Zach Kleiman brings Grizzlies fans a night of shockers
Josh Giddey, Jonathan Kuminga and Franz Wagner were gone, so surely Memphis would pick Moses Moody or James Bouknight. But the Grizzlies’ vice president of basketball operations had other ideas.
NBA draft: Grizzlies pick Ziaire Williams at No. 10
Williams struggled in his lone college season at Stanford, but he impressed enough to go in the top 10. Grizzlies trade up to 1st round, select Aldama of Loyola in MarylandRelated stories:
Calkins: Just don’t be surprised if Grizzlies draft shockers work out
The Grizzlies stunned the NBA universe twice Thursday night, first by taking Ziaire Williams at No. 10, then by taking Santi Aldama at No. 40. But given the team’s recent success in the draft, should we really be surprised if the Grizzlies hit on their picks?
Herrington: Grizzlies surprise on multiple fronts with confident, risky draft night
It was smoke-screen season, and when it came to draft-night prognostication, the smoke got in the eyes of even the high-profile specialists.
Grizzlies/NBA draft blog: Where the Grizz stand
Beat writer Drew Hill and columnists Geoff Calkins and Chris Herrington will post blog posts, stories and columns as events develop for the Grizzlies.
No new mask mandates, for now
The next health directive will offer clearer guidance on when and where to mask, but Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris said he does not expect additional restrictions or mask mandates at this time.
Homicides up 14.6% over year ago
The city is on track to exceed last year’s record 332 homicides. Violent deaths are up 14.6% in 2021 compared to the same time period last year.
Tennessee Republicans remain low-key on call for vaccination
While many Republican leaders nationwide are now calling more strongly for COVID vaccinations in light of the Delta variant, Tennessee’s leading Republicans have remained more muted.
Germantown adding student to school board
Germantown’s Board of Education will add a high school student to its board this fall. He or she will be selected by the Houston High principal and provide student insight to the board.
Ridgeway Trace shopping center sells for $38 million
Ridgeway Trace shopping center operates at a prime junction for Memphis retail: Interstate 240 and Poplar. The property changed hands this week.
The To-Do List: Live music, hoops, stargazing
This week Lucero frontman Ben Nichols will play a solo acoustic birthday show and septuagenarian gospel artist Elizabeth King, flanked by some ace Memphis sidemen, will perform a live score to a pioneering work of Black cinema.
City Council requires masks, limits attendance at sessions
A week after welcoming the public back to its sessions at City Hall, the Memphis City Council is reinstituting pandemic measures starting with the Tuesday, Aug. 3, committee sessions and the full meeting of the council later in the day.
TDOT: Bridge reopens eastbound by Monday morning
Eastbound traffic will resume by Monday, Aug. 2, and westbound lanes will reopen Friday, Aug. 6. Crews will continue some work on the Hernando DeSoto Bridge even after the span across the Mississippi River resumes.
Memphis football’s Black assistants cautiously optimistic about their future
“Stay true to what you do and try not to worry about the outside factors,” Tigers defensive line coach Kyle Pope said.
FIREBIRD blends modern dance, sculpture at uncommon space
After making a splash with last fall’s BVOE, Off the Walls Arts returns with FIREBIRD, blending modern dance and sculpture at its unconventional South Memphis arts space.
City Council Scorecard: The impact of Memphis 3.0 where commercial and residential meet
The Council Scorecard follows the saga of a used car lot in Raleigh that has come to symbolize the complexity of trying to move toward less-intense commercial development on major roads that have neighborhoods just behind them.
Listen to Jennifer Biggs shame Eric Barnes and Chris Herrington
Eric Barnes’ disgrace begins with orange juice and ends with an embarrassing confession about Chili-flavored Fritos.
Sanford: New Health Department director weathered unnecessary political storm
Otis Sanford says the dispute between Mayor Lee Harris and County Commissioner Mark Billingsley seems to portend the year ahead for politics in Shelby County.
Consolidation talk returns 11 years after last voters nixed last effort
The first step would be a commission to draft a charter for a combined city of Memphis and Shelby County government covering Memphis and unincorporated Shelby County but not the six suburban towns and cities.
Metro
Judge denies request to restrict Highway Patrol’s immigration enforcement
A federal judge will not temporarily restrict how the Tennessee Highway Patrol works with federal immigration authorities, ruling the Tennessee Immigrant and Refugee Rights Coalition had not shown enough evidence to justify immediate court intervention.
Public Safety Shooter wounded by Task Force agent sentenced to 18 years in prison
Premium Business Shelby County tourist spending dipped in 2025
Elections Independent contenders make waves in race for governor
Metro Colin Kaepernick to appear in Memphis
Business
After nearly 200 years, First Pres seeks to sell historic Downtown property
The second oldest church in Memphis, First Presbyterian Church has been at the corner of Poplar Avenue and B.B. King Boulevard since 1832. After 194 years, its flock is searching for a new home.
Premium Business Shelby County tourist spending dipped in 2025
Premium Transportation & Logistics Gallaway is pumped for Buc-ee’s to open next year
Premium Health Care VA Medical Center chief talks upgrades to Memphis facility: ‘Veterans deserve the best’
Business AutoZone sees ‘more normalized’ inflation ahead after quarter of cost pressures
Sports
Grizzlies’ day of service becomes lesson in purpose
Olivier-Maxence Prosper said his parents taught him to give more than he receives. On Wednesday, he gave his time serving Memphis’ unhoused community.
Premium Memphis Grizzlies Hill: 20 things I’ve thought about before Memphis Grizzlies training camp
Premium Sports Redbirds squander chances, drop Game 1 of playoffs
High School Sports ECS soccer hands Lausanne first defeat
High School Sports Fayette Academy junior’s rapid improvement brings region golf title
Food
Table Talk: Ronnie Grisanti’s rolls out an $11 bar menu
Ronnie Grisanti’s executive manager wants to bring people back into the restaurant instead of just watching the “food go out the door.”
Premium Food News When diners want a meal with a side of conversation
Suburbs
Arlington commission approves site plan for new church
The Arlington Planning Commission has approved a new church — Donelson Oaks Church of Christ. Until it is finished, the congregation meets at a visitors center along Interstate 40.
Premium Collierville Most Collierville aldermen say they wouldn’t have fired Selberg
Arts & Culture
Memphis Art Museum commissions works for the roof down to the garage
On its grand opening day, the new Memphis Art Museum will have four site-specific installations.
Chris Herrington Memphis Movies This Week: ‘Primetime,’ Dolly Parton’s ‘Nine to Five’
Opinion
Opinion: On economic development, Tennesseans should ask themselves, ‘Why not Japan?’
“Japan has long been a friend in adversity, investing in Memphis amid political and racial turmoil 50 years ago when it became our first Memphis in May guest.”
Chris Herrington Memphis Movies This Week: ‘Primetime,’ Dolly Parton’s ‘Nine to Five’
Podcasts
The AM/DM podcast: Revisiting Mongo’s legacy
After Robert Hodges, aka Prince Mongo, died in August, many in Memphis celebrated the so-called alien from Zambodia. But others told stories of a dark side.
Metro The AM/DM podcast: Restaurant roundup
Games
Daily Jigsaw: Raising Tigers
Today’s puzzle features 13-month-old Ava Calahan at the newly renovated Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium. Greg Campbell took the photo.