Only four MSCS board seats will appear on 2026 ballot, judge rules
A local judge ruled that Shelby County commissioners “exceeded their authority” in passing a resolution that placed all nine school board seats on the ballot last fall.
Super Bowl MVP Walker hasn’t changed much since Arlington High days
Super Bowl MVP the same quiet, hard worker he was in high school.
MoSH searching for new executive director after Thompson exit
The Memphis Museums of Science and History’s former leader Kevin Thompson resigned at the end of 2025.
Mayor Young chooses educator with early childhood experience as new libraries director
The mayor’s choice succeeds Keenon McCloy who retired in January.
Calkins: Why did a Holocaust survivor visit Graceland? A story about hate, survival — and the importance of joy
Mark Schonwetter spent years hiding from the Nazis as a boy. He came to Memphis this week to talk about the journey of survival, the persistence of hate — and a lesson his mother taught him about joy.
Arlington’s Kenneth Walker III wins Super Bowl MVP
Kenneth Walker III graduated from Arlington High School in 2018 after rushing for 3,485 yards and 41 touchdowns.
Young’s State of the City moment collides with Task Force immigration fight
Also, Steve Cohen says next step in federal government funding centers on DHS and ICE; and Bill Lee talks about childhood visits to Memphis, as well as the tragedy that shaped his entry into politics; and a Shelby County mayoral contender opened his campaign headquarters.
Rare church-to-home conversion brings 4-bedroom ‘sanctuary living’ to Cooper-Young
A former house of worship could be your new home — a pretty rare occurrence in the local residential market.
Hattiloo to host international Black theater festival
Hattiloo Theatre will bring Black theater companies from Norway, Nigeria and South Africa to Memphis for two-week residencies.
Memphian Barry Wilburn, Melrose, Ole Miss and Washington Super Bowl standout, dead at 62
Wilburn intercepted two passes in Washington’s 1988 Super Bowl XXII victory over Denver.
February warms up with 5 must-see concerts
“Feral live sets” or jazz and soul? A “sonic memoir” or folk concert meets theater? February brings plenty of concerts to Memphis stages, with a range of sounds.
Where there’s smoke: Fuego Vivo brings live-fire, global menu to East Memphis
The restaurant, located in the former Carrabba’s Italian Grill at 5110 Poplar Ave., officially opens with a ribbon-cutting Monday, Feb. 9.
Ask the Memphian: Who is John Corlew, and why is there a Midtown park named after him?
In this week’s Ask the Memphian, we delve into the history of John Corlew Park, the tiny sliver of greenspace in Midtown’s Idlewild neighborhood.
3-year-old classmates connect across Memphis through Le Bonheur hospital pre-K program
“Some of our children have been here their entire lives, so they haven’t even gotten out of their hospital rooms.”
Vote for the high school boys basketball player of the week, Week 8
Standouts from Harding, Houston, MUS and St. George’s up for consideration this week. Voting ends at 5 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 12.
Vote for the high school girls basketball player of the week, Week 8
Standouts from Collierville, Harding, Hutchison and Lausanne up for consideration this week. Voting ends at 5 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 12.
What Daily Memphians think*
“If you saw local news on the young man, ‘The Rest of the Story’ is that Walker was ready to quit football due to a lung ailment. If memory serves, his high school coach had him get another opinion and the second doctor gave him a path back to health.” — Robert Rowan about Arlington’s Kenneth Walker III wins Super Bowl MVP
“A great reminder of the old saying, ‘Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it’. Hate is used by those who seek power and control over others.” — Micheal Scarbrough about Calkins: Why did a Holocaust survivor visit Graceland? A story about hate, survival — and the importance of joy
“Hatilloo is a Memphis treasure” — Mark Benton about Hattiloo to host international Black theater festival
* Select comments upvoted by Daily Memphian readers.
Sudoku: Feb. 9
Are you ready for today’s puzzles?
Daily WordRow: Feb. 9
Are you a Wordle fan? Try WordRow, a similar game. It’s free to play.
Daily Jigsaw: Snow school
Today’s puzzle is of a snowy Downtown street and was taken by Mark Weber.
Metro
One of Memphis’ oldest churches is wrestling with its past, planning memorial for thousands of enslaved people
For a decade, Calvary Episcopal Church leaders and parishioners have been wrestling and reckoning with a disturbing truth: In the mid-1800s, Christians worshipped God in their church while enslaved men, women and children were sold right outside.
Premium Education ‘Unprecedented’ MSCS forensic audit report expected this spring
Premium Midtown Memphis Theological Seminary closing its doors in July with the property likely going up for sale
Premium State Government Some pregnant Tennesseans could park in handicap spots if new bill passes
Premium Metro Dodging another government shutdown: How local politicians voted
Business
Helping solve a global pilot shortage: Tennessee Flight Training expands to Millington
Tennessee Flight Training recently expanded to Millington-Memphis Airport. Part of the reason was to address a global pilot shortage, its founder said.
Premium Transportation & Logistics MATA riders’ pleas for better service met with piecemeal progress
Premium Real Estate Food Files: Playa Bowls opens in the Edge, The Melting Pot to return
Business Bain Barbecue opening second location
Premium Business With savory hand pies, Whisks of Doom whips up a different type of bakery
Sports
Memphis crushes Charlotte to regain footing in American Conference race
Memphis jumps out to a 20-point halftime lead and cruises to a conference win over Charlotte.Related content:
Premium Memphis Grizzlies Calkins: Will Ja Morant play for the Grizz again? We have an answer to that — and more.
Premium Memphis Grizzlies Zach Kleiman defends Grizzlies’ change in direction
Sports U of M athletic department operating at deficit after years of nearly breaking even
Premium Memphis Grizzlies Hill: Weighing pros and cons of Morant in Memphis after trade deadline
Food
This Memphis influencer feeds the algorithms by feeding the hungry
His short-form cooking videos rack up hundreds of thousands — sometimes millions — of views, but Kai Stowell’s most recent videos have an altruistic side.
Business Tsunami to close after 28 years in Cooper-Young
Suburbs
Nuts, bolts and national goals for a DeSoto robotics team that engineered a path to Washington
A group of homeschool students from Olive Branch is headed to Washington, D.C., to compete in a national robotics competition.
Premium Lakeland ‘The whole state is looking’ at Lakeland’s YMCA project
Arts & Culture
The Giant Rats — and their love of Sherlock Holmes — live on
The Giant Rats — and their devotion to Sherlock Holmes — live on, more than 50 years after the local fan club was founded.
Premium Visual Arts New leadership at Indie Memphis hopes to revive beloved nonprofit
Opinion
Opinion: Do research before hiring a contractor
“Checking out a company anywhere in the country on bbb.org is quick, easy and free.”
Premium Otis Sanford Sanford: Ford’s guilty plea, arrogant demeanor further tarnish family legacy
Podcasts
School board elections, superintendent contract ‘irrelevant’ with MSCS takeover looming, lawmakers say
The Memphis-Shelby County Schools board is about to decide on the district’s leadership, and candidates are campaigning for school board seats. But two sponsors of a state bill say little, if any, of that matters.
Metro The AM/DM podcast: Solidifying a legacy at 87 Adams
Games
Daily Jigsaw: Sushi handrolls
Today’s puzzle is the interior of Maru Handroll Bar and was taken by Patrick Lantrip.