Memphis Local, Sports, Business & Food News | Daily Memphian | Jody Callahan

U of M unveils paintings of 3 of its presidents, including 1 who served more than 80 years ago

jcallahan@dailymemphian.com (Jody Callahan) — Tue, 27 Oct 2026 20:21:56 -0500

From a 1-inch, black-and-white photo taken more than eight decades ago, Jason Colbert painted a portrait of former University of Memphis President Richard Jones.

From Millington to Slovenia, how a viral post and a bar ended the hunt for a teen's accused killer

jcallahan@dailymemphian.com (Jody Callahan) — Mon, 26 Oct 2026 12:00:38 -0500

Seth Walls was freed on $15,000 in bonds after Haley Reedy’s 2022 shooting death, then fled to Europe. Her family’s anniversary plea finally reached the right person.

Heidi Kuhn injured in car crash, expected to recover

jcallahan@dailymemphian.com (Jody Callahan) — Sun, 25 Oct 2026 13:06:37 -0500

Kuhn, the former Shelby County Criminal Court clerk who is running for Congress, and her husband were injured in a car crash in Memphis.

Broad Avenue celebrates its continued reinvention with the annual Art Walk

jcallahan@dailymemphian.com (Jody Callahan) — Sun, 25 Oct 2026 10:51:35 -0500

As some businesses have come and gone, Broad Avenue continues to reinvent itself, with Saturday’s Art Walk as a chance to celebrate the street’s past while helping ensure its future.

Barbecue fest coming in 2027, but not SmokeSlam

jcallahan@dailymemphian.com (Jody Callahan) — Sat, 24 Oct 2026 01:47:36 -0500

A combined World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest and SmokeSlam is officially not happening as Memphis in May announces 2027 festival dates. Also an MIM official talks about the future of Beale Street Music Festival.

Store fire in Collierville kills parrot mascot Popeye

jcallahan@dailymemphian.com (Jody Callahan) — Fri, 23 Oct 2026 19:29:49 -0500

A fire ripped through Russell’s Farm Supply in Collierville late Thursday night, destroying the store and killing beloved mascot Popeye, a blue-fronted Amazon parrot.

Record heat, near-record drought leave Memphis primed for fires

jcallahan@dailymemphian.com (Jody Callahan) — Thu, 22 Oct 2026 15:25:44 -0500

Memphis has had just 2.29 inches of rain since Aug. 1, and fire officials are urging caution with fire pits as dry leaves pile up. Landscapers are losing work because lawns have stopped growing.

Reuben Brunson wants a Litter Box in every home in America

jcallahan@dailymemphian.com (Jody Callahan) — Mon, 19 Oct 2026 04:00:10 -0500

Memphis game designer Reuben Brunson debuts his second concept, a new, fast-paced card game called Litter Box, which he thinks may just be a big hit.

UFO dresses, flying-monkey wings and a killer's jacket? Playhouse costume sale has it all.

jcallahan@dailymemphian.com (Jody Callahan) — Sat, 17 Oct 2026 15:42:39 -0500

Playhouse on the Square held its annual clothing and prop sale Saturday. Shoppers included the owner of a new costume shop at the site of the old Mr. Lincoln’s in Overton Square.

U of M has highest rate of students passing bar exam in more than a decade

jcallahan@dailymemphian.com (Jody Callahan) — Wed, 14 Oct 2026 14:57:37 -0500

The U of M law school posted its highest bar-passage numbers in more than a decade, but school officials are aiming higher.

51 years ago, someone murdered Stax drummer Al Jackson Jr. But no one has ever been charged.

jcallahan@dailymemphian.com (Jody Callahan) — Tue, 13 Oct 2026 10:42:02 -0500

Fifty-one years after the murder of the legendary Stax drummer Al Jackson Jr., new information has surfaced about a killing that remains intertwined with the history of the famed record company, its musicians, and a distant era in Memphis.

Ask the Memphian: Will the Memphis Zoo ever have pandas again?

jcallahan@dailymemphian.com (Jody Callahan) — Mon, 12 Oct 2026 04:00:06 -0500

For 20 years, the Memphis Zoo hosted a pair of pandas that attracted millions of visitors. Three years after Ya Ya and Le Le left, though, the question remains: will the zoo ever have pandas again?

MPD officers shoot, critically injure man during chase

jcallahan@dailymemphian.com (Jody Callahan) — Sun, 11 Oct 2026 09:46:50 -0500

Officials said two officers returned fire after a suspect shot at them during a foot chase.

MLGW 'standing down' as threat of severe weather wanes

jcallahan@dailymemphian.com (Jody Callahan) — Sat, 10 Oct 2026 15:40:55 -0500

The utility had kept 65 crews ready to go in case of severe weather from the remnants of Hurricane Isaias, but most of those are being released.

East Parkway water guy back selling drinks to thirsty drivers

jcallahan@dailymemphian.com (Jody Callahan) — Thu, 8 Oct 2026 18:53:39 -0500

After an arrest that outraged many Memphians, Demarcus Dickerson was back selling cold drinks at the corner of Poplar Avenue and East Parkway.

Hurricane remnants expected to smack Memphis

jcallahan@dailymemphian.com (Jody Callahan) — Thu, 8 Oct 2026 15:35:54 -0500

Mempho Fest, the Memphis Jazz Festival, University of Memphis football and more are keeping a close eye on the weather Saturday.

Deadly police chases, little transparency in Memphis Safe Task Force's first year

jcallahan@dailymemphian.com (Jody Callahan) — Mon, 5 Oct 2026 11:57:05 -0500

At least two people have died in pursuits since the MSTF arrived. Advocates are calling for clearer policies and required reporting.

Artwalk, street fair and festivals brighten an overcast Saturday

jcallahan@dailymemphian.com (Jody Callahan) — Sat, 3 Oct 2026 16:53:53 -0500

Memphians had quite a few fall festivals to visit Saturday, including the newcomer Evergreen Street Fair.

Most everyone, maybe even the 9-year-old who said 'nope' to a kayak ride, enjoyed exploring the Wolf River Greenway

jcallahan@dailymemphian.com (Jody Callahan) — Mon, 28 Sep 2026 16:25:52 -0500

Dozens of volunteers took part in an “Adventure Day on the Greenway” in North Memphis Saturday to not only help clean up the area but also to discover what the trail was all about.

SpaceXAI offers to buy out some Southaven residents over lawsuit

jcallahan@dailymemphian.com (Jody Callahan) — Sat, 26 Sep 2026 14:13:46 -0500

SpaceXAI offers to buy real estate from some Southaven residents if they pledge not to join a class-action lawsuit filed in June over the company’s North Mississippi power plant.