Are you feeling lucky, Memphis? It’s Thursday, July 17, National Lottery Day. So, maybe it’s a good day to throw down a little cash on a ticket. That’s probably better than trying your hand with illegal gambling machines, because the powers that be are cracking down on those. (More below.)

Here’s hoping the Memphis Grizzlies’ summer team is feeling lucky, because they’re playing the Atlanta Hawks tonight.

THE NEED TO KNOW

The Memphis Tigers were already on NCAA probation due to two previous infractions cases. (Mark Weber/The Daily Memphian)

Caught cheatin’: Paying the brainy kids to do your homework is a tale as old as time. But the consequences are bigger when college athletes and staff are involved. That’s what the NCAA says happened at the University of Memphis. The NCAA hit the school with “academic integrity violations” after a former academic counselor paid two softball players to help a men’s basketball player cheat. Now, the U of M has to pay up. 

Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare is laying off 161 employees. (Mark Weber/The Daily Memphian file)

Methodist cuts staff: More than 160 employees of Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare are losing their jobs as part of the nonprofit’s “systemwide realignment.” But Methodist expects some of those employees might still have a future within its system. The healthcare provider is also cutting out labor and delivery services at Methodist South Hospital due to a shockingly high decline in deliveries over the past five years. (So, uh, I guess maybe try not to go into labor in Whitehaven?)

“There is no more legal uncertainty,” Shelby County District Attorney General Steve Mulroy said. “These gaming machines are illegal.” (Mark Weber/The Daily Memphian file)

All bets are off: A three-judge panel ruled this week that coin-operated machines that look like slot machines are basically slot machines. And that makes them illegal under state law. The machines can be found at convenience stores around the county, and Shelby County District Attorney General Steve Mulroy issued a warning to those stores on Wednesday. Last summer, five locations were raided, and the maker of the machines took Mulroy to court to argue its machines did not qualify as games of chance.

Turbines power xAI’s supercomputer in Southwest Memphis. (Benjamin Naylor/The Daily Memphian file)

Appeal over xAI permit: The Southern Environmental Law Center, environmental groups and the NAACP are appealing xAI’s new permit to operate 15 natural-gas turbines at its location on Paul R. Lowry Road. The permit, issued by the Shelby County Health Department, applies to new, yet-to-be-constructed turbines that will operate as backup power. But xAI used unpermitted temporary turbines for months, and the SELC says that sets a dangerous precedent for other companies or even xAI.

QUOTED 

“[Clark Ortkiese,] we are grateful for your confidence and vision, for your joy in thinking big. ... Our city is better because of you.”

— Todd Richardson, CEO of Crosstown Concourse
Clark Ortkiese, cofounder of Crosstown Brewing, died Saturday after a yearlong battle with cancer. Richardson recounts his first meeting with Ortkiese, when the then-backyard brewer pitched his big idea of opening a brewery at the yet-to-be-redeveloped Sears building.

THE NICE TO KNOW

Sarah Cai and Arturo Leighton opened Good Fortune Co. in 2021 and have garnered about $1.4 million in sales since then. (Brad Vest/Special to The Daily Memphian file)

Talk about good fortune: Good Fortune Co. is one step closer to takeout, lunch service and pizza. Downtown’s Center City Development Corp. gave the South Main ramen shop a grant Wednesday to renovate and expand its current Good Fortune space. The funds will also help owners Sarah Cai and Arturo Leighton get a space ready for a future New York-style pizza shop. In more good fortune for Good Fortune, the shop’s food truck will soon compete on a Food Network reality show. In other CCDC grant news, a New Jersey-based acai bowl chain got a grant to expand into the Edge District. 

Memphis Grizzlies forward GG Jackson has “had a successful summer, seemingly regaining some franchise momentum after a rough second season,” writes Chris Herrington. (Wesley Hale/The Daily Memphian file)

Observations on the Bears of Summer: NBA Summer League isn’t quite over, but our own Chris Herrington already has some thoughts on how the summer roster is doing. Draft pick Jahmai Mashack has proven to be a “get-after-it defender who can move the ball,” and third-year roster player GG Jackson is bouncing back from his not-so-hot second season. Here’s an in-depth look at the Grizzlies’ stars of summer.

A joint work session between the Germantown Board of Mayor and Aldermen and the suburb’s Board of Education identified funding sources for Houston High School updates. (The Daily Memphian file)

Find the money: Germantown’s Houston High wants $100 million to update the school, which hasn’t seen many improvements since it opened in 1989. But the Germantown Board of Mayor and Aldermen has only offered up $10 million. So, on Wednesday, the BMA and the Germantown Municipal School District’s board held a joint meeting to think of ways to find the other $90 million. The solutions included corporate partnerships, tapping nonprofit foundations and several other creative ways to get big bucks.

“From the course to the kennels, we’re committed to making a positive impact in the Memphis community,” said Joe Tomek, executive director of the FedEx St. Jude Championship. (Submitted)

Mutts and putts: If you’ve been thinking about a new furry friend, you might want to boogie on over (bogey on over?) to the Humane Society of Memphis & Shelby County. The FedEx St. Jude Championship is covering adoption fees through Saturday.

MEMPHIS FLASHBACK

Here’s a blast from the past: a 15-year-old Memphis Subreddit post singing the praises of the city’s first Chipotle and wishing for a Trader Joe’s and an Ikea. Redditor hiroshi_x must have had a genie in a bottle because all three wishes came true.

As for the commenter who wished for a Cheesecake Factory, well, sorry that didn’t work out so well.

So, what else does Memphis need? I’m still holding out for a Cava and a Slutty Vegan. 

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