For John Konchar’s most devoted fan, Friday’s game mattered
Eight Grizzlies rested against the Kings; all the better for one 18-year-old with a very specific Twitter page.
Box score: Grizzlies 107, Kings 106
May 14, 2021: The Grizzlies defeated the Sacramento Kings at FedExForum, 107-106.
Mask mandate lifted for fully vaccinated in Shelby County
New rule goes into effect at 12:01 a.m. Saturday, May 15.
Arkansas confirms bridge may have been damaged since 2019
Drone footage shows the Hernando DeSoto Bridge may have been damaged since 2019.
State concludes health department needs more training, better chain of command
A Tennessee Department of Health report on Shelby County vaccine distribution problems recommends more training and establishing a clear chain of command but concluded no one needs to get revaccinated.
Barbecue fest live stream: Shoulder and whole hog winners
Jennifer Biggs provides live coverage of the Memphis in May World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest.
Teams of Barbecue: Hog Wild-Competition Team
Ernie Mellor leads Hog Wild-Competition Team, which he started in in 1994 after competing with another team before that.
Rendezvous ribs delivered to stalled barges before river traffic resumed
Before they left, barges stuck on either side of the Hernando DeSoto Bridge received a delivery of Rendezvous ribs to see them on their way.
Mississippi River reopens to boat and barge traffic
The Mississippi River reopened to boat and barge traffic this morning, the United States Coast Guard said Friday, May 14.
3 new projects emerge, totaling $62M in investments, 200-plus jobs
Walgreens plans a new distribution center in Memphis with 200 jobs. Ampro plans a $30 million expansion in Frayser. And an old shopping center with a huge presence in the Heights neighborhood may be renovated.
FedEx, Wright Medical seek waiver for tax-incentive obligations
Companies receiving tax incentives from the EDGE Board are supposed to meet their commitments for the number of employees coming to the workplace. But because so many employees worked from home during the pandemic last year, some companies are seeking a waiver.
New program offers array of help to Downtown retailers
The Downtown Retailer Rx program will offer expert guidance and $1,000 to $5,000 grants to help Downtown’s businesses rebound from the pandemic.
Coach: 901 FC will bring its hard hats to the pitch this year
First-year head coach likes team’s work ethic in advance of Saturday’s season opener in Birmingham.
Herrington: Season MVPs Valanciunas, Brooks bring throwback style to ‘next gen’ Grizz
The big man and the tenacious defender have proven undeniable worth and effectiveness this season.
Academy prospect with local ties and two loanees join 901 FC
Tycho Collins, the team’s first academy signing, has had trials in England, the Netherlands and China.
About Town: Film lot, new Y could create economic spark in Whitehaven
A proposed 85-acre film lot and new YMCA are two ongoing projects in Whitehaven – though each are on significantly different timelines.
Central Station, The Commonwealth earn historic honors
The adaptive reuse and preservation of two historic, Downtown buildings have received recognition by the Tennessee Historical Commission.
Coronavirus: More than 150 new cases reported
The Shelby County Health Department reported 159 new coronavirus cases and two new deaths.
Metro
The Early Word: Mass shooter’s massive sentence, MSCS’ big job ahead
Germantown sexual-solicitation case heads to a grand jury, microbreweries may finally be allowed in Collierville and JJJ gets into crypto.
Metro Tennessee town considers deal to turn closed prison into immigration detention facility
State Government Gubernatorial candidate John Rose has ‘epiphany’ on crime in Memphis
Midtown Memphis Zoo’s only male lion dies
Business
Inked: MUS project breaks ground; nail salon comes to Memphis
The groundbreaking marks the beginning of phase one of the school’s $200 million campus improvement project, which includes three phases at the 95-acre campus at 6191 Park Ave.
Premium Transportation & Logistics FedEx exec will get multimillion-dollar cash payout
Premium Real Estate One Beale developer combines its two Hyatt hotels
Premium Spirit of Memphis ‘We will keep flying, Fred’: Mourners honor FedEx founder
Sports
Prep football 2025: At Melrose, last year’s lessons are this year’s foundations
Defense figures to be a strong point as Gerald and Jarrett Morrow head into their second season coaching at their alma mater.
Premium Memphis Tigers Football Want to win the American? History shows you can’t lose twice.
Premium Memphis Grizzlies Jaren Jackson Jr. gets in on crypto’s NBA wave
High School Sports Freshman runners shine at West Tennessee cross country jamboree
Food
Memphis burger joint crowns competitive-eating champ
A former Memphian returned to the city to claim the record for eating the most deep-fried Oreos at Jack Brown’s Beer & Burger Joint in Midtown.
Suburbs
Harrison achieves dream as new Altruria principal
Brennan Harrison has achieved one of her goals in education, becoming principal at Altruria Elementary in the Bartlett City Schools system.
Arts & Culture
The Orpheum is alive with the ‘Sound of Music,’ and Labubus hit the runway
On The To-Do List this week are the Memphis Chicken and Beer Fest and an Unapologetic anniversary. Plus, Like Really Creative is doing, like, a lot this week.
Opinion
Calkins: On Fred Smith’s 81st birthday, the city he loved said goodbye
Memphis threw a celebration at FedExForum that was worthy of Fred Smith’s life. Of course, Smith himself might not have liked all the fuss. He would have told us to get back to work.
Podcasts
The AM/DM podcast: How a potential grave robbery led to Graceland’s Candlelight Vigil
Fewer than two weeks after Elvis Presley died, three would-be grave robbers tried to take his body from Forest Hill Cemetery.
Games
Daily WordRow: Saying goodbye to Fred Smith
This puzzle follows some of the conventions of Wordle. You get six tries to guess each individual word.