The MPD has gone from 2,449 officers a decade ago to slightly more than 1,900 today. The problem is national but also unique to Memphis in some ways.

A Michigan City, Mississippi, resident faces up to five years in prison after he pleaded guilty to aiming a laser pointer at aircraft, the U.S. attorney’s office said. 

The shooting comes a day after a Memphis police officer fatally shot a woman on South Third Street.

The indictment follows a second-degree murder charge filed in August against Gregory Livingston.

It’s the fourth officer-involved shooting in Memphis and Shelby County this year and the 53rd officer-involved shooting in Tennessee this year.

White makes the Democratic primary race a three-way contest with the winner in May expected to challenge Republican DA Amy Weirich in the August county general elections.

Criminal Court Judge Paula Skahan took under advisement Tuesday, Dec. 14, two days of testimony in a hearing that will determine whether Pervis Payne serves two life sentences concurrently or consecutively for the 1987 murders of Charisse Christopher and her 2-year-old daughter, Lacie, in Millington

The inmate’s 1988 death sentence was set aside because of questions about his mental competency. The resentencing hearing continues Tuesday, Dec. 14.

The Monday, Dec. 13, resentencing in Shelby County Criminal Court comes after prosecutors took the death penalty off the table in a retrial for a 1987 double murder in Millington. At stake is whether the life sentences will run consecutively or concurrently. If concurrently, Payne would be eligible for parole.

Mental Health Court, providing mental health support to the accused, decreases the tendency of re-offending and improves public safety, officials say. 

Two teenaged girls were killed at a Marathon gas station Friday; it’s the third incident in less than year in which a teen has been killed at the site. 

Memphis City Council members talk about a new bid to allow police officers and firefighters to live outside Shelby County at a special committee session Monday, Dec. 6. 

Gov. Bill Lee granted clemency to 17 people Thursday, Dec. 2, using the power for his first time as governor. Two of the beneficiaries are from Shelby County.

Just City and the ACLU gave county officials until the end of December to respond to their letter and until the end of January to hold a “mediated discussion.” 

Jeffrey Wayne Hughes’ hearing signals the likely end to his case against the Board of Parole, since a hearing is what he wanted. The board won’t be able to win similar cases in the future with the Nashville judge’s decision on the books.

The DA’s annual Season of Remembrance memorial service for homicide victims honored more than 300 people lost to violence this year. 

The 69 symbolic figures represented the record number of walkers and bikers who were killed on Memphis streets last year.

“It is surreal to think that I’m serving the community that made me,” Brandi Young said. “It’s humbling, it’s surreal to be in this position, this same spot where I grew up.”

Chancellor Anne Martin of the Davidson County Chancery Court ordered the Board of Parole to redetermine one man’s release eligibility date, writing the board’s actions were “inconsistent with all principles of due process.”

“Losing Adolph, Dolph, Man-Man, changes our lives forever. And while we will take each day as it comes, we are comforted in knowing that he leaves a legacy that reflects his heart. A heart that was for his family. A heart that was for the people,” the statement released Wednesday, Nov. 24, reads.

Police said no one was injured in the incident.

Over the past 20 months, the complex has been the scene of more than 1,600 calls for police services, ranging from violent crime to drugs.

Payne, 54, had been set for execution in December 2020.

A white Mercedes used in last week’s slaying of Memphis rapper Young Dolph was the same car involved in a double shooting in Covington Nov. 12, according to Covington Police.

“None of us are doing well, but Dolph would have wanted us out here, so we out here giving back to the people just like he would have wanted.”