There are 355 article(s) tagged Lee Harris:

• January 2019

  • Shelby County officials hire data expert to examine inequality issues at juvenile court

    Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris and Juvenile Court Judge Dan Michael agreed to hire one of the nation's leading juvenile justice statistician to dissect data at the court and find issues involving minority children.

    By Yolanda Jones January 23, 2019

  • County announces $19 million utility assistance program

    A new utility assistance program, "Keep the Lights on," is now available to help those struggling to pay their utility bills in Shelby County.

    By Natalie Pilgrim January 22, 2019

  • King Day observances feature different interpretations of civil rights leader’s Memphis legacy

    The federal holiday honoring civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. included a new grant program for neighborhoods, calls for reparations, questions about who interprets King's legacy and City Hall honors for 10 women activists.

    By Bill Dries January 22, 2019

  • Commission to vote on initial funding for new detention center

    A new Juvenile Detention Center is a top priority for Mayor Lee Harris in 2019.

    By Omer Yusuf January 14, 2019

  • Mickell Lowery holds town hall meeting in Soulsville

    Shelby County Commissioner Mickell Lowery addressed members of the community in the first of three town halls to be held in District 8.

    By Jared Boyd January 13, 2019

  • Commissioners want more Juvenile Court reforms after DOJ report discussion

    The Shelby County Commission discussed a Department of Justice report criticizing Juvenile Court's due process procedures. 

    By Omer Yusuf January 10, 2019

  • New juvenile detention center, DOJ report to be discussed in commission committees Wednesday

    The Shelby County Commission will reconvene for the first time in 2019 during its committee session Wednesday. 

    By Omer Yusuf January 08, 2019

  • Shelby County Juvenile Court changes defense procedure after DOJ report

    Shelby County Juvenile Court staff members will no longer select defense attorneys for juvenile detainees, Mayor Lee Harris’ office announced Tuesday.

    By Omer Yusuf January 08, 2019

  • Lee Harris begins laying out priorities for 2019

    Juvenile justice reform, education and Democratic leadership will be among Lee Harris' top priorities in 2019 as the county's new mayor. 

    By Omer Yusuf January 03, 2019

  • Reality and Jeremiah dominate political prayer breakfast

    At the city's longest running New Year's Day prayer breakfast, U.S. Rep. Steve Cohen talks about a new Democratic majority in Congress, Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris discusses the new juvenile detention center and religious leaders talk about reality and the Biblical prophet Jeremiah.

    By Bill Dries January 02, 2019

  • Harris offers new ‘healthyShelby 19’ plan to improve health outcomes

    Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris’ “healthyShelby 19” inititative to promote physical, dietary and mental fitness is set to kick off. 

    By Omer Yusuf January 02, 2019

  • Improving MWBE numbers a priority for some commissioners in 2019

    Shelby County Commission Chairman Van Turner said he wants to make more changes to the MWBE ordinance in 2019.

    By Omer Yusuf January 01, 2019

• December 2018

  • Shelby County government to be more involved in education

    Some issues county government would like to address in education in 2019 are pre-K initiatives, workforce development and school facilities. 

    By Omer Yusuf December 30, 2018

  • Detention center funding decision taps larger criminal justice system concerns

    County commissioner Tami Sawyer and activist Josh Spickler discuss flaws in the juvenile justice system and the roles a new assessment center and new juvenile detention center might play in reforming the system. 

    By Bill Dries December 28, 2018

  • Shelby County creates initiatives to reform criminal justice system

    The Shelby County Commission will hold a comprehensive discussion on Juvenile Court at its next committee meeting in January. 

    By Omer Yusuf December 28, 2018

  • Shelby County to decide in 2019 whether to invest in MATA

    One of the biggest decisions facing Shelby County government in 2019 is whether it will allocate funding for the Memphis Area Transit Authority in its 2019-2020 fiscal year budget.

    By Omer Yusuf December 27, 2018

  • Shelby County putting final touches on legislative agenda

    Allowing sports betting on Beale Street and better implementation of the state’s standardized TNReady test are two of the Shelby County Commission's latest requests to the Tennessee General Assembly.

    By Omer Yusuf December 24, 2018

  • Harris wants ‘fresh set of eyes’ for Tennessee Democratic Party leadership

    Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris believes it’s time for a new leader of the Tennessee Democratic Party, saying Democrats missed a great opportunity to win seats across the state this year.

    By Sam Stockard December 23, 2018

  • Harris pushes for new juvenile detention center funding

    Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris presses the case for funding of a new juvenile detention center ahead of a key County Commission vote next month.

    By Bill Dries December 21, 2018

  • Shelby County hires Cedrick Gray as first director of education

    Cedrick Gray will start his new role as director of education in January if the County Commission approves his appointment. 

    By Omer Yusuf December 21, 2018

  • Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris acts to expand grand jury

    Shelby County is seeking to expand grand jury operations to help reduce the time a prisoner waits in jail before learning if they will be indicted or their case is resolved, officials said.

    By Omer Yusuf December 18, 2018

  • Commission approves TIF for $950 million Union Row development

    The Shelby County Commission voted to authorize a 30-year, $100 million tax increment financing district for phase I of the $950 million Union Row development Monday, despite a request from Mayor Lee Harris and two county commissioners to delay the vote. 

    By Omer Yusuf December 18, 2018

  • Harris criticizes county’s vetting process of $950 million Union Row development

    With the Shelby County Commission set to vote on approving a 30-year, $100 million tax increment financing district for Phase I of the $950 million Union Row development Monday, Mayor Lee Harris said he is uncomfortable with the lack of vetting done on the project in county government.

    By Omer Yusuf December 17, 2018

  • Harris wants state ‘buy-in’ on driver’s license reinstatement center

    Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris said Thursday he is committed to providing county resources for a driver’s license reinstatement center and is hoping for backing from the next governor and his Department of Safety and Homeland Security commissioner.

    By Sam Stockard December 15, 2018

  • Senator working with Shelby mayor on driver’s license reinstatement center

    Freshman state Sen. Katrina Robinson is working with the Shelby County Mayor’s Office to set up a new driver’s license reinstatement center to expedite Memphis applications in the wake of a federal court ruling.

    By Sam Stockard December 13, 2018