Saying he wants to blot out “one of the worst parts of our history,” state Rep. Joe Towns is renewing legislation to eliminate slavery and involuntary servitude from the Tennessee Constitution.

• Cookston's Memphis BBQ Co. to open Lake District restaurant
• Cafe featuring agave syrup to open in E. Memphis
• Humane Society to host annual Fast & The Furriest 5K Run

Tennessee’s two Republican U.S. senators split Thursday in the chamber’s vote on a resolution blocking President Donald Trump’s declaration of a national emergency to fund a border wall with Mexico.

Despite the objections of Davidson County lawmakers, the House of Representatives overwhelmingly passed legislation Thursday removing subpoena power from police oversight boards in Tennessee.

Mayor Jim Strickland's administration conceded a "clerical error" in its minority spending numbers Thursday, saying the city actually spent 17.7 percent of its money in 2018 with women- and minority-owned businesses rather than the 24 percent previously touted by Strickland.

The Republican governor plans to pay for the program’s first year by stockpiling $25 million annually in discretionary funds for the next three years — but he’s not specifying where the money would come after that.

After a party reorganization in 2017 and a Democratic sweep of countywide offices in the 2018 elections, Shelby County Democratic Party chairman Corey Strong says it is time for another leader of the local party.

Explore Bike Share has picked up funding from Memphis-based FedEx, $150,000 over three years; and Memphis, $75,000 a year for four years, from fees on Bird and Lime.

A key Senate committee chairman believes legislation barring nonprofit groups from using specialty tag proceeds to sue the state or cities is worth debating.

Calling for an end to the exploitation of college athletes, state Sen. Brian Kelsey says he is sponsoring legislation urging universities and conferences to pay athletes for their performance.

• Cookston's Memphis BBQ Co. to open Lake District restaurant
• Cafe featuring agave syrup to open in E. Memphis
• Humane Society to host annual Fast & The Furriest 5K Run

State Rep. Joe Towns’ civil penalties reached a total of $45,000 Wednesday after the Tennessee Registry of Election Finance fined him another $10,000 for failing to file campaign reports.

More than 300 students in Shelby County will have the opportunity to intern at the County Commission’s internship program this summer.

Democratic presidential contender Elizabeth Warren will make an early campaign stop in Memphis Sunday at Douglass High School.

The coalition, called TN Teachers United, launched last week after meeting with two teachers who helped organize statewide walkouts last year in Arizona and West Virginia.

Memphis singer/songwriter-turned-pastor John Kilzer has died. He was 62.

Covington business owner Paul Rose claimed the district seat on both sides of the Tipton-Shelby county line with nearly 90 percent of the district-wide vote.

• Chelsea Clinton to visit Memphis Zoo in support of new children's book
• Women’s Foundation announces 2019 Legends Award honorees
• Memphian to make difference in city through art, business, and music 

State Sen. Brian Kelsey is downplaying a National Rifle Association graphic criticizing him for posing with members of Moms Demand Action, a group advocating for gun law reforms.

The city of Memphis is suing 21 opioid manufacturers and distributors in a federal lawsuit claiming “opioid addiction is ravaging Memphis.”

Kirby Middle's principal, Marian Williams, credits the reflection room and an incentives program for students’ good behavior as aids to a more empathetic approach to discipline this year.

Two Shelby County lawmakers are sponsoring legislation creating a state commission with authority to approve charter schools without the operators going through a local school board.

The race for Memphis Mayor has three front-line contenders on the way to the spring and summer heart of the 2019 campaign. And the trio of Sawyer, Herenton and Strickland shows some differences that reflect divergent views of the city's future beyond who wins and who loses.

• Memphian to make difference in city through art, business, and music 
• Shelby County Opioid Summit comes to Memphis Thursday 
• Former U of M professor returns to Memphis to debut first novel

Shelby County plans to use pretrial risk assessment tools to help local judges decide on bail for nonviolent defendants.