The Daily Memphian’s “Ask the Memphian” series continued with the latest topic coming directly from a reader question: What’s the deal with the life-sized metal horse statue stuck in an empty lot at Peabody Avenue and Pauline Street? Reporter Jody Callahan started asking the question that led him to Todd Frankel, a California resident who started buying up properties in Memphis 15 years ago. Frankel said he grew up in a family that raised horses and other animals, and he saw the statues as a way to creatively identify his Memphis properties. Previous topics tackled through the series include pollen, tornadoes, the monorail and more. If you have a question for us to look into, email it to editors@dailymemphian.com. We would love to hear from you! 

Speaking of questions, we’re also working on an FAQ about xAI and its supercomputer, Colossus. If there’s something that you’ve been wanting to ask about the presence of Elon Musk’s company in Memphis, send it to that same email address, editors@dailymemphian.com, and we could feature the ask in our upcoming story.

In other news from the past week, Memphis City Council members had plenty of questions for leadership at the Memphis Area Transit Authority; the University of Memphis Board of Trustees approved the University Schools’ expansion at the former St. George’s Memphis campus in the Sherwood Forest neighborhood; environmental groups are urging the Shelby County Health Department to issue an emergency order to stop xAI’s operation of what appear to be dozens of natural gas turbines; and a teenager fatally shot in Downtown Memphis Sunday night underscored a troubling week for gun violence in Memphis.

— Metro editor, Jane Donahoe

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The soon-to-be former St. George’s Memphis has a waiting list — proof of high interest in the fledgling K-12 University Schools district, which has a 10-year goal of enrolling 5,000 students.

Shooting death of teenager Downtown spotlights violent week By Aarron Fleming, Bill Dries

Ask the Memphian: What is that metal menagerie in Downtown Memphis? By Jody Callahan

Environmental groups say xAI violating federal law with turbines By Samuel Hardiman

Six shot, one killed in Hickory Hill, Memphis police say By Jody Callahan

Memphis City Council: Why does MATA need to buy full-size buses? By Bill Dries

Woman charged with neglect of adults in bus had caregiving background By Jody Callahan

Judge allows lawsuit against city, Pink Palace to continue By Jody Callahan

Gun violence strategies working, despite mass shooting By Aarron Fleming

Memphis Corps District warily eyeing rivers and skies By Bill Dries

City Council votes to raise hotel-motel tax By Samuel Hardiman

New federal directive may punch $55M hole in MSCS plans By Laura Testino

Man accused in 2021 killing of Rhodes student pleads guilty By Aarron Fleming

No tax hike in Memphis mayor's budget proposal By Bill Dries

State Senate passes bill aimed at immigrant students By Benjamin Smith

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