What is up, Memphis? Today is Wednesday, April 27, and it’s Administrative Professionals Day. Without administrative professionals, our office lives would all be chaos, so be sure to thank the person (or people) who keep things running smoothly in your office this morning.

Tonight, Memphis 901 FC will play the Tampa Bay Rowdies at AutoZone Park, and it’s $2 beer night. Sounds like a great time to me.

THE NEED TO KNOW

Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant (top) dunks over Minnesota Timberwolves defenders Malik Beasley (left) and Naz Reid (right) during the game four playoff on April 26. (Mark Weber/Daily Memphian)

Morant’s winning basket: The Memphis Grizzlies made another miraculous comeback in the last moments of Tuesday night’s game against the Minnesota Timberwolves at FedExForum to win 111-109. The Grizzlies won despite missing most of their attempted 3-pointers and a good chunk of their free throws, losing a rare early lead and again trailing for most of the game. But as our own Chris Herrington writes, “They also did it with Morant summoning an enormous effort in the fourth, where he scored 18 of his game-high 30 points, including a pullup 3-pointer that gave the Grizzlies their first lead since the late first quarter.” In the final seconds of the game, a basket by Morant led to the Grizzlies win and put our team up three games to the Timberwolves’ two in this playoff series. After the final play, Brandon Clarke, who dominated the fourth quarter for the Grizz, told Morant, “Thank god we got you.” And The Daily Memphian’s Geoff Calkins reminds us all to take a cue from Clarke today.

Jody Moyt

Memphis chef killed: Lafayette’s chef Jody Moyt, 42, died on Sunday after being stabbed in what has been described a “road rage” incident on Sam Cooper Boulevard. A worker at a different Midtown restaurant was charged with second-degree murder in Moyt’s death. Moyt was a native Memphian and a self-taught chef who worked his way through such long-closed restaurants as Yia Yia’s and LuLu Grill before going to Owen Brennan’s, then to Lafayette’s when it opened in 2014.

Legislation that would affect Germantown’s namesake schools — including Germantown Middle — is headed to the desk of Gov. Bill Lee. (Abigail Warren/Daily Memphian)

Next steps for the 3Gs bill: A bill that could allow Germantown to take control of its three namesake schools — Germantown Elementary, Middle and High schools — from Memphis-Shelby County Schools is heading to Gov. Bill Lee’s desk for a signature. The bill was passed by the state House in a 67-22 vote on Tuesday after the state Senate made some changes to it earlier this month. 

MEET MEMPHIS

Germantown Fire Department Chief John Selberg will take the fire chief role in Collierville this summer. Collierville’s board confirmed his appointment Monday, April 25. (Mark Weber/Daily Memphian)

Germantown fire chief John Selberg will soon be the Collierville fire chief, after being appointed by Collierville’s Board of Mayor and Aldermen on Monday. Selberg has headed the Germantown Fire Department since August 2011, having worked his way up through that department since 1979. During his four decades in Germantown, Selberg spent seven years as the city’s fire marshal and 21 as GFD’s assistant chief before taking the top role. While serving in Germantown, Selberg oversaw the launching of the city’s ambulance service and the renovation of its fourth fire station. Collierville is planning to launch its own ambulance service this summer and is working on a sixth fire station, so Selberg’s experience should come in handy.

THE NICE TO KNOW

The double cheeseburger at Tenero Butcher & Café comes dressed with special sauce. (Jennifer Biggs/Daily Memphian)

Midwestern butcher in Memphis: Yesterday, we told you about a demolition plan for parts of East Memphis’ Williamsburg Village shopping center. But one place that isn’t on the chopping block: the former Southall restaurant, which just reopened as Tenero Café & Butcher. The old Southall space was purchased by Scott Tilton and Larry Whitty last November with a plan to transform it into a “Midwestern butcher shop.” The Daily Memphian’s Jennifer Biggs stopped by to try the double cheeseburger, which she reports to be “hearty and juicy, with a Big Mac-like secret sauce, good pickles and arugula.” (Good news for the vegetarians: Tenero also serves a Beyond Burger). Co-owner Tilton says a butcher counter will be added to the space soon and that he’s envisioning “a place like Sam the butcher’s” from “The Brady Bunch.”

Mayor Stan Joyner reads a proclamation for infertility awareness week in between Lauren Brown (left) and Mollie Walker (right). Brown and Walker founded Tennessee Fertility Advocates. (Abigail Warren/Daily Memphian)

Fighting for fertility benefits: A pair of childhood friends — Lauren Brown and Mollie Walker — launched Tennessee Fertility Advocates in 2020 after both women struggled with infertility as they tried to grow their families. The statewide group provides support for families dealing with infertility, and they empower members to ask their employers to include fertility benefits as part of their insurance coverage. Brown paid $10,000 out of pocket for her own fertility treatments because her employer didn’t offer benefits. “All it takes is just having conversation,” Walker said. “Asking them ‘Do you offer it? If not, why?’ It really just takes one person.” 

The City of Memphis submitted plans for a major modification with the Land Use Control Board on April 7 for a revised roadway construction along Central Avenue leading into the Liberty Park development. (Mark Weber/Daily Memphian)

Liberty Park update: A number of new commercial real estate projects are underway in the area, and our own Neil Strebig has a round-up in his Inked column. Among them, the City of Memphis submitted plans to the Land Use Control Board for a revised roadway construction that it says will provide “a more welcoming pedestrian environment” leading into the Liberty Park development. The changes would include a new private roadway at an angle from Central Avenue to Raymond Skinner Avenue. 

WHAT WE’RE TALKING ABOUT

Don’t underestimate Memphis, Timberwolves. We will haunt you in your dreams.

And for anyone was wondering if Tee Morant was actually just Usher in sunglasses (I was certainly suspicious), here is proof that they are, in fact, two different people. Usher attended last night’s game and sat next to Ja Morant’s dad. 

Have a happy hump day! Be right back here tomorrow!

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