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
Most computers have 1 GPU. Colossus II might exceed 1M by year’s end.
Elon Musk confirmed on X that additional graphics processing units are coming, and his company said Colossus II will be America’s largest grid-connected battery pack to support the computing power.
Premium The Early Word The Early Word: Locals sue SpaceXAI over noise; wings take over taco spot
Metro The AM/DM podcast: Fall festival season begins
Public Safety Task Force’s 1-year mark comes with questions
Premium Shelby County At street renaming, Lee Harris said he doesn’t know how much Regional One has cost
Business
Two years after opening, Starbucks on Covington to close
Starbucks is planning to close about 1% of its 18,000 North America locations.
Premium Business Texas company says SpaceXAI owes them almost $2M
Premium Real Estate New stores and development signify a growing Millington
Premium Transportation & Logistics Memphis residents sue SpaceXAI over ‘roaring’ turbines at Southaven plant
Premium Real Estate After nearly 200 years, First Pres seeks to sell historic Downtown property
Sports
Grizzlies podcast: Most intriguing preseason figures
Drew Hill and Chris Herrington rank their 10 most intriguing Memphis Grizzlies figures ahead of team media day.
High School Sports SpaceXAI construction causing crisis for Frank Horton Classic races
Memphis Grizzlies Memphis Grizzlies waive D’Angelo Russell ahead of training camp
Sports Ole Miss and Florida head to Swamp clash following big wins
Memphis Tigers Football American Conference not looking to expand, despite reported interest from schools
Food
Two years after opening, Starbucks on Covington to close
Starbucks is planning to close about 1% of its 18,000 North America locations.
Premium Food News Food Files: American comfort food takes over former Maciel’s space
Suburbs
Collierville owes Molly Mehner $235,000 as part of agreement
Collierville owes the former town administrator $235,000, according to an open records request. The terms were outlined in her separation agreement.
Premium Suburbs Bailey: A pass through the suburbs from elections to Bodine to coverage of Collierville drama
Arts & Culture
Arts Beat: 10 must-see October concerts
October concerts in the Memphis area include Lakecia Benjamin, The Avett Brothers, Amy Grant, Brittney Spencer, Bryson Tiller, Hayley Williams, and Morris Day and the Time and The S.O.S. Band.
Music Gonerfest is here, and so are the unofficial afterparties
Opinion
Bailey: A pass through the suburbs from elections to Bodine to coverage of Collierville drama
A weekly tour through suburban coverage, this time featuring elections, an appeal of the Bodine School expansion and details of the Collierville drama.
Premium Otis Sanford Sanford: Political fighting in Memphis and across America is hurting local Democrats
Podcasts
Grizzlies podcast: Most intriguing preseason figures
Drew Hill and Chris Herrington rank their 10 most intriguing Memphis Grizzlies figures ahead of team media day.
Sound Bites Sound Bites: Memphis Farmers Market sampling of pork rinds, peas and pepper bacon
Games
Daily Jigsaw: St. Jude Rides
Today’s puzzle features one of the more than 300 motorcyclists who took part in the 20th annual St. Jude rides event. Mark Weber took the photo.