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

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.

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.

Blackburn equates Democrats with communists in Memphis Election Day stop

bdries@dailymemphian.com (Bill Dries) — Thu, 6 Aug 2026 19:32:48 -0500

The Republican contender for Tennessee governor also talked about her plans for a state government version of DOGE if elected.

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.

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.

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.

What early voter turnout so far says about the race for three new congressional districts

bdries@dailymemphian.com (Bill Dries) — Sun, 26 Jul 2026 14:20:05 -0500

The Daily Memphian analyzes the first six days of early voting data within the three new congressional districts that split Shelby County and the race for Tennessee governor.

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.

Video released of fatal Task Force shooting at Burger King

Ltestino@dailymemphian.com (Laura Testino) — Thu, 23 Jul 2026 06:48:55 -0500

Surveillance clips show the shooting that killed Darrin Pigram inside the Burger King where he worked. The release comes days after officials said there would be no charges filed against the officer.

No charges filed against DEA officer in first Task Force shooting

jcallahan@dailymemphian.com (Jody Callahan) — Tue, 21 Jul 2026 11:23:58 -0500

Darrin Pigram, 41, who was shot and killed on May 13, was being sought on a warrant for charges of aggravated assault, aggravated burglary and a weapons violation.

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.”