Wake up, Memphis! It’s Monday, June 17, and the Shelby County Commission might actually wrap up its budget season today. The commission is scheduled to take votes on the county operating budget, capital budget and property-tax rate at its regular Monday meeting. 

For a look at what’s ahead, check out This Week in Memphis.

THE NEED TO KNOW

Elon Musk’s xAI will build the world’s largest supercomputer in Memphis, and it could be up and running as soon as this summer. (Ebrahim Noroozi/AP file)

xAI ahead of schedule: Elon Musk’s xAI supercomputer could be ready this summer, up to a year ahead of its planned 2025 goal. Work is already underway to convert the old Electrolux site into Musk’s so-called “gigafactory,” which will train chatbot Grok. The site isn’t yet on the Tennessee Valley Authority grid, so until that time, it’s being powered by gas turbines and cooled by water that’s being trucked in. The rush would give xAI a competitive edge amid a worldwide AI tech race.

On Jan. 17 of this year, a Shelby County Jail inmate said he received only Jell-O, juice and milk on his tray: “The nutrients are not up to what I’m supposed to be getting,” he wrote. (Courtesy Soupstock)

Worse than Yelp reviews: This may come as no surprise, but the food’s not good in jail, folks. That’s what we learned from looking over nearly 70 food complaints filed by 201 Poplar inmates between Jan. 1, 2023, to March 6, 2024. The grievances ranged from moldy and cold food to portions so small “even a toddler would ask for more,” according to one complaint. The Shelby County Commission approved a $5.6 million contract renewal with the jail’s food service provider, Aramark Correctional Services LLC, back in December, but some commissioners have concerns. 

Gabrielle Rose paused before the Women’s 100 breaststroke preliminary heat on Sunday, June 16, at the U.S. Swimming Olympic Trials in Indianapolis. (Michael Conroy/AP)

Just swimmingly: Memphis-raised Olympian Gabrielle Rose — by far the oldest athlete in the U.S. Olympic swimming trials at age 46 — set a new personal record of 1:08:32 in the 100-meter breaststroke at the second of two Olympic semifinals on Sunday. But the two-time Olympian’s new PR earned her 10th place overall, which was two spots away from qualifying for today’s finals. That means Rose, who competed in the trials after a two-decade break, won’t be competing in the 100-meter breaststroke at the Olympic Games in Paris this summer. But she still has a shot at the 200-meter breast.

Memphis Mayor Paul Young calls transit “a critical service.” (Mark Weber/The Daily Memphian file)

What’s the MATA? The Memphis Area Transit Authority is $60 million in the hole, as was revealed last month during a MATA board meeting. And now Memphis Mayor Paul Young is saying MATA needs a workable financial plan for the city’s public transit system to be sustainable. The deficit was enough to alarm the Tennessee Comptroller’s office last month, too. And a recent Memphis City Council discussion on the issue was quickly shut down. So, what’s the, um, mata with MATA? The Daily Memphian’s Bill Dries and Samuel Hardiman break down the numbers.

QUOTED

Benji Smith spoke to a group of skaters gathered at the Raleigh Springs Skate Park on June 5. (Patrick Lantrip/The Daily Memphian)

“Skateboarding kept me on a good ... direction for years. We want [kids] to have that opportunity.”

— Benji Smith, founder of LaterSkaters
Smith’s skateboarding advocacy nonprofit provides boards and gear to underprivileged kids and has a long-term goal of establishing a skate park in every Memphis neighborhood. Currently, there are only two public skate parks.

THE NICE TO KNOW

Tina Sullivan is stepping down from her position as Overton Park Conservancy executive director. (Patrick Lantrip/The Daily Memphian file)

Heart of Overton Park: In a matter of months, the woman who oversaw the construction of the Overton Bark dog park and the reimagined Rainbow Lake playground and helped to end greensward parking will step down. Tina Sullivan was the first executive director of the Overton Park Conservancy, hired 12 years ago at a time when the budget was so tight, she didn’t even get employee benefits. Now, the park has an annual $1 million budget, the vast majority of which comes from private donations. The Daily Memphian’s Jane Roberts looks at Sullivan’s vast contributions to Midtown’s crown jewel.

The Cheesecake Factory at Wolfchase Galleria is scheduled to close. (The Daily Memphian file)

Mall madness: The year has not been kind to fans of chain restaurants. First, there was Red Lobster. And now The Cheesecake Factory in Wolfchase Galleria has announced it will close its only Memphis location soon. One person who is no doubt saddened is former Memphis Mayor A C Wharton, who pushed hard for The Cheesecake Factory during his time in office. “Of course, the — with a capital T — place to eat was The Cheesecake Factory. It was just the jibber-jabber,” Wharton said. But no worries: You’ve got a couple more weeks to get one last slice of Oreo Dream Extreme. In other mall news, the Macy’s building in Oak Court is up for sale.

Flyway Brewing’s beer is on tap at Slider Inn Downtown and Rendezvous. (Courtesy Wilson Public Relations)

Flyway flies in: Memphis beer lovers, get yourself to Slider Inn Downtown, and order a Flyway Brewing Bluewing Berry Wheat, stat. You won’t regret it, I promise. My favorite Arkansas beer and another Flyway flagship brew, Honeybird Blonde Ale, are now available in Memphis. Earlier this year, Flyway announced plans to take over High Cotton Brewing and create a new brewpub that will serve both the Arkansas-based beers and some High Cotton standards. That revamped taproom and restaurant space should be completed later this summer.

Pimentos Brands President Trey Jordan brings Holiday Deli & Ham’s beloved Papa’s Pimento Cheese to Memphis-area Kroger stores. (Mark Weber/The Daily Memphian)

Spreading the joy: Memphis-based Holiday Deli & Ham Co. and its sister restaurant Pimentos Kitchen, closed last year. But fans of the eateries’ famous Papa’s Pimento Cheese will be glad to know that the product lives on in grocery stores. The new Papa’s Gourmet Gathering Foods sells both the original and jalapeno pimento spreads, and more products based on Holiday Deli & Ham Co. menu items are coming soon. 

Marianna Simshauser’s Collierville home has flooded twice since she moved to Rogers Wood Cove in 2005. (Mark Weber/The Daily Memphian)

When it rains, it floods: Residents of Collierville’s North Main neighborhoods have been plagued with flooding issues for years, and they want the town to do something about it. At last week’s Collierville Board of Mayor and Aldermen meeting, residents, including Natalie Stiver, shared their concerns. “It’s very traumatic to wake up and your entire pool is trees and mud,” she said. Though the issues have persisted for years, residents say the town hasn’t been much help.

THIS WEEK’S WEATHER

We may get some relief from the heat today, but you might as well get used to 90-plus degree days because more are coming just in time for Thursday’s summer solstice.

Hope you have an awesome Monday!

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