Spring conditions create a situation in which strong to severe thunderstorms thrive, bringing the threat of torrential rain, high wind, large hail and, in some cases, tornadoes.

Despite what many Memphians believe, the city does in fact recycle. But better efforts from Memphians could help successful recycling, officials said.

Also happening this week: Shelby County marks the fifth anniversary of the first local COVID-19 case, and Daylight Saving Time begins.

Two bills seeking to restrict the sale and manufacture of hemp-derived cannabinoids in Tennessee passed through the state House of Representatives Criminal Justice subcommittee last week.

The Guns to Garden program aims to dismantle firearms, then remake them into useful items such as garden tools. On Saturday, dozens of people turned in their weapons in exchange for gift cards.

While the indictment does not name the nonprofits, The Daily Memphian analyzed meeting minutes from the Shelby County Board of Commissioners and the Memphis City Council to determine which nonprofits were likely involved.

Sound Diplomacy counts 1,148 “music-related assets” in Memphis and within a 5½-mile buffer outside the city. The organization also made recommendations for how to grow the Memphis music industry.

Reginald Coopwood of Regional One Health talks on “Behind The Headlines” about alternatives for the hospital rebuild, and why the decision was made to shift the project to a new site.

Chancellor Melanie Taylor Jefferson dismissed most of the claims in the Friends for Our Riverfront lawsuit seeking to stop construction of the new museum. But she kept the central question in the case.

An argument about a phone led to an 11-year-old girl stabbing a 10-year-old girl in the back with a kitchen knife at Hamilton K-8 Friday, police said.

The legislation, filed Thursday, Feb. 27, comes after the suburb’s Board of Mayor and Aldermen voted in October to begin the process of giving final say to the residents in a 2026 referendum.

The appointment of Shelby County Circuit Court Judge Valerie Smith is one of two announced Friday by Gov. Bill Lee. They are effective upon confirmation by the Tennessee General Assembly.

There is no provision for removing a Shelby County commissioner facing criminal charges, but there is a push to strengthen the ethics commission’s role, Chairman Michael Whaley said.

Shelby County Commissioner Edmund Ford Jr. has been indicted on one count of alleged bribery and kickbacks and six counts of attempted tax evasion, according to federal court documents filed Friday, Feb. 28. 

Related content:

Edmund Ford Jr. turns himself in to federal authorities

Ford indictment spotlights County Commission ethics guidelines

Peabody rooms are getting a makeover, an Asian produce and community hub comes to Cordova and there’s a good sign at the new Aldi.

A complaint renewed allegations of “double dipping” for Keith Williams, who serves as a school board member and the executive director of the organization that filed the grievance. 

Shelby County Commissioner Edmund Ford Jr. entered the Odell Horton Federal Building in Downtown Memphis at about 9:35 a.m. Friday, Feb. 28. 

Ransom is leaving TV news, although not the city, “to start a new chapter in my career, one that I couldn’t be more thrilled about.” 

New coalition protests a possible state school takeover, Germantown gets a first look at First Watch and we say sew long to a chain craft store.

The evening went off without violence, with about 30 people attending Kyle Rittenhouse’s second attempt at a speech on the University of Memphis campus. 

Eighty-six members of the Greater Memphis Chamber traveled to Nashville to meet with state legislators, officers and cabinet heads to advocate for issues relevant to the local business community.

Speaking outside of the National Civil Rights Museum, a group of business and community leaders launched a coalition, arguing a state takeover would strip Memphians of the ability to govern their schools and make decisions for students.

More than 100 Memphians gathered at Poplar and Highland Wednesday afternoon to protest the current administration and its recent decisions supporting Russia in that country’s invasion of Ukraine.