Grizzlies Mailbag: Rebuilding strategies, roster speculation and the NBA schedule
As the NBA's free agency period approaches, we dip into the Grizzlies Mailbag to field questions from readers.
Meet SCS Superintendent Joris Ray’s leadership team
Of the 10 cabinet members who remain from the previous administration, six received raises since the beginning of the calendar year — increases ranging from about 4% to 31%, according to district data. The other four did not receive raises.
11 Memphis charter school applications rejected
“The state has pretty clear criteria for what an academic plan should look like, what an operational plan should look like and what a financial plan should look like. None of those schools really met that criteria,” said Bradley Leon, Shelby County Schools chief of strategy and performance management.
Shelby County Commission votes to approve SCS budget minus $7.5 million increase
Shelby County School's $1.4 billion budget was approved Thursday by the County Commission. The district had asked for a $7.5 million funding increase, but the commission did not increase its maintenance of effort funding to the schools.
Kitchen Talk: Adrian Arcuri
At Elemento in Crosstown Concourse, Adrian Arcuri makes his own mozzarella and burrata. Making burrata is a fun experience, but you can also buy it the cheese counter at several local grocery stores. Paired with olive oil and a ripe tomato, it makes a perfect summer dinner.
‘Goofy’ Lance Thomas is comedy relief for serious Tigers
Lance Thomas is adding to his collection of embarrassing photos of his teammates.
Metro
Germantown has low voter turnout despite mayoral referendum
Nearly 33,000 people are registered to vote in Germantown, but only 3,513 have voted, according to the Shelby County Election Commission.
2026 elections Elections Early-voter turnout spikes in last days
City of Memphis Man who attempted to kidnap Mayor Young indicted federally
Music The AM/DM podcast: Cue the music
Premium The Early Word The Early Word: Ted Townsend is out, and Baron Von Opperbean is in
Business
Memphis-based event agency acquired by private equity firm
LEO Events announced it has been bought by Hoffmann Family of Cos. LEO Events employs more than 100 people.
Premium Business Ted Townsend out as Chamber president
Premium Business Food Files: Flame Ramen is back Downtown, paired with coffee and tea
Premium Health Care Baptist Memorial breaks ground on $27M Fayette County hospital
Premium Real Estate Locals buy East Memphis hotel for $5.5 million
Sports
Memphis Tigers land a big man in transfer portal
Corneilous Williams averaged 12.2 points and 9.3 rebounds last season. He ranked in the 90th percentile nationally for offensive rebounding percentage at 12.9%.
Premium Memphis Tigers Basketball Viral sensation Luke Almodovar brings high-flying talent to Memphis
Memphis Tigers Basketball Southern Miss’ Tylik Weeks commits to Memphis
Memphis Tigers Basketball Kansas State’s strength and conditioning coach joining Tigers staff
Premium Spirit of Memphis Calkins: The best young athlete in Memphis? Noah Schepman is an inspiration on wheels.
Food
Food Files: Flame Ramen is back Downtown, paired with coffee and tea
It’s all openings this week with TacoNGanas, Bloom Bakery & Cafe, Playa Bowls and Brain Food Memphis.
$15 Deals $15 Deal: Kat’s Sourdough’s lox bagel
Suburbs
Germantown has low voter turnout despite mayoral referendum
Nearly 33,000 people are registered to vote in Germantown, but only 3,513 have voted, according to the Shelby County Election Commission.
High School Sports Houston strikes twice late to salvage draw with rival Collierville
Arts & Culture
Arts Beat: Meet Memphis Art & Fashion Week’s featured designers
Runway at the Museum includes six featured designers, most of whom are local.
The Sidebar: Eric Barnes on arts, culture & more For local Fashion Week, ‘Memphis is the host’
Opinion
Calkins: The best young athlete in Memphis? Noah Schepman is an inspiration on wheels.
When Noah Schepman was one, his dad built him a tiny wheelchair. Now Schepman’s tennis coach calls him “the fastest kid — on feet or wheels — that I’ve ever seen.”
2026 elections Otis Sanford Sanford: Time for Big Shelby to come to the table — and vote
Podcasts
For local Fashion Week, ‘Memphis is the host’
For Ramona Sonin, her life in fashion started when she was a kid and got her first pair of white go-go boots. She joins Eric Barnes on this week’s “The Sidebar” podcast to talk about Memphis Art & Fashion Week 2026.
Grizzlies Podcast Grizzlies Podcast: NBA Draft guard prospects
Games
Daily Jigsaw: Farmers market flowers
This jigsaw puzzle is a photo of flowers at the Hernando Farmers Market and was provided by DeSoto County Tourism.