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
The Early Word: JJJ is traded away; Green wants snow plan for side streets
Local pre-K is OK for now, Musk is one step closer to AI in space and Arlington preps for its second liquor store.
Metro The AM/DM podcast: A Ford era ends
Education Gov. Bill Lee wants $155 million to fund 20,000 new vouchers
Elections New bill would bar some Tennesseans from running for Congress
Update State Government New state budget proposes $80M for Memphis
Business
Uncovering the Legacy at 87 Adams: Downtown Memphis church will memorialize thousands
From 1855 to 1862, about 3,800 slaves were sold in what is now Calvary Episcopal Church’s parking lot. The church is shedding a light on this history, and it received a major grant for its effort.
Movers and Shakers Movers & Shakers
Premium Spirit of Memphis Seeds for lawyer’s success planted when she was a child
Winter Weather Business From Cash Saver to Kroger, stores work to restock after winter storm
Premium Business International Paper splits into two public companies, reports $23.6B in 2025 sales
Sports
Herrington: Analyzing the JJJ deal — and what’s next for the Grizzlies
Chris Herrington wades into the Jaren Jackson Jr. trade, explains what happened Tuesday and what it means and what it suggests.Related content:
Premium Geoff Calkins Calkins: Jaren Jackson had to be traded. Because it’s time for the Grizzlies to start again.
Memphis Grizzlies Grizzlies trade two-time All-Star Jaren Jackson Jr. to Utah
Premium Memphis Grizzlies Grizzlies 25: Mike Miller’s jump shot was one version of basketball beauty
Player of the Week Winter weather timeout: Catch up on Memphis’ fans choice and OrthoSouth players of the week
Food
With savory hand pies, Whisks of Doom whips up a different type of bakery
Founder Allie Trotter said Whisks of Doom was never meant to fit into traditional bakery culture, which she describes as too “cotton candy” for her taste.
Premium Spirit of Memphis Memphis caterer delivers all the way to Holly Springs — due to weather
Suburbs
Could Bartlett get rid of its property tax?
Bartlett Alderman David Reaves wants the suburb to look into eliminating property taxes, but others wonder how the suburb would make up the lost revenue.
Winter weather Arlington Suburbs pretreated roads, but still need help from Mother Nature
Arts & Culture
Pro cornhole comes to town, and the Dixon celebrates 50 years
In this week’s To-Do List, a new Pink Palace exhibit explores the science and culture of food. And Urban Earth hosts a workshop on air plants.
Premium Visual Arts Arts Beat: Satisfying our craving for crafting
Opinion
Opinion: Like Minneapolis, Memphis doesn’t have an ‘immigration problem’
“Introducing immigration enforcement into our neighborhoods does not make us safer; it fractures trust, drives fear underground and harms families who are already contributing quietly and faithfully to the life of this city.”
Premium Chris Herrington Herrington: Ty Jerome’s return, GG Jackson’s reemergence and Mike Conley nearing the end
Podcasts
The AM/DM podcast: A Ford era ends
Last year, Shelby County Commissioner Edmund Ford Jr. was charged with seven counts of federal bribery and tax evasion charges. This week, he pleaded guilty to five of them.
Metro The AM/DM podcast: The difference between Memphis and Minneapolis
Games
Sudoku: Feb. 3
Ready for today’s sudokus?