The Memphis-Shelby County Schools Board of Education wants to hire a firm that has conducted searches for school districts before and, specifically, done searches for superintendents.

The review comes partly in response to Memphis Light, Gas and Water Division’s decision not to apply for $109 million worth of water infrastructure grants from the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation.

MLGW president and CEO Doug McGowen said Tuesday that the utility had to double the amount of water it pumped from the Memphis Aquifer because of fire protection systems and water mains breaking. 

The council approved the changes in the first of three votes on the ordinance Tuesday, Jan. 10. The changes are part of a larger group of animal ordinance amendments.

“I think the myth of TVA’s invincibility has been shown here, and I think we need to remember that as we try to figure out where we’re going to go as a system,” Memphis City Council member Jeff Warren said. 

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There were 302 homicides in Memphis in 2022, a 13% decrease from the record-breaking 347 homicides in 2021.

After consideration of a number of sites and growing cramped quarters at City Hall, the Lakeland School System has started the process of searching for a new district office.

The Brooks has a new place to break bread, the County Commission talks properties and DeAngelo Williams achieves a first. 

State lawmakers have arrived in Nashville for the start of the annual legislative session at noon on Tuesday, Jan. 10, and they are expected to focus on a big, car-centric infrastructure package, penalties for violent crimes and transgender people’s rights. 

Once again, state dollars didn’t flow to Shelby County. But this time it wasn’t an example of the state disinvesting in Memphis. MLGW says it can complete all the needed infrastructure upgrades with the funding it already has.

MSCS hosted an optional school fair on Sunday, Jan. 8, that included representatives from each of the district’s 45 optional schools and programs.

The State House District 86 primaries have drawn 275 early voters through the weekend, out of the 45,000 in the district, which has raised questions. 

The County Commission acted on several fronts at its first meeting of the year Monday on the broader issue of the rules for tax sales and other transfer of parcels by the county. 

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Low turnout in special elections draws questions, complaints from County Commission

During Tuesday city council committee sessions, officials are expected to have more to say about MLGW’s five-year, $1.2 billion infrastructure upgrade that is now expected to be completed by 2027, two years later than the original 2025 target date. 

Vincent Patterson, 22, pleaded not guilty to charges related to the killing of Barshay Wilson.

Alpha Omega is planning a new beginning, Chase Bank is coming to Memphis and Alex Lomax saves the day. 

The commission’s earlier resolution urging the Tennessee Legislature to approve a rental registry for Shelby County was voted down last month after four commissioners recused themselves.

While hundreds of inmates sat in jail for more than 500 days awaiting their day in court, and victims longed for closure, the Shelby County Criminal Court held a total of 35 trials in 2022.

The Jackson Avenue facility is the latest effort of a man who never served in the military but has dedicated 35 years to serving veterans with housing, food, clothing and offering sometimes simply a place to be understood.

District Attorney General Steve Mulroy has requested a “use of force investigation.” 

The ceremony served as the official opening for Graceland’s “The Making of ELVIS” movie exhibition, which includes behind the scenes footage, props from the film, set pieces, and costumes worn by the cast. 

These five decisions in 2022 topped a review of the Shelby County Commission’s most crucial votes as chronicled by The Daily Memphian’s Commission Scorecard.

The Memphis City Council Scorecard puts votes on proposals to change how city leaders are elected and votes on public financing of a convention center hotel at the top of key votes in 2022.

The causes behind late December’s rolling blackouts and the causes for concern they raise for future energy needs, especially with climate change and aging infrastructure. 

“I’m committed for our police department to do what we can, not just to be reactive and responsible, but also to be proactive to keep children out of the hands of the justice system,” MPD Chief C.J. Davis said.