Why is Memphis $16.6M ahead?
The city’s expenses are up, but revenues — mostly local property taxes — are up, too.
Samuel Hardiman
Reporter
Samuel Hardiman is an enterprise reporter who focuses on government and politics. He began his career at the Tulsa World where he covered business and K-12 education. Hardiman came to Memphis in 2018 to join the Memphis Business Journal, covering government and economic development.
There are 758 articles by Samuel Hardiman :
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November 2026
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City of Memphis -
City of Memphis Young says he blocked tax incentive for data center at former Fred’s HQ
The Memphis mayor said he warned developer 5C Group not to seek a PILOT for its Getwell Road project, part of his push to require data centers to pay full property taxes.
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Elections Former City Council chair plans run to replace Brent Taylor’s state Senate seat
Brent Taylor, who narrowly defeated State Rep. Justin J. Pearson to win the recently redrawn 9th U.S. Congressional District, is headed to Washington, D.C., leaving his state senate seat vacant.
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ElectionsAnalysis: How Tennessee’s congressional delegation changed with Tuesday’s elections
Despite Republicans’ redistricting efforts, it appears Tennessee will retain a Democrat in its U.S. House of Representatives delegation — just not one from Memphis. But despite losses, the city’s Democrats may have paths forward in future elections.
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2026 elections
ElectionsHere’s who won Shelby County state Senate races on Election Day
Brent Taylor defeated Democrat David Weatherspoon to hold onto his state Senate seat.
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2026 elections
ElectionsRepublican Charlie Hatcher holds off Democratic challenge to win US House seat
Hatcher largely eschewed campaigning in Shelby County.
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2026 elections
ElectionsAll 3 City of Memphis referendums pass
The referendums could lead to large changes in the world of city politics.
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City of Memphis Lawsuit alleges City Council chair engaged in illegal activity
The suit says Jana Swearengen-Washington fired Hyman after she refused to use taxpayer money for the chairwoman’s personal requests.
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ElectionsAnalysis: The decision to ‘crack’ Memphis could backfire, but not in the way you think
The most interesting thing about this election may be what it could tell us about the next decade. Here’s an analysis of how redistricting could sooner or later give Tennessee Democrats a chance to win House seats.
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October 2026
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North Mississippi Federal judge disagrees with Mississippi regulator, lets lawsuit against SpaceX proceed
A federal judge in Mississippi ruled Friday, Oct. 30, that SpaceX’s construction of a natural gas plant in Mississippi likely violated the state’s air regulations despite Mississippi regulators allowing its construction.
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Health CareWhy Regional One needs funding help to build new hospital: ‘There are real people behind these numbers’
Regional One Health says businesses for hundreds of miles around rely on Memphis’ healthcare system as it fundraises more than $1 billion to build a new hospital.
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2026 elections
ElectionsCohen, NAACP address voting machine problems in separate events
As concerns about Tennessee voting machines have gone viral in recent days, U.S. Congressman Steve Cohen and other local Democratic leaders urged Memphians to vote — and check their ballots.
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City of MemphisWill Shelby County pay for a new Regional One? Coopwood isn’t sure.
Work is clearing the former Commercial Appeal site on Union Avenue, but Regional One says it won’t spend a second $14.4 million in county money without a clear funding plan.
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ElectionsCohen gives ‘Yellow Dog’ endorsement of Pearson as Election Day nears
Also in the political roundup, Jerri Green votes early, Marsha Blackburn returns to the culture wars, Molder and Hatcher share a stage in Spring Hill and Mayor Paul Young touts violence intervention without the Task Force.
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North Mississippi SpaceX facing $6.1M in penalties for potential environmental violations
The AI company said Mississippi’s environmental regulator is seeking civil penalties for potential violations of the state’s policies across three Southaven sites.
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City of MemphisAn obscure board and the clearest evidence yet the Grizzlies plan to stay
New public documents indicate that local government and the Memphis Grizzlies could come to a new lease at FedExForum in the “near future.”
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City of Memphis‘Temporary parking lots everywhere’ — councilwoman calls for solution to SpaceXAI traffic
For years, the intersection of Tulane and Holmes roads in Whitehaven has been a four-way stop. Despite an influx of traffic due to SpaceXAI’s construction, it could remain that way for another eight to 12 months.
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City of Memphis Pickleball at Pipkin could save taxpayers more than $3K a month
If Bluff City Pickleball moves into Liberty Park, it could save the city up to $40,000 a year in operating costs.
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City of Memphis City Council business paused after data center discord
The Memphis City Council abruptly stopped business during its regular meeting after the hundreds gathered at Memphis City Hall erupted in displeasure.
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City of Memphis 100 N. Main has $13M to $14M money gap, developer says
The businessman painted a stark, dire picture of Downtown.
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Shelby County Assessor says SpaceXAI, data centers need new tax code
New Shelby County Assessor Javier Bailey said he and other county assessors are working on legislation to tax data centers differently than they’re currently assessed.
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City of Memphis Why was your September MLGW bill so high?
The jump in electric bills is directly tied to customers using much more electricity during the September “heat dome” that hovered over Memphis and Shelby County for days.
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City of Memphis ‘There’s plenty of room’ — MLGW says Memphis is ready for growth
MLGW CEO Doug McGowen told the Memphis City Council that the utility’s electric distribution system has enough capacity to accommodate nearly double the residential customers.
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Health CareWhere the money stands on Regional One’s new hospital
Taxpayers have paid for land, demolition and a project manager, but most of the county money tied to Regional One’s new hospital hasn’t been approved yet.
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September 2026
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City of Memphis ‘What an honor’: Loren Roberts emotional as work starts on clubhouse named for him
Gifts from the Martin and Rhodes families, along with $1 million from First Horizon, are helping fund the clubhouse and a new six-hole short course.
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