MATA Bus Driver Killed in I-240 Crash

(MEMPHIS, Tenn.) -- A Memphis Area Transit Authority bus driver is dead following a vehicular cash in Memphis on Tuesday morning.

The crash happened on the southbound side of Interstate 240 near South Parkway. Officials said in published reports that a MATA bus and a cement truck collided, with the driver of the bus being ejected and then becoming pinned beneath another vehicle.

The bus driver was pronounced dead at the scene.

The crash remains under investigation.

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Man Charged in Shooting Death of Stepdad

(MEMPHIS, Tenn.) -- A 29-year-old man has been charged in the shooting death of his stepdad in Memphis over the weekend.

Deandre Lax is charged with second-degree murder in the death of his stepfather 35-year-old William Jones.

Memphis Police say on Sunday evening they were called to the 3600 block of Townes, where they found Jones dead with an apparent gunshot wound. An investigation revealed that Jones was involved in an altercation with several of his stepsons when he was shot.

Police say Lax fled the scene, but eventually turned himself in.

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Gov. Haslam Vetos ‘Ag Gag’ Bill

(NASHVILLE, Tenn.) -- Gov. Bill Haslam announced Monday that he is vetoing a controversial “ag gag” bill, The Chattanooga Times Free Press reports.

The bill, which would have required any documentation of animal abuse to be given to law enforcement within 48 hours of being made, was the subject of much debate. The sponsors of the bill, farmers, said that it was to ensure speedy investigations of cruelty to animals and livestock investigations.

However, critics like the Humane Society said that mandating that evidence be given to authorities within 48 hours made it easy for officials to thwart investigations of animal cruelty.

It was not clear what side the governor would take in this debate until his announcement. Haslam said that while he understood the concerns of the farmers, and recognized that sometimes footage obtained into investigations of animal cruelty was obtained under false pretenses, he had to veto the bill.

He quoted a legal opinion from Tennessee Attorney General Bob Cooper delivered last week, who said that the bill was “constitutionally suspect” given the requirements of the First Amendment. Haslam also mentioned that it seemed to implicitly repeal part of Tennessee’s “shield law,” which protects journalists’ ability to collect information.

He recommended that a new, clearer bill be created.

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Police Search for Shooter in Weekend Murder

(MEMPHIS, Tenn.) -- A 23-year-old man was shot and killed in Memphis on Sunday, and his killer remains on the loose.

The shooting was reported around 2:30 a.m. Sunday, with officers being called to the 5000 block of Steuben. Memphis Police say at the scene, they found Simi Girley in the driver's seat of a vehicle, suffering from gunshot wounds.

Witnesses told investigators that several shots were heard and a gray vehicle was possibly seen leaving the area shortly after the shooting occurred.

Girley was pronounced dead at the scene.

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Security Guard Shot in Late Night Robbery

(MEMPHIS, Tenn.) -- Memphis Police are investigating a robbery at a local restaurant late Sunday night, during which, a security guard was shot and wounded.

The robbery happened around 11:30 p.m. at the China Inn Buffet, located at 2829 Covington Pike. Police say the restaurant's manager was walking to her vehicle in the company of an armed security guard, when the pair were approached by two suspects, armed with a handgun. The suspects reportedly shot the security guard and then demanded money from the manager.

Police say when the woman refused, the robbers shot into her vehicle, reached inside and took an undisclosed amount of cash. The suspects then fled on foot.

The security guard was taken to  Regional Medical Center for treatment.

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