Hope you’re ready to rock and roll, because today is going to be a busy one. It’s Thursday, Aug. 15, and if all goes as planned, Elon Musk’s supercomputer in southwest Memphis should be fully operational. So far, the rollout of Grok’s new AI image generator has been, well, just as questionable as so many other AI art bots. So here’s hoping Grok learns fast. 

Shelby County Commissioners meet today in a special session to take the second of three votes on a ballot referendum that would allow the commission to hire its own attorney. And the FedEx St. Jude Championship’s pro play starts today. Also today, as part of the FESJC, Memphis Tigers Coach Penny Hardaway and Memphis Grizzlies guard Luke Kennard will join a slew of other well-known names for the Danny Thomas Celebrity-Am golf tournament. 

Memphis Police Officer Demetrice Johnson, who was killed in an Aug. 2 crash, will be laid to rest today at Memorial Park Cemetery after a funeral at Oak Grove Missionary Baptist Church. The department held a “Sea of Blue” for Johnson. And finally, Elvis Presley fans will gather at the gates of Graceland tonight for the annual candlelight vigil. 

THE NEED TO KNOW

Shelby County District Attorney General Steve Mulroy said in a statement that his IT department acted quickly to address a leak of personal employee information. (Patrick Lantrip/The Daily Memphian file)

Well, this is embarrassing: What’s worse than accidentally hitting “reply all” on the office email? How about sending coworkers a spreadsheet that includes names of terminated employees and why they were fired? (Talk about tea!) That’s what happened at the Shelby County District Attorney’s office this week. The spreadsheet also included names, birthdates and Social Security numbers of nearly 300 former employees. District Attorney General Steve Mulroy said the office acted quickly to delete the info and prevent a further leak. But at least one former staffer is demanding further action. 

Alice Gleadhill, left, and Abbay Gourley worked on jewelry at their Prima Botanica table during an art bazaar at Black Lodge. (Brad Vest/The Daily Memphian file)

It’s curtains for Black Lodge: The Crosstown event venue inspired by David Lynch’s red curtained, chevron-tiled house of nightmares in “Twin Peaks” is closing. Black Lodge, which got its start as a video store in Cooper-Young in 2000 and later reopened in Crosstown with a venue, arcade and bar, was a victim of rising rent and debt acquired during COVID-19. The Lodge will host its final events, including a zombie luau, this weekend. But no worries, film fans: The video rental side of the business is expected to make a comeback — er, a sequel? — in a new location with a little something extra for film memorabilia collectors.

The Madison Avenue trolley line could be on the chopping block. (Mark Weber/The Daily Memphian file)

Struggle bus: The Memphis Area Transit Authority may be cutting seven bus routes and two trolley lines as the agency faces a $60 million budget deficit. MATA launched a series of public meetings this week to get input on the proposed cuts, which represent about 30% of MATA’s fixed-route offerings. Six of the seven bus lines on the chopping block received the lowest ridership in the past fiscal year. But MATA isn’t giving up hope on those lines; at one of the public meetings this week, officials revealed one way to save service. But it involves another property-tax hike.

MEET MEMPHIS

Rachel Heck reacted during the final day of the Curtis Cup amateur golf match against Great Britain and Ireland in 2022. (Chris Szagola/AP file)

Memphis native Rachel Heck won the 2021 NCAA women’s golf championship at age 19, which would seem to set the path for her lifelong dream of playing pro. But for the following three years, she suffered a series of illnesses and injuries that kept her off the green for months. Heck, who had been playing golf since she was a child, was forced to find something else to bring her joy. She found that in ROTC training, which she managed to fit in while attending Stanford University. And along the way, she still managed to achieve some big-time golf accolades.

THE NICE TO KNOW

Scottie Scheffler, left, and Xander Schauffele, right, are playing in the 2024 FedEx St. Jude Championship. (Patrick Lantrip/The Daily Memphian)

Catch ’em ridin’ birdie: Two of the world’s top golfers — Scottie Scheffler and Xander Schauffele (say their last names five times fast) — are in Memphis for the FedEx St. Jude Championship, and neither has had much luck on the TPC Southwind course in the past. Here’s a look at what’s tripped them up. Speaking of Scheffler, he just won an Olympic gold medal in Paris, and now it’s here in Memphis. Those two guys are No. 1 and No. 2 in the standings, and we also talked to the No. 3 guy, Rory McIlroy. Plus, we’ve got an inside look into what it’s like to rent your house to a pro golfer — a common practice for the folks who live in the big, fancy houses within putting distance from the course. And we meet Miles Harrell, a 19-year-old golf fan with neuronal migration disorder who’s responsible for boosting disabled access at the event. Finally, if you’re heading to the tourney today, you might want to read Table Talk first for a hot tip on a chicken sandwich called The Birdie, plus other FESJC eats. 

One Tiger down: Memphis Tigers basketball commit Daniel Vieira-Tuck won’t play for Coach Penny Hardaway this season, due to NCAA ineligibility. The Arlington, Texas, native, who played for a Portuguese team this past season, was deemed ineligible due to a case of “misadvisement” by the online school where he took classes for the past two years. His father, Mack Tuck, said the family is seeking legal action against the school and assured Vieira-Tuck would play in Memphis in the 2025-26 season.

Arlington Community Schools Superintendent Jeff Mayo stepped down from his post following a recent cancer diagnosis. (Patrick Lantrip/The Daily Memphian file)

Arlington super steps down: Arlington Community Schools Superintendent Jeff Mayo, who was recently diagnosed with cancer, stepped down on Wednesday to focus on his recovery. So, the district’s Board of Education held a special meeting to approve Allison Clark, the district’s head of human resources, as the new temporary superintendent. Over at DeSoto County Schools, absenteeism topped the Mississippi state average for the 2023-24 school year. And in Germantown, two school board members are seeking reelection in November, and a new face has filed to run for the position currently held by Amy Eoff.

Memphis native Cello Jackson announced his commitment to Christopher Columbus High School in Miami last Sunday. (Joshua White/The Daily Memphian file)

End of high-school b-ball as we know it: There’s a new trend in Memphis high-school basketball. And that trend is getting the heck out of dodge. Over the past few years, prep schools from far away have been plucking top-tier high-school talent, and columnist John Martin says that has a negative effect on the trickle-up benefit for the University of Memphis. Case in point: In the last two weeks, First Assembly Christian School standout Marcellous “Cello” Jackson and Christian Brothers High School forward Keeper Jackson both committed to the same private school in Miami.

Child’s play: Bartlett kids are getting a new, inclusive playground at Dixon-Brewer Park in Bartlett Station. The city’s Board of Mayor and Aldermen approved the purchase of new equipment that includes a ramp for children with limited mobility and musical elements for those with sensory issues. And there are other plans to make the park more accessible for those with disabilities. 

WHAT WE’RE TALKING ABOUT

The Memphis Redbirds posted this shocking but fictional image of a black hole on the field at AutoZone Park yesterday.

The ground opening up beneath the pitcher’s mound sounds like the makings of a horror film. But for the folks in Alton, Illinois, that’s a nightmare that’s come true. Alton’s Gordon Moore Park is partially reopening this week after a massive hole opened up on the soccer field several weeks ago. (You can watch video of the ground swallowing itself here.)

Here’s hoping the only holes we see are holes-in-one!

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