Buenos dias, Memphis! It’s Monday, Sept. 16, and Hispanic Heritage Month started yesterday. If you’re wondering why this cultural celebration starts mid-month, I’ve done the googling for you. It’s because five Latin American countries — Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua — celebrate their independence on Sept. 15. The Children’s Museum of Memphis is highlighting a different country each week this month, starting with Mexico.

The federal trial for three of the five ex-Memphis police officers charged in the death of Tyre Nichols resumes this morning. Here’s where that left off last week. 

And tonight, homeowners can start mentally prepping for the upcoming county reappraisal process, which starts on Jan. 1, 2025. Property assessor Melvin Burgess is hosting a public meeting to answer your questions. For more on what to expect this week, check this out.

Looking ahead, the already very successful Memphis Tigers football team is set to play Middle Tennessee on Saturday, Sept. 28. And we’re giving away two tickets to one lucky reader. Enter here.

THE NEED TO KNOW

This corner of Poplar Plaza, which Finard executives refer to as “the angle,” has remained mostly empty since Spin Street closed in 2017. (Patrick Lantrip/The Daily Memphian)

New ‘Spin’ on the plaza: The Poplar Plaza anchor building that once housed music store Spin Street has been mostly empty since the days when former President Donald Trump was tweeting “covfefe” and Taylor Swift was starting her “Reputation” era. It was 2017 when Spin Street closed, and there’s finally a plan to revive the corner space. Rather than bringing in one massive anchor tenant, Finard Properties is dividing the 15,000-square-foot space into six smaller shops suited for locally owned businesses, like charcuterie shop Feast and Graze. As for the rest of Poplar Plaza, it seems pickleball may be on the way. And you can look for something new in the space that Shelby County Clerk Wanda Halbert was asked to vacate.

Circuit Court Judge Felicia Corbin-Johnson denied a motion on Friday, Sept. 13, to suspend Wanda Halbert (pictured) from her duties. It was brought by special counsel Robert Meyers on behalf of Shelby County government. (Mark Weber/The Daily Memphian file)

Speaking of Wanda Halbert ... The beleaguered county clerk ain’t going nowhere — at least for now. Circuit Court Judge Felicia Corbin-Johnson denied a county and state government motion on Friday to remove Shelby County Clerk Wanda Halbert from office. If Halbert is to be ousted for willful neglect of her duties, it would have to come after a full hearing. Or, Corbin-Johnson could choose to dismiss the ouster claim, which would end the second attempt this year to throw Halbert out of office.

A new crypto mining facility is being built at the site of the former Easy Way produce distribution center. (Patrick Lantrip/The Daily Memphian)

Mining for power: Another big, digital power user is coming to Southeast Memphis. Merkle Standard, a digital mining group based in California, is building a crypto mining facility not too far from Elon Musk’s xAI supercomputer. The company will mine digital assets and currencies like Bitcoin, a process that’s very energy-intensive. Merkle’s facility is allowed under local zoning rules, but some local leaders and environmentalists have concerns. 

QUOTED

Justin Timberlake, center, walked into court for a hearing on Friday, Sept. 13, in Sag Harbor, New York. (Pamela Smith/AP)

“I should’ve had better judgment.”

— Justin Timberlake
On Friday, Memphis-born pop star Justin Timberlake pleaded guilty to impaired driving in New York, stemming from his arrest in the Hamptons back in June. He’d originally pleaded not guilty. After changing his plea, Timberlake received a fine and a requirement for community service.

THE NICE TO KNOW

Memphis Tigers football Coach Ryan Silverfield celebrated after his team beat Florida State, 20-12, on Saturday, Sept. 14, in Tallahassee, Florida. (Colin Hackley/AP)

Tigers, undefeated: The Memphis Tigers football team won their third straight game on Saturday with a 20-12 victory over Florida State. The road win was the Tigers’ first against a Power Conference school since they beat Kansas by 32 points way back in 2015. The win was a boost for the Tigers’ morale, sure. But it was also a big payday for the university’s wallet. If you missed it, the game will air again today, and our own Geoff Calkins thinks you should watch what he says might be the “biggest Memphis win ever.” Whether or not it was the biggest, the win provided a bump two spaces up in the latest Coaches Poll. And even with that higher ranking, Coach Ryan Silverfield is still “uncomfortable” as the Tigers prepare to play the Navy Midshipmen next week. In more Tigers sports news, advanced analytics is giving fans an idea of just how good the basketball team may be this year.

When Chi Phi owners Aubrey Hampton and Lamar Dales moved to Memphis, they missed a taste of their hometowns. (Patrick Lantrip/The Daily Memphian)

Chi-town meets Philly: Can’t decide between an authentic Chicago-style hot dog or a Philly cheesesteak? Have them both at the Chi Phi food truck. Husband-wife duo Aubrey Hampton and Lamar Dales missed the signature foods of their respective hometowns, so they started a food truck selling both. You can find them weekly at Clark Tower. In news of food from much farther away than Chicago or Philadelphia, food writer Jennifer Chandler sings the praises of the sesame chicken at Mosa Asian Bistro, and we’ve got a recipe for soulvakia (marinated pork shish kabobs) that will get you in the mood for this weekend’s Memphis Greek Festival. 

This rendering shows plans for The Links at Audubon’s new clubhouse. (Courtesy 4FDesign)

Find ’em in the club: Golfers at The Links at Audubon will eventually have a fancy new clubhouse to hang out in. The City of Memphis and First Tee of Tennessee are partnering on a $12 million to $14 million clubhouse at the newly renovated course. It would house an event space and a restaurant that would both cater events and be open to the public, much like Coastal Fish Company’s partnership with Shelby Farms Park. That model could help make city golf more financially sustainable. 

Memphis Grizzlies guard Marcus Smart handled the ball against Miami Heat forward Haywood Highsmith on Wednesday, Nov. 8, 2023, in Memphis. (Brandon Dill/AP file)

Smart move? Memphis Grizzlies’ guard Marcus Smart didn’t see much on-court action in his first year with the team since he was one of the many players who spent the season healing from an injury. But Smart’s finger is healed, and he’ll be back this coming season. But will he be a starter? Will he be Ja Morant’s backup point guard? How will the former Defensive Player of the Year be used offensively? These are all big mysteries heading into the season, but our own Drew Hill has some thoughts.

THIS WEEK’S WEATHER

If you’ve been doing a “rain, rain, go away” chant all weekend, thanks. Because Francine is finally moving out, and drier, warmer days are back.

Hey, at least watering your outdoor plants should be covered for a few days.

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