Memphis Local, Sports, Business & Food News | Daily Memphian | Opinion

Opinion: DA Mulroy on criminal justice data and accountability

editor@dailymemphian.com (Steve Mulroy) — Thu, 9 Apr 2026 13:54:09 -0500

“Delays in handling cases, jail-intake processing delays, the “solve rate” for crimes, the repeat-offender rate — these are all worthy objects of emphasis ... . But they may not fit the right (so to speak) political agenda.”

Opinion: In the face of unprecedented danger, Memphis police officers answer the call

john.covington@memphispoliceassociation.org (John Covington) — Thu, 9 Apr 2026 13:55:53 -0500

“May we never forget those we’ve lost. May we never take for granted those who still stand watch. And may we always remember that every day, in a city where danger is always present, Memphis police officers continue to answer the call.”

Opinion: The call is around us all the time. The trick is to recognize and respond.

rmaxey@dailymemphian.com (Ron Maxey) — Mon, 6 Apr 2026 13:41:08 -0500

“The trick is to recognize and respond. That’s easy when the call is a call to appreciate life’s blessings. It’s a bit trickier when it’s a call to endure hardships. With those, it’s easier to forget.”

Echols: How all the broken pieces reveal the essence of Easter

candaceecholswrites@gmail.com (Candace Echols) — Sun, 5 Apr 2026 04:00:00 -0500

“Disorder does not only lead to crime. Disorder can also be the kingdom of light. It’s about hope. Light emerges from the hammer blows.” Is this not the essence of Easter?

Opinion: Memphis must demand more from industrial polluters

editor@dailymemphian.com (LaTricea Adams) — Fri, 3 Apr 2026 15:35:11 -0500

“If a company’s business model depends on the exploitation of a Black city and the enrichment of a few power brokers at the top, we don’t want them here.”

Opinion: Data raises questions about accountability in the criminal justice system

editor@dailymemphian.com (Leslie Taylor) — Wed, 1 Apr 2026 12:39:06 -0500

The performance of the criminal justice system can’t be assessed without knowing the full picture. We have regular and reliable reporting from law enforcement agencies, but why don’t we have the same expectation for the district attorney and court clerks?

Calkins: Iranians in Memphis say 'It's torture to even explain.'

gcalkins@dailymemphian.com (Geoff Calkins) — Mon, 6 Apr 2026 17:48:21 -0500

The Daily Memphian asked local Iranians how they feel about the war. The prevailing sentiment? “The bombs do not scare us; what scares us is the war ending and the Islamic Republic still ruling Iran.”

Opinion: We can add new housing and preserve stable neighborhoods

editor@dailymemphian.com (Emily Bishop) — Sun, 29 Mar 2026 04:00:14 -0500

“Memphis does not have to choose between growth and stability. By directing density to the right places, supporting homeownership, investing in transit, and revitalizing neglected corridors, we can achieve both.”

Opinion: Art is enduring

dcarpenter@dcamemphis.com (Doug Carpenter) — Sat, 28 Mar 2026 15:09:56 -0500

“We should recognize the power of art as an ever-evolving representation of who we are as a city.”

Opinion: In Memphis, school decisions carry history. This one carries hope.

editor@dailymemphian.com (Tim Ware) — Sat, 28 Mar 2026 15:11:27 -0500

“The leadership of the Memphis Grizzlies Preparatory Charter School and Believe Memphis Academy Charter School have begun a conversation about merging.”

Opinion: 'Justice, safety, solidarity, law and order — in Memphis, they have to be the same project'

editor@dailymemphian.com (Christian Man) — Sun, 22 Mar 2026 15:46:38 -0500

“Amid the frustrating recruitment challenges facing the Memphis Police Department, I would like to turn our attention to a different critical element of our public safety architecture: the frontline civic organizations engaged in violence-reduction efforts.”

Outgoing FedEx St. Jude Championship leader: 'To the city of Memphis — thank you'

editor@dailymemphian.com (Joe Tomek) — Sat, 21 Mar 2026 04:00:02 -0500

Before FESJC’s outgoing Executive Director Joe Tomek leaves for Australia, he has some advice for Memphians.

Opinion: Survey shows support for local police — and for hiring more of them

wgibbons@memphis.edu (Bill Gibbons) — Sun, 15 Mar 2026 04:00:04 -0500

“With strong overall positive feelings about local police coupled with a very strong desire for more officers, we need a major effort to recruit and retain people of good character and a sense of public service to be in local law enforcement.”

Echols: 'Not understanding each other' is hardly limited to different languages

candaceecholswrites@gmail.com (Candace Echols) — Sun, 15 Mar 2026 04:00:04 -0500

“The cacophony of languages rising from the upstairs coziness of this one tiny coffee shop in a small foreign village brings back wonderful memories for me as well as excitement for my children.”

Echols: 'What wrestling with God has looked like for me'

candaceecholswrites@gmail.com (Candace Echols) — Sun, 8 Mar 2026 11:26:59 -0500

“When the story of who God is and what he has done for humanity comes to light, the risk of offense is high, granted, but the potential for bellyaching laughter is even higher. And one outweighs the other every time.”

Guest Column: Remembering a legacy of courage, perseverance and love

editor@dailymemphian.com (Michele Phillips) — Sat, 7 Mar 2026 04:00:06 -0600

“We can take inspiration and hope from Lynda Lowery’s example. Every day, we see young people realize they have a voice and start to use it. As adults, we should be called to do the same.”

Opinion: Displaying the Ten Commandments in schools is a monumental error

editor@dailymemphian.com (Joseph Ryan Kelly) — Fri, 6 Mar 2026 04:00:09 -0600

“Someone will be forced to decide which biblical version to display and how to number the commandments. Any such choice would privilege one religious tradition over others.”

Opinion: Senator Hagerty on 'Making Memphis the safest city in America'

editor@dailymemphian.com (Bill Hagerty) — Thu, 5 Mar 2026 15:59:17 -0600

“One of the great gifts of public service is the ability to make an outsized difference for your fellow citizens. I would never have imagined earlier in my life I could help make Memphis safe and marketable.”

Opinion: Add library workers to the civil service without unnecessary steps

wayne.dowdy@memphistn.gov (G. Wayne Dowdy) — Wed, 4 Mar 2026 14:20:50 -0600

“I hope that the citizens of Memphis will vote for the referendum granting civil service protection to library workers, and that library employees be re-hired for jobs they secured through a fair and competitive process.”

Opinion: In a college search, the student is the constant

bbrooks@stmarysschool.org (Beverly Brooks ) — Wed, 4 Mar 2026 14:15:29 -0600

“Where your child goes to college will never be as important as what they do when they get there. Let your students take charge, take risks and know that they’re going to be OK. You are, too.”