The Shelby County Commission granted Shelby County Schools $23 million, less than half of what the school board sought. 

Our scorecard of critical Shelby County Commission votes tracks the set of votes this week that led to the approval of a one-cent increase in the recertified county property tax rate. The votes were more complex than usual with some parliamentary drama that almost brings down the curtain on another county budget season.

George “K-Rack” Johnson, 46, was booked in the Shelby County jail Wednesday and charged with misdemeanor assault.

New directive leaves most business restrictions up to the judgment of managers.

Sherra Wright wants a judge to toss her 2019 guilty plea in connection with the slaying of her ex-husband, former NBA star Lorenzen Wright. 

Three job fairs are scheduled for June 22, June 29 and July 20 for applicants interested in working for Youth Villages.

Rhodes is the first campus in Memphis to assess this type of fee.

It’s bike night, lots of people are looking at tax hikes, and why do we have so many gas stations? 

The late 1950s or early 1960s painting of the Cossitt Library surfaced last month. It was set aside during a cleanup of the Downtown landmark, and the rediscovery marks a turn in fortune with a renovated Cossitt set to reopen in the fall.

On June 8, 1999, Verlinda Johnson Henning’s husband, Darrell, died at the age of 45. Exactly 22 years later, Henning appeared as reigning champion on “Jeopardy!” It was just a coincidence, of course. But it helped her find balance on a very difficult day.

Related story:

Memphian is ‘Jeopardy!’ champion June 7, comes in second June 8

Martavius Jones says he will push for the increase at next week’s council session. 

Republican county commissioners who voted two weeks ago in favor of a resolution urging Gov. Bill Lee to veto a ban on teaching critical race theory took back their yes votes Monday. The resolution still passed.

State Sen. Katrina Robinson and two co-defendants are facing trial on charges of wire fraud and money laundering. The case is separate from allegations that Robinson stole more than $600,000 from her business, The Healthcare Institute.

A landmark deal hits the local banking world, a 30-year veteran of the force gets promoted and we could be at herd immunity, but we’re not. 

With the more contagious U.K. variant, a safe point of herd immunity is now 80% or more.

The tax hike requires one more vote by the commission after notice is given to the public and the Board of Equalization with a chance for public comment. The commission also approved $1.3 million in recurring funding for the Memphis Area Transit Authority.

MPD veteran Don Crowe has been promoted to assistant police chief. He will be second in command under new Police Chief Cerelyn “C.J.” Davis, who starts June 14. 

A new Whitehaven soundstage could be hitting the mark for film students, Peyton is paying it forward and, after COVID, we’re getting back on the horse. 

Meanwhile, a City Council member who is term limited said he may be on the 2022 ballot for Shelby County Commission and an incumbent commissioner says he will probably seek another term.

The Southaven private school plans to add a grade each year until it extends to 12th grade. It’s affiliated with Brown Missionary Baptist Church, which was founded in 1882 by former slaves.

The Monday, June 7, session of the County Commission could mark the end of the 2021 budget season with a series of final votes on a $1.4 billion consolidated budget and a county property tax rate considered stable if it drops from the current $4.05 to $3.45. 

Transparency advocates say reforms are needed to make police body camera footage less expensive, more accessible to the public.

Related article:

Lack of Transparency: Bodycam footage often costly, heavily edited and takes months to get

Police bodycam programs were created to promote transparency and build public trust, yet high costs and long waits for heavily edited footage makes those programs a ‘bait and switch,’ critics say.

Related story:

Critics advocate reforms to limit bodycam fees and redactions

Germantown property owners whose houses were damaged by a 2019 flood say the Shelby County Assessor promised to meet with them to discuss how their homes’ values increased despite the destruction. But Melvin Burgess’ representatives say no such gathering will occur.

A new Shelby County Youth Assessment Center is slated to open in July at the former Raleigh library. The county will operate the center.