The Shelby County Commission on Monday elected commissioner Van Turner as chairman and commissioner Mark Billingsley as vice-chairman for the 2018-19 year in its first meeting of their four-year terms in office.

2. EDGE Calls Special Meeting for Southbrook Mall Money - Wednesday, September 5, 2018

The use of county funds to help revitalize the blighted Southbrook Mall property will bring members of the Economic Development Growth Engine (EDGE) together Thursday, Sept. 6, for a special called meeting.

3. Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris, New County Commissioners Sworn In - Friday, August 31, 2018

New Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris and the 13 members of the Shelby County Commission were sworn in together – to show unity between the two bodies of government – Thursday afternoon at the Cannon Center for the Performing Arts.

4. Last Word: Rallings Talks Bridge, Bird at U of M and Spec Industrial - Thursday, August 23, 2018

Part of the unofficial job description of an activist can be to be as provocative as possible. And provocative is what the attorneys and the judge in the Memphis Police surveillance lawsuit trial in federal court got Wednesday from Keedran Franklin. Franklin is one of the activists/protesters in the recent wave of protests locally in the last two to three years who was being watched closely by Memphis Police.

5. County Commission Considers Changes To EDGE Near Term's End - Tuesday, August 14, 2018

With only one more regularly scheduled meeting left in their four-year term of office, Shelby County commissioners are considering some changes to the joint city-county Economic Development Growth Engine – or EDGE.

6. Election Verdict - Thursday, August 2, 2018

A week into the early voting period, U.S. Rep. Steve Cohen was quizzing Democratic nominee for Shelby County mayor Lee Harris about the path of Harris’ campaign to election day. The race between Harris and Republican nominee David Lenoir was already getting dicey, with Lenoir’s attacks on Harris continuing at their debates and moving into mailers, including a controversial mailer featuring a picture of Harris that was noticeably darker than Harris is in real life.

7. Early Opening - Friday, July 13, 2018

Early voting in advance of the Aug. 2 Election Day opens Friday, July 13, at five locations across Shelby County. On Tuesday, 22 additional sites will be open through July 28. Between the Shelby County Election Commission and Chancery Court there were three other sets of early-voting locations and hours in a three-week period before Chancellor JoeDae Jenkins signed off Tuesday afternoon on a fourth set.

8. County Commission Leaves Only Tax Rate Undone In Budget Season - Wednesday, June 20, 2018

Shelby County commissioners took final action Monday, June 18, on every item in its budget season except a final approval of a $4.05 county property tax rate.

The approval of a $1.3 billion county consolidated operating budget and a $90.2 million capital budget for the fiscal year that starts July 1 came with unanimous votes by the 13-member body.

9. County Commission Leaves Only Tax Rate Undone in Budget Season - Tuesday, June 19, 2018

Shelby County commissioners took final action Monday, June 18, on every item in its budget season except a final approval of a $4.05 county property tax rate.

The approval of a $1.3 billion county consolidated operating budget and a $90.2 million capital

10. Last Word: The Politics of Summer, Perpetual Motion and Nigerian Email Scams - Tuesday, June 12, 2018

Just about the time it is summer by the calendar next week as well as by the ongoing weather, you will start to see a set of one-on-one debates between the Democratic and Republican contenders for Shelby County Mayor – Lee Harris and David Lenoir, respectively.

11. Luttrell, Jones: County Budget Talks Center on Property Tax Allocation - Tuesday, June 12, 2018

Shelby County government’s budget season turns on the county’s property tax rate. It’s not about decreasing the current $4.11 rate to $4.05, as proposed by Shelby County Mayor Mark Luttrell. It’s about how the $4.05 rate would be allocated among various county uses.

12. Last Word: Firestone's Legacy, Malco In Lakeland and Alexander on Cell Phones - Friday, June 8, 2018

What about Firestone? That’s the quick way of getting into the latest turn in our ongoing civic discussion about whether there should be changes to how Memphis approaches economic development and the growth it brings. Eric Robertson, the president of Community LIFT, which works with community development corporations across the city, says the definition of economic development should be broader and the approach to it should go beyond answering the questions of site consultants to keep them from walking away to the next city on their list.

13. Commission Reappoints Bolton As Adviser, Questions His Role - Wednesday, May 16, 2018

Shelby County commissioners reappointed former commissioner Julian Bolton as their legislative policy adviser Monday, May 14, sending his reappointment, effective to the end of September, to Mayor Mark Luttrell, who vetoed an earlier version of the appointment in April.

14. Commission Reappoints Bolton As Advisor Amid Questions About His Role - Tuesday, May 15, 2018

Shelby County commissioners reappointed former commissioner Julian Bolton as their legislative policy advisor Monday, May 14, sending the reappointment to the end of September to county mayor Mark Luttrell who vetoed an earlier version in April.

15. Commission Races Feature Basar Upset, Lowery is Newest Commissioner - Thursday, May 3, 2018

The 13-member Shelby County Commission will have eight new faces when all of the votes are counted in the Aug. 2 county general election.

Five of the current incumbent commissioners are term-limited from seeking re-election this year and two other incumbents chose not to seek a second term.

16. Commission Races Feature Basar Upset - Wednesday, May 2, 2018

The Shelby County Commission will have eight new faces when all of the votes are counted in the Aug. 2 county general election.

Five of the current incumbent county commissioners are term-limited from seeking re-election this year and two other incumbents chose not to seek a second term on the 13-member body.

17. Republican Contenders for County Mayor Offer Different Views on Taxes - Wednesday, April 25, 2018

The three Republican primary contenders for Shelby County mayor have spent a lot of their time together talking about taxes this campaign season.

Shelby County commissioner Terry Roland has talked about the last budget season’s two-cent reduction in the county property tax rate after the tax rate was adjusted down to a new certified rate following the 2017 property reappraisal.

18. Funding Plans - Friday, March 30, 2018

The subject of county government’s $18 million to $25 million projected revenue surplus didn’t surface once this week as the Shelby County Commission’s budget committee continues to prepare for budget season. The Wednesday, March 28, committee session was the first since County Mayor Mark Luttrell’s administration said it is estimating the surplus for the current fiscal year, which ends June 30, because of better-than-expected county property tax collections and fewer appeals of property tax reappraisals.

19. Last Word: Preparing for 5G, The City's Pre-K Plan and Beyond the Classics - Monday, March 19, 2018

The East High and Hamilton High basketball teams are state champions at the end of the weekend. Much of the attention here has been on the East division because with that decided, East High coach Penny Hardaway is now free to be named coach of the Tigers. And it looks like Tuesday will be the day for that.

20. County Commission Weighs New Majority, Past Experience in Preparing for Budget Season - Monday, March 19, 2018

Shelby County commissioners have plenty to occupy their time as they await the arrival of budget season in May. There is the planning and terms of the county getting into the sewer business, opioid programs and a lawsuit. There is also the exploration with the Memphis City Council and Greater Memphis Chamber of repositioning the city’s economic development pursuits.

21. Sheriff’s Deputies Will Get to Keep Service Revolver Upon Retiring - Wednesday, February 21, 2018

Retiring Shelby County Sheriff’s Department deputies would get their service revolvers from the county instead of a watch under a resolution approved Monday, Feb. 19, by the Shelby County Commission.

22. Potter Vacancy Would Put Fourth Special Judicial Election on Ballot - Wednesday, February 21, 2018

There could be a fourth special judicial election on the August ballot with word Monday, Feb. 19, that General Sessions Environmental Court Judge Larry Potter will retire effective March 1.

23. Potter Retires As Environmental Court Judge - Tuesday, February 20, 2018

General Sessions Environmental Court Judge Larry Potter announced Monday, Feb. 19, that he will retire from the court he founded effective March 1.

24. Signing Class Disappointing, But Groundwork Laid - Friday, February 16, 2018

Tennessee football fans are hoping for a better National Signing Day in 2019. This year’s was a relative dud.

New coach Jeremy Pruitt, hired on Dec. 7, signed six players on Feb. 7 but whiffed on several high-profile recruits he and his staff were pursuing. He had signed 14 players during the first-ever early signing period Dec. 20-22.

25. County Commission Moves Toward Minority Business Fixes, Landfill Moratorium - Monday, January 22, 2018

Shelby County commissioners vote Monday, Jan. 22, on a first step toward amending the minority and locally owned business program they approved more than a year ago with great fanfare.

The first step is hiring attorney Ricky E. Wilkins to review proposed fixes that are to follow. Wilkins would be paid up to $50,000 from the commission’s contingency fund.

26. Last Word: Rate Hike No Go, No Abortion Vote Recount and Infill - Wednesday, January 10, 2018

A foggy night, rising temperatures and the prospect of snow by Friday evening. This sounds like a familiar setting for something unexpected in Memphis while the old year is still a recent memory and the new year is still new. Tigers on a tear Tuesday evening at FedExForum, beating Tulane 96 – 89.

27. Amid the Tumult, a Vol Legacy Finally Gets His Call - Friday, December 22, 2017

Jacob Warren got one of the best phone calls of his life a couple of weeks ago. The senior tight end at Farragut High School was relieved to hear what new Tennessee football coach Jeremy Pruitt told him.

28. Shelby County Commission Rejects Jail Food Contract - Saturday, December 9, 2017

Shelby County commissioners on Monday, Dec. 4, voted down a $4.4 million five-year contract with Aramark Correctional Services LLC for food service at the Shelby County jail through the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office.

29. Shelby County Commission Rejects Jail Food Contract - Wednesday, December 6, 2017

Shelby County commissioners on Monday, Dec. 4, voted down a $4.4 million five-year contract with Aramark Correctional Services LLC for food service at the Shelby County jail through the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office.

30. County Commission Renews Opioid Legal Skirmish with County Administration - Tuesday, December 5, 2017

Shelby County Commissioners voted Monday, Dec. 4, to hire another attorney to represent it in an ongoing legal battle with county mayor Mark Luttrell over opioid litigation. And the commission approved a resolution declaring opioid abuse a “public nuisance” as an opening to legal depositions of opioid manufacturers and distributors.

31. County Primary Filing Opens With Paperwork Flurry - Monday, November 20, 2017

A total of 37 prospective candidates in the May 2018 county primaries pulled qualifying petitions last week on the first day of the filing period Friday, Nov. 17.

And the first contenders through the doors at the Shelby County Election Commission in a period that extends to a February deadline confirms a few trends.

32. The Week Ahead: Sept. 25-Oct. 1 - Monday, September 25, 2017

Are you ready to ride into the coming week, Memphis? There are some big two-wheel events and races to take in along with performances, fine dining, even a vintage antique market at Agricenter International. Check out more you need to know about in The Week Ahead...

33. Commission Tries to Stop Charter School Plan - Wednesday, August 2, 2017

Shelby County commissioners called on a charter school that planned to open in Memphis but instead wants to set up shop in Bartlett to stick by its original plan or put off opening Gateway University Charter School next week.

34. County Commission Calls For Halt to Gateway Charter Plans in Bartlett - Tuesday, August 1, 2017

Shelby County Commissioners called on a charter school that planned to open in Memphis but instead is setting up shop in Bartlett to stick by its original plan or put off the opening of the Gateway University Charter School next week.

35. Commission Locks In $4.11 Tax Rate With 10-0 Vote - Friday, July 21, 2017

Shelby County Commissioners closed the books Wednesday, July 19, on another budget season with approval on third and final reading of a county property tax rate of $4.11.

The fourth commission meeting in a week and a half ran about 20 minutes, ending with the 10-0 vote. Several commissioners were absent from the special meeting.

36. Political Differences Endure After $4.11 Shelby County Tax Rate Compromise - Wednesday, July 19, 2017

Shelby County commissioners were still calculating Monday, July 17, after they passed a compromised, $4.11 county property tax rate that appears will stay put long enough for the commission to take a final vote Wednesday at a special meeting.

37. County Budget Talks Reveal Political Divide - Friday, July 14, 2017

When Shelby County Commissioners convene Monday, July 17, it will be their third meeting in a week – following committee sessions Wednesday and the special meeting to approve a county operating budget two days before that.

38. County Commission Debates 3-Cent Tax Rate Cut - Wednesday, June 14, 2017

Shelby County Commissioners approved a 3-cent reduction in the county property tax rate Monday, June 12, on the first of three readings but delayed a vote on the operating budget resolution for more discussion about how to account for the tax-rate cut.

39. County Commission Continues Tax Cut Calculations - Tuesday, June 13, 2017

Shelby County Commissioners approved a three-cent reduction in the county property tax rate Monday, June 12, on the first of three readings but delayed a vote on the operating budget resolution for more discussion about how to account for a cut in the tax rate.

40. ‘Good Locker Room’ Doesn’t Happen by Accident - Friday, April 21, 2017

The first time I heard the term “good locker room” in relation to an NFL team, I figured it had something to do with TVs, air conditioning and nearby shower accommodations.

As usual, I was wrong.

41. County Commission Won’t Appoint Lovell Replacement - Wednesday, March 22, 2017

Shelby County commissioners will not appoint someone to the open state House District 95 seat in advance of the June 15 special election for the seat.

The commission voted down by a 5-6 vote Monday, March 20, a move to start the appointment process by taking applications.

42. County Commission Passes on State House Appointment - Tuesday, March 21, 2017

Shelby County Commissioners will not appoint someone to the open state House District 95 seat in advance of the June 15 special election for the seat.

The commission voted down on a 5-6 vote Monday, March 20, a move to start the appointment process by taking applications on a 5-6 vote.

43. County Commission Passes on State House Appointment - Tuesday, March 21, 2017

Shelby County Commissioners will not to appoint someone to the open state House District 95 seat in advance of the June 15 special election for the seat.

The commission voted down on a 5-6 vote Monday, March 20, a move to start the appointment process by taking applications on a 5-6 vote.

44. Planned Parenthood Vote Draws On Political Divide - Wednesday, February 8, 2017

Shelby County Commissioner Steve Basar looked out at the audience in the commission’s chambers Monday, Feb. 6, and saw something the commission only sees once or twice a year – a standing room-only crowd with every seat taken and most there for a single issue.

45. Protests Define New Interest In Activism - Friday, February 3, 2017

Usually when the Shelby County Commission’s committee room is filled, it is with those from various county government divisions making presentations during budget season. Or it might be filled with representatives from several organizations seeking or getting county grants.

46. Elvis' Home-Away-From-Home Could Be Razed for Car Wash - Friday, January 6, 2017

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) – As a teenager growing up in the 1950s, Steve North would look for the pink Cadillac outside a stone house on the outskirts of Nashville. If the car was there, Elvis was in the building.

47. Minority Contract Percentages Get Approval - Wednesday, December 21, 2016

Shelby County Commissioners gave final approval Monday, Dec. 19, to a resolution that sets specific percentages for specific minority and other groups for getting a share of county government contracts.

48. County Commission Approves Specific Minority Contract Percentages - Tuesday, December 20, 2016

Shelby County Commissioners gave final approval Monday, Dec. 19, to a resolution that sets specific percentages for specific minority and other groups for getting a share of county government contracts.

49. Shelby County Commission Votes Down Pot Ordinance - Wednesday, December 7, 2016

The Shelby County Commission voted down Monday, Dec. 5, an ordinance that would have matched a city of Memphis ordinance allowing police the option of writing a civil summons or ticket with a $50 fine for possession of half an ounce or less of marijuana.

50. Commission Votes Down Pot Ordinance - Tuesday, December 6, 2016

Shelby County Commissioners voted down Monday, Dec. 5, an ordinance that would have matched the city of Memphis ordinance allowing police the option of writing a civil summons or ticket with a $50 fine for possession of half an ounce or less or marijuana.

51. Pot Ordinance, County Ambulance Service Top County Commission Agenda - Monday, December 5, 2016

There are seven no votes on the Shelby County Commission against an ordinance allowing Shelby County Sheriff’s deputies to write a civil summons with a $50 fine for possession of a half ounce or less of marijuana.

52. Looks Like 10-2, SEC Title Game, Orange Bowl for UT - Monday, September 5, 2016

Editor’s note: Nashville sports correspondent Dave Link has been accurate in predicting season outcomes for the Tennessee Vols in recent years. His 2016 season predictions, released just before press time, culminates with an SEC Championship appearance. Here’s his take on the season…

53. Do Titans Finally Have Their Offensive Line? - Friday, August 5, 2016

New Tennessee Titans coach Mike Mularkey’s stated desire to play “exotic smashmouth” football – especially on offense – requires a good offensive line. But if there’s one thing the Titans have not had in recent years it’s a good offensive line.

54. Commission Sets Tax Rate, Debate Remains - Friday, July 29, 2016

Shelby County Commissioners made it official Wednesday, July 27, keeping the county property tax rate the same – at $4.37 per $100 of assessed value.

But the vote didn’t end the debate among commissioners about the future trajectory of the tax rate.

55. Long-Term Issues Push County Budget To Deadline - Wednesday, June 29, 2016

It’s not the basics that are keeping Shelby County Commissioners from a majority vote on school funding in the new operating budget.

It is the broader questions and budget assumptions some commissioners want to change in the process.

56. Shelby County Budget Delay Centers on $3.5 Million for Schools - Wednesday, June 22, 2016

Most of the declarations Monday, June 20, before the Shelby County Commission delayed final votes on local schools funding to next week came from the audience.

“For too long we’ve bled, died, cried and pled for education,” former Memphis City Council and Memphis City Schools board member TaJuan Stout-Mitchell told the commission.

57. County Schools Funding Compromise to Be Tested - Friday, June 17, 2016

Fragile is probably the best way to describe the compromise that emerged this week from county commissioners to fully fund the Shelby County Schools budget for the fiscal year that begins July 1.

The plan that closes a $27.4 million gap between what the school system wants and what Shelby County Mayor Mark Luttrell proposed in April had eight votes on the 13-member commission in Wednesday, June 15, committee sessions.

58. ‘Critical Mass’ - Saturday, June 4, 2016

Shelby County Schools superintendent Dorsey Hopson calls it “a brave new world” after four years of unprecedented changes: the merger and demerger of the county’s public schools systems, the rise of charter schools, the formation of both the state-run Achievement School District and locally run Innovation Zone model, and declining SCS enrollment.

59. SCS Budget Quest About More Than Dollar Figures - Wednesday, May 18, 2016

When the Shelby County Commission meets next week to look over the budget proposal approved Monday, May 16, by the Shelby County Schools board, there will be a debate that goes beyond the bottom line dollar figures and line items.

60. Shelby County Schools Board Eyes Wheel Tax to Bridge Budget Gap - Friday, May 13, 2016

Shelby County Schools board members are looking at the county wheel tax to bridge some, but not all of the $27 million gap in their still tentative budget for the new fiscal year.

The specific solution they are looking at is the half of the $32 million in annual revenue from the wheel tax that Shelby County Mayor Mark Luttrell has proposed go instead to capital projects across all seven public school systems in Shelby County. The new fiscal year begins July 1.

61. Pieces of Schools Budget Begin to Fall Into Place - Wednesday, May 11, 2016

Shelby County Commissioners on Monday, May 9, approved $33 million in capital funding among the county’s seven public school systems for the current fiscal year that ends June 30.

Shelby County Schools’ share of the funding, based on average daily attendance, is 78 percent, or $26 million. That’s what SCS superintendent Dorsey Hopson requested last month of the commission.

62. Last Word: Love and Glory and Guitars, New Frost and Scalia's Passing - Monday, February 15, 2016

To each his or her own on Valentine’s Day observances Sunday that become Valentine’s Day memories with the arrival of Monday.

The Majestic Grille, for instance, had the movies Roman Holiday and Casablanca back to back on the screen of the movie theater turned restaurant.
No sound, but you really don’t need sound for the scene where Audrey Hepburn takes the throne with Gregory Peck and a beatnik Eddie Albert among the press corps at the rope line.
And The Majestic saved The Second Line in Overton Square with a loaner of some champagne after Second Line ran a bit short.
Chef Kelly English thanked the Majestic via Twitter for “saving our sweet Valentine’s Day asses.”

63. Warren, Tulane Move-Out Leads to Larger Issues - Friday, February 12, 2016

The end of federal rent subsidies at two Memphis apartment complexes with a recent history of code violations will create some larger issues for the surrounding communities.

Those larger changes begin to unfold next week as federal officials meet with residents at each of the apartment complexes to talk about their move out of the aging complexes.

64. County Commission Approves Hacks Cross Contract, New Health Director - Tuesday, January 12, 2016

Shelby County Commissioners approved Monday, Jan. 11, a $223,600 contract for engineering and environmental work on the Hacks Cross Road widening.

The contract with Powers Hill Design LLC is to make Hacks Cross a seven-lane road from Shelby Drive south to Stateline Road, a span of 1.8 miles.

65. Rotten to the Core: Titans Fail to Develop Talent - Saturday, December 19, 2015

As the Tennessee Titans sink toward the end of another lackluster season, they head into the off-season with still more holes to fill for 2016.

Some of that, of course, is inevitable with any team as an NFL roster. Even on the best teams can have a 20 percent roster turnover in the off-season due to injuries, free agency and new draft picks coming on board.

66. Hamlet Offers Plan For Global Ministries Foundation's Inner-City Apartments - Tuesday, November 17, 2015

Global Ministries Foundation founder Richard Hamlet has a multi-million dollar recapitalization plan to make extensive renovations at three inner-city apartment complexes his company owns.

67. EDGE Still Explaining Itself To Memphis, Shelby County Elected Leaders - Tuesday, October 20, 2015

Four years into its existence, Reid Dulberger is still explaining the basics of a group created by Memphis Mayor A C Wharton and Shelby County Mayor Mark Luttrell to streamline local economic development efforts.

68. Roland Claims Shelby County Commission Chairmanship - Wednesday, September 16, 2015

After Terry Roland took the chairman’s seat at the Monday, Sept. 14, Shelby County Commission meeting, Shelby County Mayor Mark Luttrell congratulated him and pledged to work with him.

69. Roland Claims County Commission Chairmanship - Tuesday, September 15, 2015

Three weeks after Steve Basar was elected – and an hour later un-elected – as chairman, the Shelby County Commission settled the discussion of who would be its leader next year by electing commissioner Terry Roland.

70. Luttrell Pushes Budget Summit for New Commission Chair - Monday, September 14, 2015

When Shelby County Commissioners meet Monday, Sept. 14, the group will have a new chairman – but not a permanent one – and will try to set a date for a budget summit.

Chairman pro tempore Van Turner will be the acting head as the 13-member body tries to do what it couldn’t at its Aug. 10 meeting: elect a leader for the next year. Outgoing chairman Justin Ford’s one-year term ended Sept. 1.

71. County Commission Votes on Hiring Attorney in Schools Funding Lawsuit - Monday, August 24, 2015

Shelby County Commissioners vote Monday, Aug. 24, on hiring an attorney to be the body’s special counsel in a statewide education funding lawsuit.

The commission specifically votes on hiring the law firm of Lewis Brisbois Bisgaard and Smith LLP to represent and advise it “on adequate and equitable school funding from the state of Tennessee.”

72. County Commission Chairmanship Given, Taken Back - Wednesday, August 12, 2015

For a while Monday, Aug. 10, it looked like the Shelby County Commission had shaken off several years of political conflict in the annual selection of its chairman.

As was the case the three previous years, a commission chairman had been elected with most of his or her votes coming from commissioners of the other party. The body currently is made up of seven Democrats and six Republicans.

73. County Commission Takes Back Election of Basar As New Chairman - Tuesday, August 11, 2015

For about an hour Monday, Aug. 10, Steve Basar was the incoming-chairman of the Shelby County Commission, scheduled to take the position in September.

It was the first item on Monday’s agenda. But when the commission completed the rest of the 24-item agenda one of the seven commissioners who voted for Basar flipped.

74. Commission Considers Statue Move, Bailey Honor - Monday, July 27, 2015

Shelby County Commissioners consider Monday, July 27, whether to get involved in the city’s plan to move a statue of Nathan Bedford Forrest out of the city park once named for the Confederate general, slave trader and Ku Klux Klan Grand Wizard.

75. County Commission Takes Long Way to Budget Approval - Tuesday, June 23, 2015

In the space of five hours Monday, June 22, Shelby County Commissioners voted down an operating budget, a capital budget and an attempt at a continuation budget to keep spending at the same levels past July 1 and into the new fiscal year.

76. County Commission Looks for Schools Budget - Monday, April 13, 2015

Shelby County Commissioners have plenty of work to begin on the $1.18 billion budget proposal submitted to the body this week by Shelby County Mayor Mark Luttrell.

77. Aramark Corrections Center Food Contract Approved - Wednesday, April 1, 2015

Aramark Correctional Services Inc. will take over food service at the Shelby County Corrections Center, four years after the private company did the same at the Shelby County Jail and Jail East.

78. County Commission Considers $3.6 Million Prison Food Contract With Aramark - Monday, March 30, 2015

Who feeds those behind bars in Shelby County has been a politically volatile government issue for years.

It touches on several political hot spots including whether or not to use local companies and local subcontractors, the privatization of a county government function and the possible loss of government jobs in the transition.

79. County Commission Ponders Local Disaster Fund - Wednesday, March 11, 2015

Shelby County Commissioners are considering matching a local disaster relief fund started by the Memphis City Council last year that would total $500,000.

But a resolution to formally join in the fund drew “concern” Monday, March 9, from Shelby County Mayor Mark Luttrell.

80. 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.

81. Graceland Plan Clears Main Local Hurdles - Wednesday, December 10, 2014

Elvis Presley Enterprises attempted to secure private financing of its plan for a 450-room resort hotel and a remake of its plaza area, but those attempts failed, said Graceland’s bond counsel, because it is difficult for borrowers to get conventional financing for a hotel project.

82. Beach-Bound - Wednesday, December 10, 2014

“Miami here we come!!!” That was quarterback Paxton Lynch’s tweet, spiced up with sun and palm tree icons.

It summed up what has been a glorious football season for the University of Memphis: a 9-3 record, a 7-1 mark in the American Athletic Conference and the program’s first share of a league title in 40 years. So the Tigers are headed to the first-ever Miami Beach Bowl for a Dec. 22 game with BYU.

83. City, County Take Different Paths on Insurance - Monday, November 3, 2014

City of Memphis human resources director Quintin Robinson came from City Hall on the other side of the Main Street Mall last week to watch how Shelby County government handled changes to its health insurance plan for employees.

84. County Commission Approves Health Insurance Changes - Friday, October 31, 2014

Shelby County Commissioners approved changes to county government employee health insurance coverage Thursday, Oct. 30, that raises employee premiums by 5 percent and drops working spouses who are offered equivalent coverage of the county’s bronze plan by their employers effective Jan. 1.

85. Commission Chair Sued by Seven Members - Tuesday, October 28, 2014

Seven Shelby County Commissioners are suing commission chairman Justin Ford for stopping them from adding items to the body’s agenda.

86. County Commission Starts School Bond Process - Monday, September 22, 2014

Shelby County Commissioners vote Monday, Sept. 22, on a resolution that is the first step in issuing $120 million in general obligation bonds over the next two years to finance “public works projects, including schools,” according to the resolution.

87. County Leaders Make Transition to Governing - Friday, August 29, 2014

For government officials, the oath of office marks the boundary between the ability to get elected and the ability to govern.

But it’s not always apparent to those taking the oath what they have gotten themselves into.

88. Democratic Sample Ballot Omits Some Names - Friday, July 25, 2014

Not every candidate who claimed the Democratic nomination in the May county primaries is on the Shelby County Democratic Party’s endorsement ballot that hits the streets this week.

With early voting underway in advance of the Aug. 7 election day, the sample ballot does not include Juvenile Court clerk candidate Henri Brooks, Circuit Court clerk nominee Rhonda Banks, Probate Court clerk candidate William Chism and County Clerk nominee Charlotte Draper.

89. Jones, Reaves Look to Commission Terms - Tuesday, May 13, 2014

For David Reaves and Eddie Jones, the 2014 election year is over.

90. Politics Continues After County Primaries - Friday, May 9, 2014

A lot of the candidates from the Shelby County primary ballot were in the same room the day after the Tuesday, May 6, election.

The occasion was County Commission committee sessions.

It was mostly winners.

91. Malone to Challenge Luttrell In August Mayoral Showdown - Wednesday, May 7, 2014

Former Shelby County Commissioner Deidre Malone will challenge incumbent Shelby County Mayor Mark Luttrell in the August county general election after winning the Tuesday, May 6, Democratic mayoral primary.

92. Malone Takes Early Vote In Mayoral Primary - Wednesday, May 7, 2014

Former Shelby County Commissioner Deidre Malone took the early vote in the three-way Democratic primary for Shelby County Mayor.

The first results of the Tuesday, May 6, election night showed Malone leading rivals county commissioner Steve Mulroy and former Shelby County Schools board member Kenneth Whalum Jr.

93. May County Primary Ballot Set - Friday, March 7, 2014

The ballot for the May Shelby County primary elections was completed Wednesday, March 5, as the Shelby County Election Commission disqualified a County Commission candidate whose attorney argued that she intended to but never did live in the district she hoped to represent.

94. Election Commission Approves All But Three Names For May Primaries - Friday, February 28, 2014

Shelby County Election Commissioners certified all but three names Thursday, Feb. 27, for the May county primary ballot and will meet March 5 to consider challenges to the residency of candidates Edith Ann Moore, M. Latroy Williams and E. Jefferson Jones.

95. Roland ReElected At Filing Deadline, Two Countywide Races Set For August - Friday, February 21, 2014

One of the six Shelby County Commission incumbents seeking re-election this year was effectively elected to a new four-year term in a new district with the noon Thursday, Feb. 20, filing deadline for candidates in the May county primaries.

96. Fullilove Pulls Petition for County Clerk - Saturday, January 4, 2014

Memphis City Council member Janis Fullilove has pulled a qualifying petition to run for Shelby County Clerk in the 2014 county elections.

Fullilove pulled the petition to run in the May 6 Democratic primary.

97. Fullilove Pulls Petition For County Clerk - Monday, December 30, 2013

Memphis City Council member Janis Fullilove has pulled a qualifying petition to run for Shelby County clerk in the 2014 county elections.

98. African-American TV Station Broadens Presence - Thursday, May 9, 2013

A new set of programming on Comcast Channel 31 geared toward Memphis’ African-American community is continuing to broaden its presence in the city.

The Carter Malone Group has developed a website for the venture, called MUTV1, which is short for Memphis Urban Television 1. In addition to serving as its agency of record, The Carter Malone Group CEO Deidre Malone also has a show on the channel called “Dialogue with Deidre.”

99. I Know a Place - Friday, April 26, 2013

I’LL TAKE YOU THERE. “Oh, mmm, I know a place… When Mavis Staples sang those words, everybody in the audience was moved to move. The kind of primal itch you got to scratch, the kind of muscle over mind that makes toes tap, fingers snap, and hands clap.

100. Tenn. House Approves GOP Redistricting Plan - Friday, January 13, 2012

NASHVILLE (AP) – The state House has approved a plan to redraw the chamber's 99 districts, overriding Democrats' objections that it placed five African-American incumbents into three seats.