Memphis Local, Sports, Business & Food News | Daily Memphian | Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris

Who is the team behind the Regional One Health rebuild?

lwilliams@dailymemphian.com (Lydia Williams) — Mon, 29 Sep 2025 19:16:15 -0500

“This isn’t about outside firms coming in, taking out dollars and leaving,” the Regional One president and CEO said. “This is about combining specialized health care expertise with Memphis proven capabilities, ensuring that Memphis business grows.”

'What in the world' is Bonner spending money on, Harris asks

bdries@dailymemphian.com (Bill Dries) — Fri, 22 Aug 2025 05:37:18 -0500

Sheriff Floyd Bonner’s lawsuit seeks $67 million in proposed funding for his office that he says was not included in the county’s $1.7 billion consolidated budget.

Harris signs 'Mandela Rules' to limit solitary confinement

jcallahan@dailymemphian.com (Jody Callahan) — Wed, 18 Jun 2025 19:10:24 -0500

Wednesday’s signing won’t actually cause any changes at the jail as the facility has been implementing this policy since 2023.

Mayor Harris walks back tax hike

bdries@dailymemphian.com (Bill Dries) — Wed, 18 Jun 2025 05:51:49 -0500

Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris is changing the county property tax rate his administration is proposing to match the state’s certified rate.

Instead of county building new Regional One, Jeff Warren has an idea

jroberts@dailymemphian.com (Jane Roberts) — Tue, 3 Jun 2025 14:52:49 -0500

For the past several months, Memphis City Councilman Jeff Warren has been giving tours of Methodist University Hospital. His goal is simple: Convince the community it doesn’t need to spend $1 billion on a new campus for Regional One.

Harris proposes lower property tax rate, $5 wheel tax hike

bdries@dailymemphian.com (Bill Dries) — Wed, 14 May 2025 19:38:32 -0500

Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris says his budget proposal for the new fiscal year will reduce the county property tax rate by 20% and raise the county wheel tax by another $5.

Students can experience arts free with new ‘Art for All’ culture pass

rjackson@dailymemphian.com (Redding Jackson) — Tue, 18 Mar 2025 17:29:55 -0500

The new pass is now available at Memphis libraries and community centers. It provides elementary students and their families free access to performances and events hosted by more than 30 local arts organizations.

County Commission retreat gets at what makes it tick — and what makes it go off

bdries@dailymemphian.com (Bill Dries) — Mon, 16 Dec 2024 13:41:41 -0600

The Shelby County Commission met for a retreat where the aim was to get at the working relationship among the body of 13. That relationship has been rocky during the first half of the group’s four-year term.

With Council’s Cordova high ‘death blow’ vote, Frayser high could be built first

Ltestino@dailymemphian.com (Laura Testino) — Tue, 19 Nov 2024 08:44:15 -0600

“We’ve got to face the reality,” Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris said. “The (Cordova) project may not be dead permanently, but it’s suffered a pretty big death blow.”

Local leaders announce new safety initiative — but it uses Biden funding

bdries@dailymemphian.com (Bill Dries) — Fri, 15 Nov 2024 10:05:37 -0600

“No matter what happens with respect to the Trump administration, the city and county are prepared to make this office sustainable and continue the commitments,” Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris said of the question of continued federal support in the Trump administration.

Economic Development Growth Engine receives national recognition

ssurrett@dailymemphian.com (Sophia Surrett) — Thu, 10 Oct 2024 16:26:25 -0500

EDGE received the “Outstanding Local Development Finance Agency of the Year” award from the National Council of Development Finance Agencies.

Jerri Green becomes Shelby County deputy chief of staff

bdries@dailymemphian.com (Bill Dries) — Thu, 25 Jul 2024 18:40:29 -0500

Memphis City Council member Jerri Green is moving from senior policy adviser to Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris to deputy chief of staff in the county administration.

County Commission could override Mayor Harris veto on land bank reform

bdries@dailymemphian.com (Bill Dries) — Mon, 15 Jul 2024 17:05:50 -0500

The commission gave final approval to sweeping changes to the Shelby County Land Bank at its last meeting in June. Mayor Lee Harris vetoed the resolution saying it costs too much and is an unclear plan. The commission meets in special session Wednesday, July 17, to vote on overriding Harris’ veto.

Forever young: Seniors prove you're never too old for prom

kbomani@dailymemphian.com (Kambui Bomani) — Thu, 6 Jun 2024 09:16:47 -0500

The 60 and older prom was a groovy way to get Shelby County seniors out of the house and onto the dance floor. “One of my favorite things I ever heard was that this is the best party that they’ve ever been to on a Monday.”

Leaders, lawmakers applaud xAI plans for Memphis as 'historic'

bdries@dailymemphian.com (Bill Dries) — Wed, 5 Jun 2024 19:11:07 -0500

Reaction to word of an AI supercomputer coming to southwest Memphis drew bipartisan support from elected and other officials in the city and the region.

School board candidates sound off on Feagins' leadership, voter apathy

bdries@dailymemphian.com (Bill Dries) — Thu, 9 May 2024 11:31:18 -0500

School board candidates on the August ballot talk about MSCS superintendent Marie Feagins’ vision for the district.

County Commission weighs new jail study, mental health diversion facility — or both

bdries@dailymemphian.com (Bill Dries) — Mon, 8 Apr 2024 19:06:20 -0500

The study would cost $250,000, and the new center $18.6 million. County Mayor Lee Harris meanwhile has said the diversion center is a more immediate priority that could help with conditions in the current jail.

County needs to consider new, $500 million jail, sheriff says

jbaker@dailymemphian.com (Julia Baker) — Mon, 19 Feb 2024 14:43:35 -0600

Shelby County Sheriff Floyd Bonner Jr. knows the area has a lot of needs, but he says 201 Poplar is showing its age — and Shelby County should start thinking about a new jail.

If more police are the answer, exactly what will they do?

jroberts@dailymemphian.com (Jane Roberts) — Mon, 11 Sep 2023 12:55:00 -0500

One of the biggest issues in the mayoral campaign is how candidates intend to fight crime, including whether they will maintain current strategies.

Shelby County declares state of emergency in storm aftermath

kbrewer@dailymemphian.com (Keely Brewer) — Tue, 27 Jun 2023 19:53:30 -0500

The 50,000 customers still waiting on power to be restored can cool down at Baker Community Center as temperatures approach triple digits.