Meanwhile, the hard-fought statewide Republican primary race for the U.S. Senate is being seen by partisans on both sides of the close race as about the conservative movement in the state.

If approved, it would call on Mayor Jim Strickland to submit a plan by Oct. 6 for getting to 2,800 police officers by the end of 2023. 

Shelby County Criminal Court jury trials had been set to resume Aug. 31 have been suspended indefinitely. Judges will monitor the situation on a month-by-month basis to see when trials can resume. 

On "Behind The Headlines," Shelby County Elections Administrator Linda Phillips says some upgraded digital scanners that are part of the new system will be used in the August vote count and again in November. She expects the November presidential general election Shelby County to be a record-setter in terms of turnout.

The Rev. Dr. Stephen R. Montgomery, whose prophetic hope and pastoral heart gently, but firmly challenged and encouraged his church and community to be more just and loving, died Friday morning at Regional One Health with his family by his side. He was 68.

For the month of July, the Shelby County Health Department has reported 83 coronavirus-related deaths. That compares to 76 in June, 59 in May and 44 in April. Nineteen deaths have been reported since July 23.

About 80% of public school students are under Shelby County Schools and will start the academic year online. But some suburban schools, charter schools, and state-run schools plan to have a mix of online and in-person instruction.

It's finally Friday and we're talking about virtual classes but on-campus living, FedEx tightening its belt and a need for more police. 

The two-pronged effort comes as two criminal justice consultants instrumental in the Blue Crush police strategy are again working with the city and recommending a police force larger than the goal of 2,300 officers by the end of this year.

Cerrito’s business was based on friends interacting at preferably crowded indoor spaces. What happens when barroom bonhomie becomes a public health problem? For Cerrito, it meant a screeching halt to his entire business. 

Collierville residents will vote in November for a replacement in Alderman Position 4 the seat vacated by Tom Allen’s recent death.

Rev. Steve Montgomery, who retired as the widely respected and beloved senior pastor of Idlewild Presbyterian Church a little over a year ago, is in critical condition in intensive care at Regional One.

Memphis Light, Gas and Water Division won't be cutting off utilities for those late on their bills. Customers now have until Aug. 24 to pay their bills or work out a payment plan with MLGW.

Evidence from a different case was incorrectly used to seek DNA testing for a Shelby County man on death row, and the petition for testing should therefore be denied, Shelby County District Attorney Amy Weirich said Thursday, July 30. 

The Memphis Congressman said calls at the Atlanta funeral to continue the struggle for voting rights are appropriate in the current political environment. 

Dr. Jon McCullers, a leader in the fight against COVID-19, encouraged parents and school districts to make the best individual choices when deciding on attendance for this school year.

The state's highest court heard the state's appeal of the recent expansion of mail-in absentee voting ordered last month by a Nashville Chancery Court. The state says absentee ballots are a privilege and not a right. Plaintiffs in the lawsuit argue that in the current pandemic, in-person voting is a choice for voters between their health and their right to vote.

Weekly averages tone down bumps that show up when tests come from a high-impact area or are delayed in being processed and are reported all at once.

The first challengers have emerged for alderman and Board of Education seats in Bartlett’s fall elections, as Kevin Quinn and Bradford Ratliff filed petitions with the Shelby County Election Commission.

U of M will reassess the situation in early September. In the meantime, President Rudd notes that the campus never closed and has density of students and staff of 35%-40%.

A federal grand jury has returned an indictment against state Sen. Katrina Robinson on charges of theft and embezzlement involving government programs and wire fraud.

Contact sports are not safe to return, despite Gov. Bill Lee's latest executive order, Dr. Jon McCullers said.

Alisa Haushalter, Shelby County Health Department director, said the goal is to have coronavirus tripwires ready by tomorrow afternoon. She said this will be a good way to let the public know if we reach certain thresholds, actions will be taken.

All donors will be entered into a drawing to win one of two team autographed basketballs.

The Shelby County Health Department reported 326 new coronavirus cases from only 610 tests on Thursday, giving the day a positivity rate of 53.4%.