In an NPR interview in 2018, Elmore Nickelberry said, “I knew I wasn’t no garbage man. I just worked in garbage.”

Memphis Mayor Paul Young offered fresh “hope” at his swearing-in ceremony. And while that won’t solve the city’s many problems, it is at least a good start. 

Paul Young and 12 of the 13 city council members took the oath of office at the Cannon Center to begin new four-year terms at City Hall. Young said the city will rise or fall depending on what happens in the next four years.

Also happening: Cleotha Abston’s attorney requests Davidson County jurors for his trial, and the Shelby County Commission holds its first committee sessions of the year.

Jim Strickland’s years as mayor took Memphis into its third century of existence, through the COVID-19 pandemic and brought it face-to-face with some of the worst crimes and crime waves in its modern history.

The Saturday parade and block party on Tiger Lane is one of four events in three days that includes Paul Young taking the oath of office as mayor of Memphis Monday at the Cannon Center.

With an ability to cross racial lines, the outgoing Memphis mayor was a boss who knew how to delegate and trust experts but did not abdicate responsibility for making decisions. 

Four Memphis City Council members leave the body after serving eight years. Another is leaving after five years. Here’s what they accomplished and what they said. 

Here’s a look at the five referendums Memphis voters will decide in 2024 that, if approved, would change future elections. 

Memphis Mayor-elect Paul Young’s administration continued to take shape this week with the incoming mayor announcing most of his remaining appointments.

The four-year term of the Memphis City Council is at an end. The Daily Memphian’s Council Scorecard has chronicled 158 critical decisions by the body over that term. Here are the most critical decisions ones.

The last City Council Scorecard of the year includes a pay raise for the new mayor, another ballot question for 2024 and several items for the new council to decide.

The past few years have brought wild fluctuations between flooding and drought, bringing more stress to the communities nestled along the Mississippi’s 2,350 miles.

Unlike last year, when more than half the service area lost power during an ice storm, these outages were mostly isolated in the southeastern parts of Shelby County on an unseasonably warm holiday weekend.

The most recent decertifications came during the December meeting of the Tennessee Peace Officers Standards and Training (POST) Commission. 

“The sign we unveil today will serve as a constant reminder of Officer Redd’s sacrifice in his unwavering commitment to the safety and well being of others,” Memphis Mayor Jim Strickland said. 

Memphis City Council approved the Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium ownership transfer but with the caveat that the U of M, the City and Fred Jones would continue to negotiate.

Whitehaven resident Patricia Smith is one of about 10% of MLGW customers affected by billing issues over the past year due to faulty smart meters. 

Memphis City Council heard oppositions to the new Memphis Art Museum before giving the green light to an agreement with the Brooks Museum to run it and punted a vote on closing two streets in Chickasaw Gardens.

If approved, members who serve two terms, or eight years, would get city health benefits for life. The council also approved a pay raise for incoming Mayor Paul Young and put a fifth referendum on the August 2024 ballot. 

Related story: 

City nails down Brooks Museum agreement, delays vote on Chickasaw Gardens gates

The City Council voted 8-2-1 Tuesday, Dec. 19, to approve conveying ownership of the stadium to the U of M Auxiliary Services Foundation and $120 million in cash to help pay for $220 million in renovations. 

The Memphis City Council ends its term with a vote on a proposed extension of health benefits for some departing members and on a 2024 ballot question, allowing the body to set the pay for its members.

Memphis Mayor Jim Strickland’s portrait was unveiled Friday at City Hall.