The U of M’s Center for Disaster Recovery and Resiliency will be tasked with securing funding for infrastructure improvements to help the area better weather future disasters. 

Richard Smith said Tuesday that the family could pull its pledged $50 million gift if the Memphis City Council doesn’t transfer ownership of Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium to the University of Memphis.

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Council member’s push for U of M foundation board seats could stall Liberty stadium deal

Wright pleads guilty to Trenary’s killing, another cop was fired for actions the night of Nichols’ death and the stadium deal could hit a snag.

The Memphis City Council will also tackle moving state funding for the Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium renovations and a resolution to give Mayor-elect Paul Young a raise.

The Mississippi River is a big deal. One of the world’s great rivers, it hosts an abundance of wildlife habitat and provides drinking water for almost 20 million people. But it seems to carry less reverence than other iconic water bodies across the country. 

An additional police officer, previously unidentified, was fired for his part in a traffic stop that occurred Jan. 7, the same night Tyre Nichols was stopped by MPD. 

A vote on a construction contract for a rugby field was delayed Monday, Dec. 4, amid an ongoing commission debate about whether programs in one area are a start or are a limit that doesn’t benefit other areas. 

Roughly 30 faculty positions are expected to be cut. The largest number are likely in the Rosa Deal School of Arts. 

A previous finalist for Collierville Schools superintendent and four internal candidates are among 19 hopefuls seeking to lead the suburban district after the resignation of Gary Lilly.

“It is suspicious that MLGW prefers to generate power — TVA’s job — rather than publicly admit TVA is hobbled. Whose interests are being protected?”

Dr. James Downing, president and CEO of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, is leading a $12.9 billion, six-year strategic plan — the largest investment in the hospital’s history. 

“I don’t think there’s ever a great resolution in this,” Trenary’s daughter, Brittney Rowe, told The Daily Memphian. “It’s the lesser of a bunch of very difficult choices. But here we are.”

The U of M has said that the city can’t have seats on the foundation board, setting up a potential showdown over the vote Tuesday to transfer ownership of the city-owned stadium.

City Council members spent big on food and travel, gardeners are tackling food security and a proposed path takes art off the rails.

Funding for a Whitehaven High School STEM Center is among the votes Shelby County commissioners are expected to take Monday.

The General Assembly approved private school vouchers by a one-vote margin in 2019, with some supporting the program because it applied only to Memphis and Nashville. Now, Lee wants anyone, regardless of income, to have access to discounted private school tuition.

“It’s expensive to hire security guards to protect your business,” said the owner of a local security firm, “but it’s more expensive not to.”

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Security is a local ‘growth industry,’ but industry struggles to find footing

Security companies are struggling to find qualified security personnel at the need grows locally. 

Also happening this week: The Memphis City Council is expected to take final votes on two ballot questions that could change future city elections. 

As a Rhodes College student, Mariam Khayata explored questions central to her identity and her experience living in Syria. Last month, she got the opportunity to continue those studies at the University of Oxford in England.

The council also spent more than $66,000 on travel, staying in hotels in Nashville and Washington, D.C. Taxpayers paid for the travel by picking up the tab for the City Council’s credit card payments. 

More than 20,000 people participated in the 22nd annual St. Jude Memphis Marathon Saturday morning, Dec. 2.

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The St. Jude Memphis Marathon in pictures

More than 20,000 participants raced Saturday in the St. Jude Memphis Marathon, half-marathon, 5K and 10K. Jordan English won the marathon in a time of 2:30:21. Sadie Smith was the top female marathon finisher in 2:56:44.

The Downtown Memphis crime plan surfaced in October. It could face its first test this holiday season. Officials involved in putting it together talked on “Behind The Headlines” about the plan and the reality it is built to confront.

Personnel records for Demetrius Haley, 30, reveal that he had multiple allegations of violating departmental policy at Shelby County Division of Corrections.