The Owens name is familiar to longtime Memphians who remember when Danny Owens was known as king of the city’s strip club industry.

His son, Blake Owens, was sentenced to three years in prison last week on a guilty plea to a federal charge of drug conspiracy. The younger Owens and four codefendants were charged with running a heroin and fentanyl-dealing drug organization. With time served, Owens could be out of prison in about a year.

Meanwhile, a prosecutor hinted last week that more charges could be coming against state Sen. Katrina Robinson in connection with an investigation into her business, The Healthcare Institute. Robinson made a court appearance last week on current charges of stealing, converting and intentionally misapplying funding for her own use. The charges are one of two sets of charges pending against her.

And a plan by Gov. Bill Lee to spend $2.5 million to buy plane tickets for tourists drew fire from Democrats and some Republicans over the use of taxpayer dollars for the tourism campaign. — Ron Maxey

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The son of one-time topless nightclub kingpin Danny Owens drew a sentence below federal guidelines for drug conspiracy.

Gov. Bill Lee announced the state would spend $2.5 million to buy plane tickets for tourists. The decision prompted criticism that buying plane tickets for tourists is not the best use of taxpayer dollars.

Despite the possibility of additional charges, a Sept. 13 trial date remains in place for now in the case against state Sen. Katrina Robinson on charges related to her business, The Healthcare Institute. 

The Byhalia Connection Pipeline is over but a burgeoning environmental movement, with the city’s underground water aquifer at its center, remains. The road to that movement began with the rise of the city’s new activism several years ago, with some unexpected twists and turns along the way.

Related stories:

What's next for the Memphis water movement

TVA's connection to a more complex water movement

Health officials say Shelby County is at the beginning of a new surge of COVID cases, and the Delta variant is prevalent.

Many of those who gathered said their aim was to fight misinformation and misrepresentations of Jewish people, and make the case for Americans to see what Israel is about for themselves. 

The two teachers’ unions in Memphis used to be one. But a battle over local control caused them to split.

In addition to helping with back-to-school paperwork for kids, adults can get copies of birth certificates, and free COVID shots from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. July 17 at the health department.

The facility at the University of Memphis opened June 30 with a variety of amenities for students. 

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