Ben Wheeler

3 weeks ago | localmemphis.com | Ben Wheeler

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Jury selection for the state trial of former Memphis Police Department officers charged in Tyre Nichols death began in Hamilton County Wednesday. A spokesperson for Hamilton County District Attorney Coty Wamp told ABC24 that jury selection began Wednesday morning, as the state trial against the former SCORPION unit officers is set to begin Monday, April 28.

3 weeks ago | localmemphis.com | Ben Wheeler

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Two people are dead and one is in critical condition following a shooting on Cleoford Avenue. Memphis Police Department officials said that at 8:03 p.m., officers responded to a shooting in the 1700 block of Cleoford Avenue in the Frayser neighborhood of Memphis. MPD officers located three victims at the scene, two of which were deceased and one was taken to Regional One Hospital in critical condition.

1 month ago | localmemphis.com | Ben Wheeler

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — The Southern Environmental Law Center has sent a letter to the Shelby County Health Department asking for xAI to be held accountable for what they say are clear violations of the Clean Air Act. “xAI has essentially built a power plant in South Memphis with no oversight, no permitting, and no regard for families living in nearby communities. These dozens of gas turbines are doing significant harm to the air Memphians breathe every day.

1 month ago | benjiwheeler.medium.com | Ben Wheeler

Ben Wheeler·Follow196 min read·--A stack of about 1/3 of the library books I have out right nowI read more books in 2024 than in any other year of my life—over 200 of them. I made a study of picture books in particular, mapping their pace, learning what makes certain ones memorable and others drag. I’d like to write a picture book of my own; and besides, I just love picture books as a medium.

1 month ago | localmemphis.com | Ben Wheeler

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Two former Memphis Police Department officers are set to appear before the state’s licensing board for decertification this week. Tennessee Peace Officer Standards and Training Commission officials are set to rule on decertification requests for two former MPD officers Thursday. Those two former officers, Mikhail Payne and Deedrick Collier, both resigned from the department in lieu of termination, according to POST files obtained by ABC24.