Calkins: Ja Morant is back. But he’s ‘uncomfortable’ in his return.
Ja Morant may be back — but he’s not exactly himself. Given everything that has happened in his life lately, isn’t that a good thing?
Ja Morant discusses mental health ahead of return
The superstar guard stepped behind a microphone for the first time since rejoining the Memphis Grizzlies following a suspension for conduct detrimental to the league. Herrington: Morant is set to return, but the Grizzlies weren’t just waiting aroundRelated story:
Tigers look for quarterback Seth Henigan to take full control of the team
Memphis quarterback Seth Henigan is entering his third year as the starter and offensive coordinator Tim Cramsey wants to see his leadership jump to the next level.
Cummings K-8 Optional School ceiling repairs in the works
A tentative repair contract shows a projected final completion date of Aug. 15, a week after the new school year is set to start.
Memphis seeing more state troopers not just on highways but on ‘our city streets’
Local and state officials hope to continue to see more Tennessee Highway Patrol officers in Memphis and Shelby County, a number that could be helped by a potential $10,000 bonus each year for any trooper assigned to the area.
Party bus rules pass first checkpoint
Memphis City Council members advance an ordinance for party buses. Supporters of the ordinance cite a lack of regulations and public disturbance problems for Downtown patrons.
Memphis mayoral residency referendum clears first reading
A charter amendment that would require candidates for Memphis mayor and City Council to live in the city at least a year before election day could be headed to voters in 2024.
MLGW power provider bid process was flawed, consultants say
In the summer of 2022, the price of natural gas spiked. While the rest of the companies interested in MLGW’s power supply contract adjusted their prices, TVA was still using pricing prior to that time. Their bid came in lower, and everyone else’s came in higher — much higher.
Horn Lake will allow sale of medical marijuana
Horn Lake joins Olive Branch, Hernando and DeSoto County in its decision to opt in to the state program.
Scooter’s Coffee drive-thrus planned for Memphis area
A Midwestern coffee chain is looking at a new location in Arlington. The town’s Planning Commission considered the application at its meeting earlier this week.
Collierville ponders updates to nepotism policy
Collierville is updating its nepotism policy, allowing a wider range of applicants for open positions.
MPD averages 5.5 auto theft arrests per day
The MPD figures came during an update on specialized units during a Memphis City Council Committee meeting Tuesday, March 21.
City Council could seek $15M in MPD raises, possibly with tax increase
The Memphis City Council could consider boosting Memphis Police Department pay by $15 million and it could take a tax increase to do it.
MSCS State of the District 2023: Better teacher pay, a new facilities plan and an academics review
Interim Superintendent Toni Williams said a 10-year plan is in the works that would entail looking at building utilization, enrollment, school combinations, new buildings and wrap-around services for students.
Dillon Brooks suspended one game for 18th technical foul
The Grizzlies guard will miss his third game this season due to a suspension. He leads the NBA in technical fouls with 18.
Tigers Basketball Insider: Here’s who Memphis is targeting in transfer portal
Penny Hardaway and the Tigers will be aggressive in the transfer portal again.
Morant to return; Grizzlies held steady without him
A funny thing happened in Morant’s absence, or maybe didn’t happen: While Morant’s season was sidetracked, the team’s was not.
Buster’s owners opening butcher shop next door
“We’re excited. We feel like the market is underserved for independent butchers, and it’s great that we’ll have butchers who know to cook,” said one of the store’s owners.
Citywide LED streetlight replacement program begins
Memphis will spend $42 million to replace all 77,000 of its high-pressure sodium streetlights by the end of the year — a move that is equivalent to taking about 10,000 cars off the road.
Metro
Memphis receives EPA funding to clean contaminated areas
This marks the first time since 2009 that a city in Tennessee was granted one of these funds.
City of Memphis Rigged wiring kills four children in South Memphis apartment fire
Business
Memphis’ health care and life science industry grows despite pandemic
“When we say we have the highest concentration of Black talent in health care and life science, the companies we’re recruiting to Memphis sit up and pay attention,” said Gwyn Fisher, chief economic development officer of the Greater Memphis Chamber.
Business St. Jude Memphis Marathon coming Dec. 2, registration underway
Sports
Grizzlies Insider: Memphis one of five teams still searching for first Finals trip
Let’s take a spin around the NBA and Grizzlies world in the early stages of the offseason.
Memphis Tigers Basketball DeAndre Williams seeks avenue for return to Memphis
Food
Rapper 2 Chainz restaurant to go before design board
Esco Restaurant & Tapas is scheduled to open this year on the ground floor of the 200 S. Second parking garage at 156 Lt. George Lee Ave.
Suburbs
DeSoto County Schools proposes fiscal year 2023-24 budget
There was no property tax increase in a DeSoto County Schools budget presentation to its Board of Education Thursday.
Neighborhoods
Memphis Parks’ outdoor pools set to open Saturday
The City of Memphis pushed back the opening of its public pools a week this summer, partly due to a nationwide lifeguard shortage.
Arts & Culture
In advance of today’s groundbreaking, Brooks raises $135M for Downtown museum
“The astonishing thing about this campaign is that the first $100 million was raised without a rendering or a clear visual of what the new museum will look like.”Related story:
Opinion
Herrington: Even amid Morant uncertainty, Grizzlies ‘all in’ era starts this summer
As Memphis embarks on the NBA offseason, it does so with once-unexpected notes of both certainty and uncertainty.
Podcasts
Behind the Headlines: Reporter’s roundtable discusses Greenlaw Community Center
The change in position on enforcing a youth curfew and how Greenlaw Community Center might figure into that is among the topics discussed on a “Behind The Headlines” reporter’s roundtable.