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Good morning, Memphis, and May the 4th be with you. Yes, it’s Star Wars Day (and my mom’s birthday! Happy birthday, mom!).
This evening, Memphis International Airport officials will announce the winners of its annual high school visual art and photo contest in an award ceremony at the airport.
THE NEED TO KNOW
 The median sales price for a home sold in Binghampton was $158,750 in March 2023. Binghampton residents have the highest local rates of asthma, diabetes, high blood pressure and other diseases. (Mark Weber/The Daily Memphian)
Wealth equals health: Nearly a century ago, a federal agency drafted color-coded maps for 239 cities, including Memphis, that essentially grew homeownership for white Americans while doing the opposite for Black Americans. The practice became known as redlining, and its effects are still felt today. For example, in redlined Binghampton, residents have the highest local rates of asthma, diabetes, high blood pressure and other diseases. And in wealthy Chickasaw Gardens, the disease rate is among the lowest in the city. In the last installment of our “Miles Away, Years Apart” series on local life expectancy, The Daily Memphian’s Keely Brewer looks at how Memphis’ redlined neighborhoods show that stark divisions of race and wealth mirror health outcomes.
 Memphian Bill Townsend has purchased Annesdale Mansion and plans to develop it in a way that connects the property to the rest of the Snowden-Annesdale neighborhood. (Mark Weber/The Daily Memphian file)
Annesdale’s new owner: Memphian Bill Townsend, who owns several local historic properties, has purchased Midtown’s Annesdale Mansion and plans to develop it in a way that’s in keeping with the integrity of the surrounding Annesdale-Snowden neighborhood. Townsend wants to add housing on the property while preserving the historic mansion. Neighbors have been anxious that a future buyer would tear down the mansion, but Townsend said he’ll work with neighbors on future uses for the circa-1850 home.
 Rodney and RowVaughn Wells (middle left), along with their attorneys Ben Crump (middle right) and Antonio Romanucci (right), attended a press conference on Wednesday, April 19. (Mark Weber/The Daily Memphian)
What to expect from Nichols’ autopsy report: Though it’s not yet been released to the public, Tyre Nichols’ autopsy report is expected to show that he died of blunt force trauma, according to attorneys representing his family. Shelby County District Attorney General Steve Mulroy briefed the Nichols family on the results Wednesday. “We expect that it will confirm that Mr. Nichols died as a result of the injuries sustained in the beating,” Mulroy said.
 Memphis City Council member Michalyn Easter-Thomas (center) led a redistricting committee meeting on Dec. 13, 2022. Easter-Thomas recently accepted a position with Memphis River Parks Partnership, which could violate the city charter. (Mark Weber/The Daily Memphian file)
Council member could lose seat: Memphis City Council member Michalyn Easter-Thomas’ seat could be in jeopardy after she accepted a job this week with Memphis River Parks Partnership. Because MRPP has multiple contracts with the city, her new role could be in violation of the city charter. In other council conflict news (sort of), an event for former Memphis City Council member Teri Dockery, a potential candidate for her old seat, has been canceled after Memphis City Council vice chair JB Smiley Jr. raised concerns over Dockery’s plans to hold a possible political event at a police precinct. Dockery said the planned meeting with seniors was not intended as a political event.
 Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee and Church of God in Christ presiding bishop J. Drew Sheard answer questions at a May 3 press conference. (Patrick Lantrip/The Daily Memphian)
On guns: The day after a man allegedly shot into the Fox 13 studio on Highland Street before barricading himself inside the nearby Ubee’s restaurant, Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee said that he plans to call a special session of the state legislature to deal with several gun-regulation proposals. (Lee’s comments came during the opening of three Downtown Memphis apartment units for children awaiting foster homes.) Meanwhile on Wednesday, leaders of the Memphis branch of the NAACP questioned the ease with which the Highland shooter, Jarrad Nathan, was able to access an assault rifle. “The inaction of our legislators has jeopardized, and could potentially jeopardize, many more lives to come,” said Van Turner, president of the NAACP Memphis branch and Memphis mayoral hopeful.
QUOTED
“We’re all in the same boat, and we’re at our wits’ end ... [Crime is] damaging our businesses and our reputation as a community.”
— Memphis Restaurant Association president Mike Miller
Miller said the MRA sent an open letter to city and county elected officials seeking solutions to the city’s crime issues and asking how local restaurant owners can help. “We’re not in the business of law enforcement. ... but we will help you if you tell us what to do, within reason,” he said.
NICE TO KNOW
 Grizzlies forward Dillon Brooks was dubbed “Dillon the Villain.” (Brandon Dill/AP file)
Remembering Dillon the Villain: Say what you will about the soon-to-be former Memphis Grizzly Dillon Brooks, but did you know he’s the ninth-leading scorer in franchise history? Or one of only seven Grizzlies to ever average more than 20 points in a playoff series? The Daily Memphian’s Chris Herrington offers a look at what Brooks gave to Memphis in his six seasons with the franchise, and he offers some much-needed perspective on Dillon the Villain’s exit. (Can we call this Brexit?)
 Chance Carlisle of Carlisle Corp. said his Greater 901 Initiative political action committee will hold local elected leaders accountable. (Houston Cofield/The Daily Memphian file)
Poll role: Back in February, a Memphis mayoral poll showed candidates Van Turner, Floyd Bonner and Willie Herenton tightly bunched at the top of the crowded race. The poll was conducted by Caissa Public Strategy, but the group’s CEO declined to say who paid for the poll. The Daily Memphian has since obtained an email from Memphis businessman Chance Carlisle that identified the group that paid for the poll as political action committee The Greater 901 Initiative. And they’re planning another poll later this month.
 St. Louis Cardinals' Jordan Walker smiles while in the dugout before a baseball game against the Pittsburgh Pirates on Thursday, April 13, in St. Louis. (Scott Kane/AP Photo)
Cardinals’ loss is Redbirds’ gain: The St. Louis Cardinals’ 20-year-old top prospect, Jordan Walker, is now a Memphis Redbird — at least, for now. Walker was optioned to the Redbirds in late April because, in his words, “I have things I need to work on.” But Walker is already off to a great start: He began his Cardinals career by getting at least one hit in each of his first 12 games. This week could be your only chance to catch Walker playing with the Redbirds as they finish out their series with the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp. (I don’t know a lot about baseball, but this reminds me of how the Memphis Grizzlies’ Xavier Tillman practiced with the G League and then came back to crush it in the playoffs.)
 Memphis Tigers guard Kendric Davis (right) celebrated a 3-pointer against Houston on March 5. Davis has been invited to the 2023 NBA G League Elite Camp. (Mark Weber/The Daily Memphian file)
Former Tigers’ futures: Former Memphis Tigers point guard Kendric Davis has been invited to the NBA G League Elite Camp, which provides fringe NBA Draft prospects a chance to show off their skills in front of scouts and coaches. (Good luck, Kendric!) Meanwhile, other former Tigers are finding new teams after entering the transfer portal, including Johnathan Lawson, who announced his commitment to Creighton University on Wednesday morning.
 New-York-based Left Land Development LLC purchased the Falls Building last May. (Neil Strebig/The Daily Memphian file)
What’s next for the Falls? The new owners of Downtown’s Falls Building plan to build 170 apartments in the historic structure, and they’re asking the Center City Revenue Finance Corp. for a 12-year payment-in-lieu-of-taxes deal. New-York-based Left Land Development LLC purchased the building last May with plans to convert it from office to residential use.
 Baptist Health Sciences University’s new College of Osteopathic Medicine has received pre-accreditation and can begin accepting enrollment for the fall 2024 semester. (Courtesy Baker Barrios Architects, Inc.)
Now enrolling: Baptist Health Sciences University’s new College of Osteopathic Medicine — West Tennessee’s first osteopathic college — is recruiting its inaugural class. What is osteopathic medicine, you ask? It’s a form of medicine that prioritizes prevention by taking a “whole person” approach, rather than just focusing on symptoms. In other health care news, Memphis startup Hera Health Solutions has received a National Science Foundation grant for a biodegradable contraceptive implant.
WHAT WE’RE TALKING ABOUT
Tuesday was a busy news day, and we missed the Stax Museum of American Soul Music’s 20th birthday. Happy belated, Stax!
Here’s to many more years of soul! And may the force be with you all today.
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