Memphis Local, Sports, Business & Food News | Daily Memphian | Mary Evans

With midterms approaching, Task Force is focus for both sides of the aisle

bdries@dailymemphian.com (Bill Dries) — Mon, 26 Oct 2026 14:52:50 -0500

With early voting underway in Shelby County, federal officials touted the Memphis Safe Task Force while Democratic congressional nominees vowed to scrutinize the operation.

Violent-crime rate continues slide, led by robbery decline

mevans@dailymemphian.com (Mary Evans) — Mon, 26 Oct 2026 06:19:11 -0500

Memphis’ major violent-crime rate has continued falling throughout the year, according to the latest data from the Memphis Shelby Crime Commission.

Pearson celebrates lifted ban for Memphis City Council attendees

mevans@dailymemphian.com (Mary Evans) — Wed, 21 Oct 2026 10:09:35 -0500

“People power can win, even when City Hall has six attorneys ... trying to silence dissent against data centers and the billionaires who are popping them up all across our country,” State Rep. Justin J. Pearson said.

City Council votes down indefinite data center pause

bdries@dailymemphian.com (Bill Dries) — Wed, 21 Oct 2026 09:47:53 -0500

The Memphis City Council approved a move toward developing land-use standards and regulations for new data centers that comes with a 135-day moratorium.

City Council asks ICE, National Guard to leave Memphis

bdries@dailymemphian.com (Bill Dries) — Tue, 20 Oct 2026 21:43:32 -0500

The nonbinding resolution approved at a tense and standing-room-only council session is similar to a resolution the council voted down in September 2025.

Yolanda Cooper-Sutton suspended from City Council committee duties

mevans@dailymemphian.com (Mary Evans) — Mon, 19 Oct 2026 18:08:20 -0500

Memphis City Council Chairwoman Jana Swearengen-Washington suspended Council member Yolanda Cooper-Sutton from her committee-leadership duties for 30 days after her conduct during an Oct. 6 council meeting.

No end in sight for Memphis Safe Task Force

mevans@dailymemphian.com (Mary Evans) — Fri, 16 Oct 2026 16:56:16 -0500

“We’re working on a permanent plan for Memphis,” the director of the U.S. Marshals Service said.

Memphis Safe Task Force pursuit ends in fatal multi-vehicle crash

mevans@dailymemphian.com (Mary Evans) — Fri, 16 Oct 2026 09:14:56 -0500

A 32-year-old man is facing vehicular homicide and other charges following a high-speed pursuit with law enforcement on Wednesday.

Man died of heart issues during traffic stop, Task Force says

mevans@dailymemphian.com (Mary Evans) — Thu, 15 Oct 2026 16:50:40 -0500

“Long-term issues associated with his heart” was the cause of death for the man found unresponsive during a Monday, Oct. 12, traffic stop, according to a Memphis Safe Task Force spokesman.

Justin J. Pearson suing Memphis City Council

mevans@dailymemphian.com (Mary Evans) — Thu, 15 Oct 2026 11:34:26 -0500

State Rep. Justin J. Pearson and community activists held a press conference in front of City Hall to announce a lawsuit alleging city officials violated their First Amendment rights by barring them from future council meetings.

Vigils held for 5 deaths in officer-involved car crash

mevans@dailymemphian.com (Mary Evans) — Wed, 14 Oct 2026 14:47:14 -0500

Two vigils were held on back-to-back nights to honor five young people killed in a crash involving Memphis police officers.

Man dies during Memphis Safe Task Force traffic stop

mevans@dailymemphian.com (Mary Evans) — Wed, 14 Oct 2026 13:31:38 -0500

A man was found unresponsive during a traffic stop made by Memphis Safe Task Force Officers. The cause of death has not been determined yet.

Man charged after Memphis police shooting

mevans@dailymemphian.com (Mary Evans) — Tue, 13 Oct 2026 20:34:29 -0500

Dalvin Johnson was arraigned Tuesday, and a judge set his bond at $500,000. He remains at Regional One Health after officers returned fire.

5 dead, 3 injured after crash involving MPD officers in Hickory Hill

mevans@dailymemphian.com (Mary Evans) — Mon, 12 Oct 2026 20:57:42 -0500

Five people were killed and three others were left in critical condition after a crash involving Memphis police officers overnight Saturday.

Jury finds man guilty for killing Memphis musician

mevans@dailymemphian.com (Mary Evans) — Mon, 12 Oct 2026 14:01:21 -0500

A man was charged with first-degree murder for the 2024 killing of Blake Rhea, a bass player in the band Southern Avenue.

Attorneys dealing with double the criminal cases a year after the Task Force's arrival

mevans@dailymemphian.com (Mary Evans) — Mon, 12 Oct 2026 05:36:46 -0500

During the Memphis Safe Task Force’s first year, the U.S. Attorney’s Office charged 543 defendants with complaints or indictments compared to 225 people charged during 2024.

Memphis 'mega docket' immigration court is booming

mevans@dailymemphian.com (Mary Evans) — Sun, 11 Oct 2026 10:30:54 -0500

The scale of the Memphis Immigration Court’s “mega master docket” is clear right away — and it’s part of a national shift in immigration policy.

Wrongful-conviction case of alleged killer delayed

mevans@dailymemphian.com (Mary Evans) — Fri, 9 Oct 2026 18:44:10 -0500

When Andrew Hayes returns to court in November, Judge Lee Coffee will hear a motion asking the judge to remove himself from the case.

Inmate accused of killing cellmate waives bond hearing

mevans@dailymemphian.com (Mary Evans) — Thu, 8 Oct 2026 14:40:05 -0500

Jonathan Griffin, 19, is charged with first-degree murder of his cellmate, Erick Jones, 23.

Jail East inmate died by suicide

mevans@dailymemphian.com (Mary Evans) — Thu, 8 Oct 2026 13:29:24 -0500

The autopsy report said Beverly Turnage was found unresponsive in her cell Sept. 12.