Mayor Jim Strickland has nominated Doug McGowen to lead the city-owned utility. But council chair Martavius Jones wants the city to do a national search for the next president and CEO of MLGW.

Shelby County Juvenile Court Judge Tarik Sugarmon has appointed Stephen Bush, a former Shelby County Public Defender, to serve as the court’s Chief Administrative Officer (CAO). Sugarmon also tapped a Chief of Strategy & Innovation.

Johnson won the appointment to the District 7 seat over rival contender Jason Sharif. He serves the remaining two years and three months of the term of office in the seat.

If the Mississippi River near Memphis is below the five-foot marker, the National Weather Service considers the river low. Now, the river is more than 15 feet lower than “low.”

The council approved the original deal of what amounted to a $10 million advance on the city’s lease of convention meeting space in the Grand Hyatt — the third of three hotels at One Beale — in September on a 10-0 vote.

Overton Park is getting “Zen” and Memphis is getting ready for basketball, as the Tigers threw a block party and the Grizzlies prepped their roster for the season ahead ... and beyond. 

Inspired by the Japanese concept of shinrin-yoku, or “forest bathing,” the Overton Park Conservancy is focused on connecting the community to nature. A week of mindful, outdoor activities begin with a stroll through the Old Forest.

The Shelby County Health Department is in danger of losing its authority to monitor local air pollution as the state pressures the program to address understaffing, numerous audit findings and a permit backlog. 

Dr. Daniel Chatham and Jeffrey Chipman are running for the seat left open by Betsy Landers’ decision to not seek reelection.

Germantown Alderman Scott Sanders is facing a challenge from Manjit Kaur. Sanders relies on his experience, while Kaur relies on service to the community.

DeBerry, who represented Shelby County’s District 90, is now a senior adviser to Governor Bill Lee after voting with Republicans on issues such as education choice and life of the unborn.

One Germantown parent is aiming to unseat the school board chair in the Nov. 8 GMSD election. 

Several churches rallied in support of a proposed amendment that would ban slavery in all forms in the state. A coalition of political groups is also urging voters to choose a hand-marked paper ballot.

At the Monday, Oct. 17, session, commissioners will also take a final vote on a change — proposed by a commissioner who once ran afoul of an ethics investigation — to who appoints the county ethics officers.

At faith-based HopeWorks, the mission to provide convicted felons with a fresh start isn’t just about education, training, and a good job. It’s about making a real change and living a better, God-centered life. 

Officials said the grant is intended to reduce maternal and infant mortality, particularly among the county’s Black population.

More than 100 Black small business owners gathered at 91 Promenade in Downtown Memphis Saturday, Oct. 15, for the Shop Black City Tour event.

A member of the Memphis Police Association leadership talks on “Behind The Headlines” about the long-term strategy to reverse a 2014 city council decision to cut city benefits.

Regional One responded to a resolution approved this week by the Memphis City Council that urges the Shelby County Commission to persuade the hospital to allow the intervention program’s counselors access to the hospital and victims of violent crime.

The change in agenda items for next week’s city council session reflects the ongoing tug-of-war over council chairman Martavius Jones’ demand for a national search to pick the new leader of the city-owned utility.

Shane Ellis will be nominated as the next Hernando police chief, replacing Scott Worsham, who is retiring from the post.

District Attorney General Steve Mulroy campaigned on diversifying the office. Four of the six new hires are Black.

Elton John impersonator announces city council run, a wine bar is coming to The Edge and the Grizzlies get a grand finale.

Price plans to run in Super District 8 after running four years ago in District 7. Meanwhile, other council races on the October 2023 ballot are also taking shape with a little less than a year to election day. 

Shelby County Sheriff Floyd Bonner, who currently lives in Bartlett, says he will decide this month on a bid for Memphis Mayor on the October 2023 city ballot.