailymemphian.com (Bill Dries) — Thu, 16 Jul 2026 04:00:05 -0500

Memphis City Council member JB Smiley Jr. is named in a May letter as urging the city administration to hire Chairwoman Jana Swearengen-Washington’s niece in the city’s IT division.

Some city, criminal courts closed for third day due to water main break

bdries@dailymemphian.com (Bill Dries) — Wed, 15 Jul 2026 06:23:25 -0500

The General Sessions Criminal Court divisions will continue to function at just the most basic levels Wednesday, July 15, the third day of limited court operations there and a shutdown of Memphis Municipal or City courts.

Some courts close a second day — but jail AC improves

blagrone@dailymemphian.com (Brandon LaGrone II) — Mon, 13 Jul 2026 20:17:55 -0500

Several divisions of General Sessions Criminal Court and all divisions of City Court will be closed a second day Tuesday as work continues on damage from a June water leak. Meanwhile, air conditioning problems in the Shelby County Jail have improved.

DeBerry clashes with MICAH on Memphis Safe Task Force

bdries@dailymemphian.com (Bill Dries) — Mon, 13 Jul 2026 13:07:20 -0500

The clash came at a weekend candidates’ forum hosted by MICAH. Also the impact of Congressional primaries on voter turnout and Blackburn fallout and calculations.

Lowery: 'Collaboration' with state, not intervention or takeover

bdries@dailymemphian.com (Bill Dries) — Wed, 22 Jul 2026 13:23:49 -0500

Democratic nominee for County Mayor Mickell Lowery talked about state intervention, his vote to raise county property taxes and tax breaks as economic development incentives on “Behind The Headlines.”

As jail conditions reach 'crisis' levels, Sheriff’s Office demands action from mayor

blagrone@dailymemphian.com (Brandon LaGrone II) — Wed, 8 Jul 2026 20:37:35 -0500

Shelby County Sheriff’s Office officials outlined a series of hazards at the main jail, including a diesel fuel leak and air conditioning failure, and called out Mayor Lee Harris for failing to address life-threatening conditions inside the facility.

5th Congressional District Democrats talk Task Force in forum

bdries@dailymemphian.com (Bill Dries) — Fri, 17 Jul 2026 17:23:42 -0500

The forum at Mississippi Boulevard Christian Church drew all five candidates for the August 6 Democratic primary, who each hope to win the seat of incumbent Republican Congressman Andy Ogles.

State opens applications for 2 new divisions of Shelby County Criminal Court

bdries@dailymemphian.com (Bill Dries) — Wed, 1 Jul 2026 13:57:20 -0500

The new law came after the county lost two judicial seats in 2024, one in Shelby County Criminal Court and a second in Shelby County Circuit Court.

201 Poplar goes back to work

bdries@dailymemphian.com (Bill Dries) — Wed, 1 Jul 2026 12:10:13 -0500

The Walter L. Bailey Criminal Justice Center reopened Wednesday, July 1, after a two-day shutdown by a Health Department order after a water main burst and flooded the lower level.

201 Poplar reopening Wednesday but long-term questions remain

bdries@dailymemphian.com (Bill Dries) — Wed, 1 Jul 2026 06:58:34 -0500

Courts and offices that shut down for two days will resume regular operations Wednesday. But the renewed debate about the building’s condition — and what to do about it — continues.

Trial date set in Tami Sawyer's federal embezzlement case

bdries@dailymemphian.com (Bill Dries) — Tue, 30 Jun 2026 12:16:24 -0500

The trial date is tentative as Sawyer’s attorney is about to get an estimated 50,000 documents used by prosecutors to make their case against her.

County Commission passes budget with new property tax rate

bdries@dailymemphian.com (Bill Dries) — Tue, 30 Jun 2026 06:02:47 -0500

Shelby County commissioners used extra decimal places Monday, June 29, in setting a new county property tax rate.