For most of Shelby County’s voters, the most exciting thing about the ballot that opens early voting might be the new voting system.

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Ballot Basics: Early Voting Oct. 19-Nov. 3

Angels can be adopted off physical Christmas “Angel Trees” at the Kroc Center, the Purdue Center of Hope and the Salvation Army store on Kirby-Whitten Road.

Lorna McClusky has nearly three decades of experience practicing criminal law, including extensive work on capital cases. 

Three witnesses testified about what they saw the September morning Dewayne Tunstall was killed. 

Terms are changing for the One Beale deal, Ziaire Williams is a maybe for the Grizzlies season opener and Celebrity’s serves soul food with a smile. 

Collierville Alderwoman Missy Marshall faces a challenge from Emily Fulmer, a University of Memphis professor. 

Collierville Alderwoman Maureen Fraser is facing a challenge for her seat in November, but her opponent is one she’s defeated before.

With no discussion, the commission sent the ordinance back to committee for more discussion. Meanwhile, the commission set dates for appointing four more judicial commissioners.

The commission’s unanimous vote covers staffing, a job study and the opening of the clerk’s new Riverdale Road location by Halloween. But Clerk Wanda Halbert and County HR director Gerald Thornton clashed on some of the basic details of what the office has and what it needs. 

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County Commission delays final vote on how chief ethics officer is picked

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.