U.S. Rep. Steve Cohen of Memphis had a front-row seat Thursday, Feb. 24, for Russia’s political defense of its invasion of Ukraine.

“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 bill was amended to apply only to Memphis. It will become law with Gov. Bill Lee’s signature.

The Tennessee Investment in Student Achievement bill would increase funding for schools without raising taxes, Education Commissioner Penny Schwinn says.

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 bill would have upgraded June 19 from a day of special observance to an official state holiday, giving state government workers the day off.

In her recusal, Sarah Campbell cited a rule that says, “A judge shall disqualify himself or herself in any proceeding in which the judge’s impartiality might reasonably be questioned.”

A bill by state Rep. London Lamar would require data sharing between police departments and the state health department, and would require TDH to produce an annual report on the public health impacts of gun violence.

Memphians have voted twice to use ranked-choice voting, also known as instant-runoff voting, although it hasn’t yet been implemented. 

Unfair maps can result in expensive lawsuits, poor representation for the political minority, foregone-conclusion elections and safe seats for incumbents. Partisan redistricting also causes voters to lose faith in the system and disengage from civic life.

Shelby County Criminal Court Judge John Campbell has been confirmed to the state Court of Appeals. He was up for re-election to criminal court his year, but his seat will remain vacant until after the county general election. 

“Young Dolph was an inspiration to so many and taught me that whatever you do, just make sure you get paid for your hard work,” state Rep. Torrey Harris (D-Memphis) told The Daily Memphian, referencing the rapper’s song Get Paid.

The indicted state senator is seeking reelection but is expected to face opposition as he tries to retain his seat for District 31.

The commission debated Monday whether it should fill the District 33 seat Robinson was expelled from last week by fellow Senators. Part of the argument is whether it amounts to an endorsement of the Senate action.

A brief history of the Voting Rights Act in Tennessee, and Shelby County’s protected congressional district.

For young interns beginning their careers, even a necktie can put a knot in the budget. So donors come to the rescue.

The dollar figures are among the campaign finance reports covering the past six months. They also show Republican county mayoral contender Worth Morgan has a balance of $159,540.

A Collierville critter is getting time in the state spotlight this week due to his ability to predict spring.

The governor announced a significant boost to education funding in his State of the State Address on Monday, Jan. 31, with nearly $2 billion going to higher education.

Republican lawmakers say Sarah Campbell shouldn’t recuse on the voucher case, one of Lee’s signature accomplishments.

A boost to education funding was the most notable item on Lee’s proposed $52.6 billion budget for fiscal year 2023.

Almost 82 years after the last documented lynching in Tennessee, a Republican and a Democrat want to commemorate all 154 victims statewide with Community Remembrance Project.