Former Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam kicks off the publication of his new book on faith in the public square by saying religious faith has been overtaken by a partisan political divide.

Memphis police officer Scotty Triplett was killed May 22 in a car crash while he was on duty as a motorcycle police escort. 

The first phase of repairs on the Hernando DeSoto Bridge is complete, state transportation officials announced Tuesday, May 25.

Watch the Shelby County COVID-19 Task Force Briefing live now. 

The state decision Monday clears the way for site preparation to begin immediately at the Fairgrounds, starting with the 227,000-square-foot Memphis Sports and Events Center that is the centerpiece of the $126 million undertaking.

Enjoying a moment of Zen with fireworks on the horizon and Heck — Rachel Heck — beats all.

CDC’s vaccine safety group did not report the number of cases but did say numbers were more prevalent in boys and young men.

The honor marks the second medal for the Memphis library system. The first was in 2007, making Memphis Public Libraries the first ever two-time recipient of the award.

Shelby County commissioners voted 11-0 with two commissioners not voting in approving a resolution similar to one approved by the Memphis City Council last week.

The commission approved Monday a basic property tax rate of $3.45 that generates the same amount of revenue as the current tax rate, taking into account increases in property values. But the rate must be rounded down by 0.001 cent, which comes to almost a quarter of a million dollars in revenue left on the table.

Longtime Memphis and Nashville developer Kevin Hyneman has died, less than six months after his brother and developer Rusty Hyneman passed away.

The day’s positivity rate was less than 2%.

Other topics of conversation: Is the jail vaccinating detainees? Is AZO ready for EVs? And who thought formula containers with holes would get through Customs? 

Instead of contracting services and jobs during the pandemic, Youth Villages has been adding positions and has a job fair set for Tuesday, May 25. “A lot of organizations stopped taking kids” once the pandemic hit,” CEO Patrick Lawler said. “We did not. We kept our doors open.”

The Shelby County Commission meeting Monday, May 24, is a critical juncture in approving a property tax rate for the new fiscal year that begins July 1. But the county budget is expected to be voted on at the first meeting in June.

The City Council Scorecard looks at the constant companion of budget season at City Hall — deciding a contract impasse between the city administration and one of the unions representing city employees. And the council is almost unanimous on the state’s ban on teaching critical race theory.

The Shelby County Health Department reported 93 new coronavirus cases and 2 additional deaths Sunday, May 23. 

Memphis police officer Scotty Triplett was killed in a crash Saturday afternoon in Hickory Hill. 

Fewer than 10% of detainees at 201 Poplar have been vaccinated and criminal justice advocates have filed a motion asking the court to get the Sheriff’s Office to do more to implement a vaccination program — one of the terms agreed upon in a lawsuit settlement agreement. 

The Health Department also reported 99 COVID-19 cases. Testing numbers were unavailable Saturday, meaning the daily positivity rate couldn’t be calculated.

Shelby County commissioner Tami Sawyer says on The Daily Memphian Politics Podcast she backs a quick budget passage next month and a second look at the budget in the fall once federal American Rescue Plan funding is in play.

Opponents of the Byhalia Connection pipeline project are making the argument that a state permit for the project was issued in violation of the federal Civil Rights Act of 1964.

A coalition of a dozen nonprofit and community organizations are calling for the city and county property tax rates to stay at their current rates to create more funding for public education, public transportation, affordable housing and similar priorities.

The day’s positivity rate is 4.1%.

After suspicious-looking yellow canisters arrived at a local FedEx facility, U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers investigated the packages and discovered the rare turtles inside, wrapped in duct tape and packaged with socks.