What’s up, Memphis? It’s Thursday, Nov. 13, and here’s what’s up at Overton Park: A new half-mile loop trail is opening today as the fence comes down on a part of the Old Forest that’s been closed to the public since the 1980s.

THE NEED TO KNOW

Tennessee Highway Patrol trooper Devonte Quinn conducted a traffic stop on I-40 on Wednesday, October 18, 2023. (Mark Weber/The Daily Memphian)

Inside an immigration arrest: Homeland Security Investigations detained an undocumented woman Tuesday night in Midtown after she was pulled over by a state trooper for a license plate issue. The Daily Memphian’s Aarron Fleming was on the scene of the traffic stop, where an HSI agent told him the Memphis Safe Task Force is “not an immigration mission.” But looking at task force arrests, it seems immigration-related arrests do, indeed, make up a sizeable part of the arrest total. And a local group working to inform the public about ICE actions shared a recent story of tear gas allegedly being deployed inside a home where babies were present. 

Sheriff’s Office demands apology: The Shelby County Sheriff’s Office says a lawsuit from two female inmates over their alleged sexual assaults is “stunning,” “reckless” and just plain wrong. The suit, filed this week, says Jamiracle Robinson and Toni Gibson were assaulted last November at Jail East, the county women’s jail, by a male inmate who was sent there due to 201 Poplar overcrowding. But the sheriff’s office, which said in a press release Wednesday that it “will be demanding an apology,” claims the women were housed at the nearby Shelby County Corrections Center, a prison run by the county mayor and not the sheriff’s office.

The old Commercial Appeal building will be demolished for the new Regional One Health campus. (The Daily Memphian file)

Next for new Regional One: The old Commercial Appeal building on Union Avenue will be demolished soon to make way for a new Regional One Health campus. Shelby County Commissioners are expected to vote Monday on nearly $29 million for the demolition and planning process for a new county-owned hospital. 

In 2019, the Economic Development Growth Engine for Memphis and Shelby County approved Hyosung Hico’s 11-year payment-in-lieu-of-taxes (PILOT) incentive. (Sophia Surrett/The Daily Memphian)

Power play: South Korea-based Hyosung Hico, which makes transformers that transmit power along the electric grid, announced Wednesday that it will invest $157 million into its planned expansion in South Memphis. The move also creates 240 new jobs. The company had announced a $51 million expansion with 100 new jobs back in May, and this is in addition to that. A company executive said the growing AI industry’s need for reliable power contributed to Hyosung Hico’s rapid growth.

MEET MEMPHIS

Robert Moody is about to kick off his 10th season as music director of the Memphis Symphony Orchestra. (Karen Pulfer Focht/Special to The Daily Memphian file)

Memphis Symphony Orchestra conductor Robert Moody has made a reputation here as enthusiastic, original and adaptable. And that started before he was even MSO’s main conductor. Moody was invited to guest conduct an MSO show a decade ago, and he took a creative approach after the orchestra and audience were forced to evacuate for a fire alarm. MSO’s leaders took notice, and he was soon invited to take the full-time job. Since then, Moody has led the MSO through financial challenges, a pandemic and tragedy in his own life. 

THE NICE TO KNOW

Kuya, with a pan-Asian-American-inspired menu, plans to open at 327 S. Main St. (Submitted)

Lumpia and adobo? Kuya, a Filipino snack bar that recently popped up at Good Fortune Co., may be opening soon across the street from the noodle shop. Kuya’s owner chef Shayne Diaz has applied for a grant to open in the old Bedrock Eats & Sweets, which closed over a year ago. Kuya’s menu would feature Asian-American-inspired eats with craft cocktails, sake, and more. 

Crosstown Concourse will open Crossstown CoWork in the east atrium. (Mark Weber/The Daily Memphian file)

Want to work at Crosstown? If the thought of having your very own office inside Memphis’ “vertical urban village” sounds cool, here you go. Renovations for Crosstown CoWork, a leasable area for hybrid and remote workers to rent desks and private offices, are underway, and the space should be open by next spring. The desks will cost you though, so there’s always the free building Wi-Fi and seating around the public spaces if you’re on a budget. (As someone who worked inside Crosstown for years, I can say it’s awfully convenient being that close to good coffee and great beer.)

Boston Celtics center Neemias Queta and guard Jordan Walsh blocked a shot by Memphis Grizzlies forward Jaren Jackson Jr. on Wednesday, Nov. 12 in Boston. (Charles Krupa/AP)

Bad luck of the Irish: The Boston Celtics weren’t really expected to win last night’s game against the Memphis Grizzlies. They were just 5-7 so far on the season, and it was a game Memphis needed to win. But what happened was a big ole mess that ended with a 131-95 win for the Celtics. Ja Morant was out with ankle soreness, and backup guard Vince Williams Jr. didn’t do so hot. But hey, at least Santi Aldama had a good night. But help may be coming soon: It looks like Zach Edey could return as soon as Saturday, which would add a needed boost in the frontcourt. 

Memphis native Moreno McCalpin created Mane Street Seasonings. (Courtesy Mane Street Seasonings)

Aye, mane, check this out: Chemist Moreno McCalpin bottled the taste of Memphis and put it in a spice shaker. His Mane Street Seasonings features a line of blends with very Memphis-centric names. The basic all-purpose blend, called Aye Mane, Say Mane, has a smoky-sweet scent and a Cajun kick. And the line also includes a ham spice, powdered garlic butter and a rotisserie chicken spice, among others. The Daily Memphian’s Ellen Chamberlain has more on the mane behind Mane Street in Table Talk, including a tip on a local place that’s already using his spices in their kitchen.

Blank coins waited to become the last pennies pressed at the U.S. Mint in Philadelphia. (Matt Slocum/AP)

Not a penny more: Say goodbye to shiny new pennies. The U.S. stopped producing new pennies this week, thanks to the ballooning cost, which is now four cents per penny. The 232-year-old coin will still be accepted as legal tender, so your penny bank isn’t useless yet. A few months ago, we talked to a few local people about their feelings on the penny’s end. Here’s what we heard. 

WHAT WE’RE TALKING ABOUT

If you’re traveling into Arkansas this weekend, take the new bridge. 

Alright, happy trails! 

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