In detailing specifics of the Memphis Safe Task Force, Gov. Bill Lee didn’t dwell on the city’s crime rate. Instead, flanked by Mayor Paul Young and Police Chief C.J. Davis, he pledged that the crime reduction that could come would be lengthy and sustainable. 

Gov. Bill Lee outlined plans for Trump’s Memphis Safe Task Force on Friday, saying that the first personnel could be in the Bluff City on Monday, Sept. 29.

Holly Kirby served as chief justice of the Tennessee Supreme Court for three of her 12 years on the state’s high court.

The coming deployment of the Guard to the city is also finding its way into other parts of local politics including a surprise appearance by a Democratic County Commissioner at a Republican rally backing the Guard’s arrival.

The Tennessee Supreme Court had initially stayed the ruling while the case worked its way through the appellate court.

The City Council could vote on the resolution, so far backed by a group of council members, at its meeting next week. It is not binding on Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee.

Gov. Bill Lee described the Memphis Safe Task Force as a “long-time” mission that could last six months or longer.

Buddy Chapman led the police department in 1978, when the National Guard came as police and fire strikes left the city burning. This time, he says, it’s different.

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Full coverage: The National Guard is coming to Memphis

For now, the 2026 Republican primary has no candidates for Shelby County mayor. Where does that leave the race? Also in the political roundup, more reaction to the National Guard coming to the city and a golf net at Audubon.

The Tennessee Supreme Court ruled that it would not stay a trial court’s decision while the City of Memphis appeals a decision in the lawsuit between the city and the Memphis Police Association. 

When the National Guard troops arrive, they will act as “eyes and ears” for other federal and local law enforcement, Memphis Mayor Paul Young said.

“If (Trump) will say ... after the National Guard leaves and tells the world that Memphis is the safest city in the world, Donald come on,” U.S. Rep. Steve Cohen said Friday.

Ahead of the roll call vote, U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn spoke in favor of Dunavant, calling him an “experienced prosecutor.”

The Mason, Tennessee, ICE detainment center was approved in August. However, the second vote was contentious and confusing, causing pushback from the ACLU. 

Tennessee officials said Wednesday they are appealing a recent court ruling that invalidated two state gun laws.

DeAndre Brown and his wife Vinessa Brown allegedly misappropriated more than $600,000 in public funds, a comptroller’s investigation found. The office also identified more than $750,000 in “questionable charges.”

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The case has been another test of the limits of a 2022 U.S. Supreme Court ruling that has allowed gun rights advocates to take aim at more Second Amendment restrictions nationwide.

The Tennessee Supreme Court rules that the former state senator should have his law license reinstated, although the one of the court’s boards indicated he could face other “proceedings.”

The Tennessee Supreme Court has briefly halted the pending demotions of more than 100 MPD second lieutenants. 

Green acknowledged that part of her campaign’s struggle is to convince Democrats that a Democrat can win in Republican-dominated state political landscape.

Trump also talked generally about possibly sending National Guard troops to Memphis to help battle crime although procedures for activating the Guard in states differ from the laws that allowed him to put troops on Washington, D.C. streets.

The Daily Memphian’s chart includes scores for all public schools in Memphis and Shelby County, including charters and campuses in the suburbs.

“My time as a member of Congress is not my calling card for this job,” the Republican Congressman from Cookeville said of his run for Tennessee Governor.

Tennesee’s only Democratic U.S. Congressman also gave his support to a Memphis City Council member’s run for governor.

As Bill Lee’s final term nears its end, multiple contenders stepped up for the race for state governor. Plus, this political roundup also explores the Democratic primary race to succeed Wanda Halbert.