MSCS audit shines light on corruption allegations, residents want gun reform and the Memphis Zoo has new baby pandas. 

Poll results show wide support for gun-safety legislation in Tennessee’s most populous county — which supplies more Republican votes than any other county — as Gov. Bill Lee attempts to convince state lawmakers of the need to pass gun-safety legislation during a special session.

Lawyers for the two officers argue that although all five officers have been charged in Tyre Nichols’ death, not all five were present during both interactions Nichols had with the officers that night.

“The best way to know your priorities is to figure out where you put your money,” MSCS Interim Superintendent Toni Williams said. “Our students are our priorities, and I’m extremely proud of this budget.”

Among the findings of a recent audit of MSCS were that the district overpaid a vendor without approval from the school board, that a district employee allegedly stole thousands of dollars worth of lawn-care equipment and that one senior employee improperly received vacation time. 

Alicia Franklin was allegedly raped by Cleotha Henderson, aka Cleotha Abston, in 2021 — more than a year before his arrest for the death of Eliza Fletcher.

Gov. Bill Lee announced Wednesday the rollout of $194 million in grants to fund armed guards in every public school and security upgrades at all schools.

Memphis has not had a red panda birth since June 2015.

A land swap with Silo Square developers will provide Southaven police with a new precinct in hopes of improving the efficiency of officers’ duties.

The case revolves around an alleged fight during a pickup game at Ja Morant’s house.

NCAA suspends Penny Hardaway, Stax has a new record and Gaston Community Center lets the sunshine in.

Residents of the city and county overwhelmingly want more police officers in Memphis — and less than 2% want to see fewer police officers, according to an independent poll from The Daily Memphian.

The windows surrounding three sides of the city’s first and oldest community center were boarded up nearly 50 years ago. The $4 million renovation formally opened Wednesday, June 21, bringing natural light back to the gym, while adding other uses to the center.

The Daily Memphian’s City Council Scorecard looks at how a significant change in council district lines ahead of the October city elections came to an abrupt halt earlier this month. 

Doug McGowen said he is working to improve the service Memphis Light Gas and Water Division provides to residents as if the company has to earn their service.

“We have to be with our kids through the good and the bad times and this so happens to be one of the bad times I need to be with my daughter,” Clayton Jackson, Brittney’s father said. 

Memphis City Attorney Jennifer Sink could soon leave her post at City Hall and join MLGW as general counsel.

DCS tried to take Sequoia Samuels away, MPD wants Tasers and FedEx revenue is down (again). 

This is the fourth cohort of interns to land at The Daily Memphian since the site relaunched its internship program following the onset of COVID-19.

“It’s a big deal,” Mayor Darren Musselwhite said of the Southaven Police Department being accredited with the Mississippi Law Enforcement Accreditation Commission.

Community activists from the Momentum Memphis Coalition called for action outside the MSCS school board.

The technologies could help reduce human error, chief says. 

The law prohibited doctors from providing gender-affirming hormone treatment, puberty blockers or surgery to anyone under 18. It also prohibited doctors from referring patients elsewhere from such care. 

“We take every precaution to minimize and deter theft and provide a safe campus for our patients, visitors and employees,” BMHCC public relations manager Kimberly Alexander said in a statement. “Unfortunately, we are not immune to crime.”