Although George Washington Carver High School was closed and replaced with a similarly named charter school, alumni congregate each year to celebrate at a massive picnic in the park.

State Rep. Kevin Vaughan is among a group of legislators taking a closer look at the state's Certificate of Need Program for the expansion and addition of medical facilities and services to decide whether it needs to be eliminated or tweaked.

In 2014, teacher salaries in the Memphis district were sixth highest in the state, but three years later, teacher pay in Shelby County Schools has slipped to 11th. It was one of only two districts statewide to see the average salary decrease.

There has been one interstate shooting reported on area highways since local and state law enforcement stepped up patrols earlier this summer, Memphis Police Director Michael Rallings said. Efforts are continuing.

The Memphis campaign season is now at the stage when there are numerous campaign forums that bring together rivals, incumbents and their challengers. And the forums can be a mixed bag for the candidates and the voters they hope to persuade.

The Shelby County Schools district has not yet filed a report with the state on levels of lead in water sources at schools built prior to 1998. In Germantown Municipal School District, three schools found water sources that tested above the state’s safety threshold. 

The Republican-controlled House tamped down another move to denounce neo-Nazis and white nationalists during its August special session, forcing Nashville state Rep. John Ray Clemmons to wait until 2020 to revive the measure.

Tennessee Task Force 1 has been deployed to Florida as Hurricane Dorian approaches the area. The task force is made up of emergency personnel from across the state, including Memphis firefighters, doctors and other emergency personnel. 

City Council member Gerre Currie has had an unexpected path to the council starting with her appointment to the District 6 seat in January. On The Daily Memphian Politics Podcast, she discusses her decision to run for a full term in an open Super District seat instead of District 6.

Amber Tamblyn, a film director, actor, author and abortion rights activist, will be the main speaker at this year’s Standing Strong dinner, an annual Memphis fundraiser to support Planned Parenthood of Tennessee and North Mississippi.

Explore Bike Share will offer a special monthly membership price of $9.01 available for purchase between Sept. 1 and Sept. 7 in honor of 901 Day.

 Native Memphian and lifelong Tiger fan, Air Force Captain Steve “Split” Orians, is set to fly one of the jets over Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium prior to kickoff of the Memphis vs. Ole Miss game on Saturday.

Former U.S. Sen. Bob Corker believes the United States’ trade war against China is “getting out of hand” because of the nation’s failure to bring allies into the fight.

Former Gov. Bill Haslam is forecasting a Trump victory in the 2020 presidential race if Democrats continue to trend leftward but otherwise sees a tight race in a “split” country, though he won't say he will vote for President Trump.

On Aug. 25, five people in Shelby County died from a suspected drug overdose, the largest number of people to die since the health department began tracking opioid deaths in 2018.

The next capital project at the University of Memphis, a $30 million Center for Wellness & Fitness off Southern Avenue, is close to breaking ground.

Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris Thursday received thank-you notes from teens at Juvenile Court, where it has been about a year since the county eliminated the fee for juveniles to call home. 

In a “Behind The Headlines” interview, Mayor Jim Strickland defended his record of racial equity. His comments were his most pointed about Shelby County Commissioner Tami Sawyer of the campaign, covering several issues.

Big Cypress Lodge will open Mississippi Terrace at the Pyramid this fall. The outdoor bar will be located on what was once the entry level for concerts and ball games.

Martavious Banks, shot by a Memphis police officer in 2018, pleaded guilty to evading officers and possession of a gun. He was placed on probation for two years. 

State Reps. Mark White and Tom Leatherwood flew to Shelby County with Gov. Bill Lee for a Republican Party event Aug. 23, but both say it was no perk for their votes in favor of the governor’s education savings account bill during the regular session.

The Learning Experience has applied for a building permit in Germantown. The daycare will be in the Forest Hill Heights area.

Memphis in May International Festival will host its annual World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest Judging Seminar from Nov. 2.

Superintendent Joris Ray said what he heard about Southwest Early College High School gave him “grave concern,” but stopped short of saying the district would investigate.

Raw Girls and City & State are opening a joint pop-up shop in Saddle Creek this fall. For each shop, it is their first location outside Memphis city limits.