The left-hander helped Philadelphia reach the World Series in 1993. He was a 1983 graduate of Craigmont High in Memphis.

This season the Grizzlies got younger and still got better, but ultimately came up short of their potential. With Ja Morant, Desmond Bane and Jaren Jackson Jr. in place, the future is bright. It’s also pressing. What’s next?

The Grizzlies ended their season with a loss to the Warriors Friday. Was it the best season ever? Maybe. It was absolutely the most fun. 

The pool at the Mike Rose Aquatics Center on the U of M campus will be named in honor of the man who had an “endless belief in people.”

The Memphis in May World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest concludes at Liberty Park as winners are announced, and hope sizzles for a return to Tom Lee Park in 2023.

Clarene Pinkston Russell, who was often called Collierville’s historian, died Friday afternoon. She served the town for decades and shaped its future.

Memphis Mayor Jim Strickland went after critics of his backing of the state truth in sentencing law and his description of 201 Poplar as a “revolving door” for criminals during a lively interview on “Behind The Headlines.”

The problem that delayed the certification was combining tabulations from two different systems into a single statement of votes cast. 

Cornbread salad is a staple at the Big Bob Gibson family supper during the Memphis in May World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest, and a great addition to your summer picnics and cookouts.

It’s getting hot around here. Record heat pounded competitors at the Division 2-AA regional track meet; flames licked meat at the 2022 World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest; a Downtown mural includes sizzling new technology, and it doesn’t get any hotter than FedExForum when the Grizzlies win.

Stop Poverty with Policy is hosting a community forum and picnic for Memphis Area Transit Authority public transit riders.

The $70 million skilled nursing facility will benefit the estimated 65,000 to 75,000 veterans living in Shelby, Fayette and Tipton counties.

Douglass’ Juneteenth art auction has been postponed due to COVID-19. However, the festival is still set for Father’s Day weekend.

Black Seeds Urban Farms’ event will feature music performances from local artists and food from vendors like Sun of a Vegan and Street Kitchen. 

Arlington Middle School and Arlington High gain recognition from the Tennessee Department of Education and the Tennessee STEM Innovation Network, and teacher Latisha King receives the state’s Excellence in STEM Teaching Award.

The $150 million Ashmont project continues to face questions.

“Until our society can see the truth about abortion, we will continue failing the women who need us the most. People like my grandmother.”

The emphasis on creative thinking, collaboration, problem solving, and engaging with the real world is one of the things that differentiates XTH from other high schools throughout Shelby County and around the country. 

Two former University of Memphis basketball players prepare for the NBA draft combine in Chicago on May 18-20.

The Memphis gathering was one of several Planned Parenthood rallies in cities across the United States. The marches were organized after a U.S. Supreme Court draft opinion leaked May 2 suggesting the landmark Roe v. Wade law could be restricted or overturned in the future.

Want to really get caught up from the weekend? You’ll find so much more Early Word when you subscribe.

Have you voted yet, Shelby County? It’s Thursday, Oct. 29, and today is the last day to vote early, so get to those polls. As I always say, don’t wait for Election Day, because you could be dead by then. Here’s our voter guide.

Money, that’s what they want: If Regional One Health is going to actually build their new hospital, they’re going to need a lot of donations. 

Beating Wall Street: Both FedEx Corp. and International Paper beat Wall Street expectations in earnings reports.

Walls is under investigation: The Mississippi state auditor is looking into the small town of Walls, amid residents’ concerns over a potential data center.

Secret’s out: A once-secret bar for NBA stars will soon open to the public.

Raise a glass: Two Edge District business owners are teaming up to reinvent the Hu. Hotel’s rooftop bar.

You lose some: The Memphis Tigers wrapped up their preseason with a loss against the Arkansas Razorbacks.

Bartlett’s only superintendent to retire: David Stephens will retire at the end of the school year.

BPACC needs you: The Bartlett Performing Arts and Conference Center loses money every year. And the City of Bartlett is looking for fresh ideas.

The earnings call gave investors and analysts one of their first formal looks at the company since it spun off FedEx Freight on June 1.

The Tigers didn’t protect the ball as well as they did in their 17-point win against Mississippi State, and they didn’t shoot the 3 as well.

The inaugural Mekong festival celebrated the Vietnamese, Lao, Cambodian and Thai families who first came to Memphis, specifically the area around Cleveland Street, 50 years ago as refugees from the Vietnam War.

The questions from the auditor’s office come as Walls officials consider a rezoning request for more than 1,000 acres of farmland for industrial use along U.S. 61.

Survey findings will go to the Bartlett Board of Mayor and Aldermen in January as the venue’s losses are projected to top $700,000 this fiscal year.

“We have a profound, time-sensitive need for a bold group of public servants who can imagine and operationalize experiments — making creative, rigorous, coordinated policy innovation a permanent modus operandi in Memphis.”

The Grizzlies and Tigers both had surprising, big weeks. Geoff Calkins talks about it with John Martin. Calkins then talks with local sex therapist Jennifer Valli about her own breast cancer diagnosis. And author Charles Fishman shares his thoughts about SpaceXAI.

This jigsaw puzzle features a photo of the Summer Avenue Sampler at Bryant’s Breakfast that was taken by Mark Weber.