Memphis Daily Local Headlines — Feb. 24

Top Memphis headlines for today

Here are a few city-specific stories developing across Memphis and Shelby County, based on reporting published within the last three days.

Schools: MSCS board set for closure vote

The Memphis-Shelby County Schools board is scheduled to vote Tuesday on a plan that would close or transfer up to five campuses at the end of this school year. The list includes Lucy Elementary, Frayser-Corning Elementary, Georgian Hills Elementary, Ida B. Wells Academy, and Chickasaw Middle.

If approved, the changes would take effect June 30, 2026. District leaders have pointed to under-enrollment and facility costs as major drivers, while families have raised concerns about longer commutes, student reassignment plans, and what happens to the buildings after closure.

Courts: 20-year sentence in 2019 pastor killing

A woman convicted in the 2019 shooting death of Pastor Brodes Perry at a Collierville home has been sentenced to 20 years in prison on a second-degree murder conviction. She also received an additional sentence for reckless endangerment, with the terms running at the same time.

The case has lingered for years and remains a high-profile reminder of how long major violent-crime cases can take to reach a final outcome for families and the community.

Public safety: Two former Memphis officers decertified

Tennessee’s Peace Officer Standards & Training Commission voted to decertify two former Memphis police officers, which bars them from working as officers in the state. The cases cited issues that included failed screening results, an out-of-state arrest, and alleged violations of department policies.

City leaders and residents often argue about what accountability should look like. Decertification is one of the most consequential steps the state can take after an officer leaves a department.

Transit: City calls MATA a rebuild

Mayor Paul Young has described Memphis’ transit system as being in a rebuilding phase, with an emphasis on stabilizing service and improving on-time performance before any expansion talk. Riders interviewed in recent days described long waits and missed connections as everyday challenges that ripple into work and childcare.

Sources

• https://www.actionnews5.com/2026/02/24/mscs-board-could-vote-close-5-schools-this-year/
• https://dailymemphian.com/section/metroeducation/article/60234/memphis-shelby-county-schools-could-close-five-schools-to-students-with
• https://www.actionnews5.com/2026/02/24/woman-sentenced-20-years-murder-pastor/
• https://www.actionnews5.com/2026/02/24/2-ex-mpd-officers-decertified-by-post-commission/
• https://www.actionnews5.com/2026/02/22/mayor-young-says-mata-is-rebuilding-phase-concerns-mount-riders/