The Political Roundup looks at campaigning in the summer heat, the most active council races and a growing field of possible contenders for Memphis mayor.

MPD Chief Cerelyn “C.J.” Davis discusses body cams, reckless driving, and says, “Sometimes, it’s difficult for one officer to deal with individuals, especially when they have guns. And many ... have all kinds of weapons.”

From tennis courts in South Memphis to funding for a study of a Memphis crime lab, this year’s budget negotiations had something for everyone. 

Dozens of Memphians got a sneak peek of the revamped Tom Lee Park with a test run of its new amenities during a photoshoot hosted by Memphis River Parks Partnership Saturday, July 1.

A press release issued by MLGW Saturday, July 1, said the organization has found several underground faults that must be repaired before power can be fully restored.

With an excessive heat warning currently in effect in Shelby County, cooling centers are available to help the public beat the heat.

“I’m going to ask is that everyone uses sensible measures to conserve electricity where and when you can, irrespective of electrical outage,” MLGW’s McGowen said.

Related story:

MLGW expects current power outages to continue through the weekend

MLGW President and CEO Doug McGowen said the roughly 30,000 customers still without power Wednesday could be without power for days, as triple-digit temperatures sweep the region.

For a time, Doris Bradshaw walked miles around the neighborhood nearly every day, telling her neighbors about the toxins at the Defense Depot — arsenic, lead, mercury and a host of other chemicals — that seeped into their soil and water. Within the first year, Doris had organized a group of about 1,500 people. 

The council ultimately approved a new set of district lines because of the closeness of October city elections. The council also took the race for City Court Clerk off the same ballot.

Related story:

City Council drops property tax increase proposal

MPD Deputy Chief Samuel Hines provided data on drag racing and reckless driving Tuesday during a Memphis City Council Public Safety Committee. 

The change is a reversal on previous plans for the city’s police department to run the center instead. 

MLGW President and CEO Doug McGowen said Tuesday that power has been restored to the pumping stations and water pressure is continuing to build. 

Related story:

55,000 MLGW customers without power as triple-digit temperatures approach

By Tuesday morning, power had been restored for about half of the Shelby County residents who lost electricity during Sunday night’s super cell thunderstorms.

Related story:

Why does Memphis lose power after storms? That and a few more questions answered

The council voted down the tax hike Tuesday. 

The council has a series of budget amendments and what could be several property-tax hike proposals between it and the end of the city’s budget season.

On Sunday night, wind gusted to more than 75 miles per hour. Shelby County was not alone in power outages, which were widespread across Hardeman, Fayette and Tipton counties. 

Related stories:

MLGW issues boil water advisory for northern Shelby County

MLGW: Power restoration from Sunday night storms could take days

Sunday storm aftermath gallery: Photos and video from the destruction

Memphis Light, Gas and Water said Monday morning that it could take days for power to be fully restored following Sunday night’s thunderstorms. 

The windows surrounding three sides of the city’s first and oldest community center were boarded up nearly 50 years ago. The $4 million renovation formally opened Wednesday, June 21, bringing natural light back to the gym, while adding other uses to the center.

The Daily Memphian’s City Council Scorecard looks at how a significant change in council district lines ahead of the October city elections came to an abrupt halt earlier this month. 

Doug McGowen said he is working to improve the service Memphis Light Gas and Water Division provides to residents as if the company has to earn their service.

Memphis City Attorney Jennifer Sink could soon leave her post at City Hall and join MLGW as general counsel.

A final vote on council attorney Allan Wade’s map is expected June 27. 

MLGW customers received a text Sunday that said, “due to the number of outages, outage-update texts are disabled.”

Mayoral contender Frank Colvett has pulled his petition, making him the last of the declared contenders to take the first step toward getting on the ballot.