Normal Station has been one of the areas hardest hit by power outages, but modernizing the community’s electric equipment has resulted in a 50% improvement in reliability.

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MLGW estimates power outages will last several days

Straight line winds downed 11 power poles on Winchester Road, knocking thousands off the grid. Lightning also tripped breakers at utility substations, which McGowen said “had a pretty dramatic impact that we don’t typically see.” 

Here’s a look at some of the newest names on the still-forming October Memphis election ballot. The deadline for candidates to get their names in the races for city council and mayor is noon Thursday.

Also, Councilwoman Cheyenne Johnson calls off her campaign for a second term in favor of Janika White, a contender in last year’s Democratic primary for Shelby County District Attorney General.

Finance reports show spending patterns of Memphis mayoral candidates. 

As demand for overnight river cruises on the Mississippi increases, the industry also faces increasing climate threats. Recent years have seen wild swings between heavy rainfall and severe drought, making the river tougher to navigate.

Overnight cruises returned to the Mississippi River a decade ago, and many passengers say the river’s storied past is part of the draw. But what history do they learn, and how?

“We are in a new place, and this is a celebration of that,” said Rev. James Gale, executive presbyter of the Presbytery of the Mid-South, which represents 37 congregations.

With the return of river travel, three companies are currently offering overnight cruises on the Mississippi while nearby cities look to cash in. 

Carol Coletta, president and CEO of the Memphis River Parks Partnership, has been named one of the 100 most influential urban planning experts, past or present.

“As a member of the community that works in Memphis but lives in Arlington, I certainly have strong feelings about having a more responsive utility for suburban communities,” Butler said.

Don Crowe, MPD’s assistant chief of police services, told the council committee that the response-time data focuses on “Priority 0” calls.

Council members say they hope the question on city voters’ ballots will influence the Tennessee Legislature even if any of the measures would likely be challenge by the state if voters approve them.

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Police response time to priority calls down from 2022’s five-year high

If MLGW had met its tree-trimming goals, trees would have caused an estimated 25 circuit outages in 2020, according to utility President and CEO Doug McGowen. Instead, they caused 120. 

Rival contender Floyd Bonner Jr. raised the second-highest amount but spent far less than Young, while J.W. Gibson topped the field in total spending. 

The council also discusses two other ballot questions for next year including a residency requirement for city employees that reflects the state law to exempt police and firefighters from any requirement.

White finished second to Steve Mulroy in the May 2022 Democratic primary for Shelby County District Attorney General. Meanwhile, the official field for Memphis mayor stands at eight ahead of the July 20 qualifying deadline.

Operation Broken Bottles was a coordinated effort from MPD, and other local agencies that targeted organized crime in the city, particularly individuals working together to burglarize retail stores.

Jennifer Sink is leaving her position as city attorney and said she’s looking forward to new challenges at Memphis Light, Gas and Water. 

The child went missing last night from the 5100 block of Laurel Springs Drive. 

Rapidly growing Isaiah 117 House is one of more than two dozen faith-based organizations helping the Department of Children’s Services by providing space for children awaiting placement so they don’t have to sleep on office floors.

By Wednesday evening, fewer than 500 MLGW customers were dealing with outages. 

Strickland said children caught violating curfew are being detained at the Downtown precinct until a parent or guardian comes to pick them up. He also said the numbers of those detained are low.

The splash pad opened Wednesday, July 5, to dozens of children in North Memphis putting it through its paces.

The reasoning for opposing a stay stems from wanting the civil case to keep going and not get bogged down because of the risk to taxpayers.