It’s time for peanuts and Cracker Jack, Memphis. Today is Tuesday, March 31, and the Memphis Redbirds play their home opener at AutoZone Park tonight against the Norfolk Tides. 

And speaking of sports, you can hear from five of our sports writers tonight in our Roundtable discussion series. Columnist Geoff Calkins will moderate the talk with Chris Herrington, Drew Hill, Frank Bonner II and Parth Upadhyaya. And the best part: It’s at Wiseacre HQ, so there will be beer.

THE NEED TO KNOW

A Memphis police officer restrained a protester near the end of the No Kings march at Robert Church Park on Saturday, March 28. (Brad Vest/Special to The Daily Memphian)

Cops on leave after protest: The Memphis police officers involved with a violent escalation at Saturday’s otherwise-peaceful No Kings protest have been put on leave, pending a department investigation. Video from the rally shows police officers pepper spraying the crowd and using force in making arrests. In a statement Sunday, the Memphis Police Department said the protest group didn’t have a permit for a march and claimed pepper spray was used when “some individuals resisted” arrest. A coalition of activists is demanding the officers involved be identified and they’re calling for a “formal, public and transparent City Council inquiry.”

Arlington Mayor Mike Wissman is midway into his fourth four-year term as Arlington’s mayor. (Mark Weber/The Daily Memphian file)

Arlington mayor arrested: Arlington Mayor Mike Wissman was arrested for allegedly shoplifting last Friday at Dillard’s in Wolfchase Mall. The incident apparently involved two pair of shorts from a brand called Chubbies, according to a Memphis Police Department report. (You can’t make this stuff up, folks.) Wissman is calling the whole thing an “unfortunate misunderstanding.”

Deputies arrested for assault: Shelby County Sheriff’s deputies Jhyunn Armstrong and Israel Muhammad were arrested Sunday for allegedly assaulting a man who was working on a car outside a friend’s house in Cordova. According to the report, the man was approached by the deputies before Muhammad tried to strangle the victim as Armstrong held him at gunpoint.

Former Shelby County Commission member Edmund Ford Jr. resigned in February as he pleaded guilty to federal tax-evasion charges. (Mark Weber/The Daily Memphian file)

New rules for ‘disruptive’ commissioners: Now that Shelby County Commissioner Edmund Ford Jr. is gone, his former fellow commissioners are making sure history doesn’t repeat itself. Commissioners passed new rules Monday that allow the body to censure any commissioner they consider “disruptive.” It also applies to disruptive audience members. Ford resigned earlier this year after pleading guilty to tax evasion. But during his time on the commission, he was known for his outbursts, like the time he called board chair Shante Avant a “political concubine” of the mayor.

Memphis-Shelby County Schools board members (from left) Natalie McKinney, Keith Williams and Stephanie P. Love are among those who will decide on a contract for Interim Superintendent Roderick Richmond (right). (Mark Weber/The Daily Memphian file)

Giveback-sies? Memphis-Shelby County Schools’ interim superintendent could have that “interim” title removed tonight — again. The MSCS board is set to vote tonight on whether to give Roderick Richmond a permanent contract. The board had already decided to make Richmond the superintendent, but they failed to approve a contract earlier this month due to a looming forensic audit and a possible state takeover. Initial audit results are expected to come out Wednesday. In other news, state education leaders say too many Memphis-Shelby County students with disabilities are opting out of standardized tests.

QUOTED

“We are sad every day ... because we feel that the world has been robbed of ... Iran’s culture ... hospitality and what a loving group of people Iranians are. ”

— An anonymous Iranian living in Memphis
The Daily Memphian’s Geoff Calkins sat down with five local Iranians to discuss their feelings on the war in Iran. The group asked us not to use their full names to protect their families still living in the war zone. Though the five had political differences, all are hoping for regime change in Iran.

THE NICE TO KNOW

Next Level Chef’s Kitchen will open early this summer in the former By the Brewery space Downtown. (Sophia Surrett/The Daily Memphian)

Taking it to the Next Level: Sushi Jimmi is opening a new restaurant that combines fine dining and marshmallows. Longtime local restaurateur Jimmy Sinh (aka Sushi Jimmi) plans to open his new Next Level Chef’s Kitchen in the old By the Brewery space Downtown this summer. By day, the restaurant will serve poke bowls, sushi and hibachi, and by night, it’ll transform into a fine-dining spot with seasonal menus. But that’s not all: Sinh plans to add firepits for marshmallow roasting.

A new cruise boat ramp for Greenbelt Park broke ground Monday. (Mark Weber/The Daily Memphian)

What’s up, dock? For years, river cruise boats that dock at Greenbelt Park have been tying up to trees (uh, seems legit?) and letting passengers out on a single concrete ramp. But conditions may soon improve. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers broke ground Monday on a new riverboat landing for the park with mooring anchors, better lighting and parking upgrades. The long-planned project had been stalled after costs nearly doubled from original estimates. 

Memphis Tigers Coach Penny Hardaway called a play against the Wichita State Shockers during a game on Feb. 26. (Wes Hale/Special to The Daily Memphian file)

More new Tigers: Memphis Tigers Coach Penny Hardaway’s next coaching team is coming together. Just one day after news broke that Hardaway would bring back Memphis native Tony Madlock as assistant coach, the Tigers announced two more new hires: Sean Mock (who spent the past seven seasons at Tulane) and Trevor DeLoach (who most recently worked at Charlotte). Sports columnist John Martin weighs in on the new guys.

“Overall, I think (the Phoenix Suns) finished with 34 more field-goal attempts,” Memphis Grizzlies coach Tuomas Iisalo said. “It’s very difficult to win (that way).” (Mike Stewart/AP file)

Grizzlies get burned: The Phoenix Suns unleashed the heat on the Memphis Grizzlies toward the end of Monday night’s game. The two teams were tied at 91 during the fourth quarter, but the Grizzlies bench got crushed in the final five minutes, ending with a 131-105 loss. After the game, Memphis coach Tuomas Iisalo said, “Yeah, we turned it over a lot.” (You think?) Here’s a look at where the Grizzlies fall in the reverse standings now.

WHAT WE’RE TALKING ABOUT

By now, you’ve probably seen the viral video of Memphis police officers pepper-spraying and arresting protesters at Saturday’s No Kings rally, but just in case you missed it, here you go.

And now you’re all caught up!

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