The issue of crime — violent crime in particular — is center stage in the race for Shelby County Mayor, where the first stop is the May Democratic primary.

Bipolar ionization devices, manufacturers say, attack and deactivate certain bacteria, pathogens, airborne particles, and volatile organic compounds. But the CDC, EPA, an industry standards association, and even a medical journal beg to differ. 

Junior Jaylah Sheree Whittaker and senior Amelia Maria Wood anticipate continuing to write books after their first accomplishments.

The former sheriff and county mayor was the choice of Republicans in the Shelby County delegation to the Tennessee Legislature. The recommendation still must be ratified by the Tennessee Election Commission.

The Midtown restaurant will be closed for about six months during its renovation and expansion. 

Barksdale served as sheriff from 1976 to 1986.

The Election Commission’s decision not to open early-voting sites at churches during the Easter weekend is renewing charges of voter suppression.

The Senate last year approved a statewide ban on residency requirements, making an exception for Hamilton County. But last month, the House passed an inverted version, allowing them everywhere except Memphis.

Some states require police to keep DNA evidence until the person convicted dies. But in Tennessee, it can be destroyed after a conviction is rendered, leaving no way for many cases to be revisited.

Germantown Municipal Schools District hired a demographer who predicts little growth, which doesn’t help efforts to control Germantown Elementary, Germantown Middle School and Germantown High.

A day after announcing the addition of 20 state troopers to patrol the interstates in Memphis, Gov. Bill Lee Thursday, March 3, reiterated his commitment to invest in law enforcement to make the city safe.

Most of the six people who have applied to fill the vacancy plan to be on the primary ballot in August, seeking a new four-year term past the appointment. 

Brent Taylor resigned as chairman of the Shelby County Election Commission this week but didn’t mention a bid for the state Senate. 

The Shelby County mayor hosts an informational forum to talk about the Russian invasion of Ukraine and why local residents should care. 

The commission delayed votes to receive and file two financial reports from Memphis Shelby County Schools until it gets dollar figures on the rebrand.

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Six apply for appointment to vacant state Senate seat

Four of the six applicants have pulled and/or filed petitions to run for a full 4-year term in the Senate seat. In other action, the commission approved funding for juvenile counselors in police precincts. 

Brent Taylor is expected to enter the Republican primary race for Senate District 31, the seat currently held by Brian Kelsey of Germantown.

The county could see new voting machines by August of this year, but two issues indicate overall differences between the Shelby County Commission and the Election Commission. 

Over the past several years, Britney Thornton has emerged as a leader through her work with the homeless and the underserved.

Despite shifts in CDC guidelines, a mask giveaway hosted by the Shelby County Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency has plenty of takers. 

The commission won’t fill the vacancy until next month but most if not all of the names on the list are expected to be those running in the August primaries for a full four-year term in Nashville.

Harris joins state Rep. London Lamar and nonprofit leader Rhonnie Brewer in seeking the Senate seat, which has been vacant since Feb. 2.

“We are primarily arguing that this is an infringement on the counties’ sovereignty,” former Tennessee Attorney General Bob Cooper said on behalf of MSCS and MNPS.

The commission could set dates Wednesday for interviewing applicants for the state Senate District 33 seat and the Memphis Shelby County Schools board seat.

The Safe Community Action Plan is aiming for a reduction in violent crime and property crime over the next five years.