We’re hearing from our next police chief and horsing around. Plus, a hero is released from carbonite and we’re putting new incentives on paper. 

The Daily Memphian Scorecard on important commission votes reveals the votes are close for now when it comes to the idea of a property reappraisal for taxation purposes every other year. And it shows commissioners willing to give one more chance to resolve a long-running contract controversy.

Plans to build a 49-mile pipeline to transport crude oil from southwest Memphis to another pipeline at a connecting point near Byhalia, Mississippi, have run into delays on a couple of different fronts.

Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris cited the ongoing impact of the pandemic in saying there would be no attempt to raise the tax rate after recertification. Harris also outlined a six-year, $32 million plan to beef up the county fire department.

The new cases and tests gave the day a positivity rate of 8.1%.

The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation said Wednesday it was investigating “the circumstances leading to a possible officer-involved shooting.”

In a recent interview, Memphis’ nominee for police chief talked about officer training, violence intervention, and why she initially pulled her application from the city’s search for a new head of police. 

The show will air on Bloomberg TV at 2:30 p.m. April 25 and May 2. 

We’ve got Plains speak about the Byhalia Connection pipeline, what Rhodes College is sending into space, where we’re going in 2024, and what’s going on with Memphis taxes. 

Meanwhile, the council delayed for two weeks a first reading vote on historic overlay district status for the Crosstown area.

Memphis Mayor Jim Strickland is proposing a $716 million operating budget and an $89 million capital budget for the fiscal year that begins July 1. It also includes 2% pay raises for firefighters and police.

Local activists shed tears of joy after former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin was convicted on murder and manslaughter charges in the death of George Floyd. 

Related story:

Ex-Minneapolis cop Derek Chauvin found guilty on all charges

“Reimagine 901” includes school closures, new buildings, improvements or expansions to existing schools, investment in deferred building maintenance, as well as bilingual immersion programs and fine arts.

Demand, even with $20 gift cards, is at one-third of the capacity to administer COVID-19 vaccines.

The jury reached its verdict on the George Floyd case Tuesday after deliberating about 10 hours over two days in a city on edge against another outbreak of unrest.

Related story:

Local activists react with tears of joy to guilty verdict in Minneapolis trial

The number of new coronavirus cases reported today is the lowest it has been in nearly two weeks.

The number of new coronavirus cases in Shelby County on Tuesday, April 20 is the lowest it has been in nearly two weeks.

Memphis City Council is delaying final consideration of an ordinance that would restrict oil pipeline development within the city limits, but apparently not in response to a peace offering from a company that wants to build such a pipeline.

A local researcher is uncovering asymptomatic COVID-19 cases, without the infected still ever knowing, SCS is planning to open and close schools and there was double drama last night at the Grizz game. 

A U of M researcher combing through hundreds of local samples has found almost double the coronavirus antibodies expected. 

The mayor has offered no clues on the specifics of the budget, but he is not expected to propose a property tax hike. However, setting the property tax rate will be more complicated this year.

Can a private oil pipeline company force private property owners to provide access to their land? The eminent domain case involving the Byhalia Connection project will attempt to answer that question.

Superintendent Joris Ray’s proposed plan will include two school closures, five new buildings, improvements or expansions to 13 existing schools and a substantial investment in deferred building maintenance.

Sixteen-person team represents U of M board of trustees, faculty, staff, students, alumni and public. 

Sen. Brian Kelsey, R-Germantown, withdrew an amendment regarding ownership and operations by Shelby County Schools of three schools bearing the Germantown name. He said negotiations seem to have begun.