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■■ NEWS
Judges order Trump administration to use emergency reserves for SNAP payments during the shutdown
By Michael Casey, Geoff Mulvihill and Kimberlee Kruesi Associated Press
BOSTON — Two federal judges ruled nearly simultaneously Friday that President Donald Trump’s administration must continue to pay for SNAP, the nation’s largest food aid program, using emergency reserve funds during the government shutdown.
The judges in Massachusetts and Rhode Island gave the administration leeway on whether to fund the program partially or in full for November. That also brings uncertainty about how things will unfold and will delay payments for many beneficiaries whose cards would normally be recharged early in the month.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture planned to freeze payments to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program starting Nov. 1 because it said it could no longer keep funding it due to the shutdown. The program serves about 1 in 8 Americans and is a major piece of the nation’s social safety net. It costs about $8 billion per month nationally.
U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar, a Minnesota Democrat and the ranking member of the Senate Agriculture committee that oversees the food aid program, said Friday’s rulings from judges nominated to the bench by former President Barack Obama confirm what Democrats have been saying: “The administration is choosing not to feed Americans in need, despite knowing that it is legally required to do so.”
Judges agree at least one fund must go toward SNAP
Democratic state attorneys general or governors from 25 states, as well as the District of Columbia, challenged the
plan to pause the program, contending that the administration has a legal obligation to keep it running in their jurisdictions.
The administration said it wasn’t allowed to use a contingency fund of about $5 billion for the program, which reversed a USDA plan from before the shutdown that said that money would be tapped to keep SNAP running. The Democratic officials argued that not only could that money be used, but that it must be. They also said a separate fund with around $23 billion is available for the cause.
In Providence, Rhode Island, U.S. District Judge John J. McConnell ruled from the bench in a case filed by cities and nonprofits that the program must be funded using at least the contingency funds, and he asked for an update on progress by Monday.
Along with ordering the federal government to use emergency reserves to backfill SNAP benefits, McConnell ruled that all previous work requirement waivers must continue to be honored. The USDA during the shutdown has terminated existing waivers that exempted work requirements for older adults, veterans and others.
There were similar elements in the Boston case, where U.S. District Judge Indira Talwani ruled in a written opinion that the USDA has to pay for SNAP, calling the suspension “unlawful.” She ordered the federal government to advise the court by Monday as to whether they will use the emergency reserve funds to provide reduced SNAP benefits for November or fully fund the program “using both contingency funds and additional available funds.
“Defendants’ suspension of SNAP payments was based on the erroneous
conclusion that the Contingency Funds could not be used to ensure continuation of SNAP payments,” she wrote. “This court has now clarified that Defendants are required to use those Contingency Funds as necessary for the SNAP program.”
For many, benefits will still be delayed after the ruling
No matter how the rulings came down, the benefits for millions of people will be delayed in November because the process of loading cards can take a week or more in many states.
The administration did not immediately say whether it would appeal the rulings.
States, food banks and SNAP recipients have been bracing for an abrupt shift in how low-income people can get groceries. Advocates and beneficiaries say halting the food aid would force people to choose between buying groceries and paying other bills.
The majority of states have announced more or expedited funding for food banks or novel ways to load at least some benefits onto the SNAP debit cards.
In Tennessee, Gov. Bill Lee said state dollars can’t be used to provide SNAP benefits, as states do not have a mechanism to load funds onto customer cards. Instead, Lee announced the Governor’s Faith Based and Community Initiative (GFBCI), which is communicating daily with a coalition of more than 300 non-profit and faith community leaders to identify needs, share information and mobilize response across all 95 counties.
The governor’s office has set up a website — FeedTN.org — where people can seek help from the coalition.
The City of Memphis announced
President Calvin Anderson Editor Stephanie R. Jones
■■ NEWS
“As I have been saying, the Trump Administration’s actions are simply a cynical and cruel attempt to withhold food from Americans in a desperate attempt to find political leverage, holding SNAP recipients as hostages in this Republican shutdown.”
— Steve Cohen
Thursday it is coordinating with Shelby County Government, United Way of the Mid-South, Mid-South Food Bank, Community Foundation of Greater Memphis, and a coalition of local food service providers, faith partners and nonprofit organizations to prepare for any disruption in SNAP benefits.
Memphis Mayor Paul Young said the goal is simple and urgent: “We will stand together as a community and make sure every Memphian has access to food and dignity. Memphis has always shown up for one another. This moment will be no different.”
Find resources and ways to help at memphistn.gov/memphiscares.
Congressman Steve Cohen, (D-Tenn.), expressed guarded optimism that rulings by federal judges will keep SNAP benefits flowing, at least in the short term.
“As I have been saying, the Trump
Administration’s actions are simply a cynical and cruel attempt to withhold food from Americans in a desperate attempt to find political leverage, holding SNAP recipients as hostages in this Republican shutdown,” Cohen said.
He added that both judges immediately recognized that Congress created and funded a contingency account to cushion the impact of emergencies and financial hardship.
“USDA has access to those funds and has the ability to provide SNAP benefits into November. The ‘SNAP cliff’ was an arbitrary, artificial and heartless stunt, threatening to make Americans, including 690,000 in Tennessee, go hungry.”
— Mulvihill reported from Haddonfield, New Jersey; and Kruesi from Providence, Rhode Island. Associated Press reporter Lisa Mascaro in Washington, D.C., contributed.
NEWS Court hears arguments in Memphis National Guard lawsuit
By Lee Eric Smith TSD Contributing Writer
Will a Davidson County judge agree that neither the Tennessee Constitution nor the General Assembly has granted Gov. Bill Lee the authority to legally deploy the National Guard to Memphis? And what would it even mean if Chancellor Patricia Head Moskal rules against him?
The phrase “constitutional crisis” has been tossed around so often in recent years that it risks losing its meaning. But here, it applies. If Moskal orders the troops removed, the ruling would rely on Gov. Lee himself — the man accused of breaking the law — to carry it out.
The legal drama is officially underway now, as Moskal heard opposing takes in court on Monday, Nov. 3, about the governor’s authority to call the Guard to Memphis.
Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris, one of the seven plaintiffs in the case, said the contradiction at the heart of the dispute couldn’t be clearer.
“You can’t defend the law while breaking it,” Harris said. “No governor in a free state can just, of his own will, send military personnel into any community and execute laws at his discretion.”
Lee’s office pushed back on that interpretation, citing Title 32 of the Tennessee Code.
“The Tennessee National Guard is the state’s army under Tennessee law,” said Elizabeth Lane Johnson, the governor’s communications director. “As commander-in-chief, Gov. Lee has
the authority to authorize the Title 32 strategic mission to Memphis.
“Every Memphian deserves to feel safe in their community,” she continued. “We are confident the court will uphold the governor’s constitutional authority.”
The Cases ‘For’ and ‘Against’
The individual state and local Democratic officials contend in a lawsuit that Republican Lee cannot deploy the Tennessee National Guard for civil unrest unless there is a rebellion or invasion, and even then, it would require action by state lawmakers. Another provision spells out a need for a request from a local government to use the Guard in a “breakdown of law and order,” they said.
The lawsuit seeks a temporary injunction to block the Guard’s current use in the Memphis mission.
In a legal filing last month, the state said the plaintiffs are misinterpreting how the Tennessee Constitution classifies the National Guard. Tennessee law gives the governor “the authority to dispatch the Guard when needed and to determine when that need exists,” the state added.
The state also argued that the plaintiffs lacked legal standing to sue over the deployment and added that the issue is a political question, not one for the courts.
Josh Salzman, an attorney with Democracy Forward representing the plaintiffs, called the state’s arguments about the governor’s authority “really terrifying.”
After the hearing, Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti told the Associated
Press that “the argument is not that there’s no room for oversight,” saying that the Guard can’t do whatever it wants. “It’s that the determination of when the Guard should be brought out is statutorily left to the governor’s discretion.”
Since their arrival on Oct. 10, National Guard troops have been patrolling neighborhoods and commercial areas of Memphis, including near the Pyramid in downtown, wearing fatigues and protective vests that say “military police.” Officials have said Guard members, who are armed, have no arrest power.
Trump announced in September that the National Guard would accompany authorities from a slew of federal agencies as part of the so-called Memphis Safe Task Force.
Democratic Mayor Paul Young, who is not involved in the lawsuit, said he never requested that the Guard come to Memphis. But after Trump made the announcement and Lee agreed, Young and others have said they wanted the task force to focus on targeting violent offenders.
In addition to Harris, the plaintiffs include two Shelby County commissioners, one Memphis city councilman and three state lawmakers.
Since they arrived Sept. 29, the federal agencies have made more than 1,500 arrests and issued thousands of traffic citations, according to statistics provided by the U.S. Marshals Service. Arrests have been made on charges ranging from homicides and drug and weapons violations to immigration warrants. Lee has said the National Guard would “play a critical support role” for local law enforcement.
Young said earlier this month that operations include some 150 Guard members.
The Memphis Safe Task Force includes 31 partner agencies across different levels of government and more than 1,700 personnel, according to a court declaration by Chad Hunt, chief inspector with the United States Marshals Service and the task force’s commander.
John Raby and Jonathan Mattise of The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris and other local and state officials announce a lawsuit challenging Gov. Bill Lee’s deployment of the Tennessee National Guard to Memphis. The plaintiffs argue the governor’s order is unconstitutional, unsustainable and straining local courts and jails. (Lee Eric Smith/Tri- State Defender)
By James Coleman TSD Contributing Writer
Joined by her legal team, Shelby County Clerk Wanda Halbert announced Oct. 29 that she intends to appeal to the Tennessee Supreme Court a ruling that revives a lawsuit seeking her ouster.
“That’s our next step,” said Halbert’s attorney, Darrell O’Neal.
On Monday, Oct. 27, an appeals court rejected a Feb. 11 decision by Circuit Court Judge Felicia Corbin-Johnson that dismissed the complaint alleging Halbert neglected her duties. The case has been sent back to her court. However, it is up to the state supreme court whether it wants to take up the case. Brought in late 2024, the lawsuit alleges Halbert has neglected the duties of her office. It is the second attempt at her removal.
The ruling followed a brief attempt at mediation that was ordered by the circuit court. Discussions quickly broke down between Halbert’s team and their counterparts with the county and state attorney general’s offices.
“At a later date, the plaintiff decided they didn’t want to meet any longer,” O’Neal said.
Halbert’s attorney also pointed to the election calendar. His client is wrapping up her second term. Next November,
■■ NEWS
Halbert to appeal ouster lawsuit ruling to Tennessee Supreme Court
she will be out of office. He also said mediation was his client’s preferred method of redress.
“To continue in the middle of litigation and you’ve got nine months in office and we’re in full-fledged litigation over something that in nine months is not even going to matter makes no sense,” O’Neal said.
Halbert also used the press conference to explain the most recent setbacks in her office.
The City of Millington is threatening to sue the clerk’s office for 21 months of back rent on its branch at 4386 Navy Road. In July 2024, the Shelby County Commission approved a $1,600-a-month lease at the location. After it expired in December, the office continued to operate there. Without a lease, the rent rose to $2,000 a month. The running bill is currently $39,000.
Halbert said the lease was agreed to without her knowledge. Moreover, she said she wasn’t involved in any discussion leading up to its signing.
“I am very concerned a lease has popped up over the last year or two. Someone has been paying it and then
knocked on my door wanting me to continue paying it,” Halbert said.
A recent midday closure of downtown’s main branch during a rush to renew expired vehicle tags and license plates was also addressed. On Oct. 2, motorists flooded the various branches following the deployment of the Memphis Safe Task Force. More than 7,000 customers visited the seven branch locations. An average day typically sees about 4,000 customers. According to Halbert, a line formed outside the main office that snaked for blocks.
“That’s how long the line was that particular morning,” Halbert said. Moreover, many of the visitors’ tags had been expired for more than two years. The gap required office employees to check for outstanding tickets or violations. The task force was also allegedly removing plates from vehicles with expired tags. The system soon became “overburdened.”
“They are having to come up with $400 or $500 just to be on the streets. So, it’s time-consuming. We have to call and check for tickets on the registration,” said motor vehicle administrator Bennie Smith.
He also said the episode was an anomaly.
“It is unlike anything else in the data set,” said Smith, who also serves as a
With the election a year away, the race is already on to find Halbert’s replacement.
state elections commissioner.
Halbert’s tenure has been marked by controversies. Elected in 2018, her first term was tainted by a prolonged delay of tens of thousands of vehicle tags during the COVID-19 pandemic. She was re-elected in August 2022. Her second term has also seen setbacks, including an audit ordered by State Comptroller Jason Mumpower in March, after Halbert submitted erroneous monthly financial reports to Shelby County Trustee Regina Newman.
Corbin-Johnson also dismissed a previous ouster attempt brought by Hamilton County District Attorney Coty Wamp in June of last year. That lawsuit also accused Halbert of neglecting her office.
With the election a year away, the race is already on to find Halbert’s replacement. Last week, former Shelby County Health Department interim director La Sonya Hall threw her hat into the ring. The official announcement was released Tuesday.
“Shelby County deserves a Clerk’s Office that works efficiently and respectfully for every citizen. I’m running to restore confidence, reduce wait times, and operate the Clerk’s Office like a business — focused on results, accountability and service,” read a press release from Hall.
Wanda Halbert
COMMUNITY Comcast opens digital skills lab for teens at Whitehaven YMCA
By Judith Black Moore TSD Contributing Writer
Students gathered Tuesday afternoon in the gym of the Georgette and Cato Johnson YMCA in Whitehaven for the ribbon-cutting to open a new Comcast computer lab supporting the Y’s Future Ready: Digital Skills for Tomorrow’s Workforce program. The initiative aims to equip youth with essential digital skills for academic and workforce success.
City, county and state officials joined representatives from Comcast and the YMCA for the celebration, which included games and activities led by Evangeline Parker-Guest, Comcast senior manager of external affairs. At the center of the event were the students, beneficiaries of a new learning space that will offer training in digital tools including Adobe, Canva, JavaScript, and photo and video editing. Fifty students ages 13 to 18 make up the inaugural cohort.
Opening the program, Parker-Guest invited students to introduce themselves and share career goals. The audience of parents and grandparents applauded as students expressed interests in careers such as forensic scientist, psychologist, nurse, video-game developer, producer and content creator. One student captured the spirit of the moment with, “I just want to be successful in life.”
“This is encouraging to the youth,” said Joyce Milligan, a grandmother who received one of the special audience gifts given by Comcast. “I think this program will help them in the future. I love the Y, and think it is a safe space for these children.”
In a nod to the Halloween season, officials were asked to give students
a “tip and a treat.” Mayor Paul Young offered a “tip” of what he called one of his favorite quotes: “A wise man can entertain the ideas of others without accepting them.” He continued, “It means you may not agree with someone, but listening to different perspectives gives you a more balanced view of the world.”
Throughout the event, students received gifts including laptops and backpacks filled with goodies. But the largest gift was presented by Mike McArdle, senior vice president for Comcast’s Big South Region, to YMCA President and CEO Brian McLaughlin — a $30,000 donation check.
“What I love most about Comcast is that it’s not just about the technology, it’s not about the connections, it’s about the communities. It’s about partnerships and investing in the communities we serve,” McArdle said.
“We’re committed to expanding digital opportunity and helping young people gain the skills they need to thrive in an increasingly connected world.”
In accepting the contribution McLaughlin said, “We are grateful to Comcast for their continued partnership. At the YMCA, our mission is to help young people reach their full potential, and this initiative perfectly aligns with our commitment to strengthening our community through education and opportunity.”
During a live classroom demonstration, 25 students engaged in hands-on learning activities. The lab is designed to allow students to explore digital technologies while building real-world
skills.
“It isn’t your typical classroom experience,” said Timika Glenn, site director. “We want this to be a project-based program, so you guys learn by doing.”
Comcast and the YMCA have partnered for more than a decade to offer youth coding classes and community programs. The digital skills training initiative will continue through May 2026 and includes support from Comcast’s Team UP national employee volunteer program, which is responsible for stuffing backpacks with digital resources for students. The full effort is part of Comcast’s broader $1 billion commitment to expanding digital inclusion and economic mobility.
Memphis Mayor Paul Young shares advice with students Tuesday at the Georgette and Cato Johnson YMCA in Whitehaven during the opening of a Comcast-sponsored digital skills lab. Young encouraged teens to keep an open mind and learn from different perspectives.
State Sen. Raumesh Akbari and Shelby County Commissioner Edmund Ford Jr. hand out backpacks filled with digital resources to students Tuesday during the launch of the YMCA’s Future Ready program, supported by Comcast. (Photos: Gary S. Whitlow/ Tri-State Defender)
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11 years with BofA Bank of America didn’t just recognize my potential. It actively nurtured it. Here I’ve had the chance to take ownership of my career and shape my trajectory thanks to the resources, training and mentorship that are available to me.
Author/psychologist explains ‘whiteness mindset’ and what can be done about it
Book review
By Terri Schlichenmeyer
It’s enough to make you lose your mind.
You see your goal, but there’s a barrier in front of it, a barrier that makes no sense. Other people don’t have to jump through hoops or over walls to succeed, feel safe or get help so why do you? In “How I Know White People are Crazy and Other Stories” by Dr. Jonathan Mathias Lassiter, you’ll see that an old nemesis has a new name.
He says he is not angry.
Lassiter is just really, really frustrated and for good reason. Throughout most of his life, his father’s life and his grandfather’s, through his college years and his career, Lassiter says that “whiteness mindset” — defined as a condition that causes people of any race (but most often white people) to assume their lives are more important than others, which allows them to justify oppressing those who are different — has never been far away.
Sadly, Lassiter says, anyone can be on the receiving end of whiteness mindset, but it happens most often to minority groups including Black and Asian people, women and gay people like him. He says that his grandfather lived under racism, and it showed: He loved his children but didn’t feel that he could demonstrate it. Lassiter’s father parented similarly because that’s all he knew. Living low-income also affected Lassiter’s mental health, as did the barriers he was forced to overcome in college due
to racism and the oppression he felt because of his sexuality. Seeing what could be if there were no such things as racism and oppression didn’t help. Through his work as a licensed clinical psychologist and the patients he’s treated, he knows his experiences are not unique. He also knows that whiteness mindset is not limited to higher education or the workplace. To combat it we first have to admit that whiteness is not the concern. The mindset itself and what it does to mental health are bigger issues, and becoming educated is a great way to combat them.
Don’t be surprised if you’re a little confused at the outset of “How I Know White People are Crazy and Other Stories.” It is confusing; Lassiter writes quickly with a whirlwind of ideas that circle back to one another like ripples in a pond on a windy day. It might make you want to just back away.
Instead, stick around and trust that the meat of the book is coming through stories of real-life counseling and of Lassiter’s own life, experiences and family history. These tales eventually settle down the chaos, offering the clarity missing in the opening pages and allowing readers to see whiteness mindset in action and to understand the conflicts within it. You’ll be able to cleanly see where Lassiter’s frustration lies and what can be done about it.
Just know that to get there will take some doing and patience with “How I Know White People Are Crazy and Other Stories.” Try it, though. Persevere and you might not mind.
“I Know White People are Crazy and Other Stories” by Dr. Jonathan Mathias Lassiter c.2025, Legacy Lit $30.00 320 pages
‘The Boy Is Mine Tour’ brings R&B royalty to Memphis
Brandy, Monica, Kelly Rowland and Mýa deliver a night of nostalgia and powerhouse performances
By Brianna Smith-Herman TSD Contributing Writer
The FedExForum was buzzing Thursday night, Oct. 30, 2025, as four R&B queens — Brandy, Monica, Kelly Rowland and Mýa — lit up the stage for “The Boy Is Mine Tour.” It was a night that celebrated sisterhood, showmanship and the kind of timeless R&B that never fades.
Opening the show was none other than Mýa, who joined the tour on short notice after Muni Long was sidelined with pneumonia. Despite the last-minute call, Mýa didn’t just fill in. She owned the stage. Looking radiant and moving with the grace of a seasoned performer, she launched into a high-energy set that reminded the crowd why she remains an R&B favorite.
Her performance included hits that had fans out of their seats: “My Love Is Like Wo,” “Case of the Ex,” and the nostalgic “Take Me There.” Each song was delivered with confidence and pure vocal control, proving that having no rehearsal or sound check could not stop a true professional.
Kelly Rowland took the stage next and turned FedExForum into her personal playground. With poise and polish, she delivered a set that was equal parts sexy, soulful and empowering.
From the opening notes of “Motivation” to her chart-topping duet “Dilemma,” Kelly’s vocals soared. The crowd sang every word of “Like This”
before she transitioned into a heartfelt Destiny’s Child medley featuring “Girl,” “Cater 2 U” and “Bad Habit.”
The segment was pure showmanship: smooth choreography, tight live vocals and undeniable confidence. By the end of her set, Kelly had the audience on their feet, proving yet again that she’s every bit the star she’s always been.
When the lights dimmed and the opening chords of “The Boy Is Mine” began, the arena erupted. Brandy and Monica, the song’s original duo and the heartbeat of this tour, appeared side by side in a moment that felt both senti-
mental and powerful. Their chemistry radiated throughout the night as they alternated between solo sets and duets, blending vocal runs, storytelling and genuine camaraderie. Brandy, with her signature tone and effortless control, reminded fans of her unmatched artistry with songs like “Have You Ever?” and “Full Moon.” Monica, ever soulful and commanding, delivered emotional performances of “Angel of Mine” and “So Gone.”
Together, they performed a stunning tribute to the late Whitney Houston — a joint rendition of “I Wanna Dance
with Somebody” that had the audience singing along, phones waving high. It was a fitting salute to the woman who influenced them both and helped shape the very era they now represent.
Throughout the night, “The Boy Is Mine Tour” felt less like a concert and more like a reunion, not just for the artists but for the fans who grew up with their music. Each performance flowed seamlessly into the next, balancing old and new energy.
When Brandy and Monica closed the night hand in hand, it was clear the crowd wasn’t just celebrating their music but their evolution.
Brandy and Monica, R&B icons, reunited for a night celebrating their hits and the era of 1990s and 2000s R&B during “The Boy Is Mine Tour” at the FedExForum in Memphis, Tenn., on Thursday, Oct. 30, 2025. (Brianna Smith-Herman/Tri-State Defender)
Brandy, left, and Monica take to the stage during “The Boy Is Mine Tour” at the FedExForum in Memphis, Tenn., on Thursday, Oct. 30, 2025. The R&B legends performed a mix of duets and solo hits throughout the night.
Mayor Young announces firefighter raise; plans higher base pay for city employees
By James Coleman TSD Contributing Writer
Memphis Mayor Paul Young plans to give firefighters a 2% raise, according to a social media post late last week. The proposed raise comes as MFD Chief Gina Sweat announced her retirement after nine years at the helm.
“Our value to our team members has never wavered. It’s why I am also announcing a 2% raise for our represented Fire Division staff. I’ll seek Council approval at our upcoming meeting in November,” Young said in an Instagram post on Friday, Oct. 31.
Earlier in the week, Young declared his intentions to raise the baseline city annual salary to $40,000. The raises come as dissatisfaction grows among city employees. Stagnant pay is the primary argument. Memphis has some of the lowest-paid employees in the state, particularly for a large city.
Both moves are an effort to boost salaries and increase worker morale. An across-the-board 3% raise for all city employees is set to take effect July 1, 2026.
The mayor’s newly proposed raises will also require council approval. In a press release, freshman council member Jerri Green called attention to a resolution she introduced to increase city worker pay.
“I am glad that the administration has embraced my proposal from earlier this year and invested in the people who make Memphis better. I’m hopeful that we will keep the momentum going in this era of ‘yes’ and honor the promises we’ve made to all of our unions to give them 5% raises,” Green said.
The 2026 gubernatorial hopeful also highlighted the timing. SNAP pay-
“Amid financial hardships and, sadly, looming SNAP benefit cuts, this announcement couldn’t come soon enough.”
— Mayor Paul Young
ments for needy families recently ran out during the current federal government shutdown. Many low-paid city employees could be affected.
“Before the holidays and as cuts loom from the federal government, it is more important than ever,” Green said.
Young said the raises were necessary following an end-of-year study by his human resources team. The expiration of SNAP benefits underscored the need.
“Amid financial hardships and, sadly, looming SNAP benefit cuts, this announcement couldn’t come soon enough,” Young said.
Sweat’s replacement, Assistant Chief Colin Burress, will transition to his new role at an interesting time.
The first-term mayor remains in court with the unions for both the police and fire departments. He is currently seeking to nullify pre-existing labor agreements between the city and their respective labor organizations. The crux of his argument is that he should not be bound by agreements negotiated by a predecessor.
Meanwhile, a supermajority of employees with the city’s library system are attempting to join the Communications Workers of America union.
Last week, Council Member JB Smiley said he would introduce a charter amendment to change their status from “appointed” to “civil service.”
LEGAL NOTICE Request for Bids RFB Number 26-0004
Janitorial Supplies
Sealed bids for Janitorial Supplies will be received electronically on Opengov.com-MEM or physical copies at the Memphis-Shelby County Airport Authority (Authority), Memphis International Airport – Receiving Dock, 4150 Louis Carruthers Drive, Memphis, TN 38118, until 2:00 pm local time, on Wednesday, January 14, 2026. Responses will be opened and publicly read thirty (30) minutes after the response deadline via a Microsoft Teams or Zoom meeting. A complete Request for Bids Packet with submittal instructions, additional data, and response format may be found on the Authority’s website Flymemphis.com or Opengov.comMEM on or after Tuesday, November 4, 2025.
A pre-bid meeting will be held on Wednesday, November 19, 2025, at 10:00 am at Authority’s Board Room on the Mezzanine Level, Terminal B of the Memphis International Airport, 2491 Winchester Road, Memphis, TN 38116. All attendees must register at Opengov. com-MEM.
All Bidders are responsible for checking the Authority’s website or Opengov up to the submission deadline for any updates, addenda, or additional information. In accordance with the Authority’s purchasing policies, the Authority will give preference to businesses located in Shelby County, Tennessee when awarding contracts and making purchases, unless prohibited by law. The successful Bidder must sign a contract with the Authority that includes Federal Aviation Administration provisions, if applicable, regarding the Buy American Preference, Foreign Trade Restriction, Davis-Bacon, Debarment and Suspension, Prohibition on Certain Telecommunications and Video Surveillance Services or Equipment, Domestic Preferences for Procurements, and Drug-Free Workplace, all of which are incorporated herein by reference.
The Authority reserves the right to reject any or all responses to this Request for Bids in whole or in part; to waive any informalities, technicalities, or omissions related to this Request for Bids; and to reject responses on any other basis authorized by the Authority’s purchasing policies.
The Authority is an equal opportunity employer and prohibits discrimination based on the grounds of age, race, sex, color, national origin, disability, marital status, military service, or sexual orientation in its hiring and employment practices and in the admission to, access to, or operation of its programs, services, and activities.
By order of: Terry Blue, A.A.E. President and CEO Memphis-Shelby County Airport Authority
IN THE CHANCERY COURT OF TENNESSEE FOR THE THIRTIETH JUDICIAL DISTRICT AT MEMPHIS, SHELBY COUNTY TENNESSEE, In its own behalf and for the use and benefit if applicable, THE STATE OF TENNESSEE and, THE MUNICIPALITIES OF ARLINGTON, BARTLETT, COLLIERVILLE, GERMANTOWN, LAKELAND, MEMPHIS AND MILLINGTON TENNESSEE Plaintiffs, vs. DELINQUENT TAXPAYERS as shown on the 2022 Real Property Tax Records of the Shelby County Trustee and the United States of America, Defendant(s) TX-2024-2 Tax Sale 2202
Order of Publication:
In this cause, it appearing from the Affidavit of Service of Process and Request for Service of Publication filed in this cause on September 16, 2025, that all of the named Defendants listed below as ‘Exhibit A’ are Not To Be Found. Further the Plaintiffs conducted a diligent search and inquiry and were unable to locate any of the Defendants in ‘Exhibit A’ that were not to be found. Therefore, such persons should be notified by publication that they are required to appear on December 04, 2025 before Chancellor James R. Newsom, Part II of Chancery Court in the Shelby County Courthouse, 140 Adams Avenue 3rd Floor, Memphis, Tennessee. Such persons should also be notified of the need to file on or before December 04, 2025, an answer making defense to the bill filed against them in said Court by Shelby County, or otherwise a default judgment will be taken against each defendant herein named. The purpose for which the defendants are to appear is to defend against certainconsolidated suits filed to enforce real estate tax liens for delinquent real estate taxes due and owing on real estate in Shelby County and if applicable the City of Memphis and the Incorporated Municipalities of Arlington, Bartlett, Collierville, Germantown, Lakeland, Memphis, and Millington Tennessee. If any of the defendants named herein do not file an answer, on or before Friday December 04, 2025 a Motion for Default Judgement will be heard at 9:00 a.m. in Part II of Chancery Court, 140 Adams Avenue, 3rd Floor, Memphis, TN. If you wish to discuss alternatives, if any, to the sale of your property, currently have an active bankruptcy, or if you have any questions, please call (901) 222-0200. The properties of the Defendants named herein are scheduled for Tax Sale 2202; TX-2024-2. The sale is scheduled for April 07, 2026 via online auction beginning at 8:00 a.m. at ZeusAuction.com.
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that this notice be published once each week for four (4) consecutive weeks on October 03, 2025; October 10, 2025; October 17, 2025; and October 24, 2025 In the Daily News.
Signed, James R. Newsom, Part II
NOTICE TO BIDDERS
Shelby County Government has issued Request for Qualification number 26-01063, Construction Engineering and Inspection Services (CE&I) Proposal For Improvements to Hacks Cross Road From Shelby Drive to Stateline Road for the Shelby County Roads, Bridges and Engineering Department. Information regarding this Bid is located on the County’s website at www.shelbycountytn. gov . At the top of the home page, click on the dropdown box under “Business”, Click on “Purchasing” and “Bids” to locate the name of the above-described Sealed Bid.
REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATION 26-010-63 DUE DATE MONDAY, DECEMBER 8, 2025 @ 2:00 PM (CST)
(RFQ-26-010-63) Construction Engineering and Inspection Services (CE&I) Proposal For Improvements to Hacks Cross Road From Shelby Drive to Stateline Road
Shelby County is an equal opportunity affirmative action employer, drug-free with policies of non-discrimination on the basis of race, sex, religion, color, national or ethnic origin, age, disability or military service. By order of
LEE HARRIS, MAYOR SHELBY COUNTY GOVERNMENT
■■ COMMUNITY
Street renamed to honor Noble H. Owens Sr. and Jr., pillars of Binghampton and Black entrepreneurship in Memphis
TSD Newsroom
MEMPHIS, Tenn. — On Monday, the City of Memphis officially designated a section of Scott Street as Noble H. Owens Street, honoring the legacy Owen Funeral Home Founder Noble H. Owens Sr. and his son, Noble H. Owens Jr. — two generations of Black business leaders whose compassion and stewardship will long be remembered in the Binghampton community.
Owens Sr. founded the business in 1912, beginning in a modest house in Binghampton at a time when Black families were forging paths through segregation to carve out neighborhoods and institutions of their own. The funeral home soon became a cornerstone. It hosted an annual community picnic, provided food during holidays, and, when needed, offered services to families who could not afford to pay.
Their guiding belief emerged as the motto that defined the work: “Serving with compassion, dignity and excellence.”
A family rooted in service
Born in 1918, Noble H. Owens Jr. learned the business beside his father and absorbed its mission early. When Owens Sr. died in 1967, Jr. stepped forward to lead the funeral home, maintaining its reputation as a trusted community anchor and extending its reach as Memphis grew and changed. In 1983, Owens Jr. received the Tennessee State Funeral Directors and Morticians Association Memorial Award and recognition from the Tennessee House of Representatives for his service, a rare acknowledgment for a neighborhood funeral director who had spent his life honoring others. He passed away later that year.
His wife, Laura Owens, then carried the family’s torch, running the funeral home for the next 31 years. Under her
care, the Owens name remained synonymous with steadiness and compassion. The business never left the street where it began and neither did the trust of its community.
Today, the legacy endures under their daughters, Cheryl Owens and DeNobra “Dena” Owens. The sisters represent the third generation of leadership, continuing more than 112 years of service.
A legacy enshrined
The section of street renamed Nobel H. Owens Street runs between Board Avenue and Nathan Avenue, steps from the business the family has nurtured across eras defined by Jim Crow, the Civil Rights Movement and modern Memphis.
City Councilman Dr. Jeffrey Warren read the resolution honoring Noble H. Owens Sr. and Noble H. Owens Jr., noting their contributions to Binghampton and to Black entrepreneur-
ship in the city.
“A business that has stood this long deserves to be remembered and recognized,” said Warren.
In her remarks, Dena Owens said, “When young people see this street sign, we want them to ask, Who were the Owens men? What did they do? We hope they feel inspired to dream, work hard and build something that lasts. Entrepreneurship allowed our family to serve and uplift others, and we want the next generation to see that possibility for themselves.”
She closed jokingly, saying, “And we don’t want to see you at the funeral home too soon. Take care of your health!”
For Cheryl Owens, the moment held both pride and gratitude.
“This is deeply emotional for us. To drive down this street and see my grandfather’s and father’s names on the very road where one built the business
and the other carried it forward means everything,” she said. “They poured their hearts into Binghampton. This sign enshrines their legacy and stands as a symbol of their love for this neighborhood and for Memphis.”
Following the unveiling, Dena Owens reflected on the meaning of the occasion.
“This was a true ‘pinch me’ moment for my family, Owens Funeral Home staff and Binghampton residents,” she said. “The honor gives hope that good people who were born to serve others will always have a place in history.”
From a small house to a city-recognized landmark, the Owens family’s work endures not only on a street sign but in a neighborhood and a city they helped build and uplift.
City Councilman Dr. Jeffrey Warren reads the resolution honoring the legacy of Noble H. Owens Sr. and Noble H. Owens Jr. at a Monday event naming a portion of Scott Street after both men. (Photos: Gary S. Whitlow/The Tri-State Defender)
Dena (L) and Cheryl (R) Owens stand under the new street sign bearing the name of their father and grandfather. Both men where pillars of the Binghampton Community. City Councilman Dr. Jeffrey Warren represented the City of Memphis at the Monday event.
Memphian makes history with dual national 40 Under 40 honors in engineering and design
By Brianna Smith-Herman TSD Contributiong Writer
For the first time ever, a professional from Memphis and Tennessee has been named to both of the nation’s most prestigious young professional lists in architecture, engineering and construction: Engineering News-Record (ENR) and Building Design + Construction (BD+C).
Brent Hooks, regional vice president at Cornerstone Engineering, has earned dual recognition as part of ENR’s Top Young Professionals 40 Under 40 and BD+C’s 40 Under 40 Class of 2025. Hooks’ dual honors put Memphis on the national map alongside professionals from New York, Los Angeles and Chicago.
“This honor reflects the power of Memphis and what’s possible for our young people,” said Hooks. “I hope it inspires students across our city to explore careers in STEM and to believe their skills and dreams can take them anywhere.”
Hooks’ achievement highlights Memphis’ growing influence in shaping the future of the built environment. As demand for STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) talent rises nationwide, Memphis is demonstrating that it has the creativity, expertise and vision to meet that moment.
“Brent’s recognition is bigger than one person. It’s a signal to the country that Memphis is home to innovators shaping tomorrow’s cities,” Cornerstone Engineering said in a statement.
As Cornerstone Engineering continues expanding across the Southeast — including in key markets such as Atlanta, Birmingham and Memphis — the firm views this recognition as both an honor and a call to action: to keep investing in mentorship, education and career pathways for the next generation of Memphis talent.
Brent
Memphis and Tennessee
on Engineering News-Record’s Top Young Professionals 40 Under 40 and Building Design + Construction’s 40 Under 40 Class of 2025 lists. Hooks’ recognition highlights Memphis’ growing influence in engineering, architecture and design. (Gary S. Whitlow/Tri-State Defender)
As a Cornerstone regional vice president, Hooks leads strategic growth and operational execution across the Southeastern U.S. He drives business development, oversees complex engineering and construction projects and expands Cornerstone’s regional presence. His leadership fuses engineering expertise with business acumen.
Hooks previously led a multi-unit business spanning 10 states and seven divisions, managing a 70-person team and guiding his organization to appearances on Inc. magazine’s Fastest-Growing Companies in America list in 2019 and 2023.
“I view my work as an opportunity to make a positive contribution to my community in a number of different ways,” Hooks said. “Many of the projects I support directly impact quality of life, from the buildings people walk into every day to the unseen systems beneath them.”
“More importantly,” he added, “I’m able to inspire the future, showing the next generation what’s possible and providing them with meaningful opportunities to explore careers while dreaming of the impact they want to make.”
Hooks’ journey has earned him recognition not only from ENR and BD+C but also from Forbes’ Next 1000 (2021), Marquis’ Who’s Who, and the Memphis Business Journal’s 40 Under 40.
“I’m driven by extending a legacy of civic leadership,” Hooks said. “Each project tells a story from design to construction to occupancy. To me, the most fulfilling part is seeing how those stories unfold and how they serve people.”
Among his recent projects, Hooks points to the Regional One Health Expansion as a personal highlight.
“The purpose, mission and vision of this project will touch Memphis in so
many ways that align with the areas of life that are most meaningful to me,” he said.
A native Memphian, Hooks holds an MBA from Vanderbilt University. He is an active member of ACEC Tennessee’s PE Leadership Cohort, a statewide professional mentorship network for engineers.
Off the clock, Hooks serves on the boards of the New Ballet Ensemble and School, the Urban Land Institute and the St. Jude Spirit of the Dream committee. He has contributed to the City of Memphis Film and Television Commission, helping to strengthen creative infrastructure and local economic development. He previously worked with the Blight Authority of Memphis, an organization that revitalizes abandoned and neglected properties to create new opportunities for growth and community renewal.
His motivation in business and beyond is rooted in family legacy.
Hooks descends from a line of civic leaders. His great-great-grandmother, Julia Britton Hooks, was the first Black woman to attend Berea College, and his great-uncle Benjamin L. Hooks was Tennessee’s first Black criminal court judge and later served as executive director of the NAACP.
“My family’s legacy reminds me that my work is part of a much larger story,” Hooks reflected. “They used education, culture and justice to break barriers, and that inspires how I live and lead. Everything I do is about creating access, opportunity and beauty in the spaces we build.”
When asked what comes next, Hooks said he remains focused on leading with purpose and building a legacy that reflects the strength of his hometown.
“Contributing to the landscape of Memphis is paramount,” he said. “I was raised here, and now I have the privilege of giving back in meaningful ways. The goal is to keep building — not just structures, but futures.”
Hooks, regional vice president at Cornerstone Engineering, is the first professional from
