Memphis

MEMPHIS — Shelby County Commissioner Mark Billingsley has filed a resolution to withdraw the commission from litigation over the state oversight board for Memphis-Shelby County Schools. He argues the fight is delaying efforts to improve academic results. He also criticized the county's Oct. 7 chancery court filing, saying commissioners were not told of it despite meeting that day. He said the eight commissioners elected this year were not adequately briefed. The resolution goes to a commission committee Wednesday and to the full commission Oct. 26 at 3 p.m. The move comes after a federal judge lifted the block on the oversight board. A consultant's documents recommend the board begin vetting superintendent candidates this month and pick one by year's end. The district's own lawsuits remain pending.

MEMPHIS — Five young people died after their car collided with a Memphis police vehicle early Oct. 11 at Hickory Hill and Raines roads. Police say the two officers were answering a call about a person shot near Flowering Peach Drive and Mendenhall Road. Four occupants of the car died at the scene and a fifth at a hospital. A sixth was reported in critical condition. Both officers were hospitalized and later released. The Tennessee Highway Patrol is investigating, as is standard when Memphis officers are in a serious crash. THP's preliminary report named the dead but gave no account of events before the crash or who was responsible. Rodney McNeal Jr.'s sister said the four-day wait produced nothing. FOX13 has asked whether the officers followed department policy. The investigation is open.

MEMPHIS — Early voting continues across Tennessee through Oct. 29 under the congressional map the legislature drew in May. It splits Memphis and Shelby County among the 9th, 5th and 8th districts, ending the city's status as the core of one district. Republicans said the goal was to add a GOP seat in Congress. A three-judge federal panel declined to block the map, finding challengers had not shown racial motivation or ruled out a partisan purpose. State attorneys said race data was not used. Opponents, including the ACLU of Tennessee, say Black voting strength was deliberately diluted. Longtime Rep. Steve Cohen ended his reelection bid. State Sen. Brent Taylor, a Republican, faces state Rep. Justin Pearson, a Democrat, in the new 9th. Commentator Earle Fisher argues local officials are doing little to push turnout. Shelby County turnout was just over 54% in 2024.

GERMANTOWN — The Germantown Performing Arts Center has two notable dates this week. On Thursday at 6:30 p.m., the Memphis Wind Symphony plays outdoors in The Grove. It is part of the center's fall Concerts in The Grove series, which runs Thursday evenings through Oct. 29. On Saturday at 8 p.m., The Robert Cray Band takes the Highland Capital Performance Hall stage. The center's calendar bills Cray as a blues icon, soul man and rock and roller. The center's listing gives no ticket price for either date in the material reviewed, so readers should check the GPAC event pages or box office. Lina Beach closes the outdoor series on Oct. 29. The center is at 1801 Exeter Road.

MEMPHIS — Collage Dance Collective stages 'Origins' for three performances at Playhouse on the Square. The program gathers four works the company says shaped its artistic identity: Darrell Grand Moultrie's 'Frankly Speaking,' Joshua Manculich's 'Wash,' Kevin Iega Jeff's 'Flack' and Crystal Pite's 'Four Solitudes.' Performances are Friday at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday at 2:30 p.m. The program opens the company's 17th season, titled 'Essence.' Tickets are sold through the company's website, and a third-party reseller lists the cheapest seats at $37. Friday night also has competition for audiences. Urban Bush Women perform at Buckman Performing Arts Center at 7 p.m., and the Memphis Jazz Orchestra with trumpeter Terell Stafford plays the Crosstown Arts Green Room at 7:30 p.m.

MEMPHIS — Saturday is the week's busiest night. The Cash Money & No Limit Tour plays FedExForum at 8 p.m. and brings Master P, Juvenile and Birdman, among others. Dru Hill, Ginuwine, Next and Troop play BankPlus Amphitheater at Snowden Grove at 7 p.m. Ole 60 plays Grind City Amp on the riverfront at 7 p.m. During the day, Soul & Spirits hosts its Overton Square Oktoberfest from noon to 5 p.m., with German food, polka and a makers market. At the Orpheum, Sarah Jakes Roberts' Rogue Route Tour is Saturday at 8 p.m. On Sunday at 7 p.m., Morris Day & The Time and The S.O.S. Band bring a funk and soul bill to the same stage. The Orpheum then opens 'Monty Python's Spamalot' on Oct. 27. Ticket links are on the venue pages.