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
The Early Word: Methodist’s bond rating is down, and food pop-ups are in
MATA is running out of money, TikTok is on the Supreme Court’s clock and new Collierville Mayor Maureen Fraser dishes on her fave restaurants.
Premium City of Memphis MATA has one month of expenses left, then it’s out of cash
Business
Moody’s, S&P downgrade Methodist Le Bonheur bond ratings
A downgrade signals to the investment community that the financial performance has changed enough that the probability the hospital will not be able pay its debt has gone up, said an assistant professor in finance at the University of Memphis.
Business Some believe Supreme Court will uphold TikTok ban, but Memphis-area baker is optimistic
Sports
Tigers beat writer Parth Upadhyaya’s latest AP Top 25 ballot
Where did Upadhyaya rank Memphis after a second straight close call at home — this one to an ECU team well outside the top 150 of the NCAA’s NET rankings — to an AAC foe?
Premium Memphis Tigers Football Two former Tigers have pro plans with the UFL’s Memphis Showboats
Food
Five Memphis dining trends that could define 2025
“One thing we’ve all learned since the pandemic is that change is the only constant,” restaurateur Deni Reilly said.
Suburbs
From Diet Coke to the rock band Styx, getting to know Maureen Fraser
Maureen Fraser will chair her first meeting as Collierville mayor Monday. Ahead of that, she shared some lesser known facts about her life.
Arts & Culture
Memphis musicians, Stax family remember the legendary Sam Moore
Sam Moore, one half of the legendary duo Sam & Dave, died Friday at age 89. Memphis musicians and fellow Stax alumni eulogized Moore on Saturday.Related content:
Opinion
Calkins: Sure, Taylor Jenkins screwed up. But that’s not what you should worry about.
Taylor Jenkins took the blame for the loss. It was nice of him to say. But the Grizzlies real problem may be their inability to handle the best in the West.
Podcasts
What the Live Nation venue at Crosstown can bring to Memphis
Todd Richardson, the CEO of Crosstown Concourse, joined Eric Barnes on this week’s episode of “The Sidebar” to talk not just the new venue but also all kinds of new happenings in and around Crosstown.