Loews hotel project wins clear path to tourism zone financing
The Tennessee General Assembly has cleared up a couple of issues that created uncertainty for a proposed $220 million Loews hotel near the Memphis Convention Center.
Calkins: With Tulane vanquished, Memphis prepares for ‘biggest game of the year, by far’
Friday's game against UCF isn't just a big game. It is, according to Memphis coach Penny Hardaway, "the biggest game of the year, by far."
Tigers’ AAC Tournament future hinges on contributions from all its seniors
Jeremiah Martin led the Tigers with 21 points in their first-round win over Tulane. But seniors Mike Parks and Kyvon Davenport had strong games, as the seniors need to chip in if Memphis is to make it to the AAC tournament finals on Sunday.
Gov. Lee reveals details about his ‘parent choice’ proposal
The Republican governor plans to pay for the program’s first year by stockpiling $25 million annually in discretionary funds for the next three years — but he’s not specifying where the money would come after that.
Planning board approves tall townhouses in Midtown
The Land Use Control board approved a proposal to build more tall townhouses in Midtown. The chairman said the tired block at 2115 Jefferson needs new investment. Many neighbors opposed the long, three-story building, arguing it dwarfs adjacent bungalows.
Daily Briefs
Metro
XAI air emissions permit valid, board says
At a hearing that displayed a clash of environmental activism and the city’s business establishment, the Memphis and Shelby County Air Pollution Control Board said the controversial air emissions permit will stand.
Shelby County County’s top public defender retiring
Metro The AM/DM podcast: What will Collierville look like in 2050?
Premium The Early Word The Early Word: City loses money on Liberty Park; Aussie PM lost his pants
Premium Metro Ask the Memphian: How did an Australian prime minister lose his pants in Memphis?
Business
Ford shifts gears: Will produce gas-powered trucks, instead of EVs at BlueOval City
The Tennessee Truck Plant could produce other vehicles in the future, but for now, it will be the auto giant’s “Built Ford Tough” models.
Premium Real Estate Grant family tree branching out with development, homebuilding efforts
Premium Business Couple with passion for baking serves thousands of customers out of home
Business The Station owner trying again for liquor license
Premium Business Charlie’s Meat Market’s temporary closure could turn permanent
Sports
Anatomy of a hire: How the Memphis Tigers zeroed in on Charles Huff
A road trip in a van whose passengers included a member of a powerful Memphis family aided the search for the Tigers’ 26th head football coach. They agreed on someone Ed Scott had heard speak long before Ryan Silverfield left for Arkansas.
Premium Memphis Grizzlies Herrington: With Zach Edey on the shelf, the Grizzlies focus shifts to ‘Ja & Jaren’ again
Player of the Week Vote for the high school boys basketball player of the week, Week 3
Player of the Week Vote for the high school girls basketball player of the week, Week 3
Premium Memphis Tigers Basketball Takeaways from Memphis’ blowout road loss to No. 11 Louisville
Food
What to order: Park + Cherry’s mushroom and butternut squash risotto
Park + Cherry recently debuted a fall/winter menu, and it’s full of seasonal goodness to take the edge off winter’s chill.
Premium Business Couple with passion for baking serves thousands of customers out of home
Suburbs
The AM/DM podcast: What will Collierville look like in 2050?
It’s the last full, holiday-free week of the year and time to get business done.
Premium Collierville Upgrades to Collierville’s backup dispatch center will have huge impact — but not on the budget
Arts & Culture
‘One Battle After Another,’ ‘Sinners’ win big with Southeastern film critics
Paul Thomas Anderson’s topical action-comedy romp “One Battle After Another” and Ryan Coogler’s Delta-set horror period piece “Sinners” dominated this year’s awards vote of the Southeastern Film Critics Association.
Arts & Culture Champagne dreams: Where to party on New Year’s Eve
Opinion
Herrington: With Zach Edey on the shelf, the Grizzlies focus shifts to ‘Ja & Jaren’ again
The Grizzlies are starting all over again: Evaluating the ability of co-stars Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr. to elevate this team while still waiting to get whole again.
Premium Guest Columnists Opinion: Chanukah is about the strength of faith and finding light even in the darkest of times
Podcasts
The AM/DM podcast: What will Collierville look like in 2050?
It’s the last full, holiday-free week of the year and time to get business done.
Metro The AM/DM podcast: Wheel of Fortune, ‘Friday’ party and Phillips on a float
Games
Daily WordRow: Dec. 15
Are you a Wordle fan? Try WordRow, a similar game. It’s free to play.