The New Tri-State Defender

11/01/2026

Former MSCS superintendent Feagins faces allegations of sexual harassment, creating a hostile workplace

Former Memphis-Shelby County School Superintendent faces allegations that she exposed herself to her special assistant in a federal employment discrimination lawsuit filed on Thursday, Oct....

Former Memphis-Shelby County School Superintendent faces allegations that she exposed herself to her special assistant in a federal employment discrimination lawsuit filed on Thursday, Oct. 29. Feagins’ former assistant, Camalyn Turner, filed a lawsuit against MSCS with the Equal Employment Opport...

10/30/2026

Green Book Comedy Tour celebrating Chitlin’ Circuit comes to Sassafras Farms

“The Green Book Comedy Tour,” featuring veteran comic actor Mark Curry, will stop at Sassafras Farms at 315 Hill House Road in Toone, Tennessee, 65 miles northeast of Memphis, for a variety show, happy hour and afterparty at 1 p.m....

“The Green Book Comedy Tour,” featuring veteran comic actor Mark Curry, will stop at Sassafras Farms at 315 Hill House Road in Toone, Tennessee, 65 miles northeast of Memphis, for a variety show, happy hour and afterparty at 1 p.m. – 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 31. Tickets are $75. Bus transportatio...

10/30/2026

Clyburn brings history, political wisdom and voting message to Memphis in final election push

Congressman James Clyburn came to Memphis with a history lesson, a little political wisdom and a reminder of what political representation is supposed to accomplish....

https://tri-statedefender.com/clyburn-brings-history-political-wisdom-and-voting-message-to-memphis-in-final-election-push/10/30/

Congressman James Clyburn came to Memphis with a history lesson, a little political wisdom and a reminder of what political representation is supposed to accomplish. The South Carolina Democrat, whose influence helped propel Joe Biden toward the presidency in 2020, spent Wednesday, Oct. 28, lending....

10/30/2026

The latest edition of The Tri-State Defender is now available!

From Black men mobilizing voters ahead of Election Day to Shelby County’s priorities and the latest developments in the Kohen Wiley case, we’re covering the stories that matter to Memphis and the Mid-South.

📲 Catch up on the news, people, and issues shaping our community.

READ THE FULL E-EDITION: https://issuu.com/thenewtristatedefender/docs/the_tri-state_defender_-_october_29_2026

10/29/2026

Dolores Huerta, influential labor leader, feminist and civil rights icon, dies at 96

By Susan Montoya Bryan Dolores Huerta, the legendary labor organizer whose advocacy improved conditions for migrant farm workers in the nation's fruit and vegetable fields and persuaded presidents to do more for women's equality and immigrant rights, died Wednesday, Oct....

https://tri-statedefender.com/dolores-huerta-influential-labor-leader-feminist-and-civil-rights-icon-dies-at-96/10/29/

By Susan Montoya Bryan Dolores Huerta, the legendary labor organizer whose advocacy improved conditions for migrant farm workers in the nation’s fruit and vegetable fields and persuaded presidents to do more for women’s equality and immigrant rights, died Wednesday, Oct. 28. She was 96. Huerta, ...

10/28/2026

Vote postponed on county’s data center ordinances, study committee proposed

The Shelby County Board of Commissioners passed on votes for a proposed data center ordinance and a 12-month moratorium on new data center construction in unincorporated areas at the board’s Monday, Oct....

The Shelby County Board of Commissioners passed on votes for a proposed data center ordinance and a 12-month moratorium on new data center construction in unincorporated areas at the board’s Monday, Oct. 26, meeting. A first-reading of the proposals was moved to the Nov. 18 meeting. A community me...

10/27/2026

Lowery presents action plan; county finances tops list of priorities

A roadmap for the near-term future of Shelby County has been laid out, after Mayor Mickell Lowery unveiled his first term strategic plan....

A roadmap for the near-term future of Shelby County has been laid out, after Mayor Mickell Lowery unveiled his first term strategic plan. Following the Aug. 3 election, Lowery’s transition team broke into nine working groups to brainstorm solutions to issues pertaining to public safety, education,...

10/27/2026

With Election Day approaching, the National Civil Rights Museum is teaming up with its Democracy In Action partners to host two FREE, nonpartisan community events aimed at helping Memphians make their voices heard at the polls.

🎃 TRICK OR VOTE | SATURDAY, OCT. 31
⏰ 5–7 p.m.

Families are invited to enjoy trick-or-treating, candy, music, children’s activities, giveaways and a food truck while learning about their voting rights.

Attendees are encouraged to dress as their favorite civil rights hero or someone who fought for voting rights. Volunteers will also help voters confirm their registration status, locate polling places and prepare for Election Day.

🗳️ ELECTION DAY HUB | TUESDAY, NOV. 3
⏰ 8 a.m.–6 p.m.

The museum will serve as a free voter assistance hub, connecting residents with trained volunteers who can answer questions, provide polling location information and help address voting access concerns.

Visitors can also share why voting matters to them through a special photo and video wall.

Both events are FREE and open to the community. Walk-ins are welcome at the Election Day Hub.

📍 National Civil Rights Museum | Memphis, TN

“Vote like your life depends on it!”

Read the full story: https://tri-statedefender.com/museum-democracy-in-action-to-host-trick-or-vote-on-halloween-and-election-day-hub/10/23/

10/25/2026

‘Hanging & Burning’ delivers a thrilling crime mystery with old-school mobster intrigue

“Hanging & Burning: A King Oliver Novel” by Walter Mosley, c.2026, Little, Brown, $30.00, 320 pages…...

“Hanging & Burning: A King Oliver Novel” by Walter Mosley, c.2026, Little, Brown, $30.00, 320 pages In the new novel “Hanging & Burning,” prolific crime mystery writer Walter Mosley, best known for 1990’s “Devil in a Blue Dress,” has delivered yet another thrilling story about colorful...

10/24/2026

No masks, no filters: Inside Abyssinian’s ‘locker room’ for Black men

For anyone wondering who was welcome inside the sanctuary at Abyssinian Missionary Baptist Church in Memphis for its community forum, “The Locker Room: The Bible, the Ballot and Black Men,” clear signs emerged early one Saturday in October....

https://tri-statedefender.com/no-masks-no-filters-inside-abyssinians-locker-room-for-black-men/10/24/

For anyone wondering who was welcome inside the sanctuary at Abyssinian Missionary Baptist Church in Memphis for its community forum, “The Locker Room: The Bible, the Ballot and Black Men,” clear signs emerged early one Saturday in October. First, a longtime female church member came to show her...