Also happening this week: T.O. Fuller State Park seeks public input on its plans to improve the park.

More than 30,000 people are buried among the 15 acres at Zion Christian Cemetery, which was established in 1876 and is Memphis’ oldest Black cemetery.

Because Tennessee has never regulated PFAS, it’s unknown how much of the forever chemicals are in Memphis’ drinking water.

Memphis producer Teddy Walton has worked with artists like Kendrick Lamar and has produced music for Hulu and Netflix. With his new media company, he hopes to give opportunities to others — especially young Memphians.

The 2024 session is nearing its end, and most of those post-Covenant gun-safety bills still have not been debated.

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.

Related stories:

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. 

Related stories:

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.