State Government
Deepfakes, pet abandonment and laser pointers: New state laws take effect July 1
Several new state laws are taking effect on July 1, including measures regarding child abuse, animal abuse and using cellphones in schools.
Jody Callahan
Jody Callahan graduated with degrees in journalism and economics from what is now known as the University of Memphis. He has covered news in Memphis for more than 25 years.
There are 392 articles by Jody Callahan :
-
June 2025
-
Premium
State Government -
Premium
MetroHow much is the penny worth?
The U.S. Mint won’t be making any more pennies, but — with at least 114 billion pennies still in circulation — will anyone even notice?
-
South Memphis The neighborhood that birthed Stax celebrates rich history
Hundreds gather to soak up the history (and heat) where former Mayor Willie Herenton, Booker T. Jones, and Earth, Wind & Fire founder Maurice White got their start.
-
Education Southwest program will help new pilots climb through ranks faster
A designation for Southwest Tennessee Community College from the Federal Aviation Administration will provide training in school instead of while accumulating hours in a cockpit.
-
Metro It’s the hottest day of the year in Memphis
Tuesday is expected to be the hottest day of the year so far, with the heat index expected to hit 107. A heat advisory remains in effect at least through Friday, but some relief may be on the way.
-
Public Safety Ceremony remembers those killed by Memphis police
Families of people slain by Memphis police came together Saturday. They included those whose deaths were deemed unjust as well as others whose deaths were ruled justified.
-
free access
MetroA midsummer day’s heat to blast Memphis this week
A brutal heat wave is hitting much of the U.S., including Memphis, as the National Weather Service issues heat advisories for the weekend with the heat index expected to top 105 degrees.
-
Public Safety Alleged Young stalker ‘not a bad man,’ family says
“I know the conditions of the release. But he just wants to talk to him and I’m gonna ask the mayor, is he too busy?” the man’s uncle said. “(He’s) the mayor of the city. If he’s got a citizen that wants to talk to him, talk to him.”
-
Premium
City of MemphisBarking up the right tree: Local animal rescuers praise nominee for MAS head
City officials made a rare move to nominate a new director of Memphis Animal Services with a background in grassroots animal-rescue work.
Related content:
-
Public Safety Harris signs ‘Mandela Rules’ to limit solitary confinement
Wednesday’s signing won’t actually cause any changes at the jail as the facility has been implementing this policy since 2023.
-
Downtown Fire damages historic theater on Beale
When it opened, the theater was a prominent stop on the “Chitlin’ Circuit.”
-
Metro For one Trump protester, ‘The Only King in Memphis Is Elvis’
Saturday’s protest was part of a nationwide “No Kings” rally against the Trump administration, with hundreds of thousands of people in more than 2,000 cities and communities nationwide united in protest.
-
Public Safety Memphis police shoot man in Orange Mound
A Memphis police officer shot and critically wounded the driver of a vehicle in Orange Mound late Friday night after the suspect allegedly accelerated into another officer with the car, officials said.
-
Premium
MetroSpeed and freedom: That’s why roller skating will never die
The owners of Cordova Skating Center recently spent more than $100,000 on upgrading the rink. Why spend that kind of money? Because roller skating will never die.
-
Public Safety Sorrow after losing son spurs parents’ quest to prevent pedestrian deaths
The death of 14-year-old William McConnell, who died in 2022 while crossing East Parkway, inspired the William’s Walk event at Overton Park’s Old Forest.
-
Metro YMCA locations reopen under precautionary protocols
YMCA of Memphis and the Mid-South locations reopened under “precautionary safety measures.” Law-enforcement officers found nothing amiss following an “unspecified threat.”
-
The To-Do List The To-Do List: Black Pride, dog yoga and what to do for Bonnaroo FOMO
This week, Juneteenth gets started early, the BoDeans are at the Shell and the Memphis Social Bicycle Club races — in drag.
-
City of Memphis ‘Big, Beautiful Bill’ opposers rally citizens to call their senators
“So what we need to say, and we need to say clearly, is that these are measures that we cannot allow to pass.”
-
Premium
NeighborhoodsAsk the Memphian: To beat summer heat, where can you swim in Memphis?
Wherever you go, be safe, watch out for others and make sure to do at least one cannonball off the diving board.
-
Premium
Public SafetyEverybody Speeds: ‘You never know what you’re going to encounter’
A retired Memphis police officer reveals what a traffic stop is like from the officer’s perspective.
-
Premium
Public SafetyEverybody Speeds: Where HAL 9000 meets the Highway Patrol
The way to curb speeding at first glance might be to put more police officers on the street. But it’s not that simple.
-
Premium
Public SafetyEverybody Speeds: Memphis-area tickets are down, but traffic deaths are up
The number of speeding tickets dropped in 2020 and has never increased back to pre-pandemic numbers. The number of fatalities have gone the other way.
-
Premium
Public SafetyEverybody Speeds: What auto insurers really care about
According to local insurance agents, speeding tickets aren’t as big a deal as they once were.
-
Arts & Culture For some, Juneteenth a reminder of painful past
Each year, the two-day Memphis festival celebrates June 19, 1865, when enslaved Texans learned of the Emancipation Proclamation.
-
Update
NeighborhoodsPride parade and festival canceled, Juneteenth event delayed
Saturday morning’s thunderstorms that brought lightning and 1-2 inches of rain have disrupted several outdoor events planned for the day.
-