There are 84 article(s) tagged Shelby County Government:

• August 2026

  • Lee Harris exits county government with portrait and new job at Ole Miss

    Outgoing Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris said his portrait will take his place at the county building.

    By Bill Dries August 27, 2026

• July 2026

  • Some courts close a second day — but jail AC improves

    Several divisions of General Sessions Criminal Court and all divisions of City Court will be closed a second day Tuesday as work continues on damage from a June water leak. Meanwhile, air conditioning problems in the Shelby County Jail have improved.

    By Brandon LaGrone II, Bill Dries July 13, 2026

• January 2026

  • Some pre-K classrooms could close within 30 days without county funding

    The Shelby County Board of Commissioners pushed Mayor Lee Harris to send more than $10 million in funding to local prekindergarten classrooms in a vote Monday, Jan. 12.

    By Laura Testino January 13, 2026

• October 2025

  • Who is the team behind the Regional One Health rebuild?

    “This isn’t about outside firms coming in, taking out dollars and leaving,” the Regional One president and CEO said. “This is about combining specialized health care expertise with Memphis proven capabilities, ensuring that Memphis business grows.” 

    By Lydia Williams October 04, 2025

  • In a first, state pulls Shelby County’s ability to issue bonds. That decision could mean consequences for new high schools, Regional One.

    Losing access to bonds could jeopardize funding needed to improve schools, a trauma hospital and upgrade 201 Poplar.

    By Laura Testino October 02, 2025

• November 2024

  • No mean feast: Leaders join to feed community for Thanksgiving

    The city and county are banding with Mississippi Boulevard Christian Church for its MemFeast event, where volunteers will deliver food boxes to 300 families across Memphis. 

    By Julia Baker November 26, 2024

• September 2024

  • Elevators at 201 Poplar keep going down

    Shelby County government plans to install new elevators at the Criminal Justice Center. But construction remains years away, and people who work in the building say the situation is inconvenient, negligent and dangerous.

    By Julia Baker September 03, 2024

• May 2024

  • Lawsuit filed against Shelby County regarding 2023 inmate beating

    The suit alleges the county was negligent for its role in the “hiring, training and retention” of two corrections deputies who allegedly beat an inmate at 201 Poplar.

    By Aarron Fleming May 21, 2024

• January 2024

  • Shelby County offers free classes at neighborhood gyms

    Participating gyms will provide free, 50-minute group fitness classes that are beginner-friendly and suitable for residents ages 16 and up. 

    By Aisling Mäki January 30, 2024

  • Boil-water advisory details, when trash is getting picked up and more

    MLGW’s water customers remain under a precautionary boil-water advisory.

    By Kambui Bomani January 21, 2024

  • Pay disparity in DA’s office could hamper prosecutorial abilities

    Some of the 120 prosecutors working in the Shelby County District Attorney’s Office make as much as $70,000 more than their colleagues who work next to them.

    By Julia Baker January 20, 2024

  • Young Griffin is new county deputy chief administrative officer

    Dorcas Young Griffin will remain in an interim role as director of the county’s community services division in the move up to deputy chief administrative officer.

    By Bill Dries January 17, 2024

• December 2023

  • Trial date set in Gershun Freeman civil case

    The federal suit against Shelby County Sheriff Floyd Bonner Jr., chief jailer Kirk Fields and Shelby County government about the death of Gershun Freeman is scheduled for trial March 24, 2025.

    By Aarron Fleming December 15, 2023

• May 2023

  • Regional One could become the Mid-South’s first academic medical center

    Officials envision the new entity — the name UT Health was floated — as a hub of innovation that would attract top medical talent, grow research opportunities and offer new therapies, specialized surgeries and access to clinical trials.

    By Aisling Mäki May 29, 2023

  • Website unlocks job opportunities for ex-offenders

    Worktobreakthecycle.com lists employment in Shelby County government. Openings include clerical, warehousing, janitorial, air monitoring technician and dental hygienist.

    By Julia Baker May 05, 2023

• April 2023

  • Inside Shelby County’s new standing bail order

    Details from the Standing Bail Order for General Sessions Criminal Court of Shelby County, Tennessee, outline the timeframe and process for new bail hearing procedures.

    By Julia Baker April 18, 2023

• March 2023

  • Halbert could face ouster if she doesn’t move Poplar Plaza office

    If Wanda Halbert does not move the Poplar Plaza office location, Mayor Harris could make the case that she is derelict in her duty.

    By Bill Dries March 22, 2023

• February 2023

  • Shelby County Commission may move their regularly scheduled meeting

    The commission meets at 8 a.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 22, when it will vote to change its meeting schedule to allow for a meeting seven hours later.

    By Bill Dries February 22, 2023

• August 2022

  • Shelby County offsets child care costs for some employees

    The six-month pilot program serves employees who have children too young for Pre-K and children with special needs. 

    By Aisling Mäki August 20, 2022

• June 2022

  • County mayor says stable housing critical in keeping ex-offenders out of system

    The housing will provide a home for four ex-offenders who are participating in the Shelby County Office of Re-Entry’s FOCUSED program, an 11-week training program that combines job readiness with the opportunity for selection into vocational training programs.

    By Julia Baker June 28, 2022

  • County weighs bonuses along with pay raise — again

    The June 28 Shelby County Commission session saw an attempt to bring back to life bonuses some elected countywide officials proposed three weeks ago. 

    By Bill Dries June 28, 2022

• May 2022

  • Former City Council member named new county CAO

    Harold Collins served two terms on the City Council, leaving in 2015 to run for Memphis mayor in a challenge of incumbent Mayor A C Wharton.

    By Bill Dries May 26, 2022

  • William Hughes, who broke racial boundaries in county government, dies at 90

    William “Bill” R. Hughes was one of the first Black Shelby County Sheriff’s deputies and the first African American superintendent of the Shelby County Penal Farm.

    By Julia Baker May 17, 2022

• February 2022

  • County government reviews criminal justice fines and fees as part of national effort

    The county administration is working with a national coalition of local elected leaders to question the efficacy fines and fees in the local criminal justice system. Among the first changes, was dropping a fee for medical services at the county corrections center.

    By Bill Dries February 23, 2022

• December 2021

  • Charlie Perkins remembered for service to Shelby County

    Perkins, who served in county government for more than two decades, died over the weekend. 

    By Abigail Warren December 07, 2021