Memphis Local, Sports, Business & Food News | Daily Memphian | Samuel Hardiman

Some documents in Tyré Nichols' civil rights lawsuit could become public

hardiman@dailymemphian.com (Samuel Hardiman) — Mon, 29 Sep 2025 14:00:15 -0500

For about a year, the City of Memphis has sought information from a California family who were close with Nichols. However, attorneys for Nichols’ mother sought to prevent the records from being handed over.

Ask the Memphian: Why are my lights off but my neighbor's are on?

hardiman@dailymemphian.com (Samuel Hardiman) — Mon, 29 Sep 2025 04:00:01 -0500

To understand why the lights may be on on one side of a street but not on the other is to gain a window into the intricate, man-made spiderweb that is MLGW’s distribution system.

In a city plagued by crime rate, leaders hope Memphis Safe Task Force can shift the narrative

hardiman@dailymemphian.com (Samuel Hardiman) — Sun, 28 Sep 2025 09:58:04 -0500

In detailing specifics of the Memphis Safe Task Force, Gov. Bill Lee didn’t dwell on the city’s crime rate. Instead, flanked by Mayor Paul Young and Police Chief C.J. Davis, he pledged that the crime reduction that could come would be lengthy and sustainable.

National Guard won't be making arrests, governor says

hardiman@dailymemphian.com (Samuel Hardiman) — Sat, 27 Sep 2025 16:35:30 -0500

Gov. Bill Lee outlined plans for Trump’s Memphis Safe Task Force on Friday, saying that the first personnel could be in the Bluff City on Monday, Sept. 29.

Ford Jr.'s federal trial pushed back

hardiman@dailymemphian.com (Samuel Hardiman) — Thu, 25 Sep 2025 16:49:55 -0500

Shelby County Commissioner Edmund Ford Jr.’s trial on bribery and tax evasion charges has been moved back two months.

City Council gives MLGW go ahead for new operations center

hardiman@dailymemphian.com (Samuel Hardiman) — Tue, 23 Sep 2025 18:52:38 -0500

The resolution the City Council passed authorizes MLGW to buy a Cordova property for up to $31.4 million.

President Trump creates 'Memphis Safe Task Force'

hardiman@dailymemphian.com (Samuel Hardiman) — Fri, 19 Sep 2025 18:13:48 -0500

“This task force will be a replica of our extraordinarily successful efforts here (in Washington D.C.), and you’ll see it’s a lot of the same thing (in Memphis),” the president said.

TN Supreme Court declines to overturn second lieutenant decision

hardiman@dailymemphian.com (Samuel Hardiman) — Thu, 18 Sep 2025 10:49:44 -0500

The Tennessee Supreme Court ruled that it would not stay a trial court’s decision while the City of Memphis appeals a decision in the lawsuit between the city and the Memphis Police Association.

Cohen questions FBI leader about National Guard in Memphis

hardiman@dailymemphian.com (Samuel Hardiman) — Thu, 18 Sep 2025 05:38:47 -0500

U.S. Rep. Steve Cohen, D-Tenn., asked FBI Director Kash Patel about the Memphis Safe Task Force, which President Donald Trump established Monday.

See The Daily Memphian’s full coverage of the Memphis Safe Task Force

Tennessee Supreme Court sides with police union — again

hardiman@dailymemphian.com (Samuel Hardiman) — Wed, 17 Sep 2025 20:20:52 -0500

The Tennessee Supreme Court had initially stayed the ruling while the case worked its way through the appellate court.

MLGW takes step toward buying Cordova property

hardiman@dailymemphian.com (Samuel Hardiman) — Wed, 17 Sep 2025 20:20:09 -0500

MLGW previously considered moving the utility’s headquarters to the same building, but backed off on that plan.

National Guard should be 'force multiplier' for MPD, Lee says

hardiman@dailymemphian.com (Samuel Hardiman) — Wed, 17 Sep 2025 13:17:56 -0500

Gov. Bill Lee described the Memphis Safe Task Force as a “long-time” mission that could last six months or longer.

City of Memphis questions legality of its employee unions

hardiman@dailymemphian.com (Samuel Hardiman) — Mon, 15 Sep 2025 17:49:26 -0500

The city argues that there’s nothing in its charter that gives city employees the right to collectively bargain as a union.

President Trump and Gov. Lee plan to talk next week about deploying National Guard to Memphis

hardiman@dailymemphian.com (Samuel Hardiman) — Mon, 15 Sep 2025 14:08:22 -0500

Gov. Bill Lee’s call with President Donald Trump followed the president’s Friday morning announcement on Fox News that he would send the guard to Memphis.

Gov. Lee, President Trump to 'work out details' on National Guard deployment to Memphis

hardiman@dailymemphian.com (Samuel Hardiman) — Fri, 12 Sep 2025 23:25:03 -0500

“I’ve been in close contact with the Administration throughout the week, and will be speaking with President Trump this afternoon to work out details of the mission,” Gov. Bill Lee said.

'The world will get an opportunity to watch us succeed,' Mayor Young says

Ltestino@dailymemphian.com (Laura Testino) — Fri, 12 Sep 2025 23:24:47 -0500

“I did not ask for the National Guard, and I don’t think it’s the way to drive down crime. However, that decision has been made,” Memphis Mayor Paul Young said.

C.J. Davis to remain Memphis' top cop amid National Guard deployment

hardiman@dailymemphian.com (Samuel Hardiman) — Fri, 12 Sep 2025 16:37:59 -0500

Chief C.J. Davis will remain the city’s top law enforcement officer when the National Guard arrives, Davis and Memphis Mayor Paul Young said Friday.

White House, Memphis leaders have discussed National Guard deployment in city, source says

hardiman@dailymemphian.com (Samuel Hardiman) — Fri, 12 Sep 2025 15:27:55 -0500

President Donald Trump teased that he would announce another city for National Guard deployment.

National Guard could be deployed to Memphis, mayor says

hardiman@dailymemphian.com (Samuel Hardiman) — Fri, 12 Sep 2025 15:27:28 -0500

“What we need most are financial resources for intervention and prevention, additional patrol officers, and case support to strengthen MPD’s investigations,” Memphis Mayor Paul Young said.

Two area legislators want TBI to audit MPD crime stats

hardiman@dailymemphian.com (Samuel Hardiman) — Wed, 27 Aug 2025 12:51:28 -0500

State Sen. Brent Taylor and state Rep. John Gillespie say they have heard about instances of felony crimes being reclassified as misdemeanors. They say an audit is “critical to maintaining transparency, accountability, and the public’s trust in our justice system.”