At least two people have died in pursuits since the MSTF arrived. Advocates are calling for clearer policies and required reporting.

Also in the political roundup, Blackburn talks about affordability, Hagerty’s letter as Jack Smith testifies in the insurrection case, and the difficult mechanics of write-in voting.

Gov. Bill Lee said that Department of Correction Commissioner Frank Strada will step down this month.

Hospital staff, her lawyers said, were working to save Pike’s life and, as of late Thursday, were trying to clear the two doses of the drug the state uses to execute prisoners.

It is unclear what the judge’s clarification from the bench on Friday, Oct. 2, may mean for control of Tennessee’s largest school system.

Jonah Neal was shot and killed by a member of the Memphis Safe Task Force, who arrived after Neal’s mother called 911 saying her son was threatening to commit suicide with a handgun. For those who were close to Neal, none of it makes sense.

Christa Pike is in critical condition at the hospital where she was taken after Wednesday night’s failed execution.

A death penalty expert said it was an unprecedented failure, and Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee halted the one remaining execution for the rest of the year.

A federal appeals court halted the execution of Christa Pike about an hour before it was set to begin Wednesday. 

Christa Pike was 18 years old when she killed a classmate in a jealous rage and became one of the youngest women to be sent to death row.

Also in the political roundup, Charlie Hatcher on KWAM, Chaz Molder’s fish fry in North Memphis and the art of canvassing and phone banking.

Lauren Pinkston and David Hatley are drawing the attention of the Democratic and Republican nominees for Tennessee Governor. Pinkston and Hatley are better funded than independent candidates usually are in the statewide race.

Attorneys seek a preliminary injunction to stop Task Force members from retaliating against residents who film their operations.

Also in the political roundup, a new poll shows the race for Tennessee governor tightening, and one of two standout independent candidates campaigns in Memphis.

A year since the presidential executive order that created the Memphis Safe Task Force was announced in the Oval Office, its impact and future are still being debated, touted and condemned.

The state is pouring $9 million this year into a TBI task force given wide-reaching authority across the state, including working with the Memphis Safe Task Force.

Kyler Gilkey was declared ineligible at Monday’s deadline for write-in candidates in the Nov. 3 election. It’s the latest wrinkle in a complex political puzzle. Meanwhile, five other contenders did qualify.

The appointments follow legislative action adding violent‑crime divisions after the county lost two judicial seats in 2024.

Interim state Rep. T.J. Hardaway is backing a write-in effort by Kyler Gilkey, who had been seeking the District 84 seat vacated by veteran legislator Joe Towns Jr.

Arguments in the case are expected to determine whether the takeover remains paused or whether the new state-appointed board of nine regains control over Memphis-Shelby County Schools.

“This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity,” said Tennessee Rep. Gary Hicks, who sponsored the legislation to launch the Children’s Digital Protection Fund.

A single member of the Shelby County Democratic Party’s executive committee picked Szalaj to be the nominee for the Tennessee House of Representatives seat left vacant when Joe Towns Jr. was elected Criminal Court clerk.

Michele Dial, Tom Leatherwood and Paul Rose talked legislative priorities, involving the Charlie Kirk American Heritage Act, state property taxes and the lawsuit over the MSSCS advisory board.

The Digital Protection Fund was established to hold money awarded in litigation, such as the Meta settlement, but the debate over how to use it is just beginning.