State Sen. Lee Harris easily beat County Trustee David Lenoir to become the next Shelby County mayor in the Thursday, Aug. 2, county general election, leading a Democratic resurgence in county politics.

2. Harris Elected County Mayor, Bonner as Sheriff - Friday, August 3, 2018

State Sen. Lee Harris easily beat County Trustee David Lenoir to become the next Shelby County mayor in the Thursday, Aug. 2, county general election, leading a Democratic resurgence in county politics.

3. BankTennessee Adds Lender, Universal Banker - Thursday, February 8, 2018

BankTennessee has added a new senior lender and promoted another employee to its “universal banker” designation.

The Collierville-based bank has hired Brian Lowery as senior lender and senior vice president, working out of its Downtown Memphis office. Lowery has more than 25 years of banking experience, and prior to joining BankTennessee, he served as chief credit officer and senior lender at Highlands Union Bank in Abingdon, Virginia.

4. Indie Memphis Film Fest Goes All Out For 20th Anniversary - Saturday, November 4, 2017

Indie Memphis Film Festival’s 20th run this week has seen a record number of guests and more than 100 filmmakers from around the world descending on the Bluff City.

The festival that seems to get more popular every year continues will a full day of screenings Saturday, Nov. 4, and continues through Monday night, Nov. 6, when a free reception will be held at the Halloran Centre Downtown.

5. Memphis Mayoral Field Set at 10 - Friday, July 24, 2015

Shelby County Election Commissioners have certified the Memphis election ballot for Oct. 8.

These are the names to appear on that ballot for the 15 elected offices.

The commission met hours after the noon Thursday, July 23, deadline for candidates to withdraw from the ballot if they wished.

6. Council to Tackle Police, Fire Pay Raises Tuesday - Monday, June 22, 2015

The Memphis Police Association is asking its attorneys if union police officers are forbidden from going on strike if the Memphis City Council ignores an impasse committee’s recommendation to raise officer pay 3 percent.

7. Beer Revived - Thursday, April 9, 2015

Revive the beer garden, and they will come. If the soft opening held on Tuesday night, April 7, was any indication, then Tennessee Brewery: The Revival will have a nice run this spring.

Taking advantage of warm temperatures, patrons packed the pop-up beer garden at the recently purchased Tennessee Brewery at 495 Tennessee St. Among those milling about: Shelby County Mayor Mark Luttrell, city councilman Myron Lowery, and members of the Grizzlies’ front office.

8. City Debt Restructure Isn’t the End of Finance Debate - Thursday, March 19, 2015

The table was rectangular, not round. There was no green felt and nobody had a deck of cards. But when 10 Memphis City Council members, Mayor A C Wharton Jr. and Tennessee comptroller Justin Wilson gathered in the council’s committee room Tuesday, March 17, there were lots of comparisons to a poker game. And lots of money was at stake.

9. Financial Debate Looms at City Hall - Thursday, March 5, 2015

With Memphis Mayor A C Wharton Jr. to present his budget proposal to the City Council in May, some on the council started to set the table this week for an election year challenge of Wharton’s methods for righting the city’s financial condition.

10. Council Delays Financial Votes, Approves Beale Street Authority - Wednesday, March 4, 2015

Memphis City Council members approved a $4.5 million advance Tuesday, March 3, for the Memphis Area Transit Authority to get past a cash flow problem.

But the council delayed for two weeks a vote on a larger mid-fiscal year budget adjustment for city government in general.

11. City Debt Restructure Meets Council Resistance - Thursday, February 19, 2015

First reviews from Memphis City Council members Tuesday, Feb. 17, to Memphis Mayor A C Wharton’s plan to restructure the city’s debt payments were harsh and skeptical.

Wharton wasn’t present in council committee sessions Tuesday as council member Jim Strickland played audio of Wharton in 2010 telling council members that the restructuring of city debt then was a “plain vanilla” transaction.

12. Council Critical of Wharton Debt Restructuring - Wednesday, February 18, 2015

First reviews from Memphis City Council members Tuesday, Feb. 17, to Memphis Mayor A C Wharton’s plan to restructure the city’s debt payments were harsh and skeptical.

Wharton wasn’t present in council committee sessions Tuesday as council member Jim Strickland played audio of Wharton in 2010 telling council members that the restructuring of city debt then was a “plain vanilla” transaction.

13. Lowery Installed as President of Association for Women Attorneys - Wednesday, February 18, 2015

Keating Lowery has been installed as the 2015 president of the Association for Women Attorneys. As an attorney with Lawrence & Russell PLC, Lowery devotes her practice to litigating Employee Retirement Income Security Act matters on behalf of employers, plan fiduciaries and third-party administrators throughout the United States.

14. City Council Gets Ahead of Self With Vacancy Deadline - Monday, January 12, 2015

The deadline for submitting an application to fill a vacant seat on the Memphis City Council wasn’t necessarily last week, according to a legal opinion from the council’s attorney.

Allan Wade issued the opinion Monday, Jan. 12, after only two of the seven citizens who applied for the District 7 vacancy by the noon Wednesday, Jan. 7, deadline had 25 signatures of voters in the district on the petition the council requires in its rules of procedure for filling such a vacancy.

15. Harris Goes to Nashville - Friday, January 9, 2015

At his last Memphis City Council session, Lee Harris reflected this week on his three years on the council and the group of politicians he joined.

16. City Council Could Close Pension Debate - Tuesday, December 2, 2014

At their next-to-last meeting of the year Tuesday, Dec. 2, Memphis City Council members could put to rest the dominant issue they have faced in 2014 – changing the unsustainable trajectory and liability of city employee benefits.

17. Pension Reform Decision Back At Square One - Thursday, October 23, 2014

It happened in the shadow of a change in the pension reform proposal Memphis Mayor A C Wharton Jr. had backed all through the summer and two of three council votes.

As the Memphis City Council got its first formal presentation Tuesday, Oct. 21, of Wharton’s new hybrid pension plan, it settled City Hall’s tumultuous discussion about changes to health insurance coverage for city employees and retirees.

18. Council Looks to Pinpoint Pension Numbers - Thursday, March 6, 2014

The Tuesday, March 4, discussion Memphis City Council members had with Tennessee Comptroller Justin Wilson, Tennessee Treasurer David Lillard and consultants from four actuarial firms centered on the city’s pension liability.

19. Dunavant Awards Symposium Set for April 21 - Monday, February 17, 2014

When the 11th annual Bobby Dunavant Public Service awards are given out in April, the University of Memphis will also host the awards’ second annual symposium on public service.

20. Council Approves Tax Hike in $3.40 Property Tax Rate - Wednesday, June 26, 2013

Memphis City Council members raised the city property tax rate Tuesday, June 26, by four cents above the recertified tax rate and put the rest of a turbulent budget season to rest.

The approval of the $3.40 property tax rate and city operating and capital budgets came in a council session that ended at 12:30 a.m. Wednesday morning.

21. Cohen-Hart in Congressional Race at Filing Deadline - Friday, April 6, 2012

The chairman of the countywide school board, Billy Orgel, was effectively elected to his District 7 school board seat without opposition at the Thursday, April 5, filing deadline for candidates on the Aug. 2 primary and general election ballot in Shelby County.

22. Nucor, FedEx Among Incentive Recipients - Friday, February 17, 2012

Millions of dollars in new investment, a few major corporate expansions and the retention of hundreds of local jobs – not to mention the creation of new demand for local construction workers and contractors – all were guaranteed by tax breaks awarded this week by the city-county Economic Development Growth Engine board.

23. Paul Bourassa Joins Unity Home Medical as Director - Wednesday, December 22, 2010

Paul N. Bourassa has joined Unity Home Medical LLC as director. Unity Home Medical is a medical supply company and sister company of Unity Hospice Care based in Germantown.

24. 2009 Year In Review - Monday, December 28, 2009

2009 was a year without a script – and plenty of improvising on the political stage.

It was supposed to be an off-election year except in Arlington and Lakeland.

2008 ended with voters in the city and county approving a series of changes to the charters of Memphis and Shelby County governments. Those changes were supposed to set a new direction for both entities, kicking into high gear in 2010 and ultimately culminating two years later.

25. Metro Charter Commission to Choose Chair - Tuesday, November 10, 2009

The first order of business today will be selecting a leader. It’s become a familiar note in political daily planners these days.

The Metro Charter Commission holds its first meeting today on the third floor of the Shelby County Courthouse.

26. Mayoral Hopefuls Make Last-Minute Play for Votes - Tuesday, October 13, 2009

Jerry Lawler is pitching his campaign for mayor from interstate overpasses and a wrestling ring he’s set up in the parking lots of the city’s shopping centers.

27. It’s Now or Never for Voter Registration - Tuesday, September 15, 2009

Today is the last day to register to vote in the Oct. 15 special mayoral election.

Early voting begins Sept. 25 with much speculation about how the large field of 25 contenders will affect voter turnout and how the votes are divided.

28. Mayor's Race Set at 25 Candidates - Friday, September 11, 2009

The Shelby County Election Commission has approved a field of 25 candidates for the Oct. 15 special election for Memphis mayor.

The vote came hours after the Thursday deadline for any candidates to withdraw.

29. 25 In Final Field For City Mayor - Thursday, September 10, 2009

The Shelby County Election Commission has approved a field of 25 candidates for the Oct. 15 special election for Memphis mayor.

The vote came hours after the Thursday deadline for any candidates to withdraw.

30. All in Favor: The forces behind the latest push for city-county consolidation - Monday, August 31, 2009

For the first time in 30 years, government consolidation is moving to the ballot.

Although a firm plan doesn’t exist yet, the Shelby County Commission and Memphis City Council are poised to vote on creating a metro charter commission, possibly as early as next month. And the votes to make it a reality appear to be there on both bodies.

31. Politicians Out in Full Force - Tuesday, August 11, 2009

With back-to-school supplies to hand out and a new crop of brightly colored campaign signs, the October special election race for Memphis mayor and several other races on the 2010 ballot came alive this past weekend.

32. Setting of Mayoral Election Date Highlights Busy Week - Friday, July 24, 2009

Shelby County Election Commission Chairman Bill Giannini knew something was happening Wednesday when his cell phone began coming to life. It was just as the commission was about to hold a special meeting to determine when to hold a special election for Memphis mayor.

33. Election Commission Tentatively Sets Oct. 27 Date For Mayor's Race - Thursday, July 23, 2009

Memphis Mayor Willie Herenton has again raised the possibility that he might not leave office on July 30. That possibility comes the same week that Herenton wondered aloud why reporters doubted that he would leave next week.

34. UPDATE: Herenton Again Raises Doubts About Departure - Wednesday, July 22, 2009
 

Memphis Mayor Willie Herenton has again raised the possibility that he might not leave office on July 30. That possibility comes the same week that Herenton wondered aloud why reporters doubted that he would leave next week.

A Herenton letter, dated today, to City Attorney Elbert Jefferson was released as the Shelby County Election Commission met to consider setting a date for a special election to fill a vacancy in the mayor’s office.

In the letter, Herenton writes that the City Council’s decision to declare a vacancy in the mayor’s office was “premature.”

“I am concerned that the action of the city will establish irreversible precedent on matters as to when an office can be deemed vacated and by whom,” Herenton wrote. “As Mayor and as an employee of the city of Memphis, I have the unfettered right to rescind my retirement. … Ultimately, I have not waived my right to rescind my retirement.”

Herenton also said Council chairman Myron Lowery may have had a conflict of interest in voting on the declaration of a vacancy since the council chairman becomes mayor pro tempore for three months in the event of a vacancy in the mayor’s office.

The bombshell letter prompted lots of debate among all five Election Commissioners about whether they should set an election date and filing deadline.

Ultimately, the commission voted unanimously to tentatively set an election date of Oct. 27. Candidates in the race would have until noon Sept. 17 to file their qualifying petitions and until noon Sept. 24 to withdraw from the race if they wish.

The commission would formally call the special election and begin issuing and taking petitions if Herenton does leave office on July 30.

An earlier move by Election Commissioner Shep Wilbun to defer any decision or action by the body until July 31 was voted down in a party line 2-3 vote. Wilbun and fellow Democratic Election Commissioner Myra Stiles voted for the delay. Republicans Robert Meyers, Brian Stephens and Bill Giannini voted no.

All five commissioners expressed a desire to remain out of any possible litigation that might result.

Read more background on the continuing political controversy in Friday’s edition of The Daily News.

35. Details Coming Soon for Lender Lawsuit - Friday, December 26, 2008

Right on schedule, elected officials on both sides of local government were briefed this month on the plan to file a lawsuit against national mortgage lending companies that allegedly targeted minority borrowers for high-cost loans.

36. Events - Wednesday, October 29, 2008

The Shelby County Board of Commissioners will hold committee meetings today beginning at 8:30 a.m. in the fourth floor committee room of the Shelby County Administration Building, 160 N. Main St. For more information, call Steve Summerall at 545-4301.

37. Events - Tuesday, October 28, 2008

The Freedom Award Dinner and Ceremony will be held today at 6:30 p.m. at the Memphis Cook Convention Center, 255 N. Main St. The annual award ceremony will pay tribute to the people whose accomplishments depict the spirit of the civil rights movement. Faith Hill and Oleta Adams will perform. Cost is $200. For more information, call 521-9699, Ext. 237.

38. Special Election Filing Deadline Approaches - Monday, August 18, 2008

The Nov. 4 ballot will move a step closer to completion this week with Thursday’s noon filing deadline for candidates in the special Memphis City Council election and the races for five of the nine Memphis school board positions.

39. City Council Races Overflow With 83 Candidates Filing - Monday, July 23, 2007

It's the year of the open seat on the Memphis City Council.

With seven incumbents not running for re-election and the resignation last month of an eighth, it is already the biggest turnover of council seats in the 40-year history of the mayor-council form of government.

40. Things Go From Hot To Smoking Hot In Election Contests - Thursday, July 12, 2007

With one week to the filing deadline for the Oct. 4 Memphis city elections, 124 citizens have thought seriously enough about running for the 15 offices on the ballot to check out qualifying petitions. Nearly 40 had filed by the end of the first week.

41. Archived Article: Newsmakers - Wednesday, April 21, 2004
(e-photo) Virginia M

Memphis Area Legal Services Hires Staff Attorney

Virginia M. Alexander was hired as a staff attorney with Memphis Area Legal Services Inc. to work on MALS family/domestic violence project. Alexander previously was a sole p...

42. Archived Article: Memos - Wednesday, September 3, 2003
<ephoto> Greg V

Greg V. Ortega was named director of corporate product marketing for TBC Corp. Ortega previously held positions as TBCs manager of strategic marketing and manager of marketing and procurement for light truck tires. He earned...