As Ja Morant’s stardom grows, so does Grizzlies’ marketing in China
A strong social media presence — and a Chinese actress/superfan named Yang Zhiying — fuel the Memphis NBA team’s surging popularity in the world’s biggest market.
Grizzlies poke back, beat Trail Blazers again
Dillon Brooks has a way with words and defense against the Trail Blazers, who are quickly becoming a Western Conference nemesis. Related story:
Calkins: On the sweet pleasure of beating the evil Trail Blazers
On the sixth anniversary of the game in which the Portland Trail Blazers broke Mike Conley’s face, the Grizzlies swept the evil Blazers (and reminded us how intense NBA basketball can be).
Box score: Grizzlies 120, Trail Blazers 113
April 25, 2021: Grizzlies 120, Trail Blazers 113 Grizzlies poke back, beat Trail Blazers again Calkins: On the sweet pleasure of beating the evil Trail BlazersRelated stories:
Political maneuvering begins for 2022
Cary Vaughn is the new chairman of the Shelby County Republican Party as Democrats outline a long-term data-driven strategy and the county’s only Republican elected official opens her re-election campaign.
Can an advocate reduce your COVID risk? UTHSC thinks so
University of Tennessee Health Science Center has trained health coaches to work in clinics in three cities that serve medically underserved people; and it’s taking notes on what happens.
First 0-energy, 0-carbon house is still cOzy inside
The Yoakums’ new house creates more electricity than it consumes. And it’s uber-chic, complete with a pneumatic elevator tube. Plus, the home stays snug in the winter and just as comfortable in the summer.
Coronavirus: 119 new cases, 3 additional deaths
The Shelby County Health Department reported 119 new coronavirus cases and three additional deaths Sunday, April 25.
Binghampton residents fight potential Scott Street closure
While the city and TDOT’s recommendation to close the Scott-Poplar intersection came in June 2018, many neighborhood residents and property owners did not find out until late 2020. It’s left many eager to fight the closure.
‘Tony the Transformer’ bids Terminix farewell
Tony DiLucente retired from Terminix last month after quietly providing leadership during one of the most eventful periods in the history of the company formerly known as ServiceMaster.
BancorpSouth, Cadence merger will add scale, recruiting power in Memphis
BancorpSouth shareholders will own roughly 55% and Cadence shareholders will own approximately 45% of the combined company.
How your solid waste fee ballooned to $30 a month
Here is the history behind the city’s solid waste fee and how it compares to what the city’s new private contractor for Area E is being paid and what the previous contractor was being paid. Related stories: City faces critical decision on one of its most basic services
City faces critical decision on one of its most basic services
Memphis has an emergency contract with Team Waste in Area E, probably until the end of 2021. In the interim, officials are considering whether to keep using a private waste company to manage the area or expand city services to cover it. Related stories:
A short history of Area E
The solid waste route system covering Cordova, Hickory Hill and East Memphis began as a first step toward privatizing all city solid waste collections during the tenure of a different mayor. Related stories: City faces critical decision on one of its most basic services
An April playlist, and the future of live music
Tickets for Levitt Shell’s first two fundraising concerts sold out within hours, indicating that audiences are chomping at the bit for live music and shared experiences.
Metro
From Bartlett to the moon and back
At least four pairs of specialty eyeglasses for viewing eclipses traveled from Bartlett to the moon and back as part of NASA’s manned Artemis II mission to fly by the moon.
State Government TBI could get its own cold case unit
Shelby County Audit clears county clerk’s finances but still cites reporting problems
Premium Real Estate Former office space will become a creative space for charter school kids
Update Metro XAI water recycling plant on indefinite pause
Business
FedEx Freight sets goals before going public June 1
FedEx Freight leadership made their pitch to investors in New York, highlighting their push into new markets, sales team nationwide, new website and technology.
Premium Real Estate Prince Mongo sells historic Front Street building for $1.25 million
Premium Real Estate Former office space will become a creative space for charter school kids
Premium Real Estate Inked: Playspace brings sandboxes, Cooper may get cigar boxes and Arlington gets piping supplies
Movers and Shakers Movers & Shakers: Former FedEx attorney joins Adams & Reese
Sports
Grizzlies 25: Zach Randolph overcame injury to make more Memphis memories. But, oh, what might have been.
Let’s return to a moment, repeated regularly over Randolph’s eight years in Memphis, to perhaps the most romantic sight through 25 years of Grizzlies basketball: Z-Bo on the block.
Grizzlies Podcast Grizzlies podcast: Injured players talk, so does LeBron James
Premium Memphis Tigers Basketball What’s Memphis paying new women’s basketball coach Hana Haden?
Golf FedEx St. Jude Championship unveils new ticketing option that includes food, drink
Premium Sports Redbirds recap: Memphis bats dominate opener at Charlotte
Food
Table Talk: At Harbor House, soul food helps heal the mind, body
Despite being loved by foodies the world over, soul food also has a reputation for being salt-laden, artery-clogging, butter-soaked cuisine. But a Memphis-born chef wants to prove that’s not all soul food has to be.
Premium Food News The Second Line reopens in Laurelwood
Suburbs
From Bartlett to the moon and back
At least four pairs of specialty eyeglasses for viewing eclipses traveled from Bartlett to the moon and back as part of NASA’s manned Artemis II mission to fly by the moon.
North Mississippi DeSoto County district attorney highlights plunging crime rates, stiff penalties at chamber luncheon
Arts & Culture
Girls Inc. celebrates 80 years empowering girls and young women in Memphis
Sylvia Martinez, the president and CEO of Girls Inc., joins Eric Barnes on this week’s episode of “The Sidebar.”
Premium Business The Wolf named Radio Station of the Year
Opinion
Opinion: DA Mulroy on criminal justice data and accountability
“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.”
Premium Memphis Grizzlies Calkins: The Grizzlies have a problem. And it isn’t just basketball.
Podcasts
How Ballet Memphis finds ‘unique points of connection’ with audiences
Ballet Memphis’ executive director Adam Goldberg joins Eric Barnes on this week’s episode of “The Sidebar.”
The Sidebar: Eric Barnes on arts, culture & more Girls Inc. celebrates 80 years empowering girls and young women in Memphis
Games
Daily Jigsaw: Redbirds in action
Today’s puzzle is of the Memphis Redbirds opening game at AutoZone Park and was taken by Brad Vest.