Universal pre-K money in Shelby County tied up amid ongoing negotiations
Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris’ goals as he leaves office at the end of August include negotiating new terms for funding universal prekindergarten services across the county.
Topic: Lee Harris
RSSThere are 603 article(s) tagged Lee Harris:
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January 2026
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After inmate deaths, Harris says Shelby County Jail needs real reform, not rhetoric
Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris is calling for stronger reforms at the Shelby County Jail, saying the Sheriff’s plan falls short amid a rise in inmate deaths and what he described as a “lack of basic humanity.”
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With food banks strained, Tennessee passes on federal help that would feed far more children
Gov. Bill Lee declines to sign up for federal food assistance program, shifts focus to state-funded solutions.
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Lee Harris makes a list. Marie Feagins makes Democrats nervous. A candidate makes reference to Wanda Halbert’s inspirational leadership.
Also in the political roundup, Jerri Green gets a new job and stays on the campaign trail. And meet the first Republican contender for County Mayor.
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December 2025
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‘I don’t think I have seen a mug shot that is not Latino or African American,’ county mayor says about Task Force arrests
On “Behind The Headlines,” Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris said he has tried to meet with federal officials from the Memphis Safe Task Force to talk about his concerns ICE agents are racially “profiling” Memphians.
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Sheriff answers mayor’s complaints about County Jail with complaints of his own
Sheriff Floyd Bonner faults Mayor Lee Harris for problems at the County Corrections Center and not being responsive in assisting with problems at the jail.
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Sheriff should not manage the jail, Harris says
Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris says the number of jail deaths calls for dramatic change that could include the county or the state taking over the county jail currently run by Sheriff Floyd Bonner.
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November 2025
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Opinion: Why Shelby County is investing in neighborhood-level preventive care
“By focusing on preventive care, ShelbyCares helps residents avoid costly medical interventions, contributing to long-term savings in healthcare costs and improving overall community health.”
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Is Shelby County’s cash crunch really about the Task Force?
While the Memphis Safe Task Force has had some impact on the county’s finances, the county is typically in this situation each year.
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Memphis leaders could target ICE part of Task Force next
The number of National Guard members moved closer to the 1,000-troop limit set by federal leaders as local elected leaders said ICE agents in the city could be their next target in court.
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Memphis politicians, state tussle in Nashville court
The Monday hearing was the Tennessee version of a legal fight that has played out in U.S. courts over the past few months as Trump has sought to use the military in U.S. cities run by members of the opposite political party.
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Nashville judge blocks Memphis National Guard deployment
A judge has blocked the current deployment of the Tennessee National Guard to Memphis as part of President Donald Trump’s Memphis Safe Task Force, but the state still has time to appeal.
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County mayor wants more judges for Task Force cases
Lee Harris also called for better demographic numbers on those arrested and charged, as well as a total county of traffic stops including those where no one is charged or jailed.
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A history of Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris’ vetoes
Lee Harris has vetoed six ordinances or resolutions approved by the Shelby County Commission in his seven years as county mayor. Some have stood, others have been overridden by the commission and one was some of both.
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October 2025
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Tennessee Highway Patrol driving increase in arrests
As the Memphis Safe Task Force ramps up its presence, local elected leaders are focusing on a lawsuit challenging the state about sending National Guard troops to the city.
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County Commission to vote Monday on override of mayor’s veto
Mayor Lee Harris vetoed the commission’s September vote that would move all nine Memphis-Shelby County Schools board seats to the 2026 ballot, shortening the four-year terms of office of five of the school board members elected last year.
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Memphis wasn’t asked to join National Guard lawsuit, Harris says
Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris and leaders of other groups seeking to stop the National Guard deployment in Memphis say the city was never offered an option to join their lawsuit.
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Opinion: Mayor Harris isn’t listening to Memphis families about MSCS
“Instead of waiting for the school board election, we demand an immediate, concrete commitment to fix our schools and restore public trust.”
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Mayor Lee Harris says county could take Memphis Safe Task Force to court
“We are weighing some sort of legal action in order to put a stop to some of the unconstitutional actions that we’ve seen and heard about,” Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris said.
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Mayor Harris vetoes vote to put all MSCS board members on ballot
“Absent an emergency or in the case of criminal misconduct, I do not believe the terms of elected officials should be shortened. As such, I hereby veto,” Harris wrote.
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Regional One focuses on hospital while campus rebuild faces headwinds
When Regional One Health leaders and county elected officials marked the naming of the teams that will start design work on the new county-owned hospital this past week, some of the dollar figures had changed.
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Who is the team behind the Regional One Health rebuild?
“This isn’t about outside firms coming in, taking out dollars and leaving,” the Regional One president and CEO said. “This is about combining specialized health care expertise with Memphis proven capabilities, ensuring that Memphis business grows.”
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September 2025
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Memphis-area leaders take to national airwaves to talk National Guard
A “threat to democracy” vs. making Memphis “the most safe city in America,” area leaders give their thoughts on what the National Guard deployment can mean for the city.
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After County Commission delay, mayor ‘not coming back’ with ethics appointments
The vote came after harsh words were exchanged between Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris and Commissioner Edmund Ford Jr.
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Politics infiltrates festivals; school board races show signs of life
Also in the political roundup, County Mayor Lee Harris has connections to several contenders on the 2026 ballot and U.S. Rep. Steve Cohen signs onto the Epstein files discharge petition.
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