It’s Monday, June 30, and welcome to a short work week. As of today, Santi Aldama is a free man — or, a free agent anyway. The 2025-26 NBA season officially begins today with the start of free agency, and that could mean big things for Aldama. 

The Shelby County Commission approved County Mayor Lee Harris’ $1.7 billion budget last week. And with that, you’d think we could move on past budget talks. But no, the County Commission is at it again today.

THE NEED TO KNOW

More than 170 new laws will take effect Tuesday, July 1. (George Walker IV/AP file)

New laws: Laws passed by the Tennessee state legislature earlier this year go into effect Tuesday, July 1, and the new rules will crack down on everything from child abuse and animal abandonment to restrictions on what you can do with lasers. Did you know abusing a child between the ages of 9 and 17 is a misdemeanor in Tennessee? That’ll change tomorrow. Another new law will make it harder for kids to access social media in class. And one law will make animal abandonment charges more enforceable. Finally, don’t go shining lasers into peoples’ eyes if they’re driving; you’ll regret it. 

Through June 16 of this year, city crews had repaired 33,647 potholes, based on data provided by the city. (Patrick Lantrip/The Daily Memphian)

Holes, holes, everywhere holes: You’ve likely seen the memes where a group of swimsuit-clad friends are gathered in a pool inside a giant pothole on a Memphis street. Our potholes may not quite be pool-sized, but there sure are an abundance of them. In 2024, city officials reported that crews filled 82,149 potholes. The city’s pothole problem is so bad, some would say it’s right up there with crime and drive-out tags. But why are there so many potholes, and what can you do about them? In the latest Ask the Memphian, reporter Jody Callahan answers those questions. (Turns out you really can be the change.) 

Memphis Rox was the scene of a double shooting that left two dead on Sunday, June 29. (Houston Cofield/The Daily Memphian file)

Fatal shootings at Memphis Rox: Two men are dead after a double shooting Sunday afternoon at the Soulsville rock-climbing gym. One of the victims was an employee of the facility. Police say two men got into an argument before the shooting.

A man has been arrested for allegedly bringing a gun into the Shelby County Criminal Justice Center, also known as 201 Poplar, on Wednesday, June 25. (The Daily Memphian file)

Gun in 201: Dedrick Patterson, 23, allegedly snuck a gun inside the Shelby County Criminal Justice Center last Wednesday and filmed himself flashing it around. Patterson turned himself in on Saturday after a warrant was issued for his arrest. It’s unclear how Patterson, who was in a wheelchair, got the gun inside 201 Poplar since he was checked with a metal detector wand. But the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office is looking into better ways to screen people in wheelchairs. 

QUOTED

Judge Paula Skahan didn’t have many suggestions to improve the local legal system as she departs it, saying it is going “pretty well” in her opinion. (Patrick Lantrip/The Daily Memphian)

“These murder cases get to you. … I’ve just had enough.”

— Shelby County Criminal Court Judge Paula Skahan
Skahan is retiring today after more than 20 years on the bench. Skahan said the dockets local judges handle are “stressful,” and that, at age 64, she’s got “other things I want to do.” Skahan has overseen some high-profile murder cases, including the retrial of William Groseclose, who was convicted of a murder-for-hire plot against his wife. Here’s a look back at Skahan’s career.

THE NICE TO KNOW

The Four Way serves turkey and dressing with two sides. Shown here with turnip greens, yams and cornbread. (Ellen Chamberlain/The Daily Memphian)

Every day is Thanksgiving at the Four Way: Except for Mondays and Tuesdays. That’s when the South Memphis soul-food institution is closed. But every other day of the week, you can order turkey and dressing with all the fixins, even when it’s 95 degrees outside. The Daily Memphian’s Ellen Chamberlain offers some pro tips for ordering the turkey day staple year-round. And in other food news, Tokyo Grill is opening its ninth area location in Bartlett in a building that’s been an empty eyesore for years.

Allie Mounce with Marigold the chicken in her High Point Terrace backyard. (Patrick Lantrip/The Daily Memphian)

For the birds and bees … and the butterflies. Native plants and pollinator gardens are all the rage these days, with international initiatives like “No Mow May,” “Let It Bloom June” and “Leaves the Leaves.” (This is great for people, like me, who hate yard work.) Memphian Allie Mounce recently transformed her High Point Terrace yard into a native plant oasis for bees and butterflies. The Daily Memphian’s Nick Lingerfelt shares Mounce’s yard story, talks to experts on why native plants are important and offers pro tips for pollinator gardeners in a three-part series.

Dr. Michelle Taylor

Taylor’s time at the top: Shelby County Health Department Director Dr. Michelle Taylor is stepping down from her role here on Aug. 1 for a new job leading the Baltimore City Health Department. Taylor took the lead of the Shelby County department in August 2021, after the previous director resigned amid criticism of the department’s COVID-19 vaccination distribution. More recently, Taylor has also faced criticism over her handling of permitting for xAI’s gas turbines. But in a lookback of her career, Taylor said she is leaving the department in better shape than when she took over.

Even when the U.S. Mint stops making pennies, the coins will still be part of the American economy, at least for now. (David Zalubowski/AP file)

Pennies to be pinched: By early next year, the U.S. Mint will stop making pennies. But that doesn’t mean all the pennies collecting dust in your coin jar are trash. There are hundreds of billions of pennies in circulation, and they’ll remain part of the economy for a while. (But really, who pays cash anymore? I can’t even tell you the last time I even carried a penny in my purse.) The Daily Memphian’s Jody Callahan talks to some local folks — a restaurant owner and a coin collector — who weigh in on the end of penny production. 

THIS WEEK’S WEATHER

It’ll be hotter than a firecracker on the Fourth of July, but hey, at least it’ll be dry.

Good luck getting a week’s worth of work done in four days! 

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