The current path of the legal dispute over a multi-part city ballot referendum on gun control is expected to hinge on the outcome of the payroll tax ballot question’s 2004 controversy.

“No law or rule that allows Shelby County to utilize taxpayer funds to circumvent the will of the people,” reads a memorandum defending Halbert from ouster. “The people voted for Ms. Halbert.”

Energy costs continued to climb for Memphians last week when the Tennessee Valley Authority’s board of directors voted to raise electric rates.

The EPA considers turbines, such as the ones being used at the xAI supercomputer in Memphis, a significant source of hazardous air pollutants. 

The Election Commission’s decision could set up a legal battle a day after the state’s Republican leadership came out against Memphis’ vote on gun control.

Commissioners approved a design contract for the proposed mental health center on a second vote. The commission also redistributed the 6% pay raise budgeted in June.

The commission meeting also marks the last for Miska Clay Bibbs as chairwoman of the body. Michael Whaley becomes chairman next month.

“This was a winnable race. This was a ridiculously winnable race,” Lisa Arnold told Shelby County Republicans of her loss.

The final vote on the referendum allowing the County Commission to hire its own independent attorney failed by one vote.

The suit was filed by the family of Deion Byrd, an inmate at the Shelby County Jail who died after being stabbed by another inmate at 201 Poplar.

The measure, which would go on the Nov. 5 ballot, allows the Shelby County Commission to hire its own legal counsel. A final vote to put it to county voters is expected some time next week.

Republicans are rallying forces in Shelby County, which Democrats expect to carry in November even as the state is expected to remain in the Republican column.

Personal information of hundreds of former Shelby County District Attorney’s Office employees was inadvertently distributed via email to current employees of the office.

If approved by the commission, the county charter amendment would be on the November ballot for voters to approve.

If approved by the commission in two more votes, the referendum would join five other ballots questions put on the same ballot for Memphis voters by the Memphis City Council.

MSCS board chair Althea Greene’s announcement of the coming vote on restoring $2.3 million in funding came as the Shelby County Commission weighed putting up the money Monday, Aug. 12. The commission delayed the vote to see if the school board follows through.

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County Commission may add sixth referendum to November ballot

The proposed budget amendment comes less than two months after the start of the new county government fiscal year.

Of 30 major U.S. cities, Memphis had the highest increase in road deaths from 2019 to 2022, according to a recent analysis from the New York Times. 

Shelby County Clerk Wanda Halbert is facing a second ouster petition after the first was dismissed in June.

The local judge also told reporters Friday, Aug. 2, that local bail reform efforts have been working.

Clerk-elect Tami Sawyer said her opponent’s campaign focus on Sawyer’s activist roots was ignored by voters. “I talked about my priorities. The other party talked about me,” she told The Daily Memphian.

The manner of death was ruled “undetermined” as examiners could not determine whether factors contributing to his death were imposed by others.

Chris Sinnock, a social worker at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, cites bias against condoms and dating apps as two of the elements contributing to the spread of HIV.

Memphis City Council member Jerri Green is moving from senior policy adviser to Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris to deputy chief of staff in the county administration.

The vote Monday, July 22, revealed some enduring gaps among the commission’s nine-vote Democratic majority.