State school testing results released last week showed reading and math gains for Memphis-Shelby County Schools. The Daily Memphian’s Laura Testino distilled the data into a series of charts that show how MSCS students did on the English language arts and math tests, as well as explain student performance in the other nine public districts operating in Memphis and Shelby County. Meanwhile, Interim MSCS Superintendent Roderick Richmond announced the addition of nine new leaders, including four “regional” hires who will carry out his plans to break the district up into parts. And two state lawmakers representing Shelby County say they plan to push forward with proposals to assign a new appointed board powers over MSCS when the Tennessee General Assembly reconvenes in January 2026.

Memphis Mayor Paul Young’s administration has three new leaders after the Memphis City Council confirmed a new neighborhood improvement senior administrator, a director of Memphis Animal Services and a director for Memphis Parks. Young also last week unveiled details of a plan to use 25% of the property tax revenue from xAI’s two Memphis data centers for projects specifically in the areas surrounding them.

And Memphis Rox, the rock climbing gym in South Memphis, reopened over the weekend. It had been closed since the June 29 fatal, on-site shooting of its beloved employee Jarmond Johnson, who everyone knew as “Mond.” The Daily Memphian’s columnist Geoff Calkins was there for the mournful, joyful — and ultimately hopeful — ceremonial climb. “We all climb higher when we climb together,” Rox founder and film director Tom Shadyac told the hundreds gathered. “It’s a metaphor for everything.” — Metro editor Jane Donahoe

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TCAP scores 2025: See how MSCS students did on Tennessee tests By Laura Testino

Richmond’s MSCS team includes mix of new and familiar faces By Laura Testino

6 charts show how Memphis-area students stack up on TCAP tests By Laura Testino

Nearly 200 Ghanaian students came to Memphis for an education. But a $3.6M bill could force them to leave. By Jody Callahan

Grok's antisemitism isn't good for Memphis. At least according to Grok. By Samuel Hardiman

Blight, animals and parks: New leaders take position at key city divisions By Bill Dries

City must demote MPD second lieutenants, court rules By Samuel Hardiman

The Old Daisy has been centerstage for the messy history of Beale Street control. Here's the story. By Bill Dries

Calkins: Memphis Rox reopens with 'climb for Mond' By Geoff Calkins

Here's how Memphis could spend portion of xAI tax money By Samuel Hardiman

Ask the Memphian: Could parts of Memphis flood like Central Texas? By Jody Callahan

City puts teeth in blight fight By Bill Dries

Council members jostle for share of xAI money. A Tennessee Republican has his own money. Blackburn's been busy. By Bill Dries

'Just because he was brown': Advocates protest immigration policy By Aarron Fleming

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