Memphis Local, Sports, Business & Food News | Daily Memphian | Metro - State Government

Task Force has targeted citizens, ACLU alleges

blagrone@dailymemphian.com (Brandon LaGrone II) — Mon, 21 Sep 2026 04:00:08 -0500

Attorneys seek a preliminary injunction to stop Task Force members from retaliating against residents who film their operations.

Opinion: Jesse Huseth on affordability, education and costs in District 97

opinion@dailymemphian.com (Jesse Huseth) — Sun, 20 Sep 2026 09:06:28 -0500

“I am running for Tennessee State House District 97 because I refuse to accept that our state should rank last when it matters most: for our children, our loved ones, and our working families.”

Task Force's 1-year mark comes with questions

bdries@dailymemphian.com (Bill Dries) — Sat, 19 Sep 2026 10:33:41 -0500

A year since the presidential executive order that created the Memphis Safe Task Force was announced in the Oval Office, its impact and future are still being debated, touted and condemned.

New TBI agents ‘embedded’ with Memphis Safe Task Force

sstockard@tennesseelookout.com (Sam Stockard) — Thu, 17 Sep 2026 23:47:33 -0500

The state is pouring $9 million this year into a TBI task force given wide-reaching authority across the state, including working with the Memphis Safe Task Force.

State House hopeful bounced as write-in candidate

bdries@dailymemphian.com (Bill Dries) — Fri, 18 Sep 2026 13:26:50 -0500

Kyler Gilkey was declared ineligible at Monday’s deadline for write-in candidates in the Nov. 3 election. It’s the latest wrinkle in a complex political puzzle. Meanwhile, five other contenders did qualify.

2 judges named to fill newly created Shelby County criminal courts

mevans@dailymemphian.com (Mary Evans) — Tue, 15 Sep 2026 21:38:39 -0500

The appointments follow legislative action adding violent‑crime divisions after the county lost two judicial seats in 2024.

Interim state rep calls off write-in campaign for late father's seat

bdries@dailymemphian.com (Bill Dries) — Mon, 14 Sep 2026 15:45:24 -0500

Interim state Rep. T.J. Hardaway is backing a write-in effort by Kyler Gilkey, who had been seeking the District 84 seat vacated by veteran legislator Joe Towns Jr.

Will MSCS takeover remain paused? Federal court could soon decide

Ltestino@dailymemphian.com (Laura Testino) — Mon, 14 Sep 2026 12:08:53 -0500

Arguments in the case are expected to determine whether the takeover remains paused or whether the new state-appointed board of nine regains control over Memphis-Shelby County Schools.

Tennessee kids could see major Meta settlement windfall. How will it be spent?

mbrown@chalkbeat.org (Melissa Brown) — Sun, 13 Sep 2026 04:00:09 -0500

“This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity,” said Tennessee Rep. Gary Hicks, who sponsored the legislation to launch the Children’s Digital Protection Fund.

Matthew Szalaj claims Democratic nomination for TN House — and only 1 person got to vote

bdries@dailymemphian.com (Bill Dries) — Fri, 11 Sep 2026 14:42:20 -0500

A single member of the Shelby County Democratic Party’s executive committee picked Szalaj to be the nominee for the Tennessee House of Representatives seat left vacant when Joe Towns Jr. was elected Criminal Court clerk.

Where the 2026 Tennessee gubernatorial candidates stand on education issues

mbrown@chalkbeat.org (Melissa Brown) — Mon, 31 Aug 2026 04:00:14 -0500

Tennessee governor candidates outline their education platforms and positions on policies such as the state’s third grade reading retention law.

Halbert exits office, votes are certified and Green gets reintroduced

bdries@dailymemphian.com (Bill Dries) — Sun, 30 Aug 2026 14:32:21 -0500

Shelby County’s August votes are certified, but the data may be disheartening for Democrats. Also in the political roundup, Democratic Party leaders “introduce” Jerri Green, and Wanda Halbert exits office after two tumultuous terms.

Gov. Lee chooses commutation instead of exoneration in Nashville murder conviction

bdries@dailymemphian.com (Bill Dries) — Thu, 27 Aug 2026 16:00:13 -0500

Gov. Bill Lee also announced his decision to grant pardons to 33 other Tennesseans who have completed prison sentences and have not been convicted of any crime for at least five years since they were released.

Tennessee part of 'biggest settlement with big tech in world history'

nmclane@dailymemphian.com (Noah McLane) — Wed, 26 Aug 2026 21:17:14 -0500

Meta has agreed to pay $17 billion and add child-safety measures to its Facebook and Instagram platforms to settle claims filed by 47 states, including Tennessee, state attorneys general announced.

How AOC, Cohen shared flight illustrates the Democratic divide

bdries@dailymemphian.com (Bill Dries) — Mon, 24 Aug 2026 09:30:09 -0500

Also in the political roundup: more from state Senator Brent Taylor on Behind The Headlines, a closer look at the 5th Congressional District Democratic primary results and Mongo’s campaign art.

Brent Taylor said legal immigration should be 'paused'

bdries@dailymemphian.com (Bill Dries) — Sat, 22 Aug 2026 09:02:59 -0500

The “Behind the Headlines” interview with the Republican nominee for the 9th Congressional District also covered Taylor’s support for limiting birthright citizenship, war in Iran, the economy, the Epstein files and whether President Donald Trump won the 2020 election.

4 Memphis attorneys nominated for 2 new Criminal Court judicial positions

bdries@dailymemphian.com (Bill Dries) — Mon, 17 Aug 2026 20:22:30 -0500

The four applicants include three prosecutors and an attorney with the Tennessee Innocence Project.

Jerri Green sees path to victory in Tennessee governor's race

bdries@dailymemphian.com (Bill Dries) — Sat, 15 Aug 2026 11:38:11 -0500

She also talked on “Behind The Headlines” about why her call to abolish Immigration and Customs Enforcement doesn’t mean she wants to abandon enforcement of immigration laws and how she would handle the state appointed board to run Memphis-Shelby County Schools.

Most of Shelby County state Legislature incumbents clear primaries — even those running for U.S. House

bdries@dailymemphian.com (Bill Dries) — Fri, 7 Aug 2026 08:46:21 -0500

District 96 Democratic incumbent Gabby Salinas lost to primary challenger Telisa Franklin in a rematch of the 2024 primary Salinas won.

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.