Shelby County Schools leaders hope the bus passes will encourage students to participate in after-school activities, get jobs, post higher test scores and miss school less often.

The openings and closings will bring the total number of Memphis charter schools to 82 — with Shelby County Schools overseeing 57 and the state-run Achievement School District overseeing 25 more.

Shelby County economic development leaders Wednesday were able to explain their projects to a HUD official as he helps communities tap into the Opportunity Zone program.

The Shelby County Election Commission meets Thursday to certify the ballot for the Oct. 3 nonpartisan elections. Meanwhile, city council contender Cody Fletcher said on the Daily Memphian Politics Podcast that criticism of his switch to another council race takes time away from discussion of more substantial issues.

As the city of Memphis prepares to mark its 200th anniversary, the Chickasaw Nation is finding the story of its origins in a part of the city Native Americans left 500 years ago.

With a promise to give lawmakers more freedom, Cameron Sexton of Crossville vaulted to victory Wednesday as House Speaker-select, a month ahead of a special session to replace resigning Speaker Glen Casada.

The University of Memphis Athletics department announced Wednesday a $13 million commitment that will help support Tiger Athletics through the establishment of the Gary W. and Barbara Bryant Family Trusts.

Bill Morris signed his autobiography and told stories at an event hosted by current county Mayor Lee Harris.

Under a $3.7 million federal grant, the Georgia-based Baptiste Group had proposed operating a residential facility until 2025 at the former South Side Middle School, which until last summer housed a state-run charter school. But Baptiste withdrew its application after Chalkbeat started asking questions about the plan.

One of six announced candidates, Deputy Speaker Matthew Hill, has made 14 $1,000 contributions through a political action committee to House Republican colleagues, including Rep. Tom Leatherwood of Arlington, state records show.

E-scooter companies Bolt and Spin will join Bird and Lime as well as Explore Bike Share in the Memphis market as a pilot shared-mobility program becomes permanent. 

Michael Skouteris was indicted on theft and forgery charges after he was accused of stealing more than $250,000 from settlements for clients in cases involving nursing home neglect, medical malpractice and personal injury. 

70 Peer Power Success Coaches are ready to go into Shelby Count Schools.

State Rep. Joe Towns passed a resolution this year calling for a constitutional amendment to remove slavery and involuntary servitude from the Tennessee Constitution. He contends the U.S. Constitution needs amending, just as the state document does.

While a forensic audit requested by Shelby County Criminal Court Clerk Heidi Kuhn when she took office last year found "no malfeasance," the report cited a need to implement stricter internal controls. 

Mayoral contenders Tami Sawyer and Jim Strickland are mixing old-fashioned door-to-door campaigning with canvassing apps that show the voting histories of households.

Memphis Light, Gas and Water Division has hired Siemens Industry Inc. as its consultant in developing an integrated resource plan.

Harris vetoed the allocation at the urging of local labor unions and worker advocates, because more than 330 U of M employees make less than $15 an hour.

Rep. John Mark Windle, a Democrat who was promoted to full colonel in the Tennessee Guard this year, voted against the voucher bill legislation. Windle said he sought the guidance of Tennessee ethics authorities about a report that Casada had suggested Windle's voucher support could lead to a promotion to general.

Industrial vacancy hit an all-time low of 5.4% in the second quarter in the Memphis area due to strong tenant demand for space, according to the CBRE Marketview report.

Six correction deputies at the Shelby County Jail quit their jobs amid an investigation into "inappropriate relationships" at 201 Poplar with inmates. 

Meritan's 20th annual Moonlight Classic Bike Tour and Tailgate takes to the streets of East Memphis and Midtown Aug. 24 at 10 p.m.

Joris Ray, Shelby County Schools superintendent, says he wants to change the school district's approach to educating black male students, in order to "change the face of SCS and change the face of Shelby County and Memphis." 

Calling Tennessee’s rate of homicides among black men a “public health crisis,” a state legislator is seeking a state study to find the causes and set policies to attack them, while hoping to change the perception of African-American males.

The second quarter campaign finance reports show a big difference between Mayor Jim Strickland and his two closest challengers by the amount of money raised. But one of those challengers outspent him for the quarter.