Liberty Park breaks ground after 14 years and three mayors
The Monday, June 14, groundbreaking starts with a youth sports complex that is the centerpiece of the $126 million project about where the Libertyland amusement park once stood.
Memphis Grizzlies at the Olympics — maybe?
In May, Dillon Brooks and Brandon Clarke accepted invites to Team Canada’s training camp. Jonas Valanciunas will try to help Lithuania qualify. But what about Ja Morant?
Emhoff coming Wednesday to encourage COVID vaccinations
Douglas Emhoff was just in the city last month to push the Biden administration’s infrastructure plan.
SCS approves $2.2 billion budget
Shelby County Schools approved a proposed budget of $2.2 billion to be presented to the County Commission on Wednesday, June 16.
Germantown reviews peewee fields, moves budget to final reading
The final reading for Germantown’s budget is scheduled for June 28. The board also approved taking the first step toward acquiring soccer fields for the city’s youngest athletes.
Collierville adopts $90.3 million budget, sets property tax rate
Collierville adopted its 2021-22 budget Monday. To support the budget, aldermen also approved a tax rate of $1.72.
Collierville Target closed after fire ‘on grocery aisle’
Collierville’s Target is closed after a weekend fire. There is no set reopening date, but the closure is expected to be about a month.
Latest I-55 travel times show almost smooth sailing on Monday
Instead of the traffic jams varying wildly throughout the hours of each day, this past week’s data showed the same delays for blocks of time.
FedEx increases dividend payments
The dividends will be payable July 12 to people on record as stockholders by the close of business June 28.
Germantown earmarks federal funds for infrastructure
Germantown is expecting about $10.5 million in American Rescue Plan funds. The money will be invested in infrastructure, with the majority going towards drainage.
West Cancer, Saint Francis announcing new partnership
Saint Francis Healthcare and West Cancer Center are joining forces to offer new access to cancer care.
Mud Island renovations hit supply chain problems, cash delays
The shortened park season opened with water in the Riverwalk. But other parts of the upgrade in the 39-year-old attraction have been delayed. Meanwhile, there was an attempt on the City Council to get the park’s long-dormant monorail up and running again that didn’t pan out.
Redbirds catcher Tyler ‘Heindini’ Heineman’s magic goes viral
The journeyman taught himself how to perform magic and uses his skills to loosen things up if it’s a tense clubhouse.
Interim MPD chief Mike Ryall retires after 38 years
He said policing has been his ministry. “I’ve always had a heart for helping those that really could not make that next step by themselves, and they needed some assistance,” he said. “I love God, and I just feel like His hand has been over me to drive that badge forward in a ministry type way.”
General Assembly committee leadership short on diversity
Since Bill Haslam was elected governor in 2010, Republicans have held control of Tennessee’s state government, with the party controlling the trifecta of the House, Senate and governor’s office. No Black politician has chaired a full, standing committee since then.
Metro
Main Street will soon get new banners
Four designs will be displayed on the Main Street Mall and will highlight and celebrate the city’s identity.
Shelby County Lakeland’s Wesley Wright won’t run for Shelby County Commission
City of Memphis Cohen questions FBI leader about National Guard in Memphis
Spirit of Memphis Businessman, entrepreneur Walker Uhlhorn dies at 88
Business
XAI subsidiary subleases 550+ acres for solar panel project
The solar panel project is expected to include up to 100 megawatts, possibly more.
Business Main Street will soon get new banners
Real Estate The latest on Google’s West Memphis data center? It could add water recycling.
Movers and Shakers Movers & Shakers
Sports
Two Tigers lean on old bond to lead Memphis offense
When receiver Cortez Braham Jr. was deciding on which school to transfer to, Brendon Lewis’ pitch was simple: Choose the team with the quarterback you already know.
High School Sports Jeremiah Jordan brings grit and grind to Memphis football
Premium High School Sports Week 5 high school football preview: Germantown-Lausanne will be star-studded and physical
High School Sports In a ‘defining game,’ Houston puts seven goals past Briarcrest
Food
Table Talk: Remembering Jennifer Biggs with the mahjong ladies
MahJ Squad 901 started meeting for weekly games years ago,making every fourth meeting a luncheon that started by checking out one of Biggs’ recommendations.
Suburbs
Collierville Schools to improve cell service at high school, hears site purchase updates
Collierville Schools is hoping cell service is soon improved in the high school area. District leaders also heard an update on two sites they are purchasing.
Arts & Culture
The Daily Memphian pops up at Cooper-Young Fest
The Daily Memphian hosted a booth at the event, talking to community members and giving out swag. Did you see us?
Opinion
Calkins: Memphis has a rich history of playing the SEC. Is it coming to an end?
For almost exactly 60 years, SEC teams have been traveling to the Liberty Bowl to play Memphis in football. Saturday might be the beginning of the end.
Podcasts
The AM/DM podcast: How a new MPD position rankled the department
In the wake of Tyré Nichols’ death, the Memphis Police Department decided it had an absence of supervision in the field, and set out to fix that problem by creating a new position — the second lieutenant. But that solution caused a string of other problems.