The City of Memphis has a new system to alert citizens of emergency situations.

On The Daily Memphian’s “On The Record” podcast, Michalyn Easter-Thomas talks about trying out a ban on traffic stops by police for certain offenses. Other council members want a department-wide review.

The demolition of the three 400-foot-tall chimney stacks at the now-defunct Allen Fossil Plant is the final step in a four-phase plan to prepare the site for redevelopment, and repurpose the 500 acres of land it occupies in Southwest Memphis.

Tyre Nichols was a skateboarder. He was a photographer, and he also loved sunsets — especially at Shelby Farms Park. 

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Nichols’ friends say his spirit will change conversation about policing

City to release full audio and video footage in Nichols case

Suspended MPD Officer Hemphill was part of SCORPION unit

The Mississippi Boulevard Celebration Choir sang the popular gospel worship song, “You Are My Strength,” as Nichols' family, the Rev. Al Sharpton and family attorney Ben Crump listened with the church full of grievers.

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Nichols’ friends say his spirit will change conversation about policing

City to release full audio and video footage in Nichols case

Suspended MPD Officer Hemphill was part of SCORPION unit

The DMC president raised $347,482 since September compared to the $311,719 raised by Shelby County Sheriff Floyd Bonner and $300,000 by businessman and philanthropist J.W. Gibson. 

Prominent leaders of the Memphis Black community are calling for legislative action in the wake of the death of Tyre Nichols.

One protester said local activists will keep protesting until all the officers involved in the events that lead to Tyre Nichols’ death have been identified. 

As public officials expressed outrage about Tyre Nichols’ death online, the protests marking the release of the videos returned to the symbol of local protest in the age of Black Lives Matter — the bridges across the Mississippi River.

The Memphis Police Department’s SCORPION unit, which MPD announced Saturday is being disbanded, is reminiscent of a controversial defunct unit in Atlanta over which MPD Chief Cerelyn “C.J.” Davis was once in charge. 

Related story:

MPD’s SCORPION unit permanently deactivated

Proposals include keeping data on police traffic stops and renewing plans to increase police training. 

The council votes on the Memphis in May measure at its first meeting in February. The council delayed several other matters, including a possible new name for Audubon Park and a decision on the Dream Hotel. 

Related story:

Memphis facility should reduce cancer-causing emissions, City Council says

Police reports indicate at least 19 vehicles were broken into over the weekend, during one of the center’s first big events. 

“What we’re doing here is asking them to initiate those same interventions that they’re putting in their other sites across the country and not wait for the EPA,” said Memphis City Council member Jeff Warren.

Memphis Police Chief Cerelyn “C.J.” Davis, who generally attends the council’s biweekly public safety committee, was not present for the Tuesday, Jan. 24, morning meeting.

The identity of the personnel or the reason for investigating was not disclosed. The announcement follows news from the Memphis Police Department that they fired the five officers involved in the fatal attempted arrest of Nichols.

“What we saw, regrettably it reminded us of the Rodney King video,” attorney Ben Crump said. “Unlike Rodney King, Tyre didn’t survive.”

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Officer involved in Tyre Nichols’ death previously accused of brutality

Two MFD personnel relieved of duty after Tyre Nichols incident

Vincent Astor, who many considered the unofficial LGBTQ historian for the Mid-South, died on Monday, Jan. 16. Astor spent his life advocating for and raising awareness for the LGBTQ community in Memphis.

During a MLGW board meeting Wednesday, CEO Doug McGowen indicated that load forecasting would be part of the TVA review, “because there were some real issues to talk about there.”

The effort will comprehensively map the condition of all 6,714 lane miles of Memphis’ streets.

Tyre D. Nichols, 29, was injured following a confrontation with officers around 8:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 7, near Raines and Ross roads in southeast Memphis.

Amendments to animal welfare laws could include mandatory microchipping for pets, and modification to policies about dogs “running at large,” which animal welfare organizations see as key to stopping overpopulation and neglect.

MLGW president and CEO Doug McGowen says his priority is finding ways to accelerate the $1.2 billion, five-year plan to upgrade the utility’s infrastructure.