Traffic light outages and blinking signals are creating hazardous driving conditions across Shelby County. 

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MLGW restores power to 105K — but warns progress will be slow for remaining outages

“Some of my neighbors feel unheard, and that is a gap we have to close. But a blanket moratorium fixes none of the problems. It stops new construction jobs and increases in the tax base while leaving the plants already running exactly where they are.”

Also happening this week: Germantown appoints a new school board member. 

MLGW officials have warned that full restoration may not happen until Thursday.

Local watchdog and activist Joe B. Kent, who regularly harshly criticized local politicians, officials, and organizations at public meetings, died at age 63. 

After two of three municipal judges fired her, City Court Clerk Sukita Johnson is appealing that decision to the City Council, arguing that the judges overstepped their authority.

“I hope that the Greenway provides access for every Memphian to go out and enjoy and experience the incredible natural heritage of their community,” said Wolf River Conservancy Executive Director Erik Houston. 

Memphis Light, Gas and Water has amended an agreement to send funds annually to the City of Memphis.

Tennessee Valley Authority CEO Mike Skaggs said the change would, in his opinion, put TVA ahead of other utilities in the country in charging data centers for their costs. 

Memphis Police Department Chief C.J. Davis said she and other police brass have asked leaders of the federal law enforcement agencies making up the Memphis Safe Task Force to have a permanent presence in the city after the deployment ends.

The proposed Memphis data center moratorium would block the issuance of building permits or site plans for new data centers in the city, according to a copy of the ordinance.

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Olive Branch restricts data centers

Also on the Tuesday agenda: a move of MATA funding, money for the Mud Island amphitheater and more.

Memphis Police Chief C.J. Davis said major offenses, including homicide, aggravated assault, robbery and burglary, have declined significantly compared to previous years.

Although Memphis Light, Gas and Water hasn’t been targeted by recent cyberattacks, utility officials promise Memphians they remain hypervigilant to keep the water supply safe.

The company’s X post offered a timeline for construction of the water-recycling plant.

Memphis, a city known nationwide for SpaceXAI, may take legislative steps to pause data center development. All of Elon Musk’s existing local data centers are in industrial districts and are unlikely to be affected by an ordinance. 

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Residents of Clark Place in Midtown praised Revid Realty’s decision to file an eviction case against a disruptive tenant.

An attorney reveals why negotiations broke down between Memphis Public Libraries and Friends of the Library, but the city disputes some of those claims.

“The communities that succeed in this next economy will be the ones capable of supporting major investment while maintaining the trust of the people who call them home.”

Airport, federal, state and local officials gathered for a renaming of Memphis’ airport in honor of the late FedEx founder.

In this week’s Ask the Memphian, we take a look at the costly, controversial, but ultimately successful effort to bring a trolley system to Memphis. 

Also in the political roundup, two write-in candidates appeared to fizzle by the unofficial vote totals, the Memphis narrative moves into the general election campaign and a D.C. Scorecard going into the August recess.

Shelby County and the City of Memphis have officially declared Aug. 7 as LeMoyne-Owen College Day.

No Republicans ran for the Memphis school board seats on the ballot. Democratic nominees bested independent challengers in races for two open seats, while two incumbents on the board secured their victories in May’s primary races.

MATA plans to resume trolley service Downtown in the fall with four trolleys, according to the trustee of the city-owned bus system. Plus, an update on the city’s recently revamped Group Violence Intervention Program from City Council coverage.