Kayla Solomon

New York

Investigative Reporter at WHBQ-TV (Memphis, TN)

Award-Winning News Reporter @fox13memphis. @templeuniv Made. @NABJ. @EmmaLBowenFdn. Previously @13wmaznews. Psalms 139:14. Suffering NY Sports Fan.

Articles

FOX13 Investigates: ASP dashcam video shows moments leading up to fatal crash

3 days ago | fox13memphis.com | Kayla Solomon

MEMPHIS, Tenn. - Arkansas State Police have not been shy about their pursuit policy. In March, Col. Mike Hagar told the public his troopers have been instructed to put drivers who attempt to flee "in a ditch."After those remarks, the agency had three fatal crashes in the weeks that followed. Col. Hagar stood by his statements when FOX13 Investigates sat down with him in April. In dashcam video obtained by FOX13 Investigates, one of those fatal crashes from March is shown from beginning to end.
'A tight budget year': Memphis Mayor, city council negotiating budget priorities

1 week ago | fox13memphis.com | Kayla Solomon

MEMPHIS, Tenn. - The City of Memphis is stretched thin financially. It's a point Mayor Paul Young made to the Memphis City Council when he presented his budget for fiscal year 2026. Earlier this month, Young presented a budget with no property tax increase, but also no increase in salaries for city employees. This includes unions, like the Memphis Police Association. "It's a tight budget year," Young told FOX13.
More than 130 people who should be in state custody are in Shelby County Jail

1 week ago | fox13memphis.com | Kayla Solomon

MEMPHIS, Tenn. - Some of the most dangerous people in Shelby County are housed in the jail at 201 Poplar. After another inmate death on Monday, FOX13 found out some of those inmates should be in state prison instead. There are 132 people at the Shelby County Jail who should be in the custody of the Tennessee Department of Corrections.
ICE Acting Director says more agents coming to streets, promises more arrests

1 week ago | fox13memphis.com | Kayla Solomon

MEMPHIS, Tenn. - The acting director of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement issued a strong statement Thursday. "There is no sanctuary for illegal aliens in this country. You can call it a sanctuary jurisdiction all you want. It's a bunch of crap, and we all know it," said ICE Acting Director Tom Homan. Homan said people should expect more officers on the streets and more arrests. "I'm not satisfied with the numbers, so we need to increase them," Homan said.
$1 million approved by county commission for jail repairs

1 week ago | fox13memphis.com | Kayla Solomon

MEMPHIS, Tenn. - More than $1 million in emergency repairs are coming to the jail at 201 Poplar. This comes as the Shelby County Sheriff's Office continues pushing for a whole new jail, which is expected to cost about $1.4 billion. FOX13 crews toured the jail in early 2025. Wednesday, Alicia Lindsey, Chief Administrative Officer for SCSO, told commissioners they needed emergency funding to fix 10 inoperable escalators, a shower system, and more.
$1 million repairs approved by county commission for jail repairs

1 week ago | fox13memphis.com | Kayla Solomon

MEMPHIS, Tenn. - More than $1 million in emergency repairs are coming to the jail at 201 Poplar. This comes as the Shelby County Sheriff's Office continues pushing for a whole new jail, which is expected to cost about $1.4 billion. FOX13 crews toured the jail in early 2025. Wednesday, Alicia Lindsey, Chief Administrative Officer for SCSO, told commissioners they needed emergency funding to fix 10 inoperable escalators, a shower system, and more.
Man arrested for killing mother of three in South Memphis, police say

1 week ago | fox13memphis.com | Kayla Solomon

MEMPHIS, Tenn. - While some families spent Memorial Day barbecuing or enjoying the day off from work, Tamarkus Smith was planning his daughter's funeral. Smith's daughter, Jyrah, was killed Friday morning at a South Memphis apartment complex. "We're getting through it, that's all I have to say. We're getting through it," Smith told FOX13 Monday.
Mid-South contractor fined $26,000 by state for unlicensed activity

2 weeks ago | fox13memphis.com | Kayla Solomon

MEMPHIS, Tenn. - A Lakeland woman says she's out of thousands of dollars after a Mid-South contractor scammed her. Now, the state of Tennessee has hit that company with a hefty fine for unlicensed activity. Best Around Painting LLC is allegedly based in Mississippi but was also doing business in Tennessee in 2022. Lisa Starzynski said the company was recommended to her by another contractor she was familiar with.
Offenders with most violent charges in Operation Rolling Thunder still in custody, records show

2 weeks ago | fox13memphis.com | Kayla Solomon

MEMPHIS, Tenn. - More than 50 people arrested in a violent crime initiative have gang affiliations, according to the Memphis Police Department. Operation Rolling Thunder, announced Wednesday, had 160 arrests over a 17-day span. Memphis leaders, including Mayor Paul Young and Chief C.J. Davis said it sends a message to offenders. “This wasn’t random. This was intentional, strategic, focused- this was precision," Davis said in a news conference.
'Rooted in data': Former judge responds to DOJ retracting findings into Memphis Police

2 weeks ago | fox13memphis.com | Kayla Solomon

MEMPHIS, Tenn. - Hours after the Department of Justice (DOJ) announced its retraction of findings from an investigation into the Memphis Police Department (MPD), FOX13 sought to answer unanswered questions. The biggest question: what happens next? Retired Judge Bernice Donald is overseeing the newly formed Memphis Police Reform Task Force. She said the task force will continue doing the work it was created for.