Memphis-Shelby County Schools leaders on Tuesday proposed a midyear purchase of 25,000 laptops for high schoolers after parents complained that a sudden change in district technology policy this year left teachers and families scrambling.

The U.S. Department of Justice awarded Jackson $64 million as part of a “flagship effort,” a peek at what could be the administration’s new strategy beyond the Memphis Safe Task Force.

The city’s expenses are up, but revenues — mostly local property taxes — are up, too. 

Southern College of Optometry faculty and students visited Freedom Preparatory Academy Westwood Elementary School on Tuesday to provide free eye exams for elementary schoolers.

Local officials have not found the source of the persistent, fertilizer-like odor in parts of Memphis early in the week — but meteorologists have a guess.

Shelby County Chancellor JoeDae Jenkins is expected to hear a new round of technical arguments on Dec. 2, and the takeover board remains paused at least until then. 

The Franklin Republican inches toward becoming the new speaker of the Tennessee Senate and lieutenant governor.

MSCS sells a vacant campus, a Southaven pop-up serves fluffy eggs and the Memphis Art Museum is opening a new cafe.

Walls, Mississippi, is home to approximately 1,400 residents and, right now at least, one of the nation’s many battles over data centers. 

The sale of Georgian Hills Elementary leaves MSCS with three vacant campuses from a round of five school closures at the end of the 2025-26 school year.

Tennessee Secretary of State Tre Hargett said the Tennessee Election Commission now decides what happens to votes cast outside voting hours at Glenview Community Center.

The Memphis mayor said he warned developer 5C Group not to seek a PILOT for its Getwell Road project, part of his push to require data centers to pay full property taxes.

Three weeks after approving a 135-day moratorium, the council takes up more ordinances to regulate data centers and Dr. Jeff Warren’s plan for a community benefits agency.

Sources confirm the governor-elect’s short list to replace her in the U.S. Senate. 

This week should start with a good meal. 

Historic Temple Israel is gone, Midtown Autowerks is moving and the Chamber hires its new CEO.

A memo from Marsha Blackburn’s strategist credits a “red wall” for her win over Jerri Green. Democrats counter that flipped seats and closer margins show Tennessee isn’t as red as it looks.

“A teacher advocate all the way — teacher and student,” John Aitken, the first superintendent of Collierville Schools, said.

Also happening this week: Some schools are closed for Veterans Day, and the new Sultana Disaster Museum opens. 

A mini blue wave in the Tennessee House of Representatives could make future private school voucher expansion more difficult.

Local doctors say it’s important to see if you qualify to get screened.

Under new federal rules, states with SNAP payment error rates over 6% will be liable for the costs of those mistakes. As Tennessee grows more cautious, families feel the pinch.

The black-and-white pit bull spent most of his life in a small kennel at the Humane Society, always overlooked by potential adopters. But Shellie Quarles saw something else in his eyes.

Former judge Melissa Boyd has died, family and officials confirmed. 

Mississippi’s U.S. Senate race remains undecided as Democrat Scott Colom’s lead continues to grow. Outstanding affidavit and absentee ballots in DeSoto County and across the state are a key reason why.