Howdy, Memphis. It’s Tuesday, Feb. 4, and the Memphis City Council will take its third and final vote on a gun-control “trigger” ordinance today. If passed, it would allow the gun reforms approved by voters in November to take effect if state law ever changes.

And looking ahead a bit, the Memphis Tigers will play Temple on Sunday, and we’re giving away two pairs of tickets to two lucky readers. The deadline to enter is 11:59 p.m. on Wednesday, so get on it! Oh, and the game is at 1 p.m. in case you’re worried about a conflict with Sunday’s SuperBowl.

THE NEED TO KNOW

Former Memphis-Shelby County Schools Superintendent Marie Feagins’ lawsuit says the school board violated the state’s open-meetings law in their pursuit to fire her. (Patrick Lantrip/The Daily Memphian file)

MSCS board breakin’ the law? Former Memphis-Shelby County Schools Superintendent Marie Feagins says school board members plotted in secret to fire her, violating the state’s open-meetings act. Her lawsuit, filed in Shelby County Circuit Court on Monday, says board members discussed her termination at a restaurant and at a birthday party for former district leader Joris Ray before they ultimately voted, 6-3, to fire her on Jan. 21. And it gets even juicier: Feagins traced the alleged plot to get rid of her back to a situation last fall when she called police on Peer Power Foundation board member Dow McVean, who yelled at her in a parking lot over the status of the foundation’s contract with the district.

“If a detainee is feeling suicidal but they don’t share that information, it makes it difficult to determine the risk factor,” said Shelby County Sheriff’s Office Chief Deputy Anthony Buckner. (Ziggy Mack/The Daily Memphian file)

Two jail deaths over the weekend: The Daily Memphian previously reported that a Shelby County Jail inmate, who has since been identified as 41-year-old Justin Segerson, died Friday after experiencing a “medical emergency.” Jail officials revealed on Monday that the emergency was an apparent drug overdose. But Segerson wasn’t the only inmate to die over the weekend. On Monday, Shelby County Sheriff’s Office Chief Deputy Anthony Buckner reported that Sherman Weakley, 22, died of an apparent suicide. The jail is currently working to replace more than 600 broken cell doors, and Buckner said a working door on Weakley’s cell could have prevented his death. 

Elon Musk’s xAI applied for a permit to construct the water reuse facility last year. (Sean Simmers/The Patriot-News via AP file)

City may sell land to xAI: Elon Musk’s xAI plans to pay the City of Memphis $820,000 for 13 acres of land in Southwest Memphis to build its planned greywater treatment plant. The plant would treat wastewater and turn it into coolant for the supercomputer to prevent the facility from drawing all of its water from the aquifer. (Meanwhile, we reported on Monday that xAI hasn’t been able to pay its light bill on time.) 

Memphis Police cars and crime scene vans surrounded the scene of an officer-involved shooting in the Vollintine-Evergreen neighborhood on Monday, Feb. 3. (Aarron Fleming/The Daily Memphian)

Police shoot man with gun near school: A suspect was transported to Regional One Health in critical condition after he was shot by police. Police were responding to a call about a man firing a rifle at an apartment complex on North Cabana Circle near Vollintine-Evergreen. Officers then followed the man toward Vollintine Elementary, and for reasons that remain under investigation, an officer fired their weapon and struck the man.

MEET MEMPHIS

Nuha Abuduhair’s 17 Berkshire bakery and cafe in Overton Square was one of 20 bakeries nationwide to be named semi-finalists in the James Beard Foundation’s annual awards. (Courtesy Kim Thomas)

17 Berkshire owner Nuha Abuduhair grew up watching her mom bake “fabulous desserts.” And that baking bug bit Abuduhair, too. When she was in nursing school, she’d bake to unwind after exams, and when she passed her nursing board requirements, she rewarded herself with a pink KitchenAid mixer. She eventually launched a custom-order bakery through social media, and that evolved into her brick-and-mortar in Overton Square and Saddle Creek. Now, 17 Berkshire is one of just 20 bakeries nationwide to be named a semi-finalist for a James Beard Award. 

THE NICE TO KNOW

Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant drove the lane against the San Antonio Spurs on Monday, Feb. 3. (Mark Weber/The Daily Memphian)

Tag team back again: Memphis Grizzlies star Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr. each scored 25-plus points and worked together like a machine to defeat the San Antonio Spurs, 128-109, on Monday. Case in the point: a masterful behind-the-back-pass from Morant to Jackson that resulted in a layup and a foul on the Spurs. Jaren wasn’t the only Jackson to team up with Morant on Monday; GG Jackson and Morant shared assists in what was only their fifth official game as teammates. The game itself was delayed due to a medical emergency experienced by a fan sitting courtside.

One night during the summer of 2024, Memphis Grizzlies All-Star Jaren Jackson Jr. rode through the Florida Everglades in the back of a pickup. (Courtesy David Herrera)

JJJ is Florida Man: In other Grizz news, the second story in our series on Jaren Jackson Jr.’s new vlog dropped this morning. We get a peek behind the scenes as Jackson, wearing black face paint, rides in a pickup truck through the alligator-infested Florida Everglades, stopping to shoot things with a bow and arrow. We have some links to the footage, and yes, it’s as weird as it sounds. Confused? Here’s the first story on why Jackson has moved into film.

“I can say for sure after having served in the community and watching it very carefully that I will not be running for school board,” Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris said. (Ziggy Mack/The Daily Memphian file)

Peek into the political crystal ball: There may be no regularly scheduled elections in Shelby County this year, but it won’t be a year without politics. Shelby County Lee Harris is term-limited, and three potential contenders for the job — Melvin Burgess Jr., JB Smiley Jr. and J.W. Gibson — have already appointed campaign treasurers. Shelby County Commissioner Britney Thornton already has her sights set on a new position outside the commission. As for Harris, he’s still on the fence about what to do next, but there’s one job he definitely does not want.

Memphis guard Tyrese Hunter, left, celebrated with guard PJ Haggerty in a game against Rice in Houston, Sunday, Feb. 2. (Ashley Landis/AP)

Movin’ on up: The Memphis Tigers are just a couple steps away from a top 15 national ranking. The team moved up a couple slots on the Associated Press Top 25 poll after this past week’s road wins over Tulane and Rice. Here’s a look at the Tigers’ current ranking and how they stack up against other teams.

WHAT WE’RE TALKING ABOUT

GloRilla waited until after the Grammy Awards to start a 30-day “fast” ahead of her upcoming tour. She’s inviting fans to do the challenge with her. Any takers? 

As you probably know by now, Glo lost to Kendrick Lamar for Best Rap Performance, but that’s okay. It looks like she was really there to support Beyoncé, who won Album of the Year and became the first Black artist to win Best Country Album.

That’s it for now. See you bright and early tomorrow.

.....