The festival is looking at dates in the fall for the series of events that cover a month.

The declaration doesn't close any businesses or force the cancellation of any events at this point. Strickland says it unlocks federal assistance to the city and allows the city to make quick buys of emergency equipment and supplies. 

This week was to have been a critical point in the grant process, with grant-writing and administration workshops that are required for getting a grant from the City Council.

So far, organizers of the month-long festival say they are sticking with the May schedule but more talks are to come with the city.

The city's Office of Youth Services has 9,200 children and young adults who have signed up for the Youth Summer Experience Program. But the program now has 2,000 funded slots. The goal is to raise private money to expand, and it is proving difficult.

For now, the city council will keep its ground rules for dispensing $2.6 million in grant money at $200,000 per council member. But the council continues to battle what is a longer line of organizations seeking a limited amount of money. 

Joseph Otting said the Community Reinvestment Act is overdue for revisions that reflect 21st century banking. But some of those at the Memphis forum were skeptical that it would increase bank investment in low-income areas given other changes on other fronts from the Trump administration.

The two city measures reflect larger debates about criminal justice reform and the increasing use of cameras in public settings.

From canceled school trips and congregation precautions to ships that didn't sail, the Mid-South deals with a virus far off only in actual contagion.

Strickland told city council members Tuesday that the referendum isn't binding on the city and that most voters would support such a use of extra revenue beyond a restoration of benefits cut by the city six years ago. The idea is still in the talking stage, with Strickland to take his plan to the council in April when he presents his city budget proposal.

All of the kits from the backlog that first came to light in 2012 have been tested, Memphis Police say. About 6,000 cases in which DNA was found are awaiting investigation.

The tax hike and restoration was approved by city voters in 2019. But there are doubts that the revenue from the extra half-cent is enough to pay for the return of benefits the city cut in 2014. 

Three of the six new Memphis City Council members talked about the larger issues on "Behind The Headlines." They are the latest council members in more than a decade to take up the topic of residency.

Those who will make a recommendation on whether the Memphis utility supplier should cut ties with the TVA want a scenario on switching to Midcontinent Independent System Operator included in the research.

Work with the city of Memphis' SARP10 program, which aims to reduce sanitary sewer overflows, has helped the contracting company grow to about 50 employees.

Trump's latest Tweets followed a day-long hearing in Washington on Roger Stone's motion for a new trial.

The city council is using its committee rooms for council sessions in a temporary move that could last through the end of June. City crews are replacing carpet that has mildewed from persistent leaks in recent years.

Speaking at the Frayser Exchange Club, Strickland also said the city will step up its efforts toward "opportunity youth" and talked of the coming of expanded pre-kindergarten that he described as "a whole new mindset" starting this fall.

City Council Scorecard: The two most recent City Council votes we review include a rare committee vote that scuttles plans to rescind the residency referendum. And a former council member encounters some resistance from the council as she goes on the EDGE board.

The roundup of line items with relatively small amounts of money comes as the Strickland administration offers its first details of what the coming city budget proposal will include in a "tight" budget season at City Hall.

In his first "State of MLGW" address, President and CEO J.T. Young said power outages are up and are lasting longer as the utility begins its $1 billion five-year infrastructure overhaul. 

Designers are revising a proposed revamp of Tom Lee Park according to specifications of a city-ordered mediation agreement and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

Anton Mack replaces Trey Moore as the leader of Explore Bike Share.

A proposal for a broader residency requirement for Memphis police and firefighters will remain on the November ballot citywide. City Council members settled the matter Tuesday after a debate that rolled across the first six weeks of the new council's term of office.

Memphis Light, Gas and Water President J.T. Young says the utility is exploring ending its contract with a payment kiosk company that includes payment stations at 30 ACE Cash Express outlets.