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

Redistricting could fuel higher turnout, election official says

bdries@dailymemphian.com (Bill Dries) — Sat, 27 Jun 2026 04:00:09 -0500

Election officials talk on “Behind The Headlines” about the disruption of new congressional districts and how that could lead to an increase in voter turnout.

Mayor Young shakes up city leadership

bdries@dailymemphian.com (Bill Dries) — Fri, 26 Jun 2026 15:05:21 -0500

Mayor Paul Young has named a new No. 2 at the COO post and a new CFO as well as an interim city engineer.

Memphis City Council approves $5M for AutoZone Park

bdries@dailymemphian.com (Bill Dries) — Tue, 23 Jun 2026 20:13:47 -0500

The Memphis City Council approved $5 million for repairs and renovation work at AutoZone Park. It will take a broader look at multiple uses for the ballpark that is home to the Triple-A Memphis Redbirds.

Solid waste pay raise, 11 amendments complicate city budget

bdries@dailymemphian.com (Bill Dries) — Tue, 23 Jun 2026 04:00:07 -0500

The city’s new fiscal year starts July 1. Here are the issues and budget amendments that the City Council will work through at their last regular meeting in June.

'Wild, wild west:' Write-in race for Hardaway house seat heats up

bdries@dailymemphian.com (Bill Dries) — Mon, 22 Jun 2026 09:48:34 -0500

Three candidates are planning write-in campaigns for the District 93 House seat most recently held by G.A. Hardaway.

Eight candidates certified for Criminal Court judicial race

bdries@dailymemphian.com (Bill Dries) — Sun, 21 Jun 2026 18:32:59 -0500

The election is Aug; 6. The Shelby County Election Commission is preparing to mail out notices to inform county voters of their new congressional districts.

Lowery warns against complacency as county mayor race heads to Aug. 6

bdries@dailymemphian.com (Bill Dries) — Sun, 21 Jun 2026 11:37:46 -0500

Lowery in Eads, Taylor in Piperton. The political roundup is on the campaign trail and includes a D.C. roundup with reaction to the memorandum of understanding with Iran.

City and county budget seasons are winding down. Here's what two local leaders have to say.

bdries@dailymemphian.com (Bill Dries) — Sat, 20 Jun 2026 04:00:04 -0500

The Shelby County Commission is looking at a possible tax increase while the Memphis City Council is expected to keep the city’s tax rate the same.

T.J. Hardaway to run write-in campaign for late father's state House seat

bdries@dailymemphian.com (Bill Dries) — Thu, 18 Jun 2026 14:11:29 -0500

Hardaway, who was appointed to the District 93 seat in time for May’s special legislative session, announced his bid for a full two-year term.

Tami Sawyer suspended as clerk, Stanton appointed as interim

Ltestino@dailymemphian.com (Laura Testino) — Thu, 18 Jun 2026 06:34:52 -0500

General Sessions Court judges suspended their clerk with pay two days after she made her first court appearance on federal theft, wire fraud and money laundering charges.

Tami Sawyer indictment renews Republican push for state intervention

bdries@dailymemphian.com (Bill Dries) — Thu, 18 Jun 2026 06:32:18 -0500

One of the Republican contenders for governor says it’s time “to shake up the court system in Shelby County.”

‘Bigger than the devil’: Hernandez Govan is back in custody, only this time it’s federal

blagrone@dailymemphian.com (Brandon LaGrone II) — Wed, 17 Jun 2026 15:06:49 -0500

A federal magistrate judge denied Govan’s request for bail following a hearing that detailed explicit threats of violence, extortion and a criminal history spanning decades.

Can a Court Clerk be suspended? Otis Jackson was in 2011.

bdries@dailymemphian.com (Bill Dries) — Wed, 17 Jun 2026 12:54:46 -0500

General Sessions Court Clerk Tami Sawyer pleaded not guilty this week to federal charges. Her attorney said she plans to continue working as clerk while awaiting trial.

Tami Sawyer indicted, faces federal corruption charges

bdries@dailymemphian.com (Bill Dries) — Tue, 16 Jun 2026 08:09:36 -0500

The Shelby County General Sessions Court clerk was seen in custody at the Odell Horton Federal Building.

Judicial candidates blossom during election year spring

bdries@dailymemphian.com (Bill Dries) — Tue, 16 Jun 2026 04:00:00 -0500

Also in this political roundup, Green campaigns at Da Sammich Shop, Blackburn calls for a “revisit” on a Nashville data center and Rose pans Starbucks incentives, along with a look at the FISA extension and immigration funding.

County Commission sets (tentative) property tax rate

bdries@dailymemphian.com (Bill Dries) — Mon, 15 Jun 2026 22:44:46 -0500

Commissioners delayed votes on operating and capital budgets to a June 29 meeting that will also include a final vote on the property tax hike.

County Commission has major decisions to get budget and tax rate across finish line

bdries@dailymemphian.com (Bill Dries) — Mon, 15 Jun 2026 10:07:27 -0500

Adding more funding to county reserves is competing with a scaled-down lawsuit settlement, more spending and a basic tax rate that has been reduced by the state for the new fiscal year.

Reporters address SpaceX promises as Elon Musk company goes public

bdries@dailymemphian.com (Bill Dries) — Sat, 13 Jun 2026 04:00:07 -0500

The local face of SpaceX has been making a lot of news as the Houston-based company goes public with a record-setting IPO. The local controversies against that backdrop were discussed on “Behind The Headlines.”

Flyway completes Tom Lee Park transformation

bdries@dailymemphian.com (Bill Dries) — Fri, 12 Jun 2026 15:24:48 -0500

The 220-foot-long boardwalk two years in the making offers an elevated view of the Mississippi River just beyond the edge of Tom Lee Park.

Proposed Treadwell school project in question

bdries@dailymemphian.com (Bill Dries) — Fri, 12 Jun 2026 06:46:11 -0500

Commissioners suggest funding should go to existing schools in need of repairs.