The Memphis Area Transit Authority Board of Commissioners voted Tuesday, Dec. 17, to install three consultants at the top of the troubled bus system — at some future point.

On Dec. 16, a grand jury indicted Stephen Russell Jr. on one charge of felony escape after he reportedly faked a medical emergency when authorities prepared to transport him from the Hernando courthouse Dec. 9. 

With additional investigators and fewer murders this year compared to last, MPD’s CJ Davis says the department is seeing improvements. 

More turmoil at Memphis-Shelby County Schools could bring back proposals for state intervention in Tennessee’s largest school district, a state lawmaker told The Daily Memphian. 

Last year, there were 344 murders in Memphis as of Dec. 14. There were 235 this year during that same time period. 

On Monday, members of the Memphis Police Department and the Secret Order of the Boll Weevils visited families that have been affected by crime. 

The department said it has been working to secure the grant for four years. 

Frayser high funding is a go, MATA board considers a leadership change and the Tigers are back on the national radar.

Seeding Success leadership has spent months pitching the Memphis City Council and Shelby County Commission on the antipoverty plan. 

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Memphis students and public education have been through leadership tumult that began with the departure of former Superintendent Joris Ray in 2022 and continued through the interim tenure of Toni Williams.

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The new Memphis Area Transit Authority board heard a proposal to replace interim CEO Bacarra Mauldin temporarily with John Lewis of Transpro, the consultant who wrote a scathing report about the bus system just weeks ago.

In addition to the More for Memphis debate, the Shelby County Commission voted down redistributing county pay raises, and dealt with other fiscal matters.

There were no votes opposing the new Frayser high school, but word that the Memphis-Shelby County Schools board will vote on a possible ouster of Superintendent Marie Feagins cast a long shadow over the discussion.

Memphis-Shelby County Schools board members are scheduled to meet Tuesday to consider terminating Superintendent Marie Feagins’ contract. 

The last City Council meeting of 2024 also includes the return of a pair of Chickasaw Gardens street closings to the agenda and the appointment of a new city public works director.

A man wrongfully convicted of a 2002 Beale Street robbery is eligible for compensation of up to $1 million from the state, but has to be exonerated by Tennessee’s governor before he can receive the money. 

Fifteen football players were among the nearly 30 student-athletes that graduated Sunday at FedExForum.

City task force could address DOJ concerns, the Tigers bounce back in Clemson win and upscale Mexican fare is coming to an old Italian spot.

Also happening this week: The Shelby County Commission takes up a funding proposal for a new Frayser high school.

The last County Commission meeting of 2024 is likely to be a long one. The Monday, Nov. 16, agenda features 89 items including a set of 22 funding resolutions for the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office totaling nearly $18 million — much of it for repairs to the county jail.

Elisabeth “Buffy” Claire Langford’s doctorate of education degree in instruction and curriculum leadership: applied behavior analysis comes after a 23-year academic journey.

Shelby County District Attorney General Steve Mulroy discussed the DOJ’s investigation into MPD, attempts to remove him from office and conditions at the Shelby County Jail on WKNO’s “Behind The Headlines.”

The rules discussed at a Saturday, Dec. 14, retreat at Shelby Farms Park include a budget subcommittee to hash out details of budget amendments.

The girl was taken to Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital but did not survive. No arrests have been made yet, police said.

Aided by more than 130 volunteers, Team Max distributes 6,000 large food baskets to those in need, including 3,000 handed out on a chilly Saturday morning at the Mid-South Food Bank in South Memphis.