Howdy, friends. It’s Tuesday, Jan. 7, and Memphis Grizzlies star Ja Morant is back in court today. He’s being sued for allegedly punching a teen during a pickup basketball game at his dad’s house in 2022. 

The Memphis City Council is shaking things up in 2025. Beginning today, their meetings will start at a new time, and this should be an interesting one because both gun reform and Chickasaw Gardens “Gate-gate” are back.

On a somber note, today marks three years since five Memphis police officers beat Tyre Nichols during a traffic stop, resulting in his death three days later. 

Today, the Memphis City Council is expected to once again consider whether Chickasaw Gardens can gate off parts of the neighborhood to restrict traffic. Some residents want Lombardy Road and Lafayette Place closed to cars, but those opposed say that would restrict access to a public park, which they argue violates the First Amendment. On the opposition side is Golden Globe-nominated actress Madeleine Stowe (“Last of the Mohicans,” “12 Monkeys”), who lives in a neighborhood near Chickasaw Gardens. Residents in favor of the gates cite accidents near the intersections they want to close, but Stowe has data that shows the remaining entrances could actually be more dangerous. 

“While the board holds the authority to terminate me: I will not resign,” wrote Marie Feagins, Memphis-Shelby County Schools superintendent.

Feagins submitted her written response Monday to the school board’s efforts to fire her over alleged mishandling of financial matters. In the response, Feagins said she was “disturbed” by the criticism and had “not mismanaged district funds.” The school board is expected to meet next to discuss Feagins’ employment during a non-voting meeting on Jan. 14.

Plus, Beale Street has safety measures in case of attack, the City Council takes up gun reform again and Zach Edey’s haters may be eating their words.