The parking lot is the first part of a broader plan to end overflow zoo parking on the Overton Park Greensward sometime next year and turn more than 17 acres of zoo land to the Overton Park Conservancy.

An “event” at a Memphis substation led to power outages in North Mississippi, low water pressure in parts of the Bluff City and flaring at Valero Energy Corp.’s local refinery. Now, the Shelby County Health Department is monitoring the situation for potential health impacts. 

Rate increases funded research, which showed MLGW’s concerns were warranted. It found there are more holes, or breaches, in the aquifer’s protective clay layer than previously thought.

Eight candidates were invited to the debate, which will be broadcast on WKNO/Channel 10 at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 15 and livestreamed on both wkno.org and on The Daily Memphian. 

An estimated 8,000-9,000 people amassed at Crosstown Concourse Sunday for the event. By the event’s end at 9 p.m., 90% to 95% of the food vendors had completely sold out.

A burn-off at the Valero Refinery in Southwest Memphis coincided with an unspecified substation problem, that resulted in a voltage to drop across the service area.

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MLGW’s recovery efforts down to last few customers

In addition to infrastructure, the council approved two more years on the Memphis Showboats contract and discussed a late-term reappointment to the MLGW board by outgoing Memphis Mayor Jim Strickland.

Memphis Light, Gas and Water wrapped up its week-long recovery efforts Tuesday, July 25, after restoring power to all but 17 customers, who should be restored soon. 

“I just disagree,” Memphis Mayor Jim Strickland said of Shelby County District Attorney Steve Mulroy during a phone interview on Tuesday. “We have a different philosophy.”

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Shelby County DA Mulroy fires back at Mayor Strickland’s criticism

He lumbered through half marathons with his fire buddies, made annual pilgrimages to Walt Disney World, loved the Arkansas Razorbacks and made it a point to see every single superhero movie with his son, Parker, 14.

The unions that represent Memphis police officers and firefighters handed Shelby County Sheriff Floyd Bonner Jr. a key endorsement Tuesday. 

The list of a dozen drainage and sewer projects come as the city is still repairing damage and restoring power lost in recent storms. The council also takes first votes Tuesday, July 25, on a pair of ballot questions for city voters in 2024.

According to the police report, the suspect — a 56-year-old woman — said: “At least you have power,” and “Your husband needs to retire.” 

In the past year and a half, outages have impacted 800,000 customers; that number is the equivalent of every MLGW customer losing power twice. 

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State of Emergency declared for Shelby County

MPD investigating threat against MLGW CEO’s wife

“The hope is to get the public even more involved to understand and appreciate their drinking water source,” said Scott Schoefernacker. 

After relentless waves of destructive summer storms in the Memphis metro area, generators are a hot commodity. Consumers are even turning to whole-house generators.

The Memphis Fire Department honored Lt. Jeffrey Norman on Sunday night with a “Sea of Red” processional.

Customers should call 901-544-6500 to report their outage and not assume MLGW is aware of it.

Preliminary data, which the Memphis Shelby Crime Commission obtained from the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, shows major violent crimes and major property crimes are up so far in 2023.

The fire took the life of Lt. Jeffrey Norman and injured three of his team members.

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.