The Early Word: Taylor wants to oust Mulroy; will new AD oust Hardaway?
Are you ready to roll, Memphis? Today — Tuesday, June 18 — is International Sushi Day. If you’re looking for a place to celebrate, you might check out these $10 Deals that we found recently at Midtown Sekisui. And it’s also National Picnic Day, so maybe get your rolls to go and enjoy them in nearby Overton Park.
Over in Lakeland, the Board of Commissioners will be talking city budgets. They’ll also consider an ethics investigation into a contract between the Lakeland Arts Council and the Memphis Symphony Orchestra.
Shelby County District Attorney General Steve Mulroy is ditching plans for a new program that would have allowed some felons convicted over gun possession to avoid prison time. The program would have only applied to those with nonviolent charges, but the proposal drew opposition from Republicans in state government, including state Sen. Brent Taylor. Taylor announced on Monday that he plans to push for Mulroy’s ouster, regardless of the status of the diversion program. And Mulroy isn’t the only official Taylor wants to go after.
If all goes as planned, the University of Memphis will have hired a new athletic director by the Fourth of July. Interviews with up to six candidates are happening this month. The Daily Memphian’s Geoff Calkins looks at the tough issues the new AD will have to face with regard to Coach Penny Hardaway’s future with the Tigers basketball program. And columnist John Martin goes over all the pros and cons of the AD job.
Plus, Shelby County finally passes a budget, Collierville’s mayor won’t run again and Bartlett is the new mecca for aquarium fish lovers.
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Bianca Phillips
Bianca Phillips is a Northeast Arkansas native and longtime Memphian who’s worked in local journalism and PR for more than 20 years. In her days as a reporter, she covered everything from local government and crime to LGBTQ issues and the arts. She’s the author of “Cookin Crunk: Eatin’ Vegan in the Dirty South,” a cookbook of vegan Southern recipes.
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