“Fire trucks and Popsicles — what more do you need on the Fourth of July?”

Heading into his 11th year as the district’s superintendent, David Stephens received an overall score of 4.91 out of 5 on his annual evaluation released during the Bartlett City Schools board meeting Thursday, June 28.

Southwest sold its Gill Center to education neighbors Libertas, who plan to renovate the building for a middle school expansion, the organizations announced Wednesday.

MSCS Superintendent Marie Feagins says Caldwell-Guthrie Elementary School, shuttered last week by its state-takeover operators, will stay open this fall and expand to take on students from Humes Middle School. MSCS closed Humes earlier this spring.

Looking for fireworks to watch or an Independence Day event? This guide has you covered.

Shelby County General Sessions Criminal Court Division 8 Judge Lee Wilson, who also runs the county’s drug court program, is the new leader for the commissioners. 

Animal shelter problems persist, xAI is even more ahead than we thought and women are taking over Church Health.

A trio of candidates have emerged in the early stages of the Nov. 5 race for the Position 6 alderman’s seat in Bartlett, with two people challenging the incumbent.

They want a public walkway along the bluff to continue at ground level. The museum’s plans call for a public area atop the museum that offers a view of the riverbluff.

Joshua Zimmerman, 31, was in court Friday, June 14, for a hearing related to multiple felony charges in DeSoto County including attempted murder, armed robbery and unlawful possession of a firearm. 

Attorneys Jake Brown and Sara McKinney, who represent the widow of Gershun Freeman, have subpoenaed the law office of Allan Wade, who’s most widely known as being the Memphis City Council’s longtime private attorney.

One Memphis couple adopting a dog from Memphis Animal Services couldn’t take him home at first because the facility didn’t have the staff to sign off on the pet’s microchipping.

MPD issued this statement about the official who makes $177,768.76 annually: “Shawn Jones’ primary residence is still in the state of Georgia. Tennessee state law does not permit restrictions on the residency of first responders.”

The Sheriff’s Office Chief Deputy Anthony Buckner painted a picture: a bologna sandwich, a fruit cup, a bag of chips and a carton of Jungle Juice. That’s the meal waiting for those arrested for a DUI.

New law protects property owners from squatters, Ford EVs will use Arkansas lithium and we share the not-so-secret recipe for Buckley’s creamed spinach.

Previously, the burden to remove an unlawful occupant from a property fell on the homeowner and involved a lengthy court eviction process, which state Rep. Tim Rudd, R-Murfreesboro, said could take up to two years and cost thousands.

Related story:

 Here’s a rundown of Tennessee laws taking effect July 1

In a historic 6-3 ruling, the justices said Monday for the first time that former presidents can be shielded from prosecution for at least some of what they do in the Oval Office. But rather than do it themselves, the justices ordered lower courts to figure out precisely how to apply the decision to Trump’s case.

MAS director is placed on leave, an MSCS teacher shortage persists and David Bowie is coming to Overton Park.

Germantown’s judge race features two lifelong Germantown residents.

Want to see sparks fly this week? There are fireworks shows planned for Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.

Eden Pediatrics’ membership rates start at $100 a month and include well checkups, unlimited sick visits, in-home newborn visits, virtual care, routine vaccinations and lactation consulting.

During a recent hiring fair, MSCS offered jobs to about 100 people, but only 15 candidates were given teaching positions.

Those bills, 224 of them to be exact, address such topics as crime, bail, abortion, gender-affirming care, teachers with firearms, drag racing, traffic stops and even official state books and foods.

Plus, a new Katori Hall-produced documentary series debuts on Starz.