Memphis Local, Sports, Business & Food News | Daily Memphian | Metro - State Government

Here's who Gov. Lee tapped for Memphis schools takeover board

Ltestino@dailymemphian.com (Laura Testino) — Fri, 22 May 2026 18:11:20 -0500

Among Gov. Lee’s five appointments to a Memphis schools takeover board are a former Memphis superintendent and former president of the Memphis Chamber.

Why a federal judge denied an injunction against TN's new congressional map

noahmclane.news@gmail.com (Noah McLane) — Fri, 22 May 2026 06:03:18 -0500

A judge filed a legal memo a week after his May 14 decision to deny a motion for a temporary pause in implementing the state’s new congressional map.

Chancery Court hears arguments for, against congressional maps

noahmclane.news@gmail.com (Noah McLane) — Thu, 21 May 2026 14:51:01 -0500

A Chancery Court in Nashville heard arguments Thursday on a request for a temporary injunction in relation to Tennessee’s new congressional map.

Memphis man granted 1-year stay after his execution was called off

editions@dailymemphian.com (The Associated Press) — Thu, 21 May 2026 13:45:10 -0500

Tony Carruthers was granted a yearlong reprieve after his planned execution was halted on Thursday, May 21.

Tennessee prison officials won’t say if their lethal injection drugs are expired

shale@nashvillepublicmedia.com (Steven Hale) — Wed, 20 May 2026 15:41:20 -0500

Medical experts say use of out-of-date chemicals and drugs for lethal injections raises risk of prolonged and painful death.

The AM/DM podcast: After 20 years holding federal office, Cohen drops out

mcashiola@dailymemphian.com (Mary Cashiola) — Tue, 19 May 2026 06:36:22 -0500

Longtime political reporter Bill Dries joins us today to talk about U.S. Rep. Steve Cohen’s legacy and how the three congressional races are shaping up.

Lee sends Memphian back to Tennessee’s education board in new congressional district

Ltestino@dailymemphian.com (Laura Testino) — Tue, 19 May 2026 08:43:14 -0500

The appointment leaves a vacancy in the 9th Congressional District seat on the State Board of Education, which has an increasingly large role to play in setting the standards for success at Tennessee schools.

Law firm that helped reverse affirmative action may aid TN in defending new congressional maps

noahmclane.news@gmail.com (Noah McLane) — Mon, 18 May 2026 13:56:33 -0500

The state has tapped lawyers from a Virginia firm that has racked up recent Supreme Court victories.

Latest Tennessee redistricting news

editors@dailymemphian.com ( The Daily Memphian Staff) — Wed, 20 May 2026 20:21:02 -0500

News and updates on the new maps for Tennessee’s congressional districts — which split Memphis into three separate districts — and the lawsuits challenging the redistricting.

Cohen calls off congressional reelection campaign

bdries@dailymemphian.com (Bill Dries) — Mon, 18 May 2026 10:26:59 -0500

U.S. Rep. Steve Cohen said Friday that he is exiting the August Congressional primaries after the Tennessee General Assembly redrew the state’s district lines, dividing Memphis among three Congressional districts and drawing Cohen out of the 9th District seat he’s held for 20 years.

Federal judge rules against Tennessee Democrats in suit over new congressional map

noahmclane.news@gmail.com (Noah McLane) — Wed, 20 May 2026 20:21:02 -0500

A federal judge dealt a serious blow to Democrats by denying their request for a temporary restraining order against implementing new congressional maps.

Fourth lawsuit filed against Tennessee's new congressional map

noahmclane.news@gmail.com (Noah McLane) — Fri, 15 May 2026 12:10:02 -0500

Tennessee’s League of Women Voters and NAACP file suit against state election officials over the new congressional map, which passed last week in a whirlwind three-day special session.

Memphis residents claim harassment, arrest and abuse by Trump-ordered Memphis Safe Task Force

editions@dailymemphian.com (The Associated Press) — Thu, 14 May 2026 15:36:44 -0500

Emails from The Associated Press to the U.S. Department of Justice and a spokesperson for the task force were not returned on Wednesday morning.

MSCS extends attorney's contract as it prepares for legal challenge of takeover

Ltestino@dailymemphian.com (Laura Testino) — Tue, 12 May 2026 20:21:55 -0500

The contract extension for attorney Justin Bailey would keep him employed with the district for at least three more years.

Tennessee House Speaker removes Democrats from standing committees

noahmclane.news@gmail.com (Noah McLane) — Fri, 15 May 2026 12:16:10 -0500

The move came as a result of Democrats’ actions on the House floor May 7 during a vote on new a congressional map that splits majority-Democratic Shelby County into three different districts.

Redistricting update: Court date set in one suit, plaintiffs file emergency motion in another

noahmclane.news@gmail.com (Noah McLane) — Fri, 15 May 2026 12:08:30 -0500

The plaintiffs in one of the federal cases against Tennessee’s new congressional maps have filed an emergency motion for an expedited ruling.

Pearson staying in 9th, plus a few Memphis surprises on first congressional candidates list

bdries@dailymemphian.com (Bill Dries) — Fri, 15 May 2026 12:09:09 -0500

Pearson declares ahead of a Friday filing deadline for the congressional seats with new district lines.

The AM/DM podcast: Redistricting Tennessee and what comes next

mcashiola@dailymemphian.com (Mary Cashiola) — Tue, 12 May 2026 06:27:41 -0500

Metro editor Jane Donahoe says Memphis often makes more national news than it should for a city of its size, and last week was no exception.

ACLU files federal lawsuit over Tennessee's new Congressional map

noahmclane.news@gmail.com (Noah McLane) — Fri, 15 May 2026 12:25:26 -0500

The ACLU has joined the NAACP, Tennessee voters and Congressional candidates and the Tennessee Democratic Party in suing the state over its new mid-census Congressional map.

City Council to consider resolution opposing new congressional district lines

bdries@dailymemphian.com (Bill Dries) — Fri, 15 May 2026 12:06:31 -0500

The resolution is not binding on state lawmakers, who have already passed the controversial plan. Council members also take a look at affordable housing in Orange Mound.