Memphis Local, Sports, Business & Food News | Daily Memphian | Steve Bohnel

Current airport board takes care of business in what may be last meeting

sbohnel@dailymemphian.com (Steve Bohnel) — Thu, 18 Jun 2026 15:45:51 -0500

Commissioners approved an additional $2.6 million for design of a new baggage system and administration building.

Airport board focuses on operations as state takeover looms

sbohnel@dailymemphian.com (Steve Bohnel) — Thu, 18 Jun 2026 12:05:58 -0500

Memphis-Shelby County Airport Authority commissioners feel the board’s job is vital to the local economy, no matter who sits on it. Many of them could soon be replaced following passage of a new state law.

Amazon Prime Air unveils drones that ‘detect and avoid' as they deliver

sbohnel@dailymemphian.com (Steve Bohnel) — Tue, 16 Jun 2026 17:58:38 -0500

Amazon Prime Air showed off its MK30 drones at the Renasant Convention Center. It hopes to operate 10 to 14 by later this year.

Memphis meatpacking plant to close, lay off 208 workers

sbohnel@dailymemphian.com (Steve Bohnel) — Tue, 16 Jun 2026 06:08:16 -0500

JBS announced it is closing its Memphis plant effective Aug. 14, resulting in 208 layoffs.

Memphis native develops system that aims to put out fires in 15 seconds

sbohnel@dailymemphian.com (Steve Bohnel) — Sun, 14 Jun 2026 04:00:00 -0500

Ethan Pretsch envisioned a system that could use AI and tech to specifically target fires and keep them from spreading.

Soul & Spirits buys Memphis Made trademark

sbohnel@dailymemphian.com (Steve Bohnel) — Wed, 10 Jun 2026 17:42:29 -0500

Soul & Spirits Brewery’s purchase ensures Memphis Made Brewing Co.’s beer will still be made in the Bluff City.

WK Kellogg laying off more than 100 in Memphis

sbohnel@dailymemphian.com (Steve Bohnel) — Tue, 9 Jun 2026 15:06:20 -0500

Layoffs include union and non-union employees.

FedEx pilots get pay hike and working condition changes

sbohnel@dailymemphian.com (Steve Bohnel) — Tue, 9 Jun 2026 14:56:47 -0500

A new agreement was reached between FedEx pilots and management. More than 80% of pilots who voted approved the agreement, which includes $150,000 in pay they lost during the negotiations, which have gone on for years.

Firefighter developing health and tutoring AI apps: 'We have a lot of bright minds here.'

sbohnel@dailymemphian.com (Steve Bohnel) — Mon, 8 Jun 2026 14:22:14 -0500

The South Memphis native used AI and coding to build two new platforms — one to help tutor students, and another to help people learn what they’re eating, including the amount of microplastics.

UTHSC raises about $11M for new College of Medicine building

sbohnel@dailymemphian.com (Steve Bohnel) — Sun, 7 Jun 2026 04:00:01 -0500

The 275,000- to 300,000-square-foot facility is planned on Madison Avenue between the College of Pharmacy building and the demolished Holiday Inn building.

Practicing on plastic: Methodist University Hospital unveils simulation lab

sbohnel@dailymemphian.com (Steve Bohnel) — Wed, 3 Jun 2026 08:09:22 -0500

Modern mannequins provide various types of lifelike practice situations for nurses, physcians and other healthcare professionals.

After 160 years, oldest law firm in Memphis was 'left with no option' but closure

sbohnel@dailymemphian.com (Steve Bohnel) — Mon, 1 Jun 2026 10:45:26 -0500

Apperson Crump ended its operations at the end of 2025. It leaves behind a legacy not just in the Memphis legal community but the city’s history, attorneys said.

AutoZone earnings climb as new mega-hub stores beat sales expectations

sbohnel@dailymemphian.com (Steve Bohnel) — Sat, 30 May 2026 22:22:36 -0500

AutoZone’s mega hub and commercial business strategy has it poised to continue growing in the summer months, officials said during an earnings call Tuesday, May 26.

Le Bonheur’s next pediatric chief bows out weeks before start date

sbohnel@dailymemphian.com (Steve Bohnel) — Tue, 26 May 2026 07:12:11 -0500

The hospital will restart its search after their top pediatric recruit decides to stay in Texas.

Airport board approves $172M budget

sbohnel@dailymemphian.com (Steve Bohnel) — Mon, 25 May 2026 18:02:43 -0500

The airport is also in the early planning stages of a new rental-car facility.

Novel bookstore employees to vote on union

sbohnel@dailymemphian.com (Steve Bohnel) — Thu, 21 May 2026 10:57:16 -0500

Discussions to form a union began a little more than a year ago. Management has given raises, but they have not been able to keep up with the cost of living in Memphis, employees said.

Novel bookstore workers approve union

sbohnel@dailymemphian.com (Steve Bohnel) — Thu, 21 May 2026 10:56:44 -0500

Employees remain optimistic that management and investors will meet their demands for living wages and better working conditions.

Former MATA CEO files wrongful termination lawsuit

sbohnel@dailymemphian.com (Steve Bohnel) — Wed, 20 May 2026 09:32:59 -0500

Bacarra Mauldin is alleging “wrongful termination, unpaid wages and tortious interference,” according to the case docket in Shelby County Chancery Court.

'A great, great run:' After more than half a century, Outdoors Inc. closing landmark East Memphis store

sbohnel@dailymemphian.com (Steve Bohnel) — Tue, 19 May 2026 05:36:18 -0500

When Royer started his business, he worked with a rotary telephone. There were no computers or fax machines. Now online shopping allows vendors to sell directly to customers.

'An existential threat’: Supreme Court ruling on freight brokers could impact smaller operations

sbohnel@dailymemphian.com (Steve Bohnel) — Mon, 18 May 2026 07:25:26 -0500

The Supreme Court ruled that freight brokers can be held liable in injury cases caused by carriers they hire. But a lack of “guardrails” could still leave an uphill battle for smaller companies in Memphis.