Despite the easing of the pandemic, most local governments are keeping their states of emergency active, renewing them as often as weekly, to make sure they don’t run afoul of funding.

Independence Day gatherings and parades mark a return to near-normalcy. But COVID-19 cast a shadow on July 4, as 66 new cases pushed Shelby County over the 100,000 mark. Many are the highly contagious Delta variant.

Here’s a review of some of the new state laws and changes to state law that took effect July 1 after approval by the Tennessee General Assembly and the signature of Gov. Bill Lee.

The summit comes during an off-election year in Shelby County politics, which Rev. Earle Fisher said is useful to emphasize the coalition’s focus on issues and policy.

Fireworks flashed over Collierville’s sky for fewer than 20 minutes Saturday night, but for the experts who executed the demonstration, the process began three days ago at H.W. Cox Park. 

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The To-Do List: Where to see fireworks shows this weekend

The announcement comes ahead of the end of a two-month truce on the controversial project as well as efforts by local leaders to slow it down and stop it.

The Shelby County Health Department reports more than 400 active coronavirus cases in Shelby County.

We’ll soon see new faces at the National Civil Rights Museum as well as Memphis-area schools. Plus, there could be an Original Project in Orange Mound and what’s hotter than hot? 

Shelby County Schools Superintendent Joris Ray announced 38 leadership positions in the district are being filled, including 24 new principals.

Chauncey Foster and Noah Mertz are traveling the country to feed those in need, pick up litter and connect with people. They stopped in Memphis Thursday. 

The Invest in America Act passed Thursday, July 1, in the House on a 221-201 vote.

Former Civil Rights Museum board member will succeed Terri Lee Freeman.

This weekend will see fireworks shows in the area’s suburbs as well as at Graceland and in Downtown Memphis. 

Bobby Rush and Rhodes College are giving us the red, white and blues, we’re seeing a mosaic of color in Binghampton, and will you cross the bridge for burning lights? 

Tennessee’s permitless carry law goes into effect July 1, and local law enforcement and advocates are worried about the impact the new law will have on crime. 

Meanwhile, Cohen was named co-chair Wednesday of the Helsinki Commission on European affairs that he has served on for the past decade. Cohen also linked the commission’s concerns about democracy in Europe to concerns in the U.S.

For decades, Memphians have crossed over to Arkansas to get their fireworks. That will be considerably harder with the bridge out. A report from the West Memphis fireworks tents. Will business be a dud?

Memphis rapper Pooh Shiesty has been indicted in federal court over an alleged shooting and robbery of two men in October 2020 outside a Florida hotel.

An off-duty Memphis police officer charged with vehicular homicide was released without bond during a Wednesday court appearance. 

The Memphis Zoo is changing with the times, a large apartment project is underway in Binghampton and the City of Memphis has launched a slate of neighborhood improvements. 

Jeff Cohran brings experience of world tours and years in the music industry with pop star Janelle Monáe to the faculty at the University of Memphis.

The district voted to approve a $750,000 contract for Educational Epiphany, a company whose proposed contract teachers protested earlier this year. 

Memphis Mayor Jim Strickland kicked off the city’s $200 million slate of capital projects over the next three years Tuesday, June 29, in a southwest Memphis park.