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
Six officers charged after arrest of Shelby Farms murder suspect
Six West Tennessee law-enforcement officers charged after four-county pursuit and arrest of suspect in Shelby Farms killing.
Premium The Early Word The Early Word: Feds take taco truck workers; Lee offers Downtown funds
Premium City of Memphis Memphis Animal Services interim director lobbies for new shelter
Premium City of Memphis As MRPP looks for new leader, Davis happy to continue wearing new hats
Business
Inked: First Congo selling two buildings, Germantown getting new retail center
Watertower Place at Forest Hill to open in Germantown, First Congregational Church to sell two buildings and Oteka Technologies relocates.
Transportation & Logistics Memphis to get nonstop flights to Tampa, Raleigh-Durham
Health Care Inaugural UTHSC chair departs board to standing ovation
Premium Food News Food Files: 901 Hot Pot, new Half Shell to open; Razing for Cane’s begins
Sports
Tigers Basketball Insider: What Memphis’ hot-and-cold nature says about its NCAA Tournament chances
Memphis ranks No. 4 in opponent adjust, a metric created by college basketball analytics expert Evan Miyakawa.
Premium Memphis Grizzlies Herrington: Resetting the Grizzlies roster, and reassessing the West, post-deadline
Premium Memphis Tigers Basketball Buckley: Dante Harris had a point. Message delivered. That’s no fish tale.
Premium High School Sports Bartlett relay teams’ redemption story coming to the big screen
Food
Breakfast will soon be back at Barksdale restaurant
With new owners, former staffers and a ton of upgrades to the building, Barksdale’s reopening brings a mix of old and new.
Suburbs
Sherwood Brown: From death row at Parchman to freedom
Even after DNA testing showed he wasn’t the suspect who killed the three members of the Boyd family, it still took years for Sherwood Brown to get his release from custody.
Arts & Culture
For this Cordova High grad who’s on Broadway, life is a cabaret
Memphis native Calvin Leon Smith says starring in “Cabaret at the Kit Kat Club” now on Broadway feels prescient.
Opinion
Echols: We were born to sweat
“My underlying hope is that when I do A and B, the promised C will result. But you only have to live a little while to learn that’s not the way life works.”
Podcasts
CEO, chairman discuss more than seven years of The Daily Memphian
Andy Cates, who is the chairman of the board of Memphis Fourth Estate Inc. that owns and operates The Daily Memphian, and CEO Eric Barnes talk about the history of the news organization.
Games
Jigsaw: Sweet selling point
This week’s puzzle features a photo of a Girl Scouts selling beloved cookies.