Memphis Holler

01/10/2024

“A mood of mutual hostility between elected officials in the Tennessee House of Representatives and activists has not lightened in the months since last August’s special legislative session.

Protesters for democracy and gun reform held events and filled the State Capitol rotunda — to the extent they were allowed — Tuesday, Jan. 9, as the General Assembly kicked off its 2024 legislative session.”

A mood of mutual hostility between elected officials in the Tennessee House and activists has not lightened in the months since August’s special session.

01/10/2024

WATCH: “Abusing power… the judge, jury & decider…”

Rep Justin J. Pearson for State Representative reacts to a new Rep. Richey bill that bans expelled members from office for 4 years — even if their constituents send them back. (a reaction to him & )

FULL VIDEO: https://www.instagram.com/tv/C152QC3OTfe/?igsh=MWNscDBnNGk0aWJqNg==

01/10/2024

“The public faced new restrictions on watching the proceedings of Tennessee House of Representatives — a last-minute ticketing requirement to sit in a public Capitol gallery — as lawmakers returned Tuesday to begin the 2024 legislative session.

State troopers and House Sergeants at Arms turned spectators away from the west House gallery ahead of the start of session on Tuesday, citing a new policy requiring tickets issued by lawmakers that was never publicly announced. Under the policy, as best understood by members of the public, lawmakers, and those enforcing it, lawmakers were allowed to give out a single spectator ticket to sit in the House gallery.”

State troopers and Sergeants at Arms turned spectators away from the west House gallery, citing a new policy requiring tickets issued by lawmakers.

01/09/2024

“Memphis Police Department Chief Cerelyn “C.J.” Davis lost a key but nonbinding test vote by the Memphis City Council Tuesday, Jan. 9, on her reappointment.

The vote 6-7 vote came during council committee sessions on 17 of Mayor Paul Young’s appointments to his administration.”

Memphis Police Department Chief Cerelyn “C.J.” Davis lost a key but nonbinding test vote by the Memphis City Council Tuesday, Jan. 9, on her reappointment as police chief.

01/09/2024

“Voices for a Safer Tennessee, one of the many gun-reform advocacy groups formed after the Covenant School shooting in Nashville, is holding a panel discussion in Memphis on Jan. 23.

The panel, which Daily Memphian CEO Eric Barnes will moderate, is scheduled to begin at 6 p.m. at Church of the Holy Communion, at 4656 Walnut Grove Rd.

The panelists are Greater Memphis Chamber CEO Beverly Robertson, Memphis Shelby Crime Commission President Bill Gibbons and Voices Policy Director Erin Rogus.”

The panel, which Daily Memphian CEO Eric Barnes will moderate, is scheduled to begin at 6 p.m. at Church of the Holy Communion, at 4656 Walnut Grove Rd.

01/09/2024

WATCH: “YOU are what democracy looks like!” 🇺🇸

Rep. Justin J. Pearson for State Representative fires up the crowd after session, and tells them the people continuing to show up is what saves democracy.”

01/09/2024

Wow…. 😳

Will they put pics of actual kids killed by fi****ms too or nah?

01/09/2024

“A civilian law enforcement review panel for Shelby County government cleared the first hurdle Monday, Jan. 8, at the first Shelby County Commission meeting of 2024.

The commission approved the ordinance, creating the Civilian Law Enforcement Review Committee on a 9-4 party line vote.

The vote was along party lines, with the four Republican commissioners voting against and the nine Democrats voting for it.”

The first Shelby County Commission meeting of the year saw a first step toward a review board to hear misconduct allegations against the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office.

01/09/2024

“The Memphis City Council is set to take a third and final vote Tuesday, Jan. 9, on an ordinance that would allow its members to get city health insurance benefits for life.

Former council member Martavius Jones wrote the ordinance that extends the insurance coverage — which now goes only to full-time city employees — to members who have served a full two terms, or eight years, in office.”

The extension of health insurance coverage for city council members would apply to four council members who left office at the end of 2023.

01/09/2024

“The first Memphis City Council session of 2024 is a critical test of the relationship between the new legislative body and the new mayor.

Memphis Mayor Paul Young has appointed 17 people to administrative posts within his administration. The council will hear from them during Tuesday, Jan. 8, committee sessions, ahead of the full council’s afternoon session.”

The council questions 17 appointees by Mayor Paul Young to his administration in Tuesday committee sessions. Council chairman JB Smiley Jr. says the process will not be the swift confirmation process with few questions that it has been in the past.

01/09/2024

“Young stood by his choice for chief Monday and asked City Council to approve Davis’ reappointment Tuesday.

“I believe in this slate of appointees and their ability to deliver on my agenda for our city,” he said in a statement. “I am asking for the council to approve the slate as presented and to allow this team the opportunity to show the residents of Memphis what we are able to do together under the new administration and my leadership.”

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Two weeks before Mayor Paul Young was sworn in he announced plans to keep CJ Davis as the Memphis Police Chief despite the city’s nearly 400 homicides last year, skyroc…

01/09/2024

“Lawyers for five former Memphis Police officers charged with the murder of Tyre Nichols will have more time to file pre-trial motions in the federal case against them.”

Lawyers for the former Memphis Police officers charged with Tyre Nichols' murder will have more time to file pre-trial motions in the federal case against them.

01/08/2024

MEMPHIS: “Sunday evening, about 100 people gathered with candles at the intersection where the beating of Tyre Nichols took place to honor his memory…”
https://www.commercialappeal.com/story/news/local/2024/01/07/hundreds-gather-for-tyre-nichols-vigil-at-scene-of-fatal-police-beating-memphis-brutality-reform/72122554007/

01/07/2024

“As Memphis sees the one-year anniversary of the traffic stop which led to the death of Tyre Nichols, the legal team for his family is calling on Memphis’ new mayor to hold to a pledge to enact reforms to some city ordinances dealing with MPD.

Nichols was beaten during a traffic stop Jan. 7, 2023, and died three days later. Five MPD officers were fired and charged with killing Nichols, while a sixth was later fired for his involvement.”

"These types of commonsense changes to police policies and practices are essential to establishing trust between communities and police,” said a statement.

01/07/2024

“The Memphis City Council is set to reconvene Tuesday for their first meeting of the year, with the agenda set to approve or deny Mayor Paul Young’s administrative appointments.

The council committee is set to vote on the appointments and reappointments starting at 8:30 Tuesday, Jan. 9.”

The Memphis City Council is set to reconvene Tuesday for their first meeting of the year, with the agenda set to approve or deny Mayor Paul Young’s administrative appointments.

01/07/2024

“Should elected leaders still receive benefits after their terms end?

It’s a question that the city council will have to answer and vote on next week, thanks to a proposed ordinance.”

City Council will have to vote on proposed ordinance soon that may give councilmembers health benefits for life

01/06/2024

“Local and state lawmakers are developing new solutions to help curb Memphis' crime crisis — a crisis accelerated by stolen guns. As it stands now, stealing a gun in Tennessee isn't necessarily a felony.”

Local lawmakers developing new solutions to curb Memphis' crime crisis, a crisis accelerated by stolen guns. Theft of a gun worth less than $1000 is rarely a felony

01/06/2024

“An attorney for one of the nine officers indicted for the death of an inmate at the Shelby County Jail last year wants his client tried separately from her co-defendants.

Robert Spence Jr., who represents Chelsey Duckett, said during a Friday, Jan. 5, court hearing that he plans to make the request next week.”

Chelsey Duckett and her co-defendents have been indicted for alleged roles in the death of Gershun Freeman, who died in 2022 after an altercation with the officers at Shelby County Jail.

01/06/2024

“Candlelight vigils on Sunday will commemorate the one-year anniversary of the killing of Trye Nichols by Memphis Police Department (MPD) officers.

A vigil will be held in Memphis on January 7 at 7 p.m. at the intersection of Castlegate Lane and Ross Road.”

The Memphis vigil will be held at the intersection of Castlegate Lane and Ross Road.

01/06/2024

“Memphis' Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare has settled a federal lawsuit over its partnership with the West Clinic. The lawsuit, which began in 2017, accused the healthcare system of paying West Clinic for patient referrals.”

The DOJ said in a news release Methodist paid $7,250,000 to resolve allegations it violated the False Claims Act.

01/06/2024

“The Governor’s Council for Judicial Appointments has submitted three names to fill an upcoming vacancy on the Tennessee Supreme Court.

The vacancy will be to replace Roger Page, who is set to retire on August 31, 2024.”

The Governor’s Council for Judicial Appointments has submitted three names to fill an upcoming vacancy on the Tennessee Supreme Court.

01/05/2024

“Tyre Nichols family’s legal team said Friday, Jan. 5, that it was “deeply disturbed” by former Memphis Mayor Jim Strickland’s acknowledgment that the city had not enforced the police reform ordinances passed in the wake of Nichols’ beating and death.”

Tyre Nichols family’s legal team said that it was “deeply disturbed” by former Memphis Mayor Jim Strickland’s acknowledgment that the city hadn’t enforced police reform ordinances passed in the wake of Nichols’ death.

01/05/2024

“Tennessee state officials finally released their long-delayed letter grades for schools last month, just before the holiday break, using a new formula championed by Gov. Bill Lee’s administration.

But even before they knew their grades, leaders of a high-performing suburban Memphis school district denounced the system as a sham.”

Dale Viox, president of the Tennessee School Boards Association, and Arlington schools leader Jeff Mayo claim letter grades and vouchers are part of an attack on public schools.

01/05/2024

“The day-to-day violence that people in Memphis have tragically gotten used to doesn’t grab headlines the way a school shooting does. But the body count is still staggering — and the NAACP is calling on everyone to sign a petition demanding that Congress enact some sort of sensible gun legislation.”

The NAACP is calling on everyone to sign a petition demanding that Congress enact some sort of sensible gun legislation.

01/05/2024

“The Shelby County delegation plans to pass several pieces of legislation, if they can garner bipartisan support.”

Republican Representative John Gillespie is planning to persuade his colleagues to offer tax incentives for Indians to purchase gun locks, which he hopes will keep guns out of the hands of criminals.

01/05/2024

“Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris is voicing new accusations against Shelby County Clerk Wanda Halbert.

In a new episode of Behind the Headlines on WKNO, Mayor Harris says that while he won’t file a formal complaint with the special investigator looking into accusations of mismanagement, he does want Halbert to leave the office.”

Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris is voicing new accusations against Shelby County Clerk Wanda Halbert.

01/04/2024

“Newly-sworn in Memphis Mayor Paul Young held his first press conference as mayor on Thursday morning.

It came on the heels of the first meeting with the violent crime task force, which includes Memphis Police Department, the district attorney, juvenile courts and members of Shelby County and State government.

“We are on a mission to support the citizens of this community,” Young said.

Newly-sworn in Memphis Mayor Paul Young is updating the public on several pressing matters Thursday morning.

01/04/2024

“Being smart on crime is knowing who to lock up and who not to lock up,” State Rep. Antonio Parkinson told Action News 5 on the same day Brayden Smith passed away, and just hours after a stray bullet went through a classroom window at Freedom Prep Academy, forcing students to duck for cover on what was their first day back from Christmas break.

“Are we smart on crime in Shelby County?” Action News 5 asked Rep. Parkinson.

“No, we’re not,” he replied.”

The death of three-year-old Brayden Smith, the Memphis child who police said was hit by random gunfire on New Year’s Eve, brings the city’s 2023 homicide count to 398. Memphis also set the record for the highest number of children killed by gunfire in 2023, leading one state lawmaker to say the ...

01/04/2024

“This will be a dynamic year for Memphis, for many stories, events and endeavors that started to unfold last year (or even the year before) will continue to evolve in 2024. Some may even dominate the news.

Among the newsmakers will be new Memphis Mayor Paul Young and undoubtedly Wanda Halbert, the Shelby County Clerk who has gotten more than her share of negative news in the past year.”

Column Lynn Norment picks seven topics and people that Memphians ought to follow and speak out about in the new year.

01/04/2024

“In the poll conducted by the Beacon Center of Tennessee, Johnson received 41% support from likely Democratic voters, while Marquita Bradshaw polled 11% and Civil Miller-Watkins earned 2%. The winner of will face Republican Sen. Marsha Blackburn in the November general election.

“Despite a large number of undecided voters and a more limited sample size, Gloria Johnson is in an excellent position in the Democratic primary against 2020 Senate candidate Marquita Bradshaw,” said Mark Cunningham, Beacon Center spokesperson.”

A Beacon Center of Tennessee poll shows state Rep. Gloria Johnson leading the Democratic primary field for U.S. Senate by a 30 point margin.