It is unclear how much the work currently underway at 495 Union Ave. is costing Shelby County taxpayers or where the money to pay contractors’ invoices is coming from.

The lawsuit paints a picture of a facility in perpetual crisis, from a major air conditioning failure this summer as well as raw sewage backups, mold issues and pest infestations.

Two weeks into his term as County Mayor, Mickell Lowery has made his first five appointments to his administration. The selections represent what Lowery calls a “culture shift” in county government.

The County Commission authorized up to $6.1 million in funding to stabilize the Shelby County Clerk’s Office and approved a $37.9 million contract for healthcare at county jails. 

The Shelby County Commission, with eight new members, meets for the first time Monday to elect a new chair and vote on funding for the jail, a new health care contract for county prisoners and more.

Shelby County Sheriff Anthony Buckner discussed getting ahead on jail maintenance, a new “step-down” unit for prisoners with medical conditions and a return to using a former federal prison in Millington on “Behind the Headlines.”

New Clerk La Sonya Hall announced the measures to clear a backlog of an estimated 2,600 car titles left over from previous clerk Wanda Halbert

The latest delay, which the judge granted Friday, Sept. 11, is the fifth since Ford pleaded guilty in February.

Ten days into the new Shelby County Commission’s four-year term, two commissioners have been formally charged with crimes, while two other local officials are part of investigations.

Memphis police have completed their investigation into the death of 6-year-old Winter Jones after she was left on a daycare bus, according to attorneys representing her family.

The campaign-sign vandalism case returns to court in October. Commissioner Erika Sugarmon has pleaded not guilty to the charges.

The six-year old tax charges came to the surface the same day Will Richardson participated in his first meeting as a Shelby County commissioner.

After a week in office, Shelby County Clerk LaSonya Hall says she has found dozens of crates of car titles and registrations awaiting processing — some dating back to June.

The Democratic nominee in the 5th Congressional District and outgoing Mayor of Columbia, Tennessee, talked about a wide range of issues on “Behind The Headlines.”

“We have got to come up with some means of keeping our tax base steady and, likewise, growing and developing our city,” the incoming Shelby County property assessor said. “Otherwise, we’re going to look like Gary, Indiana.”

It took about two hours to administer the oaths of office Monday, Aug. 31, to a group of 30 elected county leaders who formally begin four-year terms of office Tuesday.

Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris leaves office Tuesday after eight years in office and a unique governing style that shifted county government’s priorities. 

The Brooks Museum’s Art Therapy Access Program allows at-risk youth to tap into “something within them that they maybe didn’t know existed before.”

Law enforcement touts the technology’s benefits, but residents point to cases of misuse and fear privacy violations.

Shelby County’s August votes are certified, but the data may be disheartening for Democrats. Also in the political roundup, Democratic Party leaders “introduce” Jerri Green, and Wanda Halbert exits office after two tumultuous terms.

The new president and CEO of the Metropolitan Inter-Faith Association spoke on Behind The Headlines about MIFA’s work addressing poverty and food insecurity in Memphis and beyond.

The county’s second attempt to oust Wanda Halbert as County Clerk ended with a court order dictating county government should pay her legal fees.

Outgoing Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris said his portrait will take his place at the county building.

Shelby County Mayor-elect Mickell Lowery has 250 appointed positions within his administration to fill as he prepares to take the oath of office Monday.

An order requiring the county to pay Halbert’s attorney's fees was signed this week, although the county’s outside attorney objected and could appeal.