An overnight fire Monday destroyed the Historic Clayborn Temple in Downtown Memphis, a landmark in the history of the local Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s. Memphis Mayor Paul Young called the church — a base of operations for the 1968 strike of 1,300 city sanitation workers — “one of our city’s greatest treasures” and “sacred ground.” The leader of the nonprofit behind the building’s restoration and establishment as a cultural center says her group is committed to the project despite the destruction. “To everyone who has loved, supported and prayed for Historic Clayborn Temple, we are still committed to her restoration,” said Anasa Troutman. The Memphis Fire Department has yet to release details of the blaze’s cause.

Memphis-Shelby County Schools escaped state legislation that would have established an appointed advisory board and expanded other state interventions in an effort to take over Tennessee’s largest district and achieve improved academic results. Disagreements about what kind of authority an appointed board should have over the Memphis school system stopped the bill from advancing before lawmakers adjourned for the year. 

Hundreds of people packed into Fairley High’s gymnasium in Whitehaven on Friday night, largely to vent their frustration about xAI’s use of natural gas turbines. The Daily Memphian’s Samuel Hardiman was there to capture the scene. He writes, “The public outcry is the culmination of weeks of activism about a topic that has come to define local discourse and draw national attention as it has pitted Memphians against one of the most polarizing people in the U.S.: xAI founder Elon Musk.” Hardiman has been covering xAI’s every move in Memphis and last week wrote a third story in the “Colossus” series, which centered on Memphis’ reality as a working-class city forced to balance the need for investment with the health of its residents. We’re also working on a Q&A about xAI and its supercomputer, Colossus. If there’s something you’ve been wanting to ask about the presence of Elon Musk’s company in Memphis, send it to editors@dailymemphian.com, and we could feature the ask in our upcoming story.

— Metro editor Jane Donahoe

We hope you enjoy reading the latest news stories from our community. If you’re a Daily Memphian subscriber, we appreciate your support. If not, please subscribe for unlimited access to quality, locally produced journalism.

Hundreds of people packed into Fairley High’s gymnasium in Whitehaven on Friday evening largely to vent their frustration about the artificial intelligence company’s use of natural gas turbines.

Landmark Clayborn Temple total loss after pre-dawn fire By Bill Dries

Colossus: Can Memphis stop Elon Musk? By Samuel Hardiman

Gun violence claims 20 victims in just two weeks in Memphis By Jody Callahan

Memphis Zoo makes big plans as attendance dips By Bill Dries

Ask the Memphian: Who is Prince Mongo? And he's from where? By Jody Callahan

MPD chief: South Memphis shooting near high school was gang-related By Samuel Hardiman

Professor says xAI turbines don't affect air quality if company's claims are true By Samuel Hardiman

MSCS avoids state takeover this year By Laura Testino, Benjamin Smith

Burke's storied 150-year history could fill a book By Jody Callahan

AI-powered cameras are monitoring Downtown By Aarron Fleming

MSCS board members' terms could be cut in half By Laura Testino

Veteran Criminal Court judge to retire By Aarron Fleming

Sheriff's Office pegs 'worst case' cost of new jail By Bill Dries

Shelby County legislators passed 97 bills this year By Benjamin Smith

Pets, social media, voyeurism victims: Here's where state lawmakers agreed By Benjamin Smith

.....