Who’s ready for the weekend? It’s Friday, July 29, and we’ve got an action-packed next few days ahead. Tennessee’s back-to-school, tax-free weekend begins today and runs through Sunday, so this would be a great time to stock up on school supplies and clothing. 

Tonight, you’ll find live music, art and more at the city’s longest-running street festival, South Main Trolley Night. Memphis-based filmmaker Chassidy Jade Woods’ Crown Me Royal Film Festival, designed to elevate the work of Black and brown filmmakers, starts tonight and runs through the weekend. On Saturday, you can watch pole vaulters fly through the air on Beale Street. For more weekend ideas, check out The To-Do List.

And finally, Saturday is the last day of early voting ahead of the Aug. 4 election. The ballot is long, so it would be wise to vote early if you can. If you plan to vote today, the Memphis Area Transit Authority is offering a free ride to the polls.

THE NEED TO KNOW

During her campaign for district attorney, incumbent Amy Weirich did an interview with Thaddeus Matthews, who her office is currently prosecuting. (Mark Weber/The Daily Memphian file)

Conflict of interest? A recent appearance by Shelby County District Attorney Amy Weirich on “shock jock” Thaddeus Matthews’ talk show is raising some eyebrows. The appearance, during which she discussed the state’s new “truth in sentencing” law, comes as incumbent Weirich is in the midst of a reelection campaign and as her office is actively prosecuting Matthews for a series of high-level misdemeanor offenses involving the alleged harassment of a Memphis woman. The Institute for Public Service Reporting’s Marc Perrusquia details Weirich’s appearance on the profanity-laced show and offers a look at Matthews’ most recent charges (and his checkered past).

At a press conference on Thursday, Shelby County Clerk Wanda Halbert renewed allegations of financial irregularities she says she inherited when she was elected nearly four years ago. (Bill Dries/The Daily Memphian)

Late plates off her plate: “We’re back to normal with our license plates,” said Shelby County Clerk Wanda Halbert at a Thursday press conference on the license plate backlog. Halbert blamed Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris’ administration, claiming county mail services stopped the mailing of license plates back in May (she shared emails to back up her claims). She also alleged financial irregularities in the clerk’s office that predated her time there. Earlier this month, Shelby County commissioners delayed a “no-confidence” vote in Halbert related to the backlog, and local car dealers called on Gov. Bill Lee to take over vehicle licensing duties from Halbert.

Suspect in Eason-Williams’ death arraigned: Eduard Rodriguez Tabora, the adult suspect charged with first-degree murder in the death of Rev. Autura Eason-Williams, was arraigned on Thursday. Judge Karen Massey of General Sessions Criminal Court Division 11 told Tabora he would be held without bond. 

John R. Bear, right, president and chief operating officer of Midcontinent Independent System Operator, said on “Behind the Headlines” that he thinks the savings MLGW would reap by switching from TVA would be higher than current estimates. (Danny Johnston/AP file)

Savings too low? The CEO of Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO) — a rival for Tennessee Valley Authority’s contract with Memphis Light, Gas & Water — said a power consulting firm’s recent estimate of savings from MLGW switching power suppliers was too low. MLGW consultant GDS Associates said replacing TVA could yield between $25.7 and $55.3 million in savings annually. On WKNO’s “Behind the Headlines,” MISO CEO John Bear said “I think the numbers are closer to $100 million on a conservative basis.” Bear said GDS also overestimated the cost of building new transmission lines for a new power provider.

International Paper was recently featured on “How America Works.” The episode was filmed at International Paper’s mill in Columbus, Mississippi. (Courtesy International Paper)

In the money: Two Memphis-based companies delivered strong financial reports on Thursday. International Paper Co. reported $511 million in earnings for the second quarter, up from the $432 million it reported for the same time a year ago. And Mid-America Apartment Communities Inc. topped Wall Street expectations with reported funds from operations of $239.9 million, or $2.02 per share.

MEET MEMPHIS

Church of the Holy Communion volunteers (left to right) Nancy Kelso, Annie Mahaffey, Ruth Ellen McQuiston and Dorothy Brownyard turn donated foods into meals that will be delivered to Emmanuel Center and First Congo. (Mark Weber/The Daily Memphian)

Groups of volunteers at various synagogues and churches around the city are saving hundreds of pounds of produce from landfills and turning it into meals for those in need. At the height of the season, up to 200 pounds a day of “prep ready” produce is donated to the Agricenter Farmers Market from vendors who would rather not toss it out. “It’s really cool to see how resourceful people are or can be when they at the last minute are handed 40 zucchinis,” said Rev. Jeannie Hunter, Tennessee director of the Society of St. Andrew, a hunger-relief nonprofit that organizes gleaning teams and tracks pounds of donated produce.

THE NICE TO KNOW

“The whole focus of the building is going to be the education and practice of Black theater,” Hattiloo founder Ekundayo Bandele said. (Daily Memphian file)

From church to theater school: Hattiloo Theatre has plans to renovate a historic church at 299 Chelsea Ave. in North Memphis for a new theater school. The school will offer instruction on the history of Black theater, playwriting, set-building, dance, directing and more for youth ages 4 through 17, senior citizens and disabled people. The building, purchased by the Community Redevelopment Agency in 2020, has a storied Civil War history, and the new Hattiloo plans are a 180 from its past.

Miccos Sno Cones & Shakes staff member Isabel Luna make a snocone during a grand opening celebration on Wednesday, July 27, in Arlington. (Mark Weber/The Daily Memphian)

Sno days: When the heat index soars beyond 100 degrees, as it has often lately, few things sound better than a cup of “sno.” Miccos Sno Cones & Shakes opened its second location in Arlington in May, just in time for the heat wave. Miccos offers 50 sno cone flavors, inspired by New Orleans-style “snowballs,” as well as 50 milkshakes.

American Athletic Conference Commissioner Mike Aresco spoke Thursday during the AAC Media Day. (AP file photo/Stew Milne)

Football’s day: Thursday was American Athletic Conference media day, and commissioner Mike Aresco discussed conference realignment and his support for the Football Bowl Subdivision breaking away from the NCAA. Memphis Tigers football coach Coach Ryan Silverfield addressed questions about last season’s inconsistently run games, poor field-goal kicking and inconsistent play. “Last year, we were displeased with the overall efforts. We did a lot of offseason studies, and there are a lot of things we can continue to improve upon,” Silverfield said. In Thursday’s AAC preseason media poll, the Tigers were voted to finish fifth (they finished seventh last season). 

Memphis head coach Penny Hardaway’s Tigers face five SEC teams in nonconference play, and only have three buys. (Mark Weber/The Daily Memphian file)

Stealing the ball: It may have been football media day, but leave it to the Memphis Tigers basketball team to steal the football team’s thunder by releasing their nonconference basketball schedule on Thursday. The Tigers will play five SEC opponents. Two of them, Auburn and Alabama, are projected to start the season ranked in the Top 25. The Daily Memphian’s John Martin says the “formidable schedule” is one “Memphis wouldn’t have been able to assemble if not for its return to relevance in the last few years under coach Penny Hardaway.” And The Daily Memphian’s Geoff Calkins ties it all together with some thoughts on the basketball schedule and the football team (because, after all, it was their day).

StickEm owner Ermyias Shiberou plates entrees on the restaurant’s food truck. (The Daily Memphian file)

Sticking to your budget: In this week’s $10 Deal, we’re highlighting one of my personal favorites: the tofu kebabs at StickEm (formerly Blue Nile). As a vegan, people often ask me where to find the best tofu in town, and this is where I send them (though it’s a close tie with Pho Binh). During the height of the pandemic, Blue Nile owner Ermyias Shiberou converted his brick-and-mortar to the same concept as his StickEm food truck, but you’ll still find many of your favorite Blue Nile dishes (just no injera for scooping).

WHAT WE’RE TALKING ABOUT

In the Grizzlies Insider, The Daily Memphian’s Drew Hill tackles the question of “Who wore it better?” after the Detroit Pistons unveiled the return of their teal uniforms (which look suspiciously similar to the old throwback Vancouver Grizzlies’ teal uniforms). 

On that note, which Memphis Grizzlies rookie are you today? I’m feeling “C” because the weekend starts in just a few hours. 

Smile like David Roddy this weekend, and have a great one!

.....