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 sits down with new Public Safety Advisor for Memphis

2 weeks ago | fox13memphis.com | Kayla Solomon

MEMPHIS, Tenn. - Little by little, the new public safety advisory for the City of Memphis said the city is looking to string along days and nights with no reported gun violence. "This morning, I woke up. First thing I did was grab my phone and start looking for those reports—zero reports. No homicides, no murders, no shootings where anyone was shot at that was reported. That's progress. That's tangible progress," said City of Memphis Public Safety Advisor Darren Goods.
Needs assessment outlines problems within jail at 201 Poplar

2 weeks ago | fox13memphis.com | Kayla Solomon

MEMPHIS, Tenn. - Shelby County needs a new jail, but who is footing the bill? Shelby County Sheriff Floyd Bonner told the County Commission it would cost about $1.4 billion. On Wednesday, the University of Tennessee's County Technical Assistance Service (CTAS) presented the findings to the County Commission. The findings included more than 170 pages, laying out moldy ceilings, a heap of maintenance requests, short staffing in the jail, and more.
Firefighters, other city employees await budget vote for salary raises

2 weeks ago | fox13memphis.com | Kayla Solomon

MEMPHIS, Tenn. - Memphis firefighters and other union workers are questioning whether they can trust city leaders as budget negotiations play out. Two weeks ago, City Council showed support for a five percent raise for all city employees, including first responders. The Memphis Fire Fighters Association said a resolution presented Monday could lower that amount and possibly jeopardize a contract signed last year.
Volunteer organization says there's increased ICE activity in Memphis

3 weeks ago | fox13memphis.com | Kayla Solomon

MEMPHIS, Tenn. - Cell phone video showing an unidentified officer pointing a gun towards a woman in Memphis is making its rounds on social media. Maria Oceja, co-founder of Vecindarios 901, said she helped start the group in 2019 during President Donald Trump's first administration. She said this year, there's been an uptick in suspected Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or ICE, activity.
Shelby County District Attorney pushing for yearly $5.5M for new crime lab

3 weeks ago | fox13memphis.com | Kayla Solomon

MEMPHIS, Tenn. - Forensic testing for ballistics and rapid DNA could be expanded in Shelby County. County leaders said all they need is a recurring $5.5 million to make it happen. The West Tennessee Regional Forensic Testing Center is the only forensic testing center in Shelby County. The next closest is the TBI lab in Jackson, Tennessee.
FOX13 Investigates: ASP dashcam video shows moments leading up to fatal crash

3 weeks 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

4 weeks 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 month 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 month 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 month 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.