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County Commission ends term with cap on school-takeover legal fees

bdries@dailymemphian.com (Bill Dries) — Tue, 25 Aug 2026 05:38:36 -0500

Shelby County commissioners closed out their four-year term of office Monday, Aug. 24, by capping the county’s share of legal expenses at $200,000 in the ongoing federal-court case about the state takeover of Memphis-Shelby County Schools.

Outages leave Memphis intersections dark, drivers confused

wrogin@dailymemphian.com (Wallis Rogin) — Tue, 25 Aug 2026 05:39:37 -0500

Traffic light outages and blinking signals are creating hazardous driving conditions across Shelby County.

Changing of the guard at Shelby County Commission

bdries@dailymemphian.com (Bill Dries) — Mon, 24 Aug 2026 04:00:02 -0500

The Monday, Aug. 24, session of the Shelby County Commission is the last of the four-year term for eight of the 13 commissioners. Here is a rundown of the old commission versus the new body that takes office Sept. 1 and a few last-minute moves on Monday’s agenda.

This Week in Memphis: Tiger football kicks off; County Commission wraps

editors@dailymemphian.com ( The Daily Memphian Staff) — Sun, 23 Aug 2026 17:00:06 -0500

Also happening this week: Germantown appoints a new school board member.

Ford sentencing delayed several times as County Commission seats turn over

bdries@dailymemphian.com (Bill Dries) — Fri, 14 Aug 2026 04:00:03 -0500

As eight Shelby County commissioners prepare to leave office at the end of August, the federal corruption case of former commissioner Edmund Ford Jr., who resigned earlier this year, is still on its way to sentencing.

Lowery looking inside and outside county government to assemble cabinet

hardiman@dailymemphian.com (Samuel Hardiman) — Thu, 13 Aug 2026 15:31:06 -0500

Shelby County Mayor-elect Mickell Lowery said that while he doesn’t think 25 days is enough time to assemble a team, he will be deliberate on appointments.

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.

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.

City leaders designate Aug. 7 to honor Memphis’ only HBCU

blagrone@dailymemphian.com (Brandon LaGrone II) — Fri, 7 Aug 2026 15:33:15 -0500

Shelby County and the City of Memphis have officially declared Aug. 7 as LeMoyne-Owen College Day.

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.

Mickell Lowery elected Shelby County mayor

blagrone@dailymemphian.com (Brandon LaGrone II) — Thu, 6 Aug 2026 23:21:18 -0500

Democrat Mickell Lowery will be the next mayor of Shelby County.

Voters elect four Democrats in first partisan MSCS board election

Ltestino@dailymemphian.com (Laura Testino) — Thu, 6 Aug 2026 23:11:28 -0500

No Republicans ran for the Memphis school board seats on the ballot. Democratic nominees bested independent challengers in races for two open seats, while two incumbents on the board secured their victories in May’s primary races.

Buckner beats Less in Shelby County Sheriff's race

sbohnel@dailymemphian.com (Steve Bohnel) — Thu, 6 Aug 2026 22:11:22 -0500

Democratic candidate Anthony Bucker claims victory in the race for Shelby County Sheriff’s Office.

Molder to face Hatcher in 5th District

hardiman@dailymemphian.com (Samuel Hardiman) — Fri, 7 Aug 2026 06:04:19 -0500

Also, two Memphians — Heidi Kuhn and Marquita Bradshaw — quickly secured Democratic nominations Thursday, Aug. 6.

Brent Taylor wins Republican nomination for 9th District, will face Pearson

hardiman@dailymemphian.com (Samuel Hardiman) — Thu, 6 Aug 2026 23:19:47 -0500

State Sen. Brent Taylor continued his political ascendance Thursday night, winning the 9th Congressional District Republican nomination.

Pearson takes 9th District Democratic nomination

nmclane@dailymemphian.com (Noah McLane) — Fri, 7 Aug 2026 06:03:43 -0500

State Rep. Justin J. Pearson capitalized on his nationwide fame and appeared ready to cruise to an easy victory in the Democratic primary.

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.

Elections, SpaceXAI and schools dominate local headlines

editors@dailymemphian.com ( The Daily Memphian Staff) — Sat, 1 Aug 2026 13:01:41 -0500

The many candidates for a wide range of local, state and federal offices were a key theme among journalists on this episode of “Behind the Headlines” on WKNO-TV.

Memphis Local, Sports, Business & Food News | Daily Memphian | News in Shelby County TN | Shelby County TN Breaking News

County Commission ends term with cap on school-takeover legal fees

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Outages leave Memphis intersections dark, drivers confused

Related content:

Changing of the guard at Shelby County Commission

This Week in Memphis: Tiger football kicks off; County Commission wraps

Ford sentencing delayed several times as County Commission seats turn over

Lowery looking inside and outside county government to assemble cabinet

Commissioner Erika Sugarmon charged with vandalism

County Commission tries one last time on new-jail study

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

City leaders designate Aug. 7 to honor Memphis’ only HBCU

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

Mickell Lowery elected Shelby County mayor

Related content:

Voters elect four Democrats in first partisan MSCS board election

Buckner beats Less in Shelby County Sheriff's race

Molder to face Hatcher in 5th District

Brent Taylor wins Republican nomination for 9th District, will face Pearson

Pearson takes 9th District Democratic nomination

Conflicting polls and what becomes of competition after the primaries

Elections, SpaceXAI and schools dominate local headlines