James Coleman
Pain and anger fuel calls for action and change
Criminal justice and local elected officials urged patience this week as they investigated the fatal bludgeoning of Tyre D. Nichols, 29, during a Jan. 7 encounter with police officers near his Hickory Hill home.
During a news conference Wednesday (Jan. 25), Kevin G. Ritz, U.S....
Crime data sobering despite declines in violent offenses
As 2023 begins, Memphis Police Chief Cerelyn “CJ” Davis Tuesday (Jan. 10) delivered a mixed-bag overview to Memphis City Council members about Memphis crime in 2022.
She delivered the update to the council’s Public Safety Committee, citing, among other things, a significant 16.2 percent drop...
Council gets an after-action report on bomb cyclone winter storm
After receiving a baptism under fire with the recent bomb cyclone winter storm during the Christmas holiday, newly minted Memphis Light, Gas and Water Division (MLGW) CEO and President Doug McGowen delivered an after-action report to the Memphis City Council Tuesday (Jan. 10).
McGowen, who...
For Council Chair Martavius Jones, methodical is standard
Memphis City Council members must balance a panoply of issues throughout their terms, ranging from big and little ticket investments to revitalize the local economy and community, to addressing some of the highest poverty and crime rates in the nation.
However, under the direction of...
Council chooses new leaders with ease
Memphis City Council members had no trouble filling their leadership posts for the 2023 year, after members Martavius Jones and JB Smiley Jr. were picked for the council chair and vice chair positions, respectively, during the body’s Tuesday (Nov. 15) meeting.
Each nomination was approved...
Council says ‘yes’ to mayor’s choice for MLGW’s CEO
Memphis City Council members wasted little time this week in plotting the direction of the city’s utility company by overwhelmingly voting to confirm Memphis COO Doug McGowen as the new president and CEO of MLGW.
In a related move, the council on Tuesday (Nov. 1)...
Council decides curfew resolution not ready for enforcement vote
A proposal to enforce a decades-long curfew ordinance was kicked back to committee after Memphis City Council members opted to take a deeper look at the issue during the council’s Tuesday (Oct 18) meeting.
Among council members and their constituents, there were concerns that enforcement...
Commission embraces resolution to help operation of Shelby County Clerk’s office
With lines outside Shelby County Clerk offices still lingering, Shelby County commissioners unanimously adopted a resolution detailing recommendations to help Clerk Wanda Halbert address a series of shortfalls in staffing and technology.
The set of benchmarks approved Monday (Oct. 17) are the latest effort to...
Taking a mobile food grocery to the people
Memphis’ newest grocery store received a curbside ribbon-cutting ceremony with the grand opening of the Mobile Food Grocery at 1384 Jackson Ave. on Wednesday (Oct. 12).
The rolling grocery is the latest effort to improve underserved communities in North Memphis by nonprofit the Works, Inc.,...
Council sets up vote on national search for next MLGW chief
Seeking to slow down the nomination process, Memphis City Council members cobbled together enough votes to approve a resolution 5-0 calling for a national search for a new MLGW CEO and president.
The council action came during Tuesday’s (Oct. 11) meeting of the Personnel &...