Jody Callahan graduated with degrees in journalism and economics from what is now known as the University of Memphis. He has covered news in Memphis for more than 25 years.
There are 174 articles by Jody Callahan :
For more than a week, Principal Vincent Hunter has heard complaints about Whitehaven’s graduation ceremony being moved inside at the last minute, but he said the decision came from the top of the district.
Four or fives times a week, Glenn Morris takes out one of his Litterbuggies to pick up trash in Memphis neighborhoods. And Batman has nothing on this guy’s utility belt.
Beginning July 1, drag racing goes from a Class A misdemeanor to a Class E felony. Those convicted of the crime will now face up to six years in prison and a $3,000 fine.
Graceland might have been used by Lisa Marie Presley as collateral for a loan, but there’s no deed of trust on file locally identifying the property as such.
The company that ostensibly Lisa Marie Presley borrowed money from has no online presence or addresses other than post office boxes and a phone number associated with it is no longer in service.
The owner of Chloe’s Giant Cookies, who has 2.2 million followers on TikTok, has joined a federal lawsuit to try and overturn a recently passed law that would either ban the popular video app or force its sale.
“It’s essentially the Super Bowl of dog shows,” said the Collierville resident.
A new rule, which says employers prohibiting people from using the bathroom that aligns with their gender identity is workplace harassment, became law in late April.
The strange answer came from Angela Thomas, ex-wife of former County Commissioner Chris Thomas, who joined her former husband, daughter and two other family members as contestants on the nationally syndicated game show hosted by comedian Steve Harvey.
Accused drag racer Cordero Ragland appeared in court Tuesday to see if he’s fit to stand trial for what was ultimately a fatal crash, but a judge asked for more information.
According to a statement from Tennessee AG Jonathan Skrmetti, he believes the new ATF rule imposes too much of a regulatory burden on people “who occasionally sell or trade a firearm.”
One Memphis woman said she doesn’t think people understand how dangerous drag racing is, but she and her family know it all too well. Related content:
More than seven years after Cordero Ragland was charged with drag racing after ramming his Dodge Charger into an SUV, he will be back in court Tuesday, May 7. Related content:
“I can tell you that we will continue to talk to anybody about abortion services when they ask for that information,” said Planned Parenthood of Tennessee and North Mississippi CEO Ashley Coffield.
Local education officials, from both private and public schools, continue to express skepticism about the “armed teachers” law.
After more than three months of debates and votes, the 113th Tennessee General Assembly is going home this week. Their decisions include making Memphis barbecue the second state food.
Although the Tennessee House of Representatives passed a similar bill in March, both houses would have to approve such a bill before it could head to the governor for his signature.
When considering a request for $12 million for Youth Villages’ Memphis Allies program, the state Senate’s Finance, Ways and Means committee cut $1.75 million from four other Memphis nonprofits.
Some opponents of the bill hope liability concerns may make teachers and schools think twice before adopting the program.
A state measure that could put bail conditions in front of voters and change the Tennessee constitution will head to the House Tuesday, April 23.
A new law would let some Tennessee barbershops and salons sell and serve drinks, but they’d also need to serve food and have seating. Some Memphis places are interested, while other say it’s a hair don’t.
The bill would prevent public and charter schools from flying any flags except those permitted under the measure. The bill’s sponsor said the measure is meant to prevent schools from flying the LGBTQ+ pride flag.
In February, the legislature adopted the state’s first official food: hot slaw, a dish popular in the Cleveland area of East Tennessee. But its second official state food is Memphis-based.
“There’s already plenty of gas stations ... That’s not what the community has asked for. They’ve asked for investment in their community in terms of supportive items,” said a board member of Uplift Westwood.