Memphis

MEMPHIS — The Memphis City Council approved a nonbinding resolution on Oct. 20 calling for Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the Tennessee National Guard to be removed from the city. Dozens of speakers urged adoption at a standing-room-only session. The measure takes aim at the hundreds of agents assigned to the Memphis Safe Task Force, the multi-agency effort sent to Memphis under a presidential order last September. It cites Memphis Police Department reporting that crime had already fallen to a 25-year low before the task force arrived. The Tennessee Lookout noted that the resolution contrasts sharply with praise national and state Republican leaders gave the task force a week earlier. The Daily Memphian reported that it resembles a resolution the council rejected in September 2025. The resolution cannot force any agency to leave.

MEMPHIS — Mayor Paul Young has ordered a 90-day study to produce recommendations for regulating large and hyperscale data centers. Experts he appoints will work under the city's chief operating officer and brief the public on the facilities' effects. The Oct. 9 order followed the chaotic Oct. 6 council meeting. On Oct. 20 the council rejected a year-long moratorium on a 6-6 vote. It instead passed a 135-day pause on new data centers while land-use standards are drafted. Young told reporters Wednesday that the city is right to step back until protections are in place, whether the pause lasts 12 months or 135 days. He said the council can extend the pause if needed. Council members are scheduled to meet again Nov. 2 on data center rules. The Shelby County Commission has put its own data center ordinances off until Nov. 18.

MEMPHIS — The Memphis City Council's chairwoman has adopted a security plan for meetings after the Oct. 6 data center session ended with police clearing the chamber and a fight in the lobby. Court filings show it provides for security inspections of the committee room and chambers before meetings, moves the public speaking podium away from the chamber floor, adds a clear-bag policy and restricts building access for people who are not city employees. The council's chief administrative officer wrote that employees have received threats and concerning phone calls since the meeting. Separately, Councilwoman Yolanda Cooper-Sutton was suspended for 30 days from her two committee duties for violating decorum rules at that meeting. She may still attend council sessions. She was absent from the Oct. 20 data center vote because of a family emergency, according to other members.

MEMPHIS — The Women's Foundation for a Greater Memphis holds its 11th annual Power of the Purse tonight at the Grand Carousel Pavilion at the Children's Museum of Memphis. The event runs 6 to 8 p.m. and tickets are $75. The foundation describes the evening as a mix of food, fashion and entertainment, and its Power of the Purse page lists an auction with silent and live portions. The foundation says it will invest $2 million this fiscal year across five areas: early childhood development, youth development and employment, job skills and entrepreneurship, financial education and asset building, and case management and wraparound services. Sponsorships and volunteer slots are listed on the foundation's site. The Choose901 post that gives the price was written for the foundation, so the details come from the organizer.

MIDTOWN — Minglewood Hall's calendar for the coming week has two ends. On Thursday, Nov. 5, country singer David Nail plays the venue's smaller 1884 Lounge on a tour billed as Down To The Studs. On Saturday, Nov. 7, rapper Yung Gravy brings the Joyrider Tour to the main room, with an 8 p.m. start listed by Live Nation. Further out, the hall lists Paul Oakenfold with The Crystal Method on Nov. 13 and Kurt Vile & the Violators on Nov. 17. The venue says it takes only cashless payments, so bring a card or phone. Door and start times for the Nail show, and ticket prices for each date, are on the venue's event pages and Live Nation. Check the venue's site before going, since Minglewood's lounge and main-room listings change.

DOWNTOWN — The Orpheum Theatre Group's events page lists Gold In Our Bones: A Soulsville + South City Play for Nov. 6 to 8, the weekend after the Orpheum's Spamalot run ends. The listing in the group's calendar gives the dates and title but not showtimes, venue within the group's properties, cast or pricing, so readers should confirm those details with the box office before planning. The calendar also shows a fundraiser, The Great Soiree, on Nov. 13, and the Stray Cats at the Orpheum. A Memphis Songwriters Series night at the Halloran Centre follows on Nov. 19. The Orpheum's Broadway season-ticket window closes Monday, Nov. 2, which has been reported separately.