Memphis Local, Sports, Business & Food News | Daily Memphian | News Happening in the City of Memphis | City of Memphis News

Opinion: 'No map drawn for political purposes can change who we are'

morriss@churchhealth.org (G. Scott Morris) — Sun, 25 Oct 2026 04:00:02 -0500

“Lines have been drawn across neighborhoods, separating people who share streets, schools, churches and hopes for their children. But we are still one Memphis. And when the election is over, we will still be neighbors.”

This consulting firm is advising Memphis state takeover leaders. Here's what we know so far.

bhatch@chalkbeat.org (Bri Hatch) — Sun, 25 Oct 2026 04:00:02 -0500

The consulting group advising Memphis schools’ state takeover board has worked on similar efforts nationwide, including a Colorado takeover that ended in a lawsuit, and has been the subject of federal and state investigations in Florida.

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.

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.

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.

Data centers, zoning rules draw mixed reactions

smcdermott@dailymemphian.com (Sophie McDermott) — Tue, 20 Oct 2026 10:42:52 -0500

The Memphis City Council’s proposed data center regulations have sparked debate among Daily Memphian readers.

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.

Data center moratorium returns to City Council with new security measures

bdries@dailymemphian.com (Bill Dries) — Tue, 20 Oct 2026 21:42:44 -0500

Five ordinances and a resolution — all on data centers — top the Tuesday council agenda including a call for a moratorium on new data centers.

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.

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.

Soulsville getting $7M boost

bdries@dailymemphian.com (Bill Dries) — Thu, 15 Oct 2026 16:35:34 -0500

Memphis Mayor Paul Young announced the infusion of cash to the community to help spur new housing development like the efforts gathering momentum currently in North Memphis.

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.

Accessible baseball field coming to Tobey Park

blagrone@dailymemphian.com (Brandon LaGrone II) — Wed, 14 Oct 2026 09:50:43 -0500

A new baseball field designed to give children and adults with disabilities greater opportunities to participate in sports is coming to Tobey Park.

Calkins: Mayor Paul Young on data centers, the Grizzlies, his favorite place in the city — and why he's taking a fresh approach to media

gcalkins@dailymemphian.com (Geoff Calkins) — Sun, 18 Oct 2026 16:11:49 -0500

Memphis Mayor Paul Young is the first guest on the Geoff Calkins Podcast. Why? “It is intentional for me,” he said. “I want people to understand I’m not ducking, dodging any question or any issue.”

New MSCS board leaders say they won’t let the state takeover overshadow student needs

bhatch@chalkbeat.org (Bri Hatch) — Sun, 11 Oct 2026 04:00:04 -0500

Tamarques Porter and Sable Otey, two MSCS board members recently elected as this year’s chair and vice chair respectively, say they’re confident they can weather the storm.

Young orders 90-day data center review

bdries@dailymemphian.com (Bill Dries) — Fri, 9 Oct 2026 12:51:57 -0500

Memphis Mayor Paul Young issued an executive order Friday, Oct. 9, calling for a 90-day working group to develop guidelines for data centers in the city.

Donor-funded consultant helped ready Memphis school takeover board during pause

Ltestino@dailymemphian.com (Laura Testino) — Fri, 9 Oct 2026 12:05:39 -0500

A consulting firm that worked with Houston’s school system during its takeover has quietly played a key role in readying the state-appointed board to resume control of Memphis-Shelby County Schools.

City Council passes tentative zoning for data centers

bdries@dailymemphian.com (Bill Dries) — Fri, 9 Oct 2026 19:07:35 -0500

Council members are still debating whether there should be a moratorium on new data centers to get public buy-in or at least an understanding of what the rules will do and what they won’t do.

MLGW proposes gas and water rate hikes for 2027 and beyond

blagrone@dailymemphian.com (Brandon LaGrone II) — Thu, 8 Oct 2026 10:58:13 -0500

Memphis Light, Gas and Water CEO Doug McGowen said none of the proposed utility increases “have anything to do with the increased costs of operation because of data centers.”