MSCS relies on federal education funds, and Grizz games aren’t leaving Bally Sports (for now). Plus, everything you need to know for a stress-free Thanksgiving.

Two police reform experts talked Tuesday, Nov. 7, during a forum hosted by a local nonprofit about the Department of Justice’s pattern-or-practice investigation of MPD and their own work in implementing reforms. 

Republicans in DeSoto County state legislative seats had a strong showing in Tuesday’s elections, maintaining a strong GOP representation in the county.

Republican incumbents in local DeSoto County races returned to office Tuesday night in Mississippi’s Nov. 7 general election.

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DeSoto County Republicans have strong showing in state legislative races

Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves wins 2nd term

“We are talking about nearly a $37 million increase — either we put all of that on the utility bill or we put it on the property tax rate,” said Council Chairman Martavius Jones. “We can’t do it in November.”

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City Council pushes final votes on primary elections, mayoral runoffs

Final votes on the two 2024 ballot questions are now set for the Nov. 21 council session. The city council also approved the first increase in city tow rates in 16 years.

The federal funding supports students with disabilities, English learners, rural students and those from low-income households. No state has ever rejected it.

Heading into Tuesday’s general election, Democratic Public Policy Polling had Reeves polling ahead at 46% compared to Presley’s 45%. 

Trial dates are set in the Nichols case, Paul Young meets the other mayors and Bismack Biyombo gets down to “bizness.”

The monthly city solid waste fee for residential properties would rise 37% — from $29.96 to $41.05 — under a proposal from Mayor Jim Strickland’s administration.

“With this group of mayors, I’ve never been more optimistic about our metro area,” said Shelby County Chamber Alliance and Bank of Bartlett President Harold Byrd.

Michael Stengel argued that prosecutors in the federal criminal case against the officers should not be allowed to call upon experts as witnesses to speak about the alleged use of excessive force against Nichols.

Former NAACP Memphis President Van Turner stressed the nonviolent nature of Courtney Anderson’s charges as the reason why he should be released. “A 163-year sentence for a nonviolent crime is excessive,” Turner said. 

Shelby County Chief Administrative Officer Harold Collins said Monday, Nov. 6, County Clerk Wanda Halbert has fallen behind on rent payments for her office in the Poplar Plaza shopping center. Halbert makes no mention of past-due rent.

The state trial is set to take place after the federal case the former Memphis Police Department officers are also facing.

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Attorney for former officer accused of killing Tyre Nichols moves to block expert testimony

MLK College Prep students will get to choose from among six schools to attend beginning next school year, as Memphis-Shelby County Schools begins construction of a new high school on the same site.

Big Brothers Big Sisters closure shocks many, police calls can get you evicted and the Tigers women’s soccer team are the champions. 

Mississippi voters head to the polls Tuesday to select candidates in statewide races, along with local offices.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Mid-South, which was founded in 1968, recently closed and the shuttering of its doors surprised many — including those who had been mentors and mentees in the program. 

Renter Victoria Williams is thankful for the pilot program that keeps her landlord informed when police are called to rental homes in her neighborhood. But critics say it gives landlords too much power.

The city’s Liberty Park bonds are underwater. Documents show just how busy the Midtown Kroger and nearby Chick-fil-A are and how much they mean to the Liberty Park Tourism Development Zone. 

What’s ahead this week? Leftwich Tennis Center will reopen, Downtown Dining Week is happening, and Mississippi voters are headed to the polls.

Shelby County Juvenile Court is auditing its Detention Assessment Tool, which it uses to determine if youth accused of crimes will be kept in custody or sent home.

Bill Gibbons, president of the crime commission, said Memphis is not the only city seeing its crime rate rise, especially in the car theft category, “but that is little comfort.”

The mayor-elect says the city accounts for the possibility of making short-term bond payments on projects such as Liberty Park.