Memphis Local, Sports, Business & Food News | Daily Memphian | Bill Dries

Commissioner Erika Sugarmon charged with vandalism

bdries@dailymemphian.com (Bill Dries) — Tue, 11 Aug 2026 16:37:48 -0500

Shelby County Commissioner Erika Sugarmon made a brief appearance Tuesday, Aug. 11, in General Sessions Court on at least four charges of vandalism under $1,000.

County Commission tries one last time on new-jail study

bdries@dailymemphian.com (Bill Dries) — Mon, 10 Aug 2026 20:45:44 -0500

Shelby County commissioners debated whether they should do nothing and let the new commission with a new majority start anew on the issue.

August elections continue turbulent history for judicial appointments

bdries@dailymemphian.com (Bill Dries) — Mon, 10 Aug 2026 13:25:44 -0500

Also in the political roundup, two write-in candidates appeared to fizzle by the unofficial vote totals, the Memphis narrative moves into the general election campaign and a D.C. Scorecard going into the August recess.

Newly elected commissioners will watch as outgoing board tackles school budget, jail plans

bdries@dailymemphian.com (Bill Dries) — Sun, 9 Aug 2026 15:40:07 -0500

The two agenda items come as commissioners prepare to give way on Sept. 1 to a new commission and a new county mayor.

Outgoing mayor Lee Harris said state oversight will make Mickell Lowery's job harder

bdries@dailymemphian.com (Bill Dries) — Sat, 8 Aug 2026 11:47:00 -0500

Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris talks about his eight years as mayor on “Behind The Headlines” and the challenges facing his successor, Mayor-elect Mickell Lowery.

Shelby County Commission keeps 9-vote Democratic majority with 8 new faces

bdries@dailymemphian.com (Bill Dries) — Fri, 7 Aug 2026 13:48:25 -0500

The Shelby County Board of Commissioners’ new majority elected with the Thursday, Aug. 6, Election Day will retain the 9-vote Democratic majority it currently has.

Most of Shelby County state Legislature incumbents clear primaries — even those running for U.S. House

bdries@dailymemphian.com (Bill Dries) — Fri, 7 Aug 2026 08:46:21 -0500

District 96 Democratic incumbent Gabby Salinas lost to primary challenger Telisa Franklin in a rematch of the 2024 primary Salinas won.

Memphian Jerri Green to meet Marsha Blackburn in race for Tennessee governor

bdries@dailymemphian.com (Bill Dries) — Thu, 6 Aug 2026 22:13:46 -0500

The November general election matchup between Marsha Blackburn and Jerri Green will end with voters electing the first woman to be governor of the state.

What the early vote shows in Shelby County

bdries@dailymemphian.com (Bill Dries) — Thu, 6 Aug 2026 21:16:40 -0500

The early and absentee vote totals for the 14 days of the early voting period were the first released Thursday, Aug. 6, by the Shelby County Election Commission.

Surge of voters bolsters afternoon Election Day turnout

bdries@dailymemphian.com (Bill Dries) — Thu, 6 Aug 2026 20:45:37 -0500

“Sunny skies and high candidate interest” boosted voter turnout numbers before polls closed Thursday, Aug. 6.

Blackburn equates Democrats with communists in Memphis Election Day stop

bdries@dailymemphian.com (Bill Dries) — Thu, 6 Aug 2026 19:32:48 -0500

The Republican contender for Tennessee governor also talked about her plans for a state government version of DOGE if elected.

Voters make their way to polls in first 3 hours of Election Day

bdries@dailymemphian.com (Bill Dries) — Thu, 6 Aug 2026 14:11:58 -0500

As Election Day voting begins, Shelby County residents head to the polls, with heavier turnout expected during the afternoon rush hour, according to the Election Commission.

Analysis: What to watch for in Thursday's election results

bdries@dailymemphian.com (Bill Dries) — Thu, 6 Aug 2026 04:00:13 -0500

The votes counted Thursday evening may decide who advances or who gets in office. But some of the issues at play will still be around in November for the third and final election of 2026.

Election Day arrives amid ballot problems, new districts

bdries@dailymemphian.com (Bill Dries) — Thu, 6 Aug 2026 04:00:13 -0500

Polls across Shelby County are open Thursday, Aug. 6, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. deciding who wins a full slate of county offices and who advances to the Nov. 3 ballot in state and federal primaries.

Trolleys coming back Downtown this fall

bdries@dailymemphian.com (Bill Dries) — Wed, 5 Aug 2026 10:23:56 -0500

MATA plans to resume trolley service Downtown in the fall with four trolleys, according to the trustee of the city-owned bus system. Plus, an update on the city’s recently revamped Group Violence Intervention Program from City Council coverage.

Early-vote turnout clears 90K in Shelby County

bdries@dailymemphian.com (Bill Dries) — Tue, 4 Aug 2026 04:00:05 -0500

This year marks the highest early-voting turnout since 2010 for the congressional midterm election cycle.

City Council tackles high-dollar votes and ambitious plans in Tuesday's meeting

bdries@dailymemphian.com (Bill Dries) — Mon, 3 Aug 2026 16:48:51 -0500

Moving money to the redevelopment of the Southwest Twin Drive-in, final votes on two November ballot questions, a first vote on short-term rental rules and some complex bond restructures are on Tuesday’s City Council agendas.

After early voting issues, voting machines being tested before Election Day

bdries@dailymemphian.com (Bill Dries) — Mon, 3 Aug 2026 12:27:27 -0500

An early voting problem was traced to a single voting machine in Bartlett that more than 300 voters used, which could lead to lawsuits challenging election results.

Shelby County confirms second ballot glitch affecting judicial races

bdries@dailymemphian.com (Bill Dries) — Sun, 2 Aug 2026 18:37:51 -0500

A single voting machine in Bartlett and a single polling official are blamed for the problem that arose earlier with absentee ballots.

Conflicting polls and what becomes of competition after the primaries

bdries@dailymemphian.com (Bill Dries) — Sun, 2 Aug 2026 04:00:14 -0500

The Republican primary for Governor includes battling polls and a look at post primary unity — the hopes, and the reality.

Memphis Local, Sports, Business & Food News | Daily Memphian | Bill Dries

Commissioner Erika Sugarmon charged with vandalism

County Commission tries one last time on new-jail study

August elections continue turbulent history for judicial appointments

Newly elected commissioners will watch as outgoing board tackles school budget, jail plans

Outgoing mayor Lee Harris said state oversight will make Mickell Lowery's job harder

Shelby County Commission keeps 9-vote Democratic majority with 8 new faces

Most of Shelby County state Legislature incumbents clear primaries — even those running for U.S. House

Memphian Jerri Green to meet Marsha Blackburn in race for Tennessee governor

Related content:

What the early vote shows in Shelby County

Surge of voters bolsters afternoon Election Day turnout

Blackburn equates Democrats with communists in Memphis Election Day stop

Voters make their way to polls in first 3 hours of Election Day

Analysis: What to watch for in Thursday's election results

Related content:

Election Day arrives amid ballot problems, new districts

Trolleys coming back Downtown this fall

Early-vote turnout clears 90K in Shelby County

Related content:

City Council tackles high-dollar votes and ambitious plans in Tuesday's meeting

After early voting issues, voting machines being tested before Election Day

Shelby County confirms second ballot glitch affecting judicial races

Conflicting polls and what becomes of competition after the primaries