SCSO also struggles with providing recreation and educational opportunities for detained youths. Shelby County Commissioner Mick Wright aims to address those issues with a resolution to also hold Shelby County Juvenile Court and other county departments responsible.

“We must demand tougher gun laws,” Memphis Mayor Paul Young wrote in a statement. “We must demand sentencing that mirrors our love for our community. Sometimes, that love needs to be tough love.”

A Memphis Police officer was killed Friday morning, April 12. Here’s what we know so far, including information about the suspect’s March arrest on weapons charges.

Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee and others respond to the death of the Memphis police officer slain Friday, April 12 in the line of duty.

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Memphis Police officer killed in the line of duty: What we know

MPD officer, suspect killed early Friday morning

Stronger, swifter sentences crucial, Mayor Young says

Cleotha Abston, 40, was found guilty as charged on aggravated rape and being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm and guilty on a lesser charge of aggravated kidnapping, which was reduced from an especially aggravated kidnapping charge. 

A Memphis Police officer died Friday after being shot earlier that morning, MPD Interim Chief Cerelyn “C.J.” Davis said. An 18-year-old suspect, who had been recently arrested and released without bond, also died, Davis said. 

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Leaders react to death of Memphis police officer Joseph McKinney

Memphis Police officer killed in the line of duty: What we know

Stronger, swifter sentences crucial, Mayor Young says

Plot thickens in city council ethics complaint, Feagins announces her transition team and we look back at the Grizzlies’ top 27 moments.

A slate of bills targeted specifically at Memphis and sponsored by Republican state Sen. Brent Taylor have been progressing through the state Legislature. Gov. Bill Lee has signed two into law.

The person who filed an ethics complaint against Memphis City Councilwoman Michalyn Easter-Thomas is an employee of an engineering firm working on a project the council member opposed. 

The jury began deliberating around 1 p.m. Thursday, April 11 — the third day of Cleotha Abston’s trial — before breaking at about 5 p.m. 

The Tennessee House of Representatives cast a 75-2 vote Thursday on the bill after the Senate previously approved it without any opposition.

Riverside Drive closes, as it has for decades, on April 22. But Tom Lee Park will be partially open between the Riverbeat and SmokeSlam events in May.

The bill almost mirrors almost the same language from a so-called “anti-abortion trafficking” proposal that the Senate approved just a day prior.

At least 75% of an opportunity charter school’s students would have to be classified as at risk, and the school also could include a residential setting.

“There’s already plenty of gas stations ... That’s not what the community has asked for. They’ve asked for investment in their community in terms of supportive items,” said a board member of Uplift Westwood.

During a media event earlier this week, Marie Feagins said the team would consist of people inside and outside the district, including other well-known superintendents.

Cleotha Abston won’t take the stand in his rape trial, a Southaven ex-cop was indicted for car theft and GG Jackson goes to church. 

The East Memphis nature center’s new area is designed for unstructured play. Meanwhile the museum system overseeing Lichterman and several other several other city-owned attractions continues to move toward a private board and day-to-day control.

Tony Herring Jr. is charged with one count of felony vehicle theft and one count of conspiracy to commit vehicle theft, although law enforcement believes he is connected in multiple open cases. 

Voting rights advocates have argued the elections office’s legal interpretations have been way off-base and a lawsuit over Tennessee’s restoration process has been ongoing for years.

Although a major win for the Memphis Grizzlies point guard, it is only temporary. The case will likely move on, either over self-defense or Tennessee’s “stand-your-ground” law.

Related story:

Ja Morant fairly raised issue of self defense, Shelby County judge rules

Cleotha Abston chose not to take the stand Wednesday, April 10, during the second day of trial for the alleged rape of Alicia Franklin.

Starting in August, the district will serve kindergarten through 11th grade, as Lakeland Preparatory School continues to add a grade to its high school classes each year.