Major violent crime in Memphis and across Shelby County dropped in the first six months of 2018 compared to the first six months of 2017, according to the most recent statistics released by the Memphis Shelby Crime Commission and the University of Memphis Public Safety Institute.

2. Violent Crime Drops by Crime Commission Numbers, Property Crimes Up - Friday, July 20, 2018

Major violent crime in Memphis and countywide dropped in the first six months of 2018 compared to the first six months of 2017, by the most recent statistics released by the Memphis-Shelby Crime Commission.

3. Size of Memphis Police Force Study Weighs Numbers in Ranks and How to Use Them - Tuesday, July 3, 2018

The Memphis Police Department is zeroing in on an exact number of officers it should have with a “zero-based” study to be completed in the fall.

“There is pretty much a consensus that we need at least about 2,300 officers,” Bill Gibbons, president of the Memphis Shelby Crime Commission, said on the WKNO-TV program “Behind The Headlines.”

4. Last Word: Early Voting Guess, V Live Memphis Closed and Grit and Grind Redux - Friday, June 29, 2018

The Shelby County Election Commission meets Friday afternoon to talk about early voting locations for the Aug. 2 ballot – the county general election and state and federal primary elections as well as a special Memphis City council race. And if I had to guess, I would say the odds are pretty good that the commission will vote to open all 26 early voting sites on July 13, the start of the 14-day early voting period. That would be a change from the original plan of having just the Agricenter location open for the first four days of the voting period.

5. Major Violent Crime Drops In Latest Crime Stats - Saturday, April 21, 2018

Major violent crime for the first quarter of 2018 was down 5.1 percent in Memphis compared to a year ago and down 4.9 percent countywide over the same period.

The crime statistics from the Memphis-Shelby Crime Commission and the University of Memphis Public Safety Institute released Tuesday, April 17, show major property crime was up 2.8 percent in the city and increased 4.5 percent countywide from the first three months of 2017.

6. Major Violent Crime Drops In Latest Crime Stats - Wednesday, April 18, 2018

Major violent crime for the first quarter of 2018 was down 5.1 percent in Memphis compared to a year ago and down 4.9 percent countywide over the same period.

The crime statistics from the Memphis-Shelby Crime Commission and the University of Memphis Public Safety Institute released Tuesday, April 17, show major property crime was up 2.8 percent in the city and increased 4.5 percent countywide from the first three months of 2017.

7. Major Violent Crime Drops In Latest Crime Stats - Tuesday, April 17, 2018

Major violent crime for the first quarter of 2018 was down 5.1 percent in Memphis compared to a year ago and down 4.9 percent countywide over the same period.

The crime statistics from the Memphis-Shelby Crime Commission and the University of Memphis Public Safety Institute released Tuesday, April 17, show major property crime was up 2.8 percent in the city and increased 4.5 percent countywide from the first three months of 2017.

8. Last Word: EDGE In The Middle, More Voices in Nichols Matter and Opioid Tension - Thursday, March 22, 2018

The battle between Graceland and the Grizz over Graceland expansion plans involving some kind of venue in Whitehaven isn’t over. In fact, it seems to have intensified with the latest plan by Elvis Presley Enterprises that went before the EDGE board Wednesday. The EDGE board delayed it again with one EDGE board member saying each side in the dispute has threatened to sue depending on the decision EDGE makes.

9. Sexual Misconduct Allegation at Playhouse Could Trigger Report to Authorities - Thursday, March 22, 2018

Playhouse on the Square will not be making public the details of its investigation or a report it commissioned on an allegation of “sexual misconduct” by theater founder Jackie Nichols. But the theater’s board could be required to report the allegation to authorities if it hasn’t already, Shelby County District Attorney General Amy Weirich confirmed Tuesday, March 20.

10. Local Crime Statistics Show General Crime Rise, Drop in Murders - Wednesday, January 31, 2018

Year-end crime statistics from the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation and the Memphis-Shelby Crime Commission confirm a drop in the murder rate for 2017 compared to the city’s record murder rate in 2016.

11. Year End Stats Show Violent Crime Up In Memphis, Murders Down - Tuesday, January 30, 2018

Year-end crime statistics from the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation and the Memphis-Shelby Crime Commission confirm a drop in the city and countywide murder rates for 2017 compared to the city’s record murder rate in 2016. But the numbers also show violent crime as a general category increased in 2017 from 2016 by 8.3 percent in the city and 7.9 percent countywide, including the city of Memphis.

12. Violent Crime Rate Up, But Murders Down Locally - Saturday, November 4, 2017

A rise in aggravated assaults have the violent crime rates in both Memphis and Shelby County up more than 8 percent through the first three quarters of 2017, but the murder rate is down compared to a year ago.

13. Murders Down, Violent Crime Up in Memphis, Shelby County - Friday, November 3, 2017

A rise in aggravated assaults have the violent crime rates in both Memphis and Shelby County up more than 8 percent through the first three quarters of 2017, but the murder rate is down compared to a year ago.

14. Events - Tuesday, October 31, 2017

Memphis Botanic Garden wraps up its 2017 Vine to Wine wine-tasting series with “Spooky Spirits” Tuesday, Oct. 31, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at MBG, 750 Cherry Road. Indulge in adult “spirits” and frighteningly delicious hors d’oeuvres – and come in costume, if you dare. Tickets are $30 for members and $45 for nonmembers. Visit memphisbotanicgarden.com/winetastings for details.

15. Ford Opens Commission Bid as Lenoir Prepares To Launch Mayoral Bid - Friday, September 29, 2017

Campaign season for local, state and federal offices on the 2018 ballot has started.

On Wednesday, Sept. 27, Memphis City Council member Edmund Ford Jr. kicked off his bid for the Shelby County Commission at the offices of an East Memphis law firm. Meanwhile, Shelby County Trustee David Lenoir rallied supporters in advance of formally kicking off his bid for Shelby County Mayor at a Thursday, Sept. 28, announcement.

16. Ford Opens Commission Bid as Lenoir Prepares Formal Start of Mayoral Bid - Thursday, September 28, 2017

Memphis City Council member Edmund Ford Jr. kicked off his bid Wednesday, Sept. 27, for the Shelby County Commission on the 2018 ballot at the offices of an East Memphis law firm as Shelby County Trustee David Lenoir rallied supporters in advance of formally kicking off his bid for Shelby County Mayor at a Thursday announcement.

17. Inside Voice - Friday, September 22, 2017

The advertisement moves fast, even for 30 seconds. It’s got hip-hop artist Marco Pave with Grammy Award-winning producer Carlos Broady. And the message is to the point as the camera comes in close on the face of a man who says emphatically, “Don’t lose your head, use your head.”

18. Violent Crime Up Locally Almost 10 Percent - Saturday, July 29, 2017

Major violent crime in Memphis and countywide was up almost 10 percent for the first six months of 2017 compared to the first half of 2016, the Memphis-Shelby Crime Commission reported July 21.

Major violent crime as a general category was up 9.9 percent for Memphis and 9.3 percent countywide even as the rate of murders – one of four specific categories that make up the general category – dropped 12.2 percent citywide and 14.9 percent countywide from a year ago.

19. Violent Crime Up Locally Almost 10 Percent - Monday, July 24, 2017

Major violent crime in Memphis and countywide was up almost 10 percent for the first six months of 2017 compared to the first half of 2016, the Memphis-Shelby Crime Commission reported Friday, July 21.

20. Violent Crime Up Locally Almost 10 Percent - Friday, July 21, 2017

Major violent crime in Memphis and countywide was up almost 10 percent for the first six months of 2017 compared to the first half of 2016, the Memphis-Shelby Crime Commission reported Friday, July 21.

21. Lawmakers: Talk, Action On Crime Don’t Match - Tuesday, June 20, 2017

State Senate Minority Leader Lee Harris of Memphis says some of the rhetoric about criminal justice reform – not locking up as many nonviolent offenders for longer sentences – doesn’t match the push for legislation in Nashville.

22. Gov. Haslam Vows to Stay on Sidelines of Race to Succeed Him - Friday, June 16, 2017

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) – Gov. Bill Haslam won't endorse any of the Republicans seeking the nomination to succeed him, but said he has spoken to several potential candidates about the emotionally taxing nature of a running a statewide campaign in Tennessee.

23. Major Violent Crime Rate Up in City and County - Saturday, May 20, 2017

Major violent crime in Memphis and across Shelby County during the first four months of the year increased 4.4 percent and 4.2 percent, respectively, compared to January-April 2016, according to numbers released Thursday, May 18, by the Memphis-Shelby Crime Commission.

24. Memphis, Shelby County See Bump in Major Violent Crime Rate - Thursday, May 18, 2017

Major violent crime in Memphis and countywide increased from January to April by 4.4 percent and 4.2 percent respectively compared to the first four months of 2016, according to numbers released Thursday, May 18, by the Memphis-Shelby Crime Commission.

25. Major Violent Crime Drops, Car Thefts Rise in Q1 - Saturday, April 22, 2017

Major violent crime in Memphis and countywide through the first quarter of 2017 remained at basically the same level compared to a year ago.

The new March statistics from the Memphis-Shelby Crime Commission show violent crime in general increased 0.3 percent countywide and 0.2 percent in Memphis from January through March compared to the same three months of 2016.

26. Major Violent Crime Drops, Car Thefts Rise in Q1 - Thursday, April 20, 2017

Major violent crime in Memphis and countywide through the first quarter of 2017 remained at basically the same level compared to a year ago.

The new March statistics from the Memphis-Shelby Crime Commission show violent crime in general increased 0.3 percent countywide and 0.2 percent in Memphis from January through March compared to the same three months of 2016.

27. Political Past, Present Meet as Wharton’s Portrait Joins Hall of Mayors - Friday, March 24, 2017

When A C Wharton Jr. was Memphis mayor, his relationship with the Memphis City Council wasn’t always good. And it would usually get worse whenever he’d call a press conference in the Hall of Mayors on a Tuesday the council was meeting. Some council members thought it was to draw attention from them.

28. Violent Crime Rate Falls, Property Crime Spikes - Saturday, March 18, 2017

The violent crime rate in Memphis and across Shelby County continues to decrease, according to the latest year-to-date figures from the Memphis-Shelby Crime Commission. However, major property crimes, both in the city and countywide, increased by double digits over the same period.

29. Local Violent Crime Rate Falls, Property Crime Spikes - Thursday, March 16, 2017

The violent crime rate in Memphis and across Shelby County continues to decrease, according to the latest year-to-date figures from the Memphis-Shelby Crime Commission. However, major property crimes, both in the city and countywide, increased by double digits over the same period.

30. Council to Discuss Police Retention Bonus Grant As Union Objects - Tuesday, March 7, 2017

Memphis City Council members review a $6.1 million four-year grant for police retention bonuses Tuesday, March 7, during council committee sessions.

The grant from the Memphis-Shelby Crime Commission was announced last week by Memphis Mayor Jim Strickland and Crime Commission president Bill Gibbons.

31. Major Violent Crime Up in 2016, Driven by Growth in Murder Rate - Thursday, January 19, 2017

Major violent crime in Memphis for 2016 was up 3.2 percent from 2015 fueled by a 23.9 percent increase in the murder rate and a 4.3 percent rise in aggravated assaults from a year ago.

The year-end numbers from the Memphis-Shelby Crime Commission show an increase countywide in the major violent crime rate – 4.3 percent from 2015 with a 29.1 percent increase in the murder rate and 5.6 percent in aggravated assaults.

32. Awards Recognize Highest Ideals of Public Service - Thursday, December 29, 2016

Public service is a worthy legacy, and one that the Rotary Club of Memphis East wants to recognize and encourage in the next generation.

The annual Bobby Dunavant Public Servant Awards recognize one elected official and one non-elected public employee who have exemplified the virtues of former Probate Court Clerk Bobby Dunavant, for whom the award is named.

33. Last Word: Ceasefire, Art and Memphis 3.0 and Giving Jazz Its Due In Memphis - Tuesday, December 27, 2016

Grizz on the road the day after Christmas in Orlando where they got beat by the Magic 112– 102. They are in Boston Tuesday for the Celtics.

The Tigers are at the Forum Tuesday against SMU

34. Memphis Adopts Version of Ceasefire - Tuesday, December 27, 2016

A gun and gang violence program pioneered in Boston 20 years ago is coming to Memphis in the wake of a record year for homicides.

What is known nationally as Operation Ceasefire will be called the “Group Violence Initiative” in Memphis, said Memphis-Shelby Crime Commission president Bill Gibbons on the WKNO/Channel 10 program “Behind The Headlines.”

35. Last Word: Pro-Memphis On Different Terms, Trump's Pledge and Phil Gagliano - Friday, December 23, 2016

Be honest. How many of you are even at work Friday? And if you are, how many of you know there are cookies or egg nog in the break room? "He sees you when you are sleeping. He knows when you're awake."

36. Major Violent Crime Increase Continues Through October - Tuesday, November 22, 2016

Major violent crime citywide and countywide remained higher for the year through October than it was a year ago at the same time, according to the latest crime statistics from the Memphis-Shelby Crime Commission.

37. Memphis-Area Leaders Unveil Five-Year Crime-Fighting Plan - Wednesday, November 16, 2016

Memphis Mayor Jim Strickland is anticipating a “net increase” in the size of the Memphis Police Department a year from now, as officers complete training and the city can begin to address a department he says is “hundreds of officers short.”

38. New, More Compact 5-Year Anti-Crime Plan to Be Unveiled - Monday, November 14, 2016

When local law enforcement and criminal justice system leaders unveil a new five-year plan Tuesday, Nov. 10, for reducing crime and making Shelby County safer, it will be more focused than their previous effort.

39. Last Word: Early Vote Numbers, Crime Q&A and School Suspensions in Memphis - Monday, October 31, 2016

The last weekend of early voting is done and now we get the early vote surge through Thursday, which is the last day for early voting at the 21 polling places across Shelby County.

Through this past Friday, 161,239 early votes had been cast in Shelby County. That compares to 156,645 to the same point in 2008 and 151,809 in 2012.

40. Crime Commission Leaders Talk About Focused Five-Year Plan - Friday, October 28, 2016

The new Operation: Safe Community five-year anti-crime plan should be released in November and it will likely be a more focused set of goals and objectives. That’s what we heard as The Daily News Editorial Board talked with Memphis-Shelby Crime Commission president Bill Gibbons and crime commission vice president for Social Engagement Harold Collins.

41. Last Word: Stop & Frisk, Council Day and The Big 12 Holds What It's Got - Tuesday, October 18, 2016

We had quite the conversation with the two leaders of the Memphis-Shelby Crime Commission about “stop and frisk” and what will be in the upcoming draft of a new Operation: Safe Community plan for Memphis.

42. Five-Year Crime Plan Avoids 'Stop & Frisk' Reference - Tuesday, October 18, 2016

Memphis-Shelby Crime Commission president and CEO Bill Gibbons won’t even say “stop and frisk.”

43. Last Word: T-STEM At East High, Casinos Off the Ballot and Dylan Gets A Nobel - Friday, October 14, 2016

About six years ago, the current cycle of change in public education within Shelby County starting moving. And the changes have been nothing short of historic. Since then at least one piece of a very complex mechanism driving the change has been whirring away. The hope in the last year or so has been that all of this is at a place where some long term plans can start to emerge that are more than reaction to what another cog in the system is doing.

44. Purkey New Tennessee Safety Commissioner - Saturday, August 6, 2016

David Purkey, the assistant commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security, will lead the department effective Sept. 1.

Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam announced Purkey’s appointment Friday, July 29. Purkey will succeed Bill Gibbons of Memphis, who was one of the first appointments Haslam made upon taking office in January 2011.

45. Purkey New Tennessee Safety Commissioner - Monday, August 1, 2016

David Purkey, the assistant commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security, will lead the department effective Sept. 1.

Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam announced Purkey’s appointment Friday, July 29. Purkey will succeed Bill Gibbons of Memphis, who was one of the first appointments Haslam made upon taking office in January 2011.

46. Violent Crime Still Up, But Rate of Increase Slows - Monday, July 25, 2016

Major violent crime in Memphis jumped 3 percent and 4.7 percent countywide in June from the same period last year, according to the latest Memphis crime statistics from the Memphis-Shelby Crime Commission.

47. Violent Crime Rises In Latest Local Statistics - Saturday, May 28, 2016

The major violent crime rates in Memphis and countywide were up from a year ago, according to new crime statistics released Thursday, May 26, by the Memphis-Shelby Crime Commission.

The numbers for the month of April show the major violent crime rate in Memphis for January through April was up 9.2 percent compared to the same four months of 2015. It was up 10.8 percent countywide from a year ago.

48. Crime Stats Chronicle Recent Spike in Violent Crime - Monday, May 30, 2016

Myneishia Johnson’s funeral was the day before she was supposed to graduate from high school.

The teenager’s death at the corner of Second Street and Peabody Place on May 22 came on one of the first busy Downtown weekends of the spring not connected to a Memphis in May International Festival event.

49. Violent Crime Continues Rise In Latest Local Statistics - Friday, May 27, 2016

The major violent crime rates in Memphis and countywide were up from a year ago, according to new crime statistics released Thursday, May 26, by the Memphis-Shelby Crime Commission.

The numbers for the month of April show the major violent crime rate in Memphis for January through April was up 9.2 percent compared to the same four months of 2015. It was up 10.8 percent countywide from a year ago.

50. Gibbons to Lead New U of M Institute - Monday, May 16, 2016

The day after announcing his resignation as Tennessee Commissioner of Safety and Homeland Security, the University of Memphis and the Memphis-Shelby Crime Commission announced Bill Gibbons will become president of the crime commission and lead a new Public Safety Institute.

51. Gibbons Leaving Haslam Administration Cabinet - Saturday, May 14, 2016

Tennessee Safety and Homeland Security Commissioner Bill Gibbons of Memphis is leaving the post at the end of the summer, Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam announced on May 11.

52. Last Word: Mud Island Money, Elvis Mystery and Beyond Barbecue - Friday, May 13, 2016

It looks like the dry rub will be in order for Memphis in May's barbecue weekend with a shower or two keeping the dust down in Tom Lee Park Wednesday.

If you can see it through the smoke, Mud Island might strike a first-tme observer as a marked contrast to all of the activity in Tom Lee Park that goes right up to the bluff's edge.

53. Gibbons Leaving Haslam Administration Cabinet - Friday, May 13, 2016

Tennessee Safety and Homeland Security Commissioner Bill Gibbons of Memphis is leaving the post at the end of the summer, Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam announced on May 11.

54. Chief Administrative Clerk Sandra Truitt Retires - Monday, May 2, 2016

Chief Administrative Clerk Sandra Truitt retired April 29 after keeping track of hundreds of thousands of case files and serving under four different district attorneys for 39 years.

55. Uber Balks at Rules Proposed by World's Busiest Airport - Monday, March 21, 2016

ATLANTA (AP) – Atlanta's airport – the world's busiest – and Los Angeles officials want to force Uber drivers to get fingerprint-based background checks to pick up passengers, but the ride-hailing service is balking.

56. ‘I’m the Steak’ Norris Carries Haslam’s Agenda, Except... - Thursday, March 17, 2016

Senate Majority Leader Mark Norris refers to himself as a “meat and potatoes” legislator. The four-term Republican senator from Collierville, a self-described policy wonk, is considering a run for governor in 2018. But if the race boils down to charisma, he says the media will have to determine if he has enough to win the top office.

57. Measure Increasing Seat Belt Fines Among New Tennessee Laws - Friday, January 1, 2016

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) – Motorists in Tennessee who don't buckle up could face stiffer fines under one of many new Tennessee laws taking effect Friday.

The tougher seat belt law increases the fine for first-time offenders from $10 to $25 and from $20 to $50 for repeat offenders.

58. Refugees, Regents, Privatization On Tap for New Session - Friday, January 1, 2016

State Sen. Ken Yager isn’t quite ready for the state of Tennessee to reclaim the Refugee Resettlement Program from Catholic Charities.

59. New Law Will Increase Seat Belt Fines in Tennessee - Wednesday, December 16, 2015

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Motorists who don't buckle up in Tennessee will soon face a stiffer fine.

A new law passed by state lawmakers and signed by the governor takes effect on Jan. 1.

60. Tennessee Lawmakers Discuss Syrian Refugee Vetting Process - Friday, December 11, 2015

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Tennessee lawmakers said Wednesday that they continue to get calls from constituents expressing concern about the vetting process for allowing Syrian refugees into the state and sought assurance from security officials that the program is safe.

61. University of Memphis Gets Drivers License Kiosk - Monday, November 9, 2015

University of Memphis students will have a campus kiosk to renew or replace Tennessee driver’s licenses and state identification cards.

Bill Gibbons, Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security commissioner, will be in Memphis Monday, Nov. 9, for the announcement.

62. Attorney Rob Ratton Joins Fisher & Phillips - Wednesday, October 14, 2015

Robert W. Ratton has joined Fisher & Phillips LLP’s Memphis office as of counsel, a role in which he represents employers in a wide range of employment law matters and supports clients with internal investigations and compliance issues. Ratton most recently served as a staff attorney at TruGreen LP.

63. Weirich Named Chair of Operation Safe Community - Saturday, June 6, 2015

Shelby County District Attorney General Amy Weirich is the new chairwoman of Operation Safe Community, the county’s overall crime-fighting strategy.

64. Weirich Named Chair of Operation Safe Community - Monday, June 1, 2015

Shelby County District Attorney General Amy Weirich is the new chairwoman of Operation Safe Community, the county’s overall crime-fighting strategy.

65. Notes From Near and Far on Death of Blues Legend B.B. King - Saturday, May 16, 2015

Blues legend B.B. King died late Thursday at his Las Vegas home. Here are some comments from people who knew and admired him:

"The blues has lost its king, and America has lost a legend. B.B. King was born a sharecropper's son in Mississippi, came of age in Memphis, Tennessee, and became the ambassador who brought his all-American music to his country and the world. No one worked harder than B.B. No one inspired more up-and-coming artists. No one did more to spread the gospel of the blues. He gets stuck in your head, he gets you moving, he gets you doing the things you probably shouldn't do – but will always be glad you did." – President Barack Obama

66. New System Expected to Reduce Driver License Waits - Monday, March 23, 2015

The Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security says a new driver license system is expected to reduce long waits at service centers across the state.

The Chattanooga Times Free Press reports the update is the first for Tennessee’s driver service system in three decades.

67. Bid to End Tennessee Carry Permit Requirement Fails in House - Friday, March 13, 2015

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) – A proposal to eliminate Tennessee's requirement to obtain a state-issued permit to openly carry handguns was defeated in a House subcommittee on Wednesday.

Republican Rep. Micah Van Huss Jonesborough said he introduced the measure because he believes that "current laws here in Tennessee infringe on the Second Amendment of our U.S. Constitution."

68. Extended Saturday Hours for 2 Driver License Centers - Wednesday, March 11, 2015

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) – State officials say driver license reinstatement centers in Memphis and Nashville will be open during extended hours on Saturdays for the next several weeks.

In a Monday news release, Department of Safety and Homeland Security Commissioner Bill Gibbons said the Driver Services and License Reinstatement Center on East Shelby Drive in Memphis and the Driver License Reinstatement Center on Murfreesboro Road in Nashville will open for service from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on March 14, 21 and 28, April 11 and 18.

69. Tenn. Safety Dept. Creates Chief of Staff Position - Saturday, February 7, 2015

Safety Commissioner Bill Gibbons has named David McGriff to the newly created position of chief of staff to the agency that oversees the Tennessee Highway Patrol.

70. Tennessee Safety Department Creates Chief of Staff Position - Wednesday, February 4, 2015

Safety Commissioner Bill Gibbons has named David McGriff to the newly created position of chief of staff to the agency that oversees the Tennessee Highway Patrol.

71. Size of Mayoral Field Shadows Race - Tuesday, February 3, 2015

Nobody running for election on the Oct. 8 ballot can even pull a qualifying petition to get on the ballot until April, yet February is shaping up as the month when it is determined what kind of challenge and how many challengers incumbent Mayor A C Wharton Jr. will face.

72. 99 Charged in Shelby County in Check Cashing Ring - Wednesday, November 19, 2014

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) – Authorities say 99 people have been charged with cashing more than $41,000 in checks using an illegally obtained state of Tennessee account number.

Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security Commissioner Bill Gibbons said Tuesday that leaders of the scheme recruited others to cash checks for about $300 at Wal-Marts in Shelby County. Gibbons said the ringleaders kept a portion of the money and gave the rest to the check cashers.

73. Group Examines Tennessee Sentencing Laws, Recidivism - Thursday, October 30, 2014

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) – A task force formed by Gov. Bill Haslam met Wednesday to examine Tennessee's sentencing structure and look at ways to reduce the state's high recidivism rate.

The group held its second meeting since being formed by Haslam earlier this year.

74. Collins Forms Mayoral Exploratory Committee - Saturday, October 4, 2014

Memphis City Council member Harold Collins has formed an exploratory committee as he considers a run for Memphis mayor in 2015.

75. Weirich Sworn In for Eight-Year Term - Thursday, September 25, 2014

Amy Weirich took the oath of office Tuesday, Sept. 23, for a full eight-year term of office, saying the prosecutor’s office has a role in crime prevention as well as prosecuting those accused of crimes.

76. Appeals Panel Weighing Occupy Nashville Suit - Tuesday, August 26, 2014

CINCINNATI (AP) – A special three-judge panel focused on issues of camping, protests, free speech and executive power on Monday during arguments in an appeal of a lawsuit brought by Occupy Nashville protesters arrested on War Memorial Plaza in October 2011.

77. Violent Crime Up in Shelby County So Far This Year - Friday, August 22, 2014

MEMPHIS (AP) – Statistics show violent crimes in Shelby County have increased during the first seven months of this year, compared with the same time period in 2013.

Numbers released this week by the Memphis Shelby Crime Commission show that murders, forcible rapes, aggravated assaults and robberies in the period from January to July have increased by 5.8 percent in the county, and by 5.7 percent in the city of Memphis, compared with the same period in 2013.

78. Rape Kit Controversy Continues After Report - Friday, June 20, 2014

This week’s report by former U.S. Attorney Veronica Coleman-Davis on the city’s backlog of more than 12,000 untested rape kits is unlikely to be the last word on the controversy.

Coleman-Davis concluded that no one involved in the 30-year backlog “willfully or maliciously conspired to deny due process.”

79. Ongoing Rape Kit Backlog Fallout Expands - Monday, April 21, 2014

The ongoing fallout from the backlog of untested rape kits is beginning to develop some boundaries and dividing lines as it moves into federal court and expands outside court to include a backlog of 300 rape kits by the Shelby County Sheriff’s Department.

80. Open Gun Carry Bill Defeated in Tennessee House Panel - Wednesday, April 16, 2014

NASHVILLE (AP) – A bill seeking to allow Tennesseans to openly carry firearms in public without permits was overwhelmingly defeated a House subcommittee on Monday night.

The House Finance Subcommittee voted 10-1 against the measure sponsored by Rep. Micah Van Huss. The Jonesborough Republican later told reporters that he will abandon an effort to bypass committees and call the bill for a full floor vote.

81. Rape Survivors Go Public in Backlog Lawsuit - Friday, April 4, 2014

The three rape victims who filed a federal lawsuit March 26 against city and county governments over the backlog of 12,000 untested rape kits deliberately wanted their real names used in the lawsuit, their attorney said Wednesday, April 2, as two of the three women talked with reporters about the case.

82. Second Rape Kit Lawsuit Names More Officials - Friday, March 28, 2014

The second federal lawsuit since December over the Memphis Police Department’s backlog of 12,000 untested rape kits casts a wider net of defendants than the first lawsuit, including the current and former Memphis police directors and the current and former district attorneys general.

83. Second Lawsuit Filed Over Rape Kit Backlog - Thursday, March 27, 2014

Three women allegedly raped by Anthony Alliano during a string of rapes in the Cordova area covering a decade have filed suit in Memphis Federal Court over the delay in testing their rape kits.

It is the second federal lawsuit filed against the city of Memphis since December over the backlog of more than 12,000 untested rape kits police acknowledged in November after initially putting the backlog of rape kits at 2,000 in August.

84. Criminal Justice Issues Likely to Dominate Races - Monday, February 24, 2014

Expect to hear a lot between now and August about how the local criminal justice system does or does not work.

With Thursday’s filing deadline for candidates in the May 6 county primaries, two races for offices that are part of the system advanced to the August ballot.

85. Hats in the Ring - Friday, January 3, 2014

Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam will be seeking a second term as governor, and U.S. Sen. Lamar Alexander will be running for re-election – both starting with the Aug. 7 statewide primaries that open for filing Friday, Jan. 3.

86. Frustration for Fox Meadows Residents - Tuesday, November 26, 2013

When the owner of Knight Arnold Food and Fuel gas station and convenience store was allowed to reopen his business last month, homeowners and community groups in the Fox Meadows area were furious.

The store opened a week after General Sessions Environmental Court shut it as a public nuisance.

87. Weirich Opens Re-Election Campaign - Wednesday, November 13, 2013

There were lots of judges on hand as Shelby County District Attorney General Amy Weirich opened her re-election campaign Sunday, Nov. 10.

88. Wait Times Still Long in Driver Service Centers - Thursday, September 5, 2013

NASHVILLE (AP) – Although state officials have made improvements in how driver service centers operate, motorists still have long wait times for service.

The Tennessean reports attempts to cut wait times over the last two years have been hampered by computer issues and an increase in handgun permit applications.

89. Lipman Nominated for Federal Bench - Monday, August 5, 2013

Sheri Lipman, University of Memphis general counsel and chief of staff to interim university president Brad Martin, has been appointed by President Barack Obama as the newest federal court judge for the Western District of Tennessee.

90. Tennessee Drivers Centers Reduce Wait Times in 2013 - Tuesday, July 23, 2013

The wait time at driver service centers in Tennessee decreased slightly for the first six months of this year over the same period last year.

According to the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security, the average wait time from Jan. 1 to June 30 was 31 1/2 minutes. That is down 2 1/2 minutes from the same period in 2012.

91. Beefed-Up Gang Law Gets Start in Memphis - Friday, June 28, 2013

A 16-year-old Tennessee law aimed at the crimes of street gangs comes back to life effective July 1 after being largely unused since its passage.

Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam signed an overhaul of the statute in Memphis Wednesday, July 26, that keeps enhanced penalties and upgraded felony charges for violent crimes involving gang members.

92. Judge Rules in Favor of Occupy Nashville Members - Friday, June 14, 2013

NASHVILLE (AP) – A federal judge has ruled in favor of members of the Occupy Nashville movement who claimed their free speech rights were violated when they were arrested while protesting in 2011 on War Memorial Plaza.

93. Beale Club Reopening About Timing - Wednesday, May 29, 2013

The negotiations to reopen one of Beale Street’s busiest and most profitable nightspots were about not missing one of the busiest Downtown weekends of the year and how to handle the allegation that some employees of Club 152 either sold drugs or were complicit in drug sales in the club.

94. Highway Patrol Assigns Helicopter to West Tennessee - Tuesday, March 12, 2013

The Tennessee Highway Patrol is assigning a helicopter and pilot to support law enforcement efforts in West Tennessee.

Department of Safety and Homeland Security Commissioner Bill Gibbons and THP Col. Tracy Trott said Friday that the helicopter will enhance public safety by increasing response time to incidents in the western areas of the state.

95. Drivers Can Renew Tennessee Licenses at Kiosks - Wednesday, January 23, 2013

NASHVILLE (AP) – The state is opening self-service kiosks that will allow drivers to renew or replace their driver licenses and state identification cards that will hopefully reduce lines and wait times.

96. Commissioner Not Surprised at More Traffic Deaths - Monday, January 21, 2013

State safety officials say they aren’t surprised that traffic fatalities were up statewide in 2012.

Safety and Homeland Security Commissioner Bill Gibbons noted that 2011 had the lowest number of Tennessee traffic deaths in nearly a half-century and officials knew it would be difficult to replicate.

97. Club Crave Nuisance Case Moves Slowly - Wednesday, January 9, 2013

The Shelby County District Attorney General’s office and attorneys for the owners of Club Crave have been talking privately since prosecutors got the court order that closed the Beale Street nightspot during the Christmas holidays as a public nuisance.

98. Council Tackles Blue CRUSH, Wage Theft - Tuesday, January 8, 2013

Memphis City Council members take up third and final reading Tuesday, Jan. 8, of an ordinance that sets up a local General Sessions Court-based process for settling “wage theft” complaints.

99. Events - Wednesday, November 14, 2012

Memphis Child Advocacy Center will hold its 20th anniversary and honors day celebration breakfast Wednesday, Nov. 14, from 8 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. at Memphis Botanic Garden Hardin Hall, 750 Cherry Road. Teresa Huizar, executive director of the National Children’s Alliance, will deliver the keynote. Email doglesby@memphiscac.org or call 888-4342.

100. County Sees 21.6 Pct. Voter Turnout - Monday, August 6, 2012

Slightly less than 127,000 Shelby County residents – or 21.6 percent of 584,443 registered voters – cast ballots in the Aug. 2 elections.

The turnout in early voting and election day combined was a higher percentage than the 15 percent turnout four years ago in the same election cycle, but it was well below the 44-year high of 39.4 percent set in the August 1992 elections.