Frederick W. Smith, the FedEx Corp. founder and executive chairman who transformed not only his hometown but also commerce across the globe, died Saturday, and the entire city seemingly felt the significance of the loss. Amid a sea of statements and expressions of reverence, former Mayor Jim Strickland aptly described Smith as “the most important Memphian of all time.” The Daily Memphian’s Samuel Hardiman, Jody Callahan, Jane Roberts and Geoff Calkins worked on stories to memorialize the man who put Memphis on the global economic map. His contributions to the city are perhaps immeasurable, from the economy to the university to the entire sports engine to the airport to the zoo to the tax base and more. But these fine writers eloquently put words to Smith’s significance. Links to all of their coverage are below.

Memphis also made national headlines last week in at least a few other places. A man was arrested for allegedly trying to kidnap Memphis Mayor Paul Young. Sports media personality Stephen A. Smith publicly accepted Young’s invitation to visit Memphis following Smith’s disparaging comments about the city. And the NAACP announced plans to sue xAI for alleged violations of the federal Clean Air Act, stemming from the company’s nearly year-long use of natural gas turbines to partially power its Southwest Memphis supercomputer. 

— Metro editor Jane Donahoe

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Jack Sammons spent a portion of Saturday with the FedEx founder: “No matter how routine our regular conversations ... every time I talked to him, I felt like I was talking to Thomas Edison, an individual who changed the world.”

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‘Most important Memphian of all time’ has died

'Most important Memphian of all time' has died By Samuel Hardiman

Calkins: Nobody can replace Fred Smith. (But he told us how to handle this, too.) By Geoff Calkins

Memphis airport could soon bear FedEx founder's name By Jane Roberts

Area leaders react to the death of Fred Smith By The Daily Memphian Staff

Alleged trespasser was 'angry' with Mayor Young By Samuel Hardiman

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After bashing Memphis, Stephen A. Smith is coming to town By Parth Upadhyaya

David vs. Goliath: NAACP readies lawsuit against Musk's xAI over turbines By Samuel Hardiman

XAI stockpiling massive equipment at vacant Mississippi lot By Samuel Hardiman

Elon Musk talks xAI in Memphis and beyond By Samuel Hardiman

MSCS to sell $12M of property, but building donations, demolitions paused By Laura Testino

Where things stand with Memphis museum projects By Elle Perry, Bill Dries

Barking up the right tree: Local animal rescuers praise nominee for MAS head By Jody Callahan

Judge recusal adds turmoil to sentencing of former MPD officers By Aarron Fleming

State laws could send Memphis hemp industry up in smoke By Ben Stanley

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