Churches deal with crime, the Tigers break losing streak and we explain why a boost for the DA’s office could help the PD’s office.

The commission may put off immediate funding for the prosecutors office until budget season. Meanwhile, commissioner Edmund Ford Jr. continues to threaten legal action against other commissioners — the second time in less than a week.

Last year, the Tennessee General Assembly gave a 20% raise to most of state prosecutors and state public defenders. But the raise for Shelby County is capped at 5%. 

Tennessee Republican Party chairman Scott Golden talks in an “On The Record” podcast about the presidential primaries and general election races.

Fencing the perimeter doesn’t feel right, but many churches have armed guards in the parking lots and in the corridors.

The utility expects the average customer will end up paying about $90 less this year as compared with last year, but January’s bills aren’t yet trending in that direction. 

Also happening this week: The Memphis City Council votes on extending health benefits to themselves, and Monday is the first day to pull qualifying petitions for August state and federal primary elections.

Despite a rise in violent crime, the overall crime rate fell 6.4% in the city and 7.2% in the county compared to the previous year, according to the Memphis Shelby Crime Commission.

During her Jan. 9 reappointment presentation to the Memphis City Council, Cerelyn “C.J.” Davis noted that crime in the city had been slashed in half over a six-month period.

A wave of City of Memphis contractors contributed to Mayor-elect Paul Young in the weeks after he won the Oct. 5 race, a review by The Daily Memphian finds.

Protesters said they came Saturday because they want local government to put pressure on the U.S. government for a ceasefire in Gaza. Protests around the country have sought to push local governments to adopt ceasefire resolutions.

Because the I-55 bridge was closed for repairs, the pro-Palestine demonstration on the I-40 bridge caused all traffic across the Mississippi River at Memphis to shut down for nearly two hours.

Related content:

Gallery: Protesters shut down I-40 bridge

Leaders of two local nonprofits say on “Behind The Headlines” that business leaders are wrong in their call to the state to enact changes to bail reform and fund tourism safety measures to the tune of $50 million.

MSCS board members are set to select a new public schools leader from a slate of three out-of-town finalists.

The former local Democratic Party chairman announced his bid for Congress ahead of the Monday, Feb. 5, opening of the period to check out petitions to get on the Aug. 1 state and federal primaries ballot. 

The trial for Justin Johnson and Cornelius Smith initially was scheduled for March 11 in Shelby County Criminal Court Division 10 Judge Jennifer Mitchell’s courtroom.

Suspect in pastor’s killing pleads guilty, the Downtown Sheraton is up for grabs and Memphis in May has a new CEO.

Jennifer Biggs was remembered as a communicator who cared deeply about connecting people, sharing her passion for breaking bread and celebrating the city she called home. 

Related story:

Chamber’s Ted Townsend honored as Communicator of the Year

Those experts include current and former MPD officers who may speak to MPD’s use-of-force policies and training programs as well as how the actions of the officers the night of Nichols’ death allegedly violated those standards.

Gov. Bill Lee has now appointed a majority of the Tennessee Supreme Court’s justices.

Weaver has been with the festival for 25 years, most recently as chief financial officer. The MIM board announced the decision Thursday, Feb. 1, as longtime president and CEO Jim Holt officially retires.

The proposed amendment, which would be on the 2026 ballot, would limit financial consideration in bail for the mostly violent crimes covered by the 2022 “truth in sentencing” law.

Related story:

Slate of bills by state Sen. Brent Taylor target bail, juvenile crime

Some of the more than 20 bills Taylor filed take aim at Shelby County’s current bail practices and a recent Memphis City Council ordinance that banned pretextual traffic stops by Memphis Police Department officers.

Rep. Kevin Vaughan, R-Collierville, has proposed a new wetlands bill that he says is more equitable to landowners. 

“You took my best friend, my soulmate, the one person that understood me,” the victim’s husband told the defendant. “I will never forgive you.”