Is it just me, or is there a draft in here? Today is Thursday, June 23, and it’s NBA draft day. Later tonight, our Memphis Grizzlies writers will be posting updates on how the big day goes, so stay tuned.

The Downtown Memphis Commission meets this morning, and FedEx will report its fourth quarter earnings later today. The earnings call will be the first since founder and longtime CEO Fred Smith announced in March he would step down and be replaced by Raj Subramaniam.

THE NEED TO KNOW

Krystal Stanley (top) holds her daughter Kinzlee Conner, 5, while she receives a COVID-19 vaccination shot on Friday, Nov. 19, 2021, at Shelby County Schools Board of Education auditorium. (Mark Weber/The Daily Memphian file)

Lawmakers urge Lee not to distribute vaccine: A letter from four Republican state lawmakers urged Gov. Bill Lee and the Tennessee Department of Health not to distribute the COVID-19 vaccine for children ages 6 months to five years old. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved the vaccine for that age group over the weekend. Rep. Jason Zachary (R-Knoxville) said he did not trust the results of the research that led to the FDA’s approval.

The Board of Adjustment approved conditions for a project that will change Memphis’ skyline. (Courtesy LRK Inc.)

New friend for the Pyramid: On Wednesday, the Memphis and Shelby County Board of Adjustment made a decision that will alter Memphis’ skyline. The board approved a height variance for Tom Intrator’s proposed, $604 million Pinch District mixed-use project that will allow for two of the six buildings to be 420 feet tall (that’s nearly as tall as 100 N. Main). “I do feel the pyramid is a little lonely,” board chair Tim Rainey said. The board also approved plans for three mixed-use developments in the Medical District, Uptown and South Memphis.

Memphis-based FedEx enjoyed its greatest single-day stock jump in more than 30 years last week. (Courtesy FedEx)

Who is D.E. Shaw? Last week, FedEx announced it would increase its quarterly dividend by more than 50% and bring on three new board directors, at the suggestion of activist investor D.E. Shaw Group. But just who is this activist investor pulling the strings at FedEx? The Daily Memphian’s Rob Moore takes a look at the New York City-based firm, which uses investment strategies that have remained a mystery to other Wall Street firms.

Pete Aviotti

Remembering Pete Aviotti: Lifelong Memphian Pete Aviotti died on Tuesday at age 88. After playing professional baseball for the Boston Red Sox and the St. Louis Cardinals, Aviotti came home to Memphis and began his life’s work in road construction and real estate development. He also worked as special assistant to Memphis Mayor Willie Herenton. “Pete was my right-hand man. He was my liaison to the Memphis business community. Moreover, Pete was one great guy. I don’t know anyone that didn’t like Pete,” said Herenton.

QUOTED

“[My mom] was so excited that it was the hottest day of the year. She thought I’d have a miserable time. I got back in the car after practice, and I loved it. I had the best time.”

— Tennessee Titans long snapper Morgan Cox 
The Collierville native talked about his first-ever football practice with the Collierville Youth Athletic Association’s Buccaneers during the Collierville Chamber of Commerce’s monthly membership meeting. The Daily Memphian’s Geoff Calkins interviewed Cox in front of an audience.

THE NICE TO KNOW

The Memphis Zoo has released Ja Raffe to Utah’s Hogle Zoo. (Mark Weber/The Daily Memphian)

Ja released to Utah: Don’t worry — this is a story about a different Ja. The Memphis Zoo has released a giraffe named Ja Raffe to Utah’s Hogle Zoo in Salt Lake City, where he’ll become a breeding male for their herd. In case you’re wondering, yes, the human Ja Morant and his family got a chance to say goodbye.

Chef de cuisine Gannon Hamilton has joined the staff of Magnolia & May, and they’re now open for lunch. (Submitted)

New lunch spot: Magnolia & May has been open for two years, as of this May, but they’ve just added lunch service after hiring local chef Gannon Hamilton. Our own Jennifer Biggs stopped in to try the new mid-day menu, and she was surprised the chips listed on the menu with the pastrami sandwich came on the sandwich (for the record, I’m 100% pro-chips on sandwiches).

DeSoto County cities are finalizing zoning laws on where to allow sales and cultivation of medical marijuana. (Robert Layman/The Rutland Herald via AP file)

Joint decisions: DeSoto County cities are putting the finishing touches on new zoning laws and other regulations related to the state’s legalization of medical marijuana. On Tuesday night, the Olive Branch Board of Aldermen approved a medical cannabis zoning ordinance, which Mayor Ken Adams expects will restrict how many cultivation businesses or dispensaries try to open there. “There’s just not that many options for a city this size,” he said. We’ve got a rundown of how other DeSoto cities (and the unincorporated parts of the county) are handling the issue.

Southaven Mayor Darren Musselwhite estimated in a May meeting that up to 35% of the single-family houses in Southaven, pictured here, are rental properties. (Mark Weber/Daily Memphian file)

Cracking down on rentals: There’s an influx of large companies buying private homes to rent in DeSoto County, and some cities there are cracking down on the practice. On Tuesday night, the Horn Lake Board of Aldermen voted to establish a licensing procedure. In Southaven, Mayor Darren Musselwhite said he’ll have something ready for aldermen to vote on soon.  “It is statistically a fact, not every one, but that non-owner-occupied properties have more maintenance issues, more street curb appeal problems,” said Musselwhite.

WHAT WE’RE TALKING ABOUT

Twitter was abuzz with the news that Ja Raffe was released to the Utah Zoo. Peter Edmiston said the zoo was making a mistake by not hanging onto to young talent.

Let’s hope for some good news from tonight’s NBA draft! See you back here on Friday. 

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