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Crime Is Down—But Who Says Memphis Is No. 1, and Can the Numbers Be Trusted?

(9.20.26 BenQQ) Memphis leaders say crime is falling, yet they gathered Saturday to warn that gun violence remains a crisis. The Memphis Shelby Crime Commission reports major violent crime fell 31.5% during the first half of 2026, while gun-related violent incidents declined only 8.5%. Daily Memphian reporter Jody Callahan wrote that town-hall attendees were told Memphis remains first among major American cities in violent-crime rate. But the FBI’s national report does not rank Memphis No. 1, and the newspaper’s public summary does not identify who presented that comparison. So who did?

A bigger question is whether the numbers can be trusted. The FBI’s 2025 report combines reported, estimated and trended data collected from participating law-enforcement agencies; it covered 96.2% of the country’s population but warns that participation and publication standards vary. The Crime Commission uses data submitted by local agencies to the state’s TIBRS system and acknowledges that its totals can differ from FBI or MPD figures because the systems use different definitions and counting methods. The figures provide useful evidence that reported crime is falling, but they do not independently establish a national city ranking or prove what caused the decline.

That uncertainty matters in the debate over the Memphis Safe Task Force. By March, the operation reported nearly 7,000 arrests and approximately 1,100 illegal firearms seized, while critics have raised separate concerns about immigration enforcement, fatal encounters and oversight. If gun crime remains urgent, officials seeking to end or reduce the task force should explain what enforcement resources would replace it; supporters, meanwhile, should show with comparable data how much of the decline resulted from the task force rather than from a downward trend already underway.

State Blocks Kyler Gilkey Write-In Bid After Memphis Leaders Unite Behind Him

Tennessee Elections Coordinator Mark Goins ordered the Shelby County Election Commission not to count write-in votes for Kyler Gilkey in the District 93 state House race, as first reported by The Daily Memphian. The September 15 directive came one day after interim Rep. T.J. Hardaway ended his campaign and endorsed Gilkey, giving voters a clear alternative.

Goins cited the state’s “sore loser” rule because Gilkey previously lost a House primary in another district. The timing and use of a little-known rule create the appearance of political maneuvering: A Nashville official—not District 93 voters—effectively decided Gilkey would not be allowed to compete.

Memphis Minutes

Saturday, September 19

Third Woman Indicted in Daycare Van Death of 6-Year-Old: FOX13 Memphis reports a third daycare employee was indicted yesterday in the death of a 6-year-old left in a hot van, with records showing the driver admitted skipping a required safety check.

East Memphis 'Citizen's Arrest' Suspect Faces Judge: WREG reports the man accused of forcibly detaining a child fishing near his East Memphis home appeared in court yesterday on felony charges.

Memphis City Council Amends Public Comment Policy: Memphis Flyer reports the Memphis City Council voted yesterday to change how residents may address members during meetings after criticism over muted public comments.

Gun Crime Continues to Dog Memphis, Leaders Search for Answers: Daily Memphian reports city, county and federal leaders met yesterday as the Memphis Shelby Crime Commission pressed for faster progress on gun violence.

Memphis Tigers Rout UT Martin 45-21: WREG reports the University of Memphis football team bounced back yesterday with a 45-21 home win over UT Martin.

Memphis Minute — delivered daily | Sources: Daily Memphian · WREG ·

Cooper-Young Festival Kicks Off 38th Year: Action News 5 reports the Cooper-Young Festival returns today to Midtown's Cooper-Young Historic District from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. with live music and more than 400 vendors.

Dangerous Heat Grips Memphis Through the Weekend: Action News 5 reports highs near 100 degrees and heat-index values around 106 will persist through Sunday before a cooling front brings relief and the arrival of fall next week.

Rich Products Seeks Wastewater Expansion at Arlington Plant: Daily Memphian reports Rich Products Corporation wants to expand wastewater capabilities at its Jetway Drive facility in Arlington to ease pressure on the town's treatment system.

Friday, September 18

Hardaway Exits House 93 Race, Handpicked Successor Ruled Ineligible: Tri-State Defender reports T.J. Hardaway is withdrawing from the District 93 write-in race to attend law school, while his endorsed successor was disqualified by the state elections office on the filing deadline.

Memphis Flyer Joins National Copyright Suit Against OpenAI, Microsoft: Memphis Flyer reports the paper joined more than 60 publishers accusing OpenAI and Microsoft of using copyrighted news articles without permission or payment to train AI systems.

East Memphis Developer Faces Judge Over Boy's Fishing-Trip Injuries: WREG reports developer Stanley Trezevant III appeared in court on a felony child abuse charge after allegedly pinning a boy to the ground twice during a dispute over fishing near his home.

Memphis-Shelby County Schools' Enrollment Slide Continues: WKNO FM reports Memphis-Shelby County Schools is grappling with a decade-long enrollment decline as the district opens the new school year with thousands fewer students.

Freshman QB Throws Five Touchdowns as Collierville Tops Arlington: Daily Memphian reports Collierville High School freshman Dominic Rocconi threw five touchdown passes to lead the Dragons past previously unbeaten Arlington in a Region 7-6A opener.

Friday, September 18

Gov. Lee Says No Sign of Imminent Change to Memphis Safe Task Force Partnership: Action News 5 reports Governor Bill Lee said today there is "no reason to believe" the Tennessee National Guard will leave the Memphis Safe Task Force anytime soon, even as Guard lodging contracts near their October 13 expiration.

Thursday, September 17

Four Homicide Suspects Arrested Within Hours as MPD Clearance Rate Hits 87%: Fox13 Memphis reports the Memphis Police Department arrested four suspects, including Bobby Caradine and Anthony McClinton, yesterday in separate 2025 and 2026 homicides, pushing the department's clearance rate to 87%.

New TBI Agents Embedded With Memphis Safe Task Force Under $9 Million State Program: The Daily Memphian reports the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, chaired by Director David Rausch, embedded 15 new agents with the Memphis Safe Task Force yesterday as part of a $9 million statewide enforcement expansion.

SpaceXAI Sued for $30 Million Over Worker's Death at Whitehaven Campus: The Daily Memphian reports the family of a worker killed in a 2025 fall at SpaceXAI's Colossus II campus in Whitehaven revealed yesterday it is seeking $30 million in damages in a new lawsuit.

Memphis Symphony Orchestra Opens 75th Anniversary Season This Weekend: WKNO FM reports the Memphis Symphony Orchestra, under Music Director Robert Moody, announced yesterday it opens its 75th anniversary season this weekend with performances at the Cannon Center and the University of Memphis's Scheidt Family Performing Arts Center.

Thursday, September 17

Mayor Paul Young Draws Backlash Amid Memphis ICE Divide: Yesterday Memphis Mayor Paul Young responded to activists who accused him of failing to fight forcefully enough against ICE, the National Guard and the Memphis Safe Task Force, according to FOX13 Memphis. Young dismissed “misinformed, silly a** posts” portraying him as a sellout. Memphis personal injury attorney Henry E. Reaves III had posted harsh criticism of Young’s leadership, accusing him of capitulating to federal authorities and failing to defend poor Black neighborhoods. The dispute is not one-sided: Other residents support ICE enforcement and welcome federal assistance in removing people who are unlawfully in the country and pursuing criminals.

Shelby County Jail Inmate Found Dead in Cell: WREG News Channel 3 reports inmate Beverly Turnage was found unresponsive and pronounced dead at the Shelby County Sheriff's Office's Jail East facility, and her family is questioning the medical care she received.

Memphis Filmmaker George W. Tillman Jr. Dies at 71: Tri-State Defender reports Memphis filmmaker and former Tri-State Defender photojournalist George W. Tillman Jr., known for documentaries on Fisk University football players and Memphis soul-music history, died September 12 of heart failure.

Wednesday, September 16

Shelby County Mayor Lowery Names First Five Appointments: Daily Memphian reports Shelby County Mayor Mickell Lowery announced his first five administrative picks yesterday, two weeks into his term, calling them a "culture shift" for Shelby County government.

Detainees Sue Shelby County Over "Hazardous" Conditions at 201 Poplar: Memphis Flyer reports five detainees filed a class-action lawsuit yesterday against the Shelby County Criminal Justice Center, run by Sheriff Floyd Bonner, alleging mold, sewage backups and broken fire-safety systems at the downtown jail known as 201 Poplar.

ACLU Says Safe Task Force Retaliated Against Activist Hunter Demster: Memphis Flyer reports the ACLU of Tennessee filed a complaint yesterday alleging the Memphis Safe Task Force retaliated against activist Hunter Demster for recording its operations, including an arrest at his home.

Hattiloo Theatre Marks 20 Years With Major Expansion: Tri-State Defender reports Hattiloo Theatre, Memphis's Black repertory company, announced yesterday it will mark its 20th anniversary on September 22 with a new 100-seat performance space and coffee shop.

Southern Heritage Classic Decided in Double-Overtime Thriller: Tri-State Defender reports Alcorn State edged Arkansas-Pine Bluff 53-51 in double overtime yesterday at the Southern Heritage Classic, the HBCU rivalry game played annually in Memphis.

Shelby County Commission Decisions Yesterday: The Bullet Points

(9.15.26) The Shelby County Board of Commissioners opened its new term Monday by approving major spending, choosing its leadership and filling a judicial vacancy. Here are the principal decisions from the Sept. 14 meeting: Read more.

‍$6.1 Million Clerk Cleanup Approved—But UNaccountability Still Prevails

Commentary report by
Ben “BenQQ” Harrison

(9.15.26) As is well documented, failures in the Shelby County Clerk’s Office reached all the way down to field-level service. Like many Shelby County residents who visited one of the office’s six motor-vehicle branches under former Clerk Wanda Halbert, I walked away with a story of long lines and sardine-can waiting conditions. But my experience was a little different, although it also began with a long wait. Read more.

New County Commission Has Today Leadership Vote, $6.1 Million Clerk Request and $38 Million Jail Contract

(9.14.26) The Shelby County Board of Commissioners meets at 3 p.m. today at the Vasco A. Smith Jr. County Administration Building. View the county’s live-meeting page and open the official Sept. 14 meeting agenda. Read more.
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Memphis Must Regulate Data Centers Without Driving the Future Across the State Line

(9.14.26) As of today, the Memphis City Council has not abandoned the data-center debate. Its Sept. 15 agenda contains three proposals that could determine whether Memphis freezes new data-center development, replaces a blanket moratorium with negotiated standards or imposes extensive water and energy restrictions. Read our full article.
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Tuesday, September 15

Federal Court Sets Sept. 24 Hearing on Memphis-Shelby County Schools Takeover: WKNO FM reports a federal court scheduled oral arguments today for September 24 on whether the state takeover of Memphis-Shelby County Schools stays paused or returns control to the state-appointed board.

City Council Takes Up Data Center Rules: Daily Memphian reports the Memphis City Council returns today to a busy agenda with multiple competing proposals to regulate future data centers in the city.

Grizzlies Games Head to Streaming: Daily Memphian reports the Memphis Grizzlies will broadcast games regionally on a streaming platform, a move discussed today on the paper's Grizzlies podcast.

Monday, September 14

Valerie June Releases "Smokestack" Music Video: Memphis Flyer reports Memphis singer-songwriter Valerie June debuted a new music video yesterday for her single "Smokestack."

City Launches Fall Jobs Program for 800 Teens: WREG reports Mayor Paul Young and the City of Memphis enrolled 800 students yesterday in a fall jobs program pairing teens with paid positions at employers including FedEx and AutoZone.

Four Teens Charged in Delta Fair Brawl: Action News 5 reports the Shelby County Sheriff's Office charged four teenagers yesterday after fights broke out at the Delta Fair and forced a temporary shutdown.

NextUp901 Launches Career Pipeline for Young Memphians: Tri-State Defender reports Mayor Paul Young joined The Collective Blueprint, Tech901 and Moore Tech yesterday to launch a citywide initiative offering free job training and paid internships to Memphians ages 18-30.

Sunday September 13

A federal judge is expected to decide whether Tennessee’s takeover of Memphis-Shelby County Schools remains suspended or whether the nine-member state-appointed oversight board regains control, as reported by the Daily Memphian on Sept. 14.

Eight Years, 34 Crates, a Jamaica Vacation, Millions Unaccounted, Mayor Lee Harris Would Not File to Remove Her, Nobody Charged — Taxpayers Left Holding the Bag

(9/12/26) On Wednesday a Shelby County Commission committee sent new Clerk La Sonya Hall’s $6.1 million bailout to the full board for Monday, Action News 5 reported, after she found 34 crates of dealer packets — about 2,600 titles idle since June — in an office still running Windows 7. Hall told commissioners...read the full article.

Nightclub Raids Net Criminals and a Deported Gun Convict — and a Fourth Amendment Fight

(9.13.26) Two late-August club operations in Memphis produced what police and ICE said they were after: guns, drugs, cash, a club owner, unlicensed armed guards, and a previously deported Honduran national now facing felony reentry...read the full article

‍SPECIAL JUDGE APPOINTED IN SUGARMON VANDALISM CASE (9/11/26) A special judge will preside over the misdemeanor vandalism case against Shelby County Commissioner Erika Sugarmon, who has pleaded not guilty to charges stemming from allegations that she removed campaign signs from voting sites during the May 1 county primary, according to WREG and FOX13 Memphis. The case returns to court in October after local conflict-of-interest concerns prompted recusals involving both the judiciary and the Shelby County District Attorney’s Office.

COUNTY COMMISSIONER BOOKED ON TAX CHARGES (9/11/26) Newly elected Shelby County Commissioner Will Richardson was booked into the Shelby County Jail Sept. 9 on two felony counts alleging he falsified state sales-tax returns connected to Fat Charlie’s Speakeasy, the Mud Island bar he owns, according to FOX13 Memphis. A grand jury indicted Richardson Aug. 25 over filings dating from 2020 through 2024; he posted a $40,000 bond and was released, WREG reported. Richardson has indicated he intends to continue serving on the Shelby County Commission while the case is pending.

CORDOVA DAYCARE DEATH GOES TO GRAND JURY  (9/11/26) A criminal investigation into the Aug. 13 death of 6-year-old Winter Jones has been completed and sent to a Shelby County grand jury, according to attorneys for her family. Three adults could face charges including aggravated child neglect, reckless homicide and tampering with government records, the Daily Memphian reported. Winter, who was autistic and nonverbal, was left for hours inside a daycare bus after staff failed to check that every child had exited.

State inspectors documented five transportation violations at the daycare the following day, including failure to walk through the bus after a route, according to FOX13 Memphis. The facility surrendered its license and permanently closed, WREG reported. The Shelby County District Attorney’s Office says the case is now pending before the grand jury.

‍How to Easily Get a Solid Start for Your Kids--Let $1,000 grow to $4,200

Not an ad. This article is for general information only and is not financial, tax or legal advice. Eligibility and program rules may change. Investment returns are not guaranteed, and examples are estimates only. Check current IRS and Treasury rules or consult a qualified adviser before making financial decisions.

By Ben "BenQQ" Harrison

(9.7.26) Here's something that should have received ongoing attention especially in Memphis. After talking to parents about the Trump Accounts that were announced back in June, I discovered there was much confusion. Understandable, given this is a Trump plan, local politicians and media never serially promoted this, what could be the greatest long term financial benefit to Memphis kids ever devised by government. I compare it to Social Security. Odd, especially for Memphis Dem Rep. Steve Cohen, who was always crowing about practical federal benefits and deadlines—for example FEMA aid, IRS filing extensions, grants, VA issues and casework deadlines. More on that later.

But if your are a parent, its time to grasp the Trump Accounts:

First, there are TWO sources of free money available to some Memphis children through Trump Accounts: a federal $1,000 seed and a separate $250 Dell family contribution. And many other Memphis children can still have an account opened even if they do not qualify for either gift. Parents should stop and get the facts for their kids' future.

1. A Federal $1,000 Seed

Children who are U.S. citizens, have a valid Social Security number and were born from Jan. 1, 2025, through Dec. 31, 2028, can qualify for the federal government's one-time $1,000 deposit into a Trump Account.

The family does not have to put in another dime, but parents, grandparents, relatives and others can add money. The normal contribution limit is $5,000 a year per child, subject to the program's rules.

To open an account:
https://www.trumpaccounts.gov/

IRS information:
https://www.irs.gov/trumpaccounts

Form 4547:
https://www.irs.gov/forms-pubs/about-form-4547

Instructions:
https://www.irs.gov/instructions/i4547

The easiest way is online through an IRS Individual Account. The IRS says completing the election generally takes five to 10 minutes.

2. Any Qualifying Child Under 18 Can Have an Account--Without the $1,000 government seed. You seed it.

The account itself is not limited to children born from 2025 through 2028. A child who has not turned 18 before the end of the year in which the election is made and has a valid Social Security number can qualify for a Trump Account. The 2025-2028 birth dates determine who can receive the government's free $1,000—not who can have an account.

Parents and family members can keep adding money over the years, up to the applicable contribution limits. The money is invested for the child in a broad U.S. stock-market index fund. Trump Accounts are tax-advantaged custodial individual retirement accounts, not ordinary savings accounts.

3. Dell Family $250

Michael and Susan Dell have pledged $6.25 billion to provide an additional one-time $250 contribution to millions of children's Trump Accounts.

Tennessee says children born from 2025 through 2028 receive an extra $250 through the Dell support. The broader Dell pledge also covers qualifying Trump Account holders age 10 and younger who live in areas with average incomes below $150,000.

That means some Memphis children born before 2025 may still qualify for the Dell $250 even though they are too old to receive the federal government's $1,000 seed.

There is no separate Dell application described by Tennessee. Parents first need to establish the child's Trump Account.

Tennessee explanationhttps://www.tn.gov/commerce/news/2026/4/10/tdci-securities-division-
jumpstart-your-childs-financial-future-with-a-trump-account.html

Tennessee Securities Division: 800-863-9117

What Could $1,000 Grow To?

Investment returns are not guaranteed.

But if $1,000 were invested at birth and averaged 7% growth a year, it would grow to about $3,400 by age 18.

Start with $1,250—the federal $1,000 plus a $250 Dell contribution—and at the same assumed return it could grow to about $4,200.

The biggest gains come when a family keeps adding money. The government's Trump Accounts website illustrates the same basic point: regular yearly contributions can make the eventual balance far larger than simply leaving the original $1,000 untouched.

How Does It Compare With Other Child Investment Accounts?

A Trump Account is designed to be simple. The money is placed in a low-cost, broad U.S. stock-market index fund. For families new to investing, its main advantage is straightforward: get a child invested early and, when eligible, begin with money supplied by the government or private donors.

A 529 plan can be better when the main goal is education because qualified education withdrawals can receive favorable tax treatment.

A custodial brokerage account gives families more freedom in choosing investments.

A Roth IRA for a child can provide strong long-term tax advantages, but the child generally needs earned income to contribute.

Vanguard comparison chart:
https://corporate.vanguard.com/content/dam/corp/research/pdf/trump_
accounts_the_new_kid_on_the_investment_block.pdf

Fidelity comparison:
https://www.fidelity.com/learning-center/personal-finance/trump
-accounts-vs-529-utma-ugma-roth-ira

This article will be moved to a link in the left column soon.

PDF for this article.

Memphis Minutes

FBI Restructuring Put More Agents on Memphis Streets: The FBI’s 2024 decision to move Memphis under its Nashville command resulted in more agents working Memphis streets and has become important to the Memphis Safe Task Force, as reported by The Daily Memphian on Sept. 7. FBI Special Agent in Charge Terence Reilly said the change was essentially an administrative consolidation rather than an abandonment of Memphis.

Artists’ Link Autumn Showcase Opens at WKNO: The Artists’ Link Autumn Showcase opened Sept. 1 at WKNO’s Gallery 1091 and runs through Sept. 29, as reported by WKNO on Sept. 7. A public artist reception is scheduled Sunday, Sept. 13, from 2 to 4 p.m. at 7151 Cherry Farms Road.

Metal Museum Opens New Overton Park Home: The Metal Museum held the grand-opening celebration for its new Overton Park home on Sept. 5, moving into the former Memphis College of Art building at 1930 Poplar Ave. The museum says the new location will officially reopen for regular public visits Sept. 11.

Tennessee Gets First Digital Protection Fund Deposit: Tennessee’s Digital Protection Fund is receiving its first deposit—more than $750 million stemming from the multistate Meta settlement—with state officials now facing decisions over how the money should be used to protect children from social-media harms, as reported by The Daily Memphian on Sept. 7. The fund itself was created during Tennessee’s 2026 legislative session.

Memphis Legislative Delegation Faces Major Turnover: Memphis and Shelby County could send a substantially different legislative delegation to Nashville after the Nov. 3 election, with several House and Senate seats changing hands or incumbents moving on, as reported by The Daily Memphian on Sept. 7. One change is already underway: veteran state Rep. Joe Towns Jr. won the Shelby County Criminal Court Clerk race Aug. 6 and was sworn into that office Aug. 31.

The Sow Project Launches Weekly Meal Service: Memphis workforce-development nonprofit The Sow Project has started a weekly meal-delivery service designed to generate revenue while giving students practical job preparation, as reported by The Daily Memphian on Sept. 7.

Memphis Zoo Wants Public to Name Two Tiger Cubs: Two female Sumatran tiger cubs were born Aug. 12 to Dari and Badar, and the Memphis Zoo announced the births and opened public voting on their names on Sept. 5, as reported by Action News 5. Fewer than 400 Sumatran tigers are estimated to remain in the wild.

No Memphis Trash Pickup for Labor Day: The City of Memphis announced Aug. 10 that city offices would close and residential trash collection would be suspended Monday, Sept. 7, for Labor Day. City-serviced Monday and Tuesday customers are being asked to place their carts out Tuesday, Sept. 8.

Saturday, September 5

Autopsy Rules Jonah Neal’s Death a Homicide: An autopsy released Friday says 25-year-old Jonah Neal died from a gunshot wound to the neck fired by a Memphis Safe Task Force agent during a May 20 mental-health crisis call, resolving uncertainty over whether his death was self-inflicted. WREG and NPR report Neal’s mother had called 911 seeking help for her suicidal son, while questions remain over agents’ confusion about whether he was holding a gun or a knife and whether federal officers were equipped for a crisis-response call.

Memphis City Council Extends Data Center Moratorium: Tri-State Defender reports the Memphis City Council moved today to extend its pause on new data-center development while officials work out long-term guidelines for the industry.

SpaceXAI Campus Expansion Draws Noise Complaints: WKNO FM reports residents near SpaceXAI's expanding campus on the Memphis-Mississippi border say noise pollution has become a major concern.

Freedom Award Honors Fred Gray, Nneka Ogwumike: Daily Memphian reports the National Civil Rights Museum named its 2026 honorees today, including civil rights attorney Fred Gray and WNBA star Nneka Ogwumike.

Tigers Host Arkansas State in Home Opener: Daily Memphian reports the Memphis Tigers play their first home game of the season today against Arkansas State after last week's upset win over UNLV.

Honor Society First at Mark Luttrell Transition Center: The Tennessee Department of Correction announced Aug. 21 that 10 inmates at the Mark Luttrell Transition Center became the first in the facility’s history to be inducted into a national honor society. The men are working toward associate degrees in business through Southwest Tennessee Community College.

Friday, September 4

Runners Honor Eliza Fletcher on Fourth Annual Memorial Run: WREG reports hundreds gathered before dawn Friday at Belvedere and Central for "Finish Liza's Run," the fourth annual eight-mile tribute to Eliza Fletcher, who was kidnapped and killed while jogging in 2022.

FedEx Freight Fires Top Executive: Daily Memphian reports FedEx Freight fired executive Mike Lyons following a disclosure to the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Revised I-55 Bridge Design Preserves More of Crump Park: Memphis Flyer reports the Tennessee Department of Transportation's revised design for the nearly $1 billion new I-55 bridge reduces the parkland taken from Crump Park while scaling back some planned improvements.

Memphis Tigers Host Arkansas State in Home Opener: Daily Memphian reports the Memphis Tigers, fresh off an upset of UNLV, open their home slate Saturday against Arkansas State.

Sanford: Memphis Leaders Should Confront Federal Agencies Over ICE, Guard Operations: WKNO FM reports political analyst Otis Sanford says Memphis-area mayors should speak out more forcefully as ICE and the Tennessee National Guard continue operating in the city with little public accountability.

Thursday, September 3

State Troopers, TBI Assisted ICE in Memphis Nightclub Raid: Daily Memphian reports the Tennessee Highway Patrol and Tennessee Bureau of Investigation assisted U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement in last weekend's raid on a Memphis nightclub.

City Council Restores MATA Board With New Appointments: Tri-State Defender reports the Memphis City Council approved new appointments to the Memphis Area Transit Authority board, restoring its full membership.

Grammy-Winning Jazz Singer Cassandra Wilson Dies: Tri-State Defender reports Cassandra Wilson, the two-time Grammy-winning jazz vocalist from Jackson, Mississippi, has died.

Wednesday, September 2

SpaceXAI Plans New Data Center Next Door: Daily Memphian reports SpaceXAI is planning a 660,000-square-foot data center on land it bought from the City of Southaven, joining three other data centers on its sprawling Mississippi campus.

Tuesday, September 1

Two Teens Arrested in 2025 North Memphis Killing: FOX13 Memphis reports the Memphis Safe Task Force arrested 19-year-old Charez Black and a 17-year-old over the weekend on first-degree murder warrants in a July 2025 killing on Bickford Avenue.

Data Center Moratorium Fight Escalates at City Hall: Daily Memphian reports the Memphis City Council clashed Tuesday over a proposed moratorium on new SpaceXAI data centers, as some members pushed new regulatory frameworks while others used procedural moves to delay a vote.

Tennessee Lawmakers Advance MSCS Takeover With New Oversight Board: FOX13 Memphis reports a state legislative conference committee agreed on a nine-member oversight board for Memphis-Shelby County Schools with power to override the elected school board, approve major contracts and fire the superintendent.

Shelby County DA Honors Crime Victims With Bridge Lighting: FOX13 Memphis reports the Shelby County District Attorney's Office marked Victims' Rights Awareness Week by lighting the Hernando De Soto Bridge in a Monday night dedication ceremony.

City Council Approves Eight MATA Board Appointments: Memphis Flyer reports the Memphis City Council approved eight appointees to the Memphis Area Transit Authority board, though Mayor Paul Young said the agency will stay under trustee Rodrick Holmes through year's end.

901 Day Draws Thousands to Beale Street: Tri-State Defender reports Memphis Mayor Paul Young presented a Key to the City to Stax songwriter David Porter as thousands filled Beale Street for 901 Day, where Young also greeted incoming Shelby County Mayor Mickell Lowery.

Twenty Businesses at Anti-Task-Force Rally — But Does “Free the 901” Really Speak for Memphis Business? And Why Did Media Jump to Their Side?

By Ben "BenQQ" Harrsion
‍
(9.1.26) More than 20 business owners turned out Monday at Tamboli’s Pasta & Pizza, the Midtown restaurant that became locally famous after refusing service to four National Guard members assigned to the Memphis Safe Task Force. Meeting at the very restaurant that denied those officers service, the owners demanded that the Memphis Safe Task Force leave the city.

But this was hardly a spontaneous uprising of Memphis commerce. Free the 901 was organized in September 2025 specifically to oppose the National Guard and federal task-force deployment. Its original coalition included ACLU-Tennessee, Black Voters Matter, Indivisible Memphis, MICAH, TIRRC, Vecindarios 901 and numerous other activist organizations. Its own website says one of its goals is to “end the occupation” by federal and state forces.

Organizers now claim 48 businesses publicly participate in their “BUYcott,” with another 10 privately supporting it. That does not necessarily conflict with reports that only 20-plus business owners attended Monday’s press conference: the smaller number measures attendance at one event; the larger number is the organizers’ claimed total support for the campaign. The Memphis Flyer reported the 48-business figure and said another 10 businesses privately affirmed support. What remains unclear is how those 48 were recruited and how many businesses declined to join. 

But the number that matters most remains missing: 48 out of how many? How many businesses did Free the 901 approach? Which businesses were solicited and why? How many said yes? How many said no? Businesses joining the campaign know Free the 901 is actively encouraging supporters to patronize participating establishments. That raises another unanswered question: Were some businesses attracted not only by politics, but by the prospect of being promoted to sympathetic customers?

Free the 901 is still recruiting, with Action News 5 reporting that organizers invited additional business owners to a Sept. 8 interest meeting.

The participants also should not be mistaken for a representative sampling of Memphis commerce. The Memphis Flyer reports that participating businesses come from Midtown, Cooper-Young, Broad Avenue, Binghampton, Crosstown, Soulsville, East Memphis, South Memphis, The Heights, Berclair, Beale Street and Downtown. But those publicly identified so far are overwhelmingly small independent restaurants, bars, coffee businesses, florists and similar establishments. 

One wonders whether these businesses weighed the potential costs as well as the benefits of joining a campaign against the Memphis Safe Task Force — an operation credited with helping drive down crime affecting both residents and businesses across the city.

Among businesses publicly identified are Tamboli’s Pasta & Pizza, Da Sammich Spot Restaurant and Resource Hub, Boycott Coffee, Cameo, Bramble and Bloom and Society Memphis. Tamboli’s is particularly revealing as the gathering place. Owner Miles Tamboli became locally and nationally known in July after refusing service to four uniformed National Guard members assigned to the task force. MemphisPixNews requested an interview from Tamboli at the time and received no response.

Tamboli’s action also demonstrated the danger in turning commerce into a political weapon. The restaurant reportedly faced a boycott from critics and a counter-“buycott” from supporters. Free the 901 is now urging Memphians to reward businesses that join its cause, but task-force supporters are equally free to spend elsewhere. The organization’s BUYcott list can just as easily become a boycott list for the other side.

The more troubling story may be how readily portions of the Memphis media accepted the campaign’s framing. Action News 5 quoted owners and managers criticizing the task force or describing harm they attribute to it, repeated organizers’ claim that more than 50 businesses were participating and revisited Tamboli’s refusal to serve National Guard members. Yet the published report included no comparable response from a task-force representative, law-enforcement supporter or business owner opposed to the BUYcott.

The Daily Memphian likewise reported that “more than 20 small business owners” joined the protest, but gave readers little context for what that number actually represents. Twenty compared with what? Thousands of businesses operate across Memphis and Shelby County, yet the story did not establish that these demonstrators represent anything approaching the broader business community.

Journalism is supposed to interrogate a demonstration, not join its parade. When an advocacy coalition arrives with a number — 20, 48 or 58 — reporters should ask who assembled the group, how businesses were recruited and how many declined. Much of this coverage instead gave Free the 901 the microphone, repeated its numbers and supplied sympathetic testimonials while leaving those basic questions largely untouched. That is not scrutiny of a political campaign. It is dangerously close to becoming its publicity arm.

Memphis Minutes
Tuesday, September 1

Opera Memphis Launches "30 Days of Opera" With Main Street Performance: WKNO FM reports Opera Memphis kicks off its annual "30 Days of Opera" series today with a strolling performance on Main Street from noon to 1 p.m.

Monday, August 31

Mickell Lowery Sworn In as Shelby County Mayor: Daily Memphian reports Mickell Lowery took the oath of office Monday alongside 30 newly elected Shelby County leaders, including incoming Sheriff Anthony Buckner, ahead of their four-year terms beginning today.

Tennessee National Guard to Remain in Memphis After Autopsy Findings: WKNO FM reports Gov. Bill Lee's office confirmed the Tennessee National Guard will stay deployed in Memphis after an autopsy found troops shot Tyrin Johnson in the back.

SpaceXAI Removes 11 Gas Turbines From Southaven Power Plant: WKNO FM reports SpaceXAI said Monday it has removed 11 natural gas turbines from its Southaven plant that powers the Colossus II data center, down from a peak of 69 non-permitted units.

Kippy Brown, Tigers Pioneer and Super Bowl-Winning Coach, Dies: Daily Memphian reports Kippy Brown, the first Black quarterback in Memphis Tigers history, has died after going on to become a Super Bowl-winning assistant coach with the Seattle Seahawks.

Memphis Zoo Asks Public to Vote on New Logo Designs: Memphis Flyer reports the Memphis Zoo is letting the public vote on four new logo designs as part of a rebrand effort.

ABC24 Lets Political Rhetoric Overrun Its Reporting on Memphis ICE Operation

(8.31.26 Media Analysis) ABC24 covered the federal operation at El Corralón largely through the accounts of (illegal) immigrant-rights activists and politicians already opposed to immigration enforcement. The station correctly attributed the claim that more than 100 people were detained to Vecindarios 901 and reported that ICE confirmed a targeted, multi-agency operation. But that limited official confirmation was buried beneath a far more extensive presentation of allegations, fear and political condemnation.

The television report prominently displayed statements from Tennessee state Rep. Justin J. Pearson—a progressive Democrat and congressional candidate—and Memphis Mayor Paul Young. Both statements focused on the people detained and the community’s fear, giving the broadcast a strong anti-enforcement frame. Their views were legitimate parts of the story, but ABC24 offered no comparable elected official, federal representative or knowledgeable defender of immigration enforcement to explain why agents might lawfully detain people encountered while executing a criminal search warrant.

Most noticeably, ABC24 did not interview a government attorney, former federal prosecutor or neutral constitutional lawyer. Viewers were given no explanation that officers executing a valid warrant may temporarily secure occupants, ask immigration questions and act upon independently discovered immigration violations. Nor did the station clearly distinguish temporary detention during a search from immigration arrest and continuing custody—a distinction recognized in Supreme Court search-and-seizure precedent. (See our story at right.)

That omission left the activists’ central implication—that the size of the operation itself suggested abuse—largely unanswered. ABC24 had not established the official number detained, how many were citizens, how many lacked lawful status, what evidence agents discovered or what legal grounds applied to each person. Those unanswered questions should have produced caution and legal analysis, not a broadcast dominated by politicians and organizations speaking for one side.

ABC24 avoided an outright failing grade because it repeatedly used words such as “alleged,” attributed the disputed detention count and acknowledged that the federal investigation remained active. But this was still lopsided and incomplete journalism. It reported the emotional and political reaction in detail while barely examining the government’s possible authority. That is the lowest passing mark: enough attribution to avoid stating allegations as facts, but not enough balance, investigation or legal context to give viewers the full story.

MEMPHIS MINUTES Today and Tomorrow

Monday, August 31

Tennessee National Guard to Remain in Memphis After Autopsy Shows Fatal Shot to Man's Back: WKNO FM reports Gov. Bill Lee's office confirmed today the Tennessee National Guard will stay deployed in Memphis after an autopsy found troops shot Tyrin Johnson in the back.

Shelby County Balks at Paying Wanda Halbert's Legal Fees After Ouster Case Dismissed: Daily Memphian reports Shelby County government is resisting a court order to cover outgoing Clerk Wanda Halbert's legal costs after a judge dismissed the second attempt to remove her from office.

68-Year-Old Hospitalized After Early-Morning House Fire in Grahamwood: FOX13 Memphis reports the Memphis Fire Department rushed a 68-year-old man to the hospital in critical condition after a blaze tore through a home on Given Avenue early today.

FedEx Cashes In on $800 Million in Tariff Refunds: Daily Memphian reports FedEx began disbursing $800 million in refunds tied to tariffs the Supreme Court struck down earlier this year.

Sunday, August 30

ICE Raid on Berclair Nightclub Detains More Than 100, Advocates Call It Memphis's Largest: FOX13 Memphis reports Immigration and Customs Enforcement detained more than 100 patrons and employees at El Corralón in an overnight operation that advocacy group Vecindarios 901 says began as a gambling and drug warrant.

901 Day Weekend Draws Crowds Downtown to Celebrate Memphis Culture: WREG News Channel 3 reports hundreds of local artists and business owners showcased their work as Memphians celebrated 901 Weekend on Beale Street.

Fashion Icon Audrey Smaltz's Journey From Harlem to Haute Couture Spotlighted: Tri-State Defender reports writer Terri Schlichenmeyer profiles Audrey Smaltz's decades-long path through the world of high fashion.

Sunday, August 30

Tennessee National Guard Halts Friday Patrols for "Administrative Work": Daily Memphian reports the U.S. Marshals Service says Tennessee National Guard members paused patrols in Memphis on Friday, even as the force stays deployed under Gov. Bill Lee's Memphis Safe Task Force.

Shelby County Fights Order to Pay Wanda Halbert's Legal Fees: Daily Memphian reports Shelby County government is resisting a court order to cover County Clerk Wanda Halbert's attorney's fees after its second attempt to remove her from office was dismissed.

Saturday, August 29

Shelby County Restricts Solitary Confinement at Youth Detention Center: Tri-State Defender reports Shelby County adopted new rules limiting solitary confinement for juveniles held at its youth detention facility.

Manhunt Underway for Cordova Shooting Suspect: Memphis Flyer reports the Memphis Police Department is searching for 35-year-old Larry Berry after he allegedly fatally shot a woman and fled the scene in Cordova.

Data Shows Widening Gap Between Voucher Funding and Public Schools: Memphis Flyer reports state Democrats say Gov. Bill Lee's school voucher program is shortchanging students and taxpayers as new figures reveal a growing funding disparity with public schools.

Memphis Roller Derby Marks 20th Anniversary Bout: Memphis Flyer reports Memphis Roller Derby is preparing its 20th anniversary bout, celebrating two decades since the league's 2006 founding.

Task Force Arrests Two Teens in North Memphis Killing: FOX13 Memphis reports the Memphis Safe Task Force arrested 19-year-old Charez Black and a 17-year-old in last summer's fatal shooting at a North Memphis apartment.

Friday 28th and Saturday 29th

Today-Memphis Mother Charged After Infants Found Unresponsive: Memphis Police charged Keenia Haynes with four counts of child neglect after officers responding Wednesday to two toddlers running into Ridgedale Street found 2-month-old twins unresponsive in an unair-conditioned home and another child holding a bleach bottle; first responders fed the infants, who became responsive, and the Tennessee Department of Children’s Services was contacted regarding all eight children. Action News 5

Today — All MSCS Schools Reopen. Power has been restored to every Memphis-Shelby County Schools campus, allowing all schools to reopen for classes Thursday after storm outages had kept a number of buildings closed, as reported by Action News 5.

Today — Shelby County Operates Under a Storm Emergency. Mayor Lee Harris has declared a local state of emergency following the weekend storm, allowing county government to redirect funds more quickly toward emergency health, safety and welfare expenses, as reported by Action News 5.

Today — Memphis Landmarks Commission Meets at 2 p.m. The commission will hold its August meeting in the Memphis City Council Chambers, where the public can follow decisions affecting historic properties and neighborhood character, as revealed by the Division of Planning and Development.

Today — Lee Harris’s Official Portrait Is Unveiled. Shelby County will mark Harris’s two terms as mayor with a 3:15 p.m. unveiling at the National Civil Rights Museum’s Legacy Experience; Memphis artist Jared Small painted the portrait, which later will hang with those of prior county mayors, as revealed by Shelby County Government.

Today — Municipal Candidates Face a Noon Withdrawal Deadline. Candidates running in Shelby County’s November municipal elections must withdraw by noon Thursday if they no longer intend to remain on the ballot, as reported by The Daily Memphian.

Tomorrow — City Council Budget Committee Meets at 1 p.m. The Memphis City Council Budget Committee is scheduled to convene Friday, with the meeting listed for public viewing through the council’s online meeting archive, as revealed by the City of Memphis.

Tomorrow — Applications Close for a General Sessions Judgeship. Qualified attorneys have until 4:30 p.m. Friday to apply for appointment to the vacant Division VI seat in Shelby County General Sessions Civil Court; public committee interviews are set for Sept. 9 and the commission vote for Sept. 14, as revealed by the Shelby County Commission.

Tomorrow — EDGE Makes a Development-Plan Map Available. Beginning Friday, the public may arrange to inspect the map covering the EDGE development-plan area and the 3535 Central Avenue parcel ahead of a Sept. 16 virtual public hearing, as revealed in EDGE’s public notice.

Wednesday, August 26

DNA Testing Could Shrink Shelby County Investigations to 90 Minutes: Daily Memphian reports new Rapid DNA machines funded by the Shelby County Commission could return crime-scene DNA results in as little as 90 minutes, cutting into the backlog now sent to the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation crime lab in Jackson.

Give 8/28 Spotlights Memphis Nonprofits Led by Black Founders: TSD Memphis reports the national Give 8/28 giving day is spotlighting grassroots Memphis groups such as Sweet Cheeks Diaper Ministry and I Am My Sister's Keeper, founded to fill gaps left by traditional philanthropy.

Crosstown Concourse's New Paid Parking Rules Spark Pushback: Memphis Flyer reports Crosstown Concourse began charging for evening and overnight parking, prompting organizer Kelsey Huse to launch a petition urging Memphis Mayor Paul Young and the Memphis City Council to expand transit and bike access to the site.

Tuesday, August 25

MLGW Still Racing to Restore Power to 20,000 Customers: Daily Memphian reports MLGW President and CEO Doug McGowen said he remains "optimistic" that most of the roughly 20,000 Memphis-area customers still without power after last weekend's storm will be reconnected by Thursday night.

Amazon Launches First North American Internship Program in Memphis: Action News 5 reports Amazon kicked off its Project SEARCH internship for Memphis-Shelby County Schools students with intellectual and developmental disabilities at its East Holmes Road facility.

Data Dashboard Speeds Up Casework at Shelby County DA's Office: Memphis Flyer reports District Attorney General Steve Mulroy said a new public data dashboard helped cut the median time to resolve a felony case by 95 days between June and July.

Shelby County Commission Caps MSCS Takeover Lawsuit Funding at $200,000: FOX13 Memphis reports the Shelby County Commission voted 9-2 to cap its spending on the legal fight against the Educational Oversight Board for Memphis-Shelby County Schools at $200,000.

MPD Seeks Continued Federal Presence After Task Force Ends

(BenQQ) Police Chief C.J. Davis told the Memphis City Council on Aug. 18 that MPD leaders have asked federal agencies to consider keeping some agents in the city permanently after the Memphis Safe Task Force deployment ends. Davis said discussions had been underway for several months, but it is unclear whether MPD submitted a formal request or received federal approval.

The request comes amid a cautious local response to the Trump-ordered task force in a city where the administration’s policies have often faced political opposition. Mayor Paul Young has credited the operation with “some success,” while also emphasizing that crime was declining before it arrived. The task force reported 10,017 arrests through June 10, although that figure combines work by federal, state and local agencies.

The task force reported 10,017 arrests through June 10, but that figure combines work by federal, state and local agencies. Davis later said MPD officers make 97% to 98% of arrests in Memphis, although officials have not released data showing exactly how the task-force total is divided among agencies. She also identified the Tennessee Highway Patrol as MPD’s most significant outside partner.

Memphis Minutes

Monday, August 24

MSCS Closes All Campuses Monday After Storm Knocks Out Power: Daily Memphian reports Memphis-Shelby County Schools closed every campus today after a destructive weekend storm knocked out power across the Mid-South, while Collierville Schools delayed start times rather than close.

Shelby County Commission Holds Final Session of Term: Daily Memphian reports the Shelby County Commission convenes today for the last meeting of its current four-year term, with eight of thirteen commissioners exiting before the new body is seated Sept. 1.

901 Day Grows Into a Memphis "Homecoming": Tri-State Defender reports the annual Sept. 1 celebration of Memphis's 901 area code has expanded into a multi-day homecoming drawing residents and expatriates back to the city.

Sunday, August 23

MLGW Says Weekend Storm Was 7th Most Destructive on Record: Daily Memphian reports Memphis Light, Gas and Water CEO Doug McGowen said Saturday's storm ranked as the utility's seventh-most destructive by outage minutes, with tens of thousands of customers still without power and full restoration not expected until Thursday.

One Dead After Hickory Hill Shooting: FOX13 Memphis reports a man was shot and killed Sunday evening near Bishop's Gate Drive as the Memphis Police Department searches for a suspect who fled the scene.

Collierville Fire Chief Breaks Silence After Forced Retirement: WREG reports outgoing Collierville Fire Chief John Selberg denied cursing at Town Administrator Molly Mehner in his first public statement since being placed on leave Aug. 10 and pushed into retirement.

Olive Branch Mourns "The Dancing Man" Killed by Car: WREG reports cyclist Quentin Ratliff, known throughout Olive Branch for greeting neighbors with a smile and a wave, died after being struck by a vehicle Friday morning on Germantown Road.

Storm Rips Steeple Off Olive Branch Church: Action News 5 reports Saturday's severe weather tore the steeple from Hope Chapel in Olive Branch, though members say their Sunday service, and their faith, continued undimmed.

8/22/26

New St. Jude CEO Sees ‘Dawn of a New Era’ in Childhood Cancer Care. As revealed by Tri-State Defender, incoming St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital CEO Dr. Charles Roberts said new treatments are transforming outcomes for young cancer patients.

City Leaders Weigh Life After the National Guard. As reported by WREG, Memphis officials are already discussing what policing looks like once lodging and meal contracts backing the Tennessee National Guard’s role in the Memphis Safe Task Force expire at the end of September.

Holy Rosary Families Protest Sudden Principal Exit. As revealed by Daily Memphian, parents at Holy Rosary Catholic School delivered a petition with hundreds of signatures and staged a demonstration demanding the Catholic Diocese of Memphis explain the principal’s abrupt departure.

Shelby County SNAP Benefits Drop by Millions. As reported by Memphis Flyer, monthly SNAP benefits in Shelby County fell from $33.8 million to $29.7 million over the past year, a decline advocates call part of a statewide “crisis.”

Collierville Fire Chief Resigns Amid Controversy. As reported by FOX13 Memphis, Collierville Fire Chief John Selberg submitted his retirement notice 10 days after being placed on administrative leave without public explanation.

Code Orange Air Quality Alert Extended Through Saturday. As revealed by FOX13 Memphis, the Shelby County Health Department extended its Code Orange air quality advisory for the Memphis area through Saturday.

Houston Routs Germantown in Season Opener. As reported by Daily Memphian, the Houston Mustangs throttled Germantown 40-6 in front of a raucous home crowd to open the 2026 high school football season.

Seven Arrested in Memphis Nightclub Raid. As reported by FOX13 Memphis, the Memphis Police Department arrested seven people during a raid on a Memphis nightclub as part of an organized crime enforcement operation.

Fired City Court Clerk Wants Her Old Job Back — City Council Slow Walks a Decision

(8.21.26) Sukita Johnson was Memphis's City Court Clerk for a little over two years before two of the city's three municipal court judges, Varonica Cooper and Kenya Hooks, fired her on April 7 — a move the judges tied to citizen complaints and alleged irregularities in the office. Johnson didn't go quietly: she says the firing was without cause and that the judges overstepped the authority the City Charter actually gives them.

Johnson appealed to the Memphis City Council within the week, and more than four months later, the matter is still unresolved. The Daily Memphian reported yesterday that an administrative hearing between Johnson and the judges is now scheduled for Aug. 28 — nearly five months after she lost the job. In the meantime, Cooper and Hooks have recommended retired Judge Earnestine Hunt Dorse serve as interim clerk, effectively pre-deciding the outcome while Johnson's appeal still sits on the docket.

Whatever actually happened inside the Court Clerk's office, five months is a long time for a taxpayer-funded office to sit in personnel limbo — with an interim appointee already installed before the appeal Johnson is legally entitled to has even been heard. If the judges overstepped their authority, the Council needs to say so quickly. If Johnson's office really did have the irregularities the judges cited, taxpayers deserve specifics — not vague references to "citizen complaints."

Either way, City Hall's pattern of slow-walking personnel accountability while quietly installing replacements is exactly the kind of opaque governance that erodes public trust in local courts.

Memphis Minute

Friday, August 21

Daycare Owner in Fatal Bus Death Still Runs Six Other Memphis-Area Centers: Daily Memphian reports Raven Marshall-Lewis, who operated the childcare center where Winter Jones died last week, still runs at least six other centers in Shelby County, four of which have been cited for issues.

TVA Signals Data Centers Could Soon Pay Full Cost of Power Infrastructure: Daily Memphian reports Tennessee Valley Authority CEO Mike Skaggs said a policy shift would put TVA ahead of other utilities nationally in charging data centers for their own infrastructure costs.

Code Orange Ozone Alert Issued for Memphis Area Today: FOX13 Memphis reports the Shelby County Health Department issued a Code Orange ozone forecast for today covering Shelby County, Crittenden County and DeSoto County, warning sensitive groups to limit prolonged outdoor exertion.

Soulsville to Host Memphis' First Affordable Home Show Saturday: Tri-State Defender reports the South City Community Development Corp., led by founder Casey Cooper, will let buyers tour and customize homes in the new Saxon-Shaw development in support of Memphis Mayor Paul Young's goal of adding or renovating 10,000 housing units by 2030.

Legendary Whitehaven Football Coach Rodney Saulsberry Sr. Retires, Joins Memphis Tigers Staff: FOX13 Memphis reports Rodney Saulsberry Sr., who won two state titles in 22 seasons at Whitehaven High, is retiring to join the University of Memphis football staff.

Thursday, August 20

Sawyer Federal Corruption Case Stays on Track for January Trial: Daily Memphian reports Shelby County Clerk Tami Sawyer's Jan. 11, 2027, federal corruption trial date stands as defense attorneys continue reviewing 50,000 pages of discovery.

Ex-Jailer Found Guilty, Second Acquitted in Death of Inmate Gershun Freeman: WREG reports a jury convicted former corrections deputy Courtney Parham of criminally negligent homicide while acquitting Stevon Jones in the 2022 death of inmate Gershun Freeman at the Shelby County jail.

Memphis Airport Authority Advances Modernization Construction Project: WREG reports the Memphis-Shelby County Airport Authority board approved contracts for taxiway repairs, a snow removal equipment shed and a new $2.88 million passenger lounge.

Letter Reveals What Led to Collierville Fire Chief Being Placed on Leave: FOX13 Memphis reports Town Administrator Molly Mehner placed Fire Chief John Selberg on leave after he said he didn't report to her in front of employees and the public.

Memphis City Council Votes to Pause Data Center Expansion, Study the Issue: Tri-State Defender reports the Memphis City Council voted to halt new data center approvals while it studies the industry's impact on the city.

Satellite Music Hall Set to Open at Crosstown Concourse in September: Memphis Flyer reports the new 1,300-capacity venue at Crosstown Concourse will open Sept. 2 with a community preview night benefiting Stax Music Academy.

MLGW Extends $2.5 Million Arena Payment — But Ratepayers Deserve the Math

The MLGW board voted Wednesday to extend a 2001 agreement sending $2.5 million annually to the City of Memphis, according to The Daily Memphian. Previously used to retire the original FedExForum construction debt, the money would now be restricted to maintenance and capital improvements at the arena—not new debt. The amendment still requires City Council approval.

The payment joins $230 million in state funding and a city hotel-motel tax increase from 3.5% to 4% in the public financing package for the proposed $550 million renovation. An earlier $80 million transfer to the Memphis and Shelby County Sports Authority came from that $230 million state allocation, rather than representing a separate funding source. The Grizzlies’ lease expires after the 2028-29 season, and Mayor Paul Young has said further public investment depends on securing a long-term extension.

MLGW’s payment is therefore neither new nor undisclosed—but extending it commits another stream of public money to the arena. Before the council approves it, Memphians deserve a clear accounting of how long the payments will continue, their effect on MLGW’s finances and what taxpayers receive under the new Grizzlies lease.

Memphis Minutes

Wednesday, August 19

Memphis City Council Advances Data Center Moratorium: Daily Memphian reports the Memphis City Council committee passed a moratorium on first reading today blocking new building permits for data centers, a move aimed squarely at the AI boom driving projects like xAI's local buildout.

Cordova Daycare Where Girl Died Shuttered, Case Heads to Grand Jury: WREG reports Kid University in Cordova has permanently surrendered its license after Winter Jones died after being left on a hot bus, and the Shelby County District Attorney's Office confirmed today the case has been submitted to a grand jury.

Opera Memphis Names Donald Lee III Music Director: WKNO FM reports Opera Memphis has welcomed Donald Lee III as its new music director, opening a new chapter for the company's productions.

Dangerous Heat Wave to Grip Memphis Through Thursday: Memphis Flyer reports the National Weather Service says a dangerous heat wave will grip West Tennessee through Thursday, with heat index values threatening the young, elderly and outdoor workers alike.

Tuesday, August 18

MPD Chief Seeks Permanent Federal Presence After Task Force Winds Down: Daily Memphian reports Memphis Police Department Chief C.J. Davis asked federal law enforcement leaders overseeing the Memphis Safe Task Force — the Trump-ordered National Guard and federal deployment — to keep a permanent presence in the city once the operation winds down.

St. Jude Names Dr. Charles W.M. Roberts Next CEO: Local Memphis reports St. Jude Children's Research Hospital named Dr. Charles W.M. Roberts as its next president and CEO yesterday, succeeding outgoing leader Dr. James Downing effective January 1.

xAI Affiliate to Pour $40 Million Into Southaven Public Safety Center: FOX13 Memphis reports an xAI affiliate will invest $40 million in a new police and fire training facility in Southaven as part of a land-swap deal announced yesterday by Mayor Darren Musselwhite.

Leadership Memphis Unveils 2027 Executive Program Class: Tri-State Defender reports Leadership Memphis named its Executive Program Class of 2027 yesterday, continuing the organization's push to develop the city's next generation of civic and business leaders.

Belmont Grill to Close After 42 Years: Daily Memphian reports the East Memphis burger institution Belmont Grill will close for good on August 29 after 42 years serving French-bread burgers to generations of regulars.

Malco Rolling Out Motion Seating at Memphis, Collierville Theaters: FOX13 Memphis reports Malco Theatres is installing D-BOX motion seating in 13 auditoriums at its Paradiso and Collierville locations, with installation beginning in late September.

Memphis Council Votes Today to Freeze Data Centers — After Handing xAI the Keys to the City

(8.18.26) The Memphis City Council votes today on an ordinance declaring a temporary moratorium on new zoning, land-use, building and infrastructure permits for data centers anywhere in the city. The measure, sponsored by council members Yolanda Cooper-Sutton, JB Smiley Jr. and Jana Swearengen-Washington, would freeze the paperwork for future gigawatt-scale facilities while the city writes rules on energy draw, water use, air quality and noise — rules that, inconveniently, do not exist yet (Memphis Flyer).

Notice what the freeze does not touch: xAI's existing Colossus campus, which already runs roughly 500 megawatts on gas turbines and pays Shelby County an estimated $25 million a year. That plant got built, permitted and powered up long before anyone on the council thought to ask what it would cost the grid or the aquifer. Elon Musk's company has already filed a $659 million permit for a Colossus 2 expansion aimed at one million GPUs. The moratorium arrives only after the horse left the barn — a pattern local government seems determined to repeat (dmnews.com).

There is a legitimate case for both sides here, and it deserves to be said plainly. Property owners and employers need predictable rules set in advance, not moving goalposts after billions in capital are already in the ground — that is basic fairness and basic respect for private investment. But taxpayers and homeowners also have a right to know what a gigawatt of industrial compute does to their water pressure and their power bills before, not after, the concrete is poured. The failure belongs to a council that let the buildout race ahead of the rulebook for the better part of two years.

Whichever way today's vote goes, the lesson is the same: government that regulates after the fact isn't governing, it's reacting. Memphis residents should watch tonight's vote closely and ask their council members why this conversation is happening in August 2026 instead of before the first turbine ever turned on.

MEMPHIS MINUTES

Monday, August 17

Ford Jr.'s Sentencing Delayed a Third Time, Now Set for September: Daily Memphian reports former Shelby County Commissioner Edmund Ford Jr., who pleaded guilty to five federal counts of tax evasion tied to nonprofit grant money, had his sentencing pushed from today to September 16.

Extreme Heat Warning Grips Memphis Through Midweek: WREG reports the City of Memphis kept its Emergency Cooling Center open as the National Weather Service warned of heat index values as high as 113 degrees.

Scheffler Runs Away with FedEx St. Jude Championship: WREG reports Scottie Scheffler closed with a 66 to win the FedEx St. Jude Championship at TPC Southwind by eight shots.

Sunday, August 16

Two Critically Wounded in Frayser Shooting, Victims Show Up at Fire Station: WREG reports a man and woman arrived in critical condition at a Memphis Fire Department station near Frayser after a shooting on Madewell Drive, with no suspects yet identified.

FESJC Charity Tradition Keeps Helping Memphis Kids: Tri-State Defender reports the FedEx St. Jude Championship's charitable giving continues to fund pediatric care for children treated at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

Saturday, August 15

Memphis City Council Weighs Moratorium on Data Center Construction: Daily Memphian reports the Memphis City Council will consider a temporary halt on new data centers today, a move unlikely to affect Elon Musk's existing local facilities.

Westy's Closes Its Doors After Four Decades in Downtown Memphis: Memphis Flyer reports the Pinch District staple served its last hot fudge pie today after owner Jake Schorr was unable to find a buyer.

Memphis Theaters Open New Seasons with Whodunits and Classics: WKNO FM reports Hattiloo Theatre opens its 20th season with "Speak, Salvation, Speak" as Memphis stages roll out their 2026-2027 lineups.

Friday, August 14

Memphis City Council to Weigh Data Center Moratorium: Daily Memphian reports the Memphis City Council will consider pausing new data center development in the city best known nationally for Elon Musk's xAI facility in Southwest Memphis.

6-Year-Old Autistic Girl Dies After Being Left on Daycare Bus, Father Says: Daily Memphian reports Bryan Jones says his daughter was never dropped off at her Cordova elementary school after her daycare bus ride, and the Memphis Police Department is now investigating her death.

Ford Corruption Sentencing Still Delayed as Commission Turns Over: Daily Memphian reports the federal corruption sentencing of former Shelby County Commission member Edmund Ford Jr. remains unresolved as eight commissioners prepare to leave office at the end of August.

Thursday, August 13

Tennessee Executes Darrell Hines Despite Push for Execution Protocol Review: Memphis Flyer reports the state executed death-row inmate Darrell Hines at Riverbend Maximum Security Institution after Gov. Bill Lee declined clemency and the U.S. Supreme Court refused to intervene.

16-Year-Old Charged With Murder in North Memphis College Send-Off Shooting: WREG reports a 16-year-old was charged with first-degree murder after a college send-off party shooting left a doctor dead and four others wounded, with the Memphis Police Department making the arrest.

Shelby County Commission Freezes Universal Pre-K Funding, Eyes Fall Revisit: Tri-State Defender reports commissioners voted 11-0 to hold universal pre-K funding at FY2026 levels, with Shelby County Mayor-elect Mickell Lowery vowing to make early childhood education his top priority.

Dixon Gallery Director Kevin Sharp to Retire After 19 Years: Memphis Flyer reports Kevin Sharp will step down from the Dixon Gallery and Gardens once a successor is found, capping nearly two decades leading the Memphis museum.

Shelby County Approves $1.8 Billion School Budget a Month Late — With No MSCS Official Answering Questions

(8.13.26) The Shelby County Commission voted 7-4 on Aug. 10 to approve the $1.799 billion Memphis-Shelby County Schools budget—more than a month after the usual June 30 deadline and one week after classes began. The plan includes about $200 million for building improvements. ABC24 also reported on the approval.

Commissioners redirected $11.9 million from a proposed new Treadwell K-8 school to deferred maintenance. The budget also calls for eliminating about 345 positions following recent school closures.

No MSCS official addressed the commission, leaving questions about a $120 million amendment and which budget the district was using when school opened. Commissioner Charlie Caswell said board member Stephanie Love tried to attend but could not enter the parking garage, according to the Tri-State Defender.

The board is fighting state oversight after firing Superintendent Marie Feagins less than 10 months into her tenure and facing a state audit that flagged $54.2 million in possible fraud, waste or abuse. Approving another late budget without anyone available to explain it gives the board’s critics fresh reason to expect the governance mess to continue.

MEMPHIS MINUTES

Wednesday, August 12

Prince Mongo Dies After Fall at His East Memphis Home: Daily Memphian reports Robert "Prince Mongo" Hodges, the flamboyant perennial Memphis mayoral candidate, died this week at his East Memphis home at age 89.

Memphis International Airport Officially Renamed for Fred Smith: Daily Memphian reports federal, state and local officials gathered today to formally rename the airport in honor of late FedEx founder Fred Smith.

Collierville Fire Chief Placed on Administrative Leave: FOX13 Memphis reports the Town of Collierville placed Fire Chief John Selberg on administrative leave today, just over three years after he took over the department.

Two Suspects Held in Douglass Mass Shooting That Killed Woman, Injured Four: FOX13 Memphis reports the Memphis Police Department has two of three suspects in custody in the weekend shooting that killed one woman and wounded four others in the Douglass community.

Theatre Memphis Opens 106th Season With "The Music Man": WKNO FM reports Theatre Memphis opens its 106th season with a production of the beloved musical, nearly 70 years after its Broadway debut.

Tuesday, August 11

Commissioner Erika Sugarmon Charged With Vandalism: Daily Memphian reports Shelby County Commissioner Erika Sugarmon appeared in General Sessions Court on at least four vandalism charges tied to removing rival candidates' campaign signs.

Governor Won't Stop Hines Execution as Death Row Inmate Petitions Supreme Court: Memphis Flyer reports Gov. Bill Lee declined to halt Thursday's scheduled execution of death row inmate Anthony Darrell Hines, whose attorneys have now petitioned the U.S. Supreme Court over the state's lethal-injection protocol.

Hearing to Determine if City Violated Public Records Law: Memphis Flyer reports the Shelby County Chancery Court will hear whether the City of Memphis violated the Tennessee Public Records Act by withholding Memphis Police Department disciplinary records tied to the March "No Kings Day" protest.

Molder Makes Memphis "Ground Zero" in Bid to Flip Redrawn District 5: Tri-State Defender reports Columbia Mayor Chaz Molder launched his general-election campaign for Tennessee's redrawn 5th Congressional District with U.S. Rep. Steve Cohen and Shelby County Mayor-elect Mickell Lowery at his side.

Tuesday, August 11

Fatal Shootout Leaves Family Grieving, Lawmakers Target Memphis 'Trap Houses': Daily Memphian reports Memphis lawmakers and grieving relatives of Shandrika Hayslett Douglass, killed in a weekend shootout at a college send-off party, are demanding the closure of neighborhood "trap houses."

Shelby County Commissioner Appears in Court on Vandalism Charges: FOX13 Memphis reports a sitting Shelby County Commissioner appeared in court Tuesday facing misdemeanor vandalism charges.

Video Surfaces of Weekend Raid at Hickory Hill's Legends Lounge: Memphis Flyer reports the club saw 27 reported incidents — including assaults with firearms and vehicle thefts — in the seven months before the Memphis Safe Task Force raided the venue and made arrests over the weekend.

xAI Sues Former Contractor Over Alleged Overbilling: FOX13 Memphis reports xAI is suing former contractor Darana Hybrid and the International Hot Rod Association, both owned by Darryl Cuttell, alleging misuse of millions of dollars tied to its Memphis-area operation.

Drug-Resistant Fungus Confirmed Spreading Into Tennessee, Mississippi: FOX13 Memphis reports confirmed cases of the drug-resistant fungus Candida auris have reached both states, though a physician says healthy residents face low risk.

Shelby County Commission Presses Mayor Harris on Jail Conditions: WKNO FM reports the Shelby County Commission sent another nonbinding resolution to County Mayor Lee Harris demanding action on conditions at the county jail.

Monday, August 10

Regional One Unveils Design for $1 Billion Hospital Campus: Tri-State Defender reports Regional One Health and Shelby County leaders revealed renderings for a roughly $1 billion new hospital campus.

Incumbent School Board Members Brace for New Fights With the State: Daily Memphian reports incumbent Memphis-Shelby County Schools suburban board members, having secured new four-year terms, are bracing for continued conflict with state education policy.

FedEx St. Jude Championship Field Set for Final Run at Elite Status: Daily Memphian reports the field for TPC Southwind's tournament, opening Thursday, includes the PGA Tour's current top 10 players and eight former FedExCup champions.

Memphis Safe Task Force Arrests Two Teens in 2025 Bickford Avenue Killing: FOX13 Memphis reports the Memphis Safe Task Force arrested 19-year-old Charez Black and an unnamed 17-year-old on first-degree murder charges in the July 2025 shooting death of a 19-year-old at a North Memphis apartment complex.

State Oversight Board Advances Toward Memphis-Shelby County Schools Takeover: FOX13 Memphis reports Tennessee lawmakers finalized a nine-member oversight board with power to override Memphis-Shelby County Schools' elected board, approve contracts over $50,000, and fire the superintendent.

Metal Museum's Rust Hall Blends Old Craft With New Design Ahead of September Reopening: Daily Memphian reports the Metal Museum's Rust Hall renovation in Midtown will blend historic architecture with new features when it reopens in September.

Sunday, August 9 (weekend roundup)

SpaceXAI Sues Contractor Darana Hybrid, Alleges $500 Million Fraud Scheme: Daily Memphian reports SpaceXAI accused contractor Darana Hybrid and CEO Darryl Cuttell of overbilling and diverting funds during construction of its Memphis-area Colossus data centers, seeking more than $500 million in damages.

Memphis Man Killed by Police After 10-Hour Standoff in Byhalia: Russell Kelly Jr., 47, of Memphis was shot and killed by police early Sunday after a nearly 10-hour standoff in Byhalia, Mississippi, that began when officers say he shot and killed a woman inside a home on Church Station Parkway. The Mississippi Bureau of Investigation is now reviewing the officer-involved shooting, which followed exchanges of gunfire between Kelly and DeSoto County SWAT, reports Action News 5.

Woman Killed, Four Hurt When Gunfire Erupts at North Memphis Block Party: A woman died and four others were hospitalized after a fight escalated into gunfire at a Saturday night block party in the 1700 block of Brookins Street, Memphis police say. Several homes and vehicles were also struck by bullets before the unknown shooter or shooters fled the scene, reports Action News 5.

Newly Elected Commissioners Watch Outgoing Board Tackle Budget, Jail Plans: The outgoing Shelby County Commission took up the Memphis-Shelby County Schools budget and jail planning Friday as newly elected members looked on, with the current board set to hand power to a new commission and incoming county mayor Mickell Lowery on Sept. 1. Reports the Daily Memphian.

‍Memphis Man Killed by Police After 10-Hour Standoff in Byhalia: Russell Kelly Jr., 47, of Memphis was shot and killed by police early Sunday after a nearly 10-hour standoff in Byhalia, Mississippi, that began when officers say he shot and killed a woman inside a home on Church Station Parkway. The Mississippi Bureau of Investigation is now reviewing the officer-involved shooting, which followed exchanges of gunfire between Kelly and DeSoto County SWAT, reports Action News 5.

Woman Killed, Four Hurt When Gunfire Erupts at North Memphis Block Party: A woman died and four others were hospitalized after a fight escalated into gunfire at a Saturday night block party in the 1700 block of Brookins Street, Memphis police say. Several homes and vehicles were also struck by bullets before the unknown shooter or shooters fled the scene, reports Action News 5.

Newly Elected Commissioners Watch Outgoing Board Tackle Budget, Jail Plans: The outgoing Shelby County Commission took up the Memphis-Shelby County Schools budget and jail planning Friday as newly elected members looked on, with the current board set to hand power to a new commission and incoming county mayor Mickell Lowery on Sept. 1. Reports the Daily Memphian.

Yesterday, Aug 8

Trial Begins for Two Shelby County Jailers Charged in 2022 Inmate Death: A jury began hearing testimony Friday in the murder trial of Shelby County jailers Courtney Parham and Stevon Jones, two of nine officers charged in the 2022 in-custody death of inmate Gershun Freeman. Video shown in court Saturday depicted officers punching, kicking and pepper-spraying a naked, struggling Freeman as they restrained him, testimony the medical examiner tied to the cardiac arrest that killed him, reports Action News 5.

Man Critical After North Memphis Shooting: A man was critically injured in a shooting near Chelsea and Peres avenues in North Memphis on Saturday evening, Memphis police say. The suspect fled eastbound on Peres Avenue in a black Nissan sedan, and the investigation remains active, reports Action News 5.

MPD Officer Injured in I-240 Crash: A Memphis police officer was hospitalized in non-critical condition Saturday morning after a single-vehicle crash on Interstate 240 at Getwell Road, police say. The eastbound exit ramp reopened by midday following the crash, reports Action News 5.

Women's Foundation for a Greater Memphis Builds New Playground for Vance Avenue Children:Tri-State Defender reports the Women's Foundation for a Greater Memphis helped build a new playground today for children in the Vance Avenue neighborhood as part of its community investment work.

AUGUST 7

Rep. Andy Ogles Loses GOP Primary to Charlie Hatcher in Redrawn Memphis-Area District: On Thursday, August 6, former Tennessee Agriculture Commissioner Charlie Hatcher defeated Andy Ogles in the Republican primary for the newly redrawn 5th Congressional District.

Pearson, Taylor Advance to November Faceoff in 9th Congressional District: On Thursday, August 6, Democratic state Rep. Justin Pearson and Republican state Sen. Brent Taylor won their primaries to compete for Tennessee's redrawn 9th Congressional District seat, according to FOX13 Memphis.

Millington Police Officer Indicted on Two Felony Counts, Expected to Be Fired: This week, a Millington Police Department officer was indicted on two felony counts following a monthslong investigation whose underlying allegations remain unclear, according to the Daily Memphian.

MATA Ridership Rises 30% as Free Fares Continue, New Buses Arrive: On Thursday, August 6, the Tri-State Defender reported that Memphis Area Transit Authority ridership has risen 30% since the elimination of fares, while new buses are arriving and Main Street trolley service is targeted to return this fall.

August 6

DA Says Memphis Police Arrested the Wrong Woman in OUTMemphis Shooting: Adriana Tyler spent nearly three months in Shelby County custody after Memphis Police arrested her a day after a May shooting outside OUTMemphis left two people critically injured, but the District Attorney's office now says investigators had the wrong suspect. Tyler's attorney said she "shouldn't have to prove her innocence" but had to anyway before the mistake was corrected. The Daily Memphian reports.

MATA Plans to Bring Trolleys Back Downtown This Fall: The Memphis Area Transit Authority intends to resume Downtown trolley service this fall with four trolleys, according to the transit system's trustee. City Council also received an update on the city's revamped Group Violence Intervention Program during Tuesday's meeting. The Daily Memphian reports.

HVAC Worker Charged With Killing Coworker Outside Midtown Elementary School: Memphis Police charged 21-year-old Ashton Williams with voluntary manslaughter after a workplace argument over tools escalated into a shooting outside Rozelle Elementary School that left his coworker dead. The confrontation Tuesday morning sent patrol cars, fire trucks and ambulances to the 1000 block of Roland Street, alarming nearby parents and students. La Prensa Latina reports.

August 4

Memphis Sanitation Union Reaches Tentative Pay Deal With City: AFSCME Local 1733, representing Memphis sanitation workers, reached a tentative wage-increase agreement with Mayor Paul Young's administration. The Daily Memphian reports.

City of Memphis Moves to Refinance $150 Million in Debt to Cut Interest Costs: The City of Memphis is looking to refinance roughly $150 million in debt in an effort to reduce interest payments, city finance officials state. The Daily Memphian reports.

Musk Says SpaceXAI Could Add More Memphis-Area Data Centers Within a Year: Elon Musk said his company could operate significantly more Mid-South data centers by this time next year, adding to the four SpaceXAI facilities already running in the region, three of which draw power in part from a controversial Southaven power plant. The Daily Memphian reports.

Mississippi AG Lynn Fitch Enters Governor's Race as a "Trump Conservative": Lynn Fitch, who became Mississippi's first female attorney general in 2020, launched her campaign for governor branding herself a Trump-aligned conservative. The Daily Memphian reports.

City Hall Gives AFSCME a $22 Wage Floor—Memphis Taxpayers Still Don’t Know the Full Cost. Is It Time to Put AI to Work? 

(8.5.26 BenQQ) Memphis city government has reportedly reached a tentative agreement establishing a $22 hourly wage floor for hundreds of employees represented by AFSCME Local 1733, along with a 5% increase for sanitation workers. Better pay may help the city recruit and retain dependable workers, but City Hall owes taxpayers more than an announcement: It should publish the complete annual cost, including overtime, payroll taxes, pensions and benefits.

The arithmetic can become expensive quickly. For 364 full-time employees, every additional $1 an hour represents approximately $757,000 a year in base wages. A worker moving from $18 to $22 an hour would receive about $8,320 more annually; applied to all 364 positions, that would approach $3 million before benefits and overtime. If the average increase were $5 an hour, the annual base-pay cost would approach $3.8 million.

That matters because personnel already dominate Memphis city spending. Mayor Paul Young’s proposed $898 million operating budget for fiscal year 2027 reportedly devoted about $652 million—or nearly 73%—to personnel costs. Police and fire personnel alone accounted for approximately $500 million. Every permanent wage commitment therefore competes with street repairs, public safety equipment, parks, debt obligations and future tax relief.

This is where Memphis should begin asking a question most local governments have been reluctant to confront: Before adding recurring payroll costs, has City Hall determined which tasks can be completed faster and less expensively with artificial intelligence, automation and modern software? 

AI cannot collect garbage, repair a broken water main, operate heavy equipment or safely perform most field work. It should not be used as an excuse to eliminate necessary employees or hand consequential decisions to an unaccountable computer. But many government positions include repetitive administrative work: entering data, sorting service requests, preparing routine correspondence, summarizing reports, reviewing forms, scheduling inspections, answering common questions and locating records.

Other governments are already testing those possibilities. San Francisco provided approximately 30,000 city employees access to an AI assistant for tasks such as drafting reports, analyzing information and summarizing documents; employees conducted more than one million interactions across over 40 departments during the program’s first several months. Its experience also showed that AI was adopted most readily in administrative offices and least by employees whose jobs depend primarily on physical work.

Research on government transactions points to the same distinction. One study examining British public administration estimated that 84% of complex but repetitive government transactions studied were highly susceptible to automation. That does not mean 84% of public employees can be dismissed. It means a large share of their routine workload may be streamlined, allowing governments to process more work with fewer vacancies, less overtime and slower payroll growth.

Memphis should begin with an independent, department-by-department productivity audit. City Hall should identify repetitive tasks suitable for automation, measure the hours currently devoted to them and require every proposed wage or staffing increase to include a publicly available fiscal-impact statement. Savings could be achieved through attrition and the elimination of unnecessary vacancies rather than abrupt layoffs.

The issue is not whether a city employee deserves $22 an hour. The issue is whether Memphis taxpayers deserve proof that every position is necessary, every department is operating efficiently and every available technology has been considered before another permanent expense is added to the city budget.

AFSCME has every right to negotiate aggressively for its members. City Hall has an equally serious duty to negotiate for the people who pay the bill. I have requested a response to this story from the mayor.

Memphis Minutes

August 4

FedEx Reveals New Detail on $400 Million Hercules Project: FedEx has released additional detail on its $400 million Hercules facility, which will total nearly 1.6 million square feet at Memphis International Airport. The project adds to the shipping giant's continued build-out at its hometown hub. Daily Memphian reports.

Mississippi AG Lynn Fitch Enters Governor's Race as a Trump Conservative: Mississippi Attorney General Lynn Fitch has entered the state's governor's race, branding herself a Trump conservative. Fitch became Mississippi's first female attorney general when she took office in 2020. Daily Memphian reports.

DeSoto County Supervisor Takes the Stand in Lawsuit Against Mississippi: DeSoto County Supervisor Robert Foster testified Monday in the lawsuit he and three other county residents filed against the State of Mississippi over the creation of a new judicial subdistrict. Foster faced questions over the timing of the suit, which challenges a state Legislature move that also added two judgeships to the county. Daily Memphian reports.

Shelby County Early-Vote Turnout Clears 90,000: Early voting in Shelby County has topped 90,000 ballots ahead of Thursday's Aug. 6 election, marking the highest early-vote turnout for a midterm cycle since 2010. Daily Memphian reports.

August 3

MSCS Opens 2026-27 School Year With State Takeover Still Paused: Memphis-Shelby County Schools opened Monday with enrollment near 106,000, up from last year, while the state's takeover of the district remains blocked under a federal court order. Superintendent Roderick Richmond said roughly 300 teaching positions remain vacant, with offers out for only 70 of them. Chalkbeat reports.

Man Critically Injured in Raleigh Neighborhood Shooting: The Memphis Police Department is investigating a Monday morning shooting in the Raleigh neighborhood that left a man with critical gunshot wounds. Officers responded just after 8:10 a.m. to the 4700 block of Bluff Wood Cove, and no suspect information has been released. La Prensa Latina reports.

Bartlett Alderman Revives Push for Suburbs to Split From Shelby County: Bartlett Alderman David Reaves is renewing his call for Shelby County's suburbs to break away and form their own county, an idea that first surfaced more than 35 years ago. Reaves is also floating an option for the six outlying cities to merge into adjacent counties instead, though no new county has formed in Tennessee in nearly 150 years. Daily Memphian reports.

Jury Selection Begins in Trial of Former Jailers Charged in Gershun Freeman's Death: Jury selection began Monday in the trial of Stevon Jones and Courtney Parham, two former Shelby County jailers each facing a second-degree murder charge in the 2022 death of inmate Gershun Freeman at 201 Poplar. Freeman's death was ruled a homicide after he was restrained during an altercation with jailers; the process is expected to stretch into Wednesday. Action News 5 reports.

Police Chase From East Memphis Leaves Officers, Suspects Injured: A police pursuit that began early Monday at an East Memphis hotel ended with three arrests after the suspects' car rammed two patrol vehicles and blew a tire near Thomas Street and Corrine Avenue. A Memphis police officer and two suspects were hospitalized with injuries described as non-life-threatening. La Prensa Latina reports.

August 1

Memphis Sewer-Rate Increase Takes Effect: ABC24 reports the sewer rate paid by Memphis customers increases today from $3.32 to $4.48 per 1,000 gallons of wastewater flow, the first phase of a multiyear increase approved by the Memphis City Council.

Final Day of Early Voting Arrives in Shelby County: Daily Memphian reports today is the final day of early voting before Shelby County voters decide county, state and federal races in the Thursday, Aug. 6, election.

Memphis Schools Hold Back-to-School Activities: ABC24 reports Memphis-Shelby County Schools campuses are holding scheduled back-to-school activities as families prepare for the beginning of the new academic year.

Tennessee Tax-Free Weekend Continues Today: Action News 5 reports Tennessee’s annual sales-tax holiday continues today, allowing shoppers to purchase qualifying clothing and school supplies priced at $100 or less and personal computers priced at $1,500 or less without paying sales tax.

City Council Prepares to Consider Development Measures: Daily Memphian reports the Memphis City Council will consider development resolutions Tuesday involving property near A.W. Willis Avenue and North Fourth Street, Phillips Farms and a residential project at 272 North Bellevue Boulevard.

Elections, SpaceXAI and Schools Lead Local Discussion: Daily Memphian reports Memphis journalists appearing on WKNO-TV’s Behind the Headlines discussed the approaching elections, the regional expansion of SpaceXAI and the uncertain future of Memphis-Shelby County Schools.

FedEx Plans Airport-Facility Expansion: Daily Memphian reports FedEx has filed plans for an addition to its international freight facilities at Memphis International Airport.

Downtown Visitor Activity Continues Its Recovery: Daily Memphian reports the number of people visiting Downtown Memphis has reached approximately 85% of its pre-COVID level, according to the Downtown Memphis Commission.

Old Police Headquarters Considered for Juvenile Court: Daily Memphian reports Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris is considering renovating the former Memphis Police Department headquarters as a new home for Memphis-Shelby County Juvenile Court, although Juvenile Court Judge Tarik Sugarmon opposes the proposal.

SpaceXAI Contractor Claims It Is Owed for Data-Center Work: Action News 5 reports a mechanical contractor that helped build the Colossus and Colossus II data centers says SpaceXAI has not fully paid the company for work performed since 2024.

Historic Nineteenth Century Club Building Listed for Sale: Daily Memphian reports the historic Nineteenth Century Club building at 1433 Union Ave., originally constructed as a private residence in 1909, has been placed on the market.

Early-Voting Turnout Runs Ahead of 2022: Daily Memphian reports Shelby County’s early-voting turnout is running ahead of the comparable 2022 election as voters cast their final early ballots today ahead of Thursday’s election.

Memphis Schools Face Audit, State Oversight and Possible Closures: Daily Memphian reports Memphis-Shelby County Schools begins the new academic year with unresolved leadership questions, a forensic audit, state scrutiny, chronic-absenteeism concerns and the possibility of additional school closures.

Central Library’s Used Bookstore Reopens: Daily Memphian reports the secondhand bookstore inside the Benjamin L. Hooks Central Library has reopened following a temporary pause, although other Friends of the Library book-sale operations remain suspended.

Memphis Arts Leaders Discuss the Importance of Place: Daily Memphian reports local arts leaders are examining how Memphis neighborhoods, institutions and community identity influence the city’s artistic development.

Back-to-School Giveaways Held Across the Mid-South: Action News 5 reports community organizations are holding school-supply giveaways today and during the coming days as Mid-South families prepare for students to return to class.

Congressional Candidate Campaigns on Data-Center Regulation: Action News 5 reports Memphis City Councilwoman Yolanda Cooper-Sutton has entered the race for Tennessee’s 5th Congressional District and says she would pursue federal restrictions and oversight for large data centers.

Collierville Honors Trey Erwin With Library Donations: Action News 5 reports Collierville leaders and Trey Erwin’s family are marking what would have been his 30th birthday by encouraging donations to the Friends of the Collierville Burch Library.

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