The Memphis City Council is also taking a look at the new building code that requires some schools buildings to have storm shelters to see if there are less expensive ways to meet the standard.

Mayor Paul Young told council members in a Tuesday, Oct. 15, committee discussion that the immediate task is to find short-term funding for MATA to avoid a set of bus route cuts and employee layoffs the old MATA board approved that take effect Nov. 3.

“You cannot say that you are cleaning up the blight in your district if you are dumping it in mine,” said Councilwoman Michalyn Easter-Thomas.

The money he won for the school will be put into the automotive shop, but the $15,000 he won for himself will likely take Sneed back to Europe where he was deployed with the Army.

Desmond Mills Jr., who pleaded guilty last November for his role in Tyre Nichols’ death, is asking the federal court to delay his sentencing to allow “the defense additional time to prepare.”

An SCSO deputy who was responding to a separate crash involving a different deputy is currently in “extremely critical condition.” 

Memphis Animal Services director Ty Coleman was first suspended in June.

IMC trucks hurricane relief, a funding request draws fire from the county admin and friends remember an MUS football star.

Voters could bring back mayoral runoffs, approve a residency requirement for city candidates for office and give the City Council more control over salaries. 

Elections administrator Linda Phillips and the Election Commission are preparing for more voters, a longer ballot and new challenges for poll workers. 

The County Commission delayed action Monday on three of the four resolutions from Circuit Court Clerk Jamita Swearengen. But it advanced three ordinances on Juvenile Court conditions.

Millington Alderman Larry Dagen and Cary Vaughn, chairman of the Shelby County Republican Party, are facing off for the seat.

From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Oct. 15, free flu shots will be available at three Memphis sites, including one drive-thru location. 

Two candidates for Bartlett alderman are contending they are the target of unfair attacks, while not pointing an accusatory finger at each other.

Mayor Paul Young says the board will not replace MATA leadership at least for now. Council members also expect Tuesday to consider a Frayser landfill expansion that was rejected seven years ago.

In DeSoto County, 6,089 voters have requested absentee ballots. Of those requested, 5,146 ballots have been sent to voters, returned and accepted. 

MATA’s board gets a total makeover, former police officers explain why they quit and the Tigers’ defense was key in win over USF.

A new Tennessee law named for Dr. Benjamin Mauck, who was killed by a patient at Campbell Clinic in Collierville last year, is running into a conflicting issue with a law already on the books.

Here’s how to find the three gun referendums on the Nov. 5 ballot and then translate the wordy language in which they are written.

Juvenile Court was scheduled to resume in-person proceedings after being closed for more than five months for mold and lead remediation. But those hearings will be virtual after Shelby County Sheriff’s Office says it will no longer transport youths. 

Also happening this week: Juvenile Court hearings that were supposed to resume in person will now be virtual, and Spike Lee (and others) get Freedom Awards.

A set of ordinances to change some practices at Juvenile Court are up for the first of three readings at the Monday, Oct. 14, County Commission meeting. The Circuit Court Clerk’s office is also seeking $674,000 in funding for more staff.

Alderman Larry Dagen is leaning on his past experience after 12 years on the board. Cary Vaughn is promoting his relationships in the suburb and across the county.

The most popular election cycle in Shelby County politics moves into high gear Wednesday, Oct. 16, with the start of early voting ahead of the Nov. 5 Election Day.

Officers leaving the force cite various reasons, including better pay and working conditions in other towns. One said, “We’re only reactive there (in Memphis), unfortunately, because crime has ballooned out so big, you can’t be proactive.”