Ron Olson said he was immediately immersed in the cult status of FM 100, a place where artists were always dropping in because the place created stars, including David Bowie and ZZ Top. (Courtesy Ron Olson)
Good morning, Memphis! It’s Friday, April 14, and we have a fun, jam-packed weekend in store for us. I’m Holly Whitfield, digital director at The Daily Memphian, filling in for Bianca Phillips today and Monday while she’s on vacation.
This Sunday, enjoy some mudbugs at the annual Rajun Cajun Crawfish Fest. Sunday is also the Grizzlies’ first game in the 2023 NBA Playoffs, but more on that a little later.
On Sunday, Memphis artist Brantley Ellzey will host a Dolly Parton-themed art benefit celebrating the life of Memphian Shea Grauer. Proceeds will benefit Grauer’s family.
THE NEED TO KNOW
Justin J. Pearson is sworn into his seat in the Tennessee House of Representatives at the legislative plaza next to the State Capitol, on Thursday, April 13. (Ian Round/The Daily Memphian)
Justin J. Pearson is representing district 86 again: Yesterday morning, Pearson was sworn in to the Tennessee legislature — for the second time this year — after an April 7 vote to expel him (alongside two other representatives) was reversed by the Shelby County Commission this past Wednesday. The Daily Memphian’s Ian Round was at the Capitol for the ceremony and following House session.
In new court filings, Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant said he is the victim of slander, battery and assault. (Brandon Dill/AP File)
Ja’s game plan: The Ja saga continues this week, as the star Grizzlies guard’s legal team filed a countersuit against Joshua Holloway, the teenager suing Morant over a fight during a pickup basketball game at Morant’s home last summer. The player’s lawyers claim he is a victim of slander, battery and assault, and that Holloway’s actions (and the resulting media uproar) could have been “career ending.” This comes as Morant prepares to lead the Grizzlies into the 2023 playoffs. The Grizz take on the Lakers at FedExForum on Sunday. The Daily Memphian’s Geoff Calkins knows a surefire way that Ja can restore his reputation, and columnist Chris Herrington breaks down the matchup.
This graphic shows how the Memphis Sand Aquifer and recharge zone works. A study shows there are a possible 36 total breaches in the clay layers. (Courtesy University of Memphis CAESAR)
The thirst is real: The clay barrier protecting the Memphis Sand Aquifer is “looking more like Swiss cheese” than a solid layer, according to Brian Waldron, the director of the Center for Applied Earth Science and Engineering at the University of Memphis. Waldron presented preliminary findings of a five-year study to MLGW on Wednesday, April 12, where he shared that a Geological Survey device found 23 previous undetected breaches in the layer. He also discussed whether Memphis water was still safe to drink.
QUOTED
RowVaughn Wells, center, the mother of Tyre Nichols, has been named to the Time 100 list. (Brandon Dill/AP file)
““Losing a child is the worst kind of pain that a parent could know, but RowVaughn has continued to demonstrate strength and assert her voice to ensure that her son’s story is not forgotten.””
Ron Olson said he was immediately immersed in the cult status of FM 100, a place where artists were always dropping in because the place created stars, including David Bowie and ZZ Top. (Courtesy Ron Olson)
Goin’ country: “Today’s best mix” goes full country this summer when FM 100 sunsets and country station The Wolf 94.1 moves up the dial to 99.7. The Daily Memphian’s Jane Roberts talked with longtime Memphis radio host Ron Olson about the heyday of FM 100 as Memphis radio listeners prepare to say goodbye to the station. “It was fun to be riding on that wave down there, breaking new artists and turning people on to their music,” Olson said.
The Collierville Design Review Commission met April 13 to discuss requests from Walmart and other Collierville businesses. (Abigail Warren/The Daily Memphian)
Walmart’s got the blues: Collierville’s color police were at it again Thursday evening, as the town’s Design Review Commission denied Walmart’s request to repaint part of its store in the area a “Medium Blue”. Collierville is known to ask franchises to throw out brand colors in favor of muted colors and earth tones. “Blue is a real difficult color in Collierville,” Chairman Curtis Doss cautioned a Walmart representative at the April 13 meeting. However, the Commission says Walmart may use the blue just behind its logo on the storefront, as that falls under sign guidelines. It sounds like, for now, Walmart will have to keep the current gray-hues on the other parts of its building.
FedEx team members volunteer to package more than 30,000 meals for people affected by food insecurity around the world Jan. 16. (Mark Weber/The Daily Memphian file)
Sharing is caring: FedEx Cares, a global giving platform launched by the shipping giant in 2016, has met its goal to affect the lives of 50 million people—in honor of the company’s 50th anniversary. This meant shipping 76 tons of supplies, including an emergency field hospital and life-saving medicines, to Ukraine in 2022, delivering 17 million COVID-19 vaccines to Mexico in 2021, and partnering with the Women’s Foundation for a Greater Memphis to reduce poverty in the 38126 ZIP code.
WHAT WE’RE TALKING ABOUT
Grizz fans are getting ready for playoffs madness, and the memes are flowing on Twitter.
Enjoy this busy spring weekend, Memphis — and Go Grizz! I’ll be back on Monday morning with more Early Words for you.
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