Gov. Lee, other TN leaders hope for gun safety laws in summer special session
During a visit to Memphis, Gov. Bill Lee said a special legislative session, likely this summer, will consider several options from him and legislators of both parties.
Wednesday prep report: Collierville-Houston draw sets up rematch in district semifinals
Results leaves Mustangs as the fourth seed for Tuesday’s semifinal matchup at Collierville.
Memphis NAACP criticizes Tennessee’s inaction on gun violence
“Here again it underlines and highlights the issue that’s going on ... here in Tennessee,” said Van Turner, president of the NAACP Memphis branch. “The inaction of our legislators has jeopardized ... many more lives to come.”
City Council member Michalyn Easter-Thomas’ seat could be in jeopardy
Michalyn Easter-Thomas, a member of the Memphis City Council, could lose her seat after taking a job with the Memphis River Parks Partnership this week.
Nichols autopsy results indicate blunt force trauma, according to attorneys
The autopsy report has not yet been released to the public, but Nichols’ family was briefed on the results Wednesday by Shelby County District Attorney General Steve Mulroy.
Memphis startup gets grant for biodegradable contraceptive implant
Hera Health Solutions, a local pharmaceutical device company, has won a Small Business Innovation Research grant from the National Science Foundation.
Memphis lands commitment from UCF transfer guard
Jayhlon Young averaged 4.5 points, 2.0 assists and 2.2 rebounds in 19.2 minutes per game last season at Central Florida.
Kendric Davis receives invite to NBA G League Elite Camp
The former Memphis Tigers star guard will have an opportunity to showcase his skills in front of NBA and NBA G League scouts, coaches and front-office executives.
Herrington: What Dillon Brooks meant to Memphis, and why he’s gone
Some much-needed perspective to Dillon the Villain’s exit from the Grizzlies following six seasons with the NBA franchise.
Former Memphis Tigers find new homes
So far, five total players from coach Penny Hardaway’s squad have opted to enter the transfer portal ahead of the May 11 deadline.Related stories:
Memphis Restaurant Association seeks answers to city’s crime problem
The area’s restaurant association wrote an open letter Wednesday to the city and county mayors about crime in a “cry for help,” according to the group’s president.
First it was COVID and restrictions; for restaurateurs, now it’s parking lot crime
As thieves target restaurant parking lots, many restaurateurs feel like they are largely on their own when it comes to protecting their guests.Related story:
Falls Building owners seek tax incentives to repurpose historic landmark
New York-based Left Lane Development LLC will ask the Downtown Memphis Commission’s Center City Revenue Finance Corp. for a 12-year PILOT for the redevelopment project.
Annesdale property sold; plans include new townhomes
The Annesdale Mansion is the fifth historic property bought by Memphian Bill Townsend.
DeSoto Christian Academy students turn trash into treasured art
Using information they learned through their studies, students at DeSoto Christian Academy built mini versions of various themed structures.
Horn Lake Police Chief Troy Rowell to retire
A lifelong Horn Lake resident, Rowell, who became chief in 2017, intends to move out of state upon retiring.
Group that funded 2023 mayor’s race poll identified, plans another one
The Greater 901 Initiative, a political action committee, was identified as the group paying for the earlier poll in an email sent out Tuesday evening.
Top Cardinals prospect Jordan Walker in Memphis to ‘work on things’
The beginning of 20-year-old rookie Jordan Walker’s career with the St. Louis Cardinals was so successful he tied an MLB record that had him eclipsing the likes of Roberto Clemente and Ted Williams. Even so, the Cardinals recently demoted him to Triple-A Memphis.
Table Talk: A big whiskey dinner and an East Memphis restaurant to open
DJ Naylor ups his game with the launch of the Bog’s Whiskey Dinners, Belle Meade Social opens next week and the GPAC Fried Chicken Fest is back May 13.
St. Agnes senior Caroline Weems acing her bar exams
In a sport where failure is always waiting at the next level up, Caroline Weems motivates herself to be Tennessee’s best.
Germantown Planning Commission denies Waffle House, OKs rezoning
Germantown’s Planning Commission denied a Waffle House on the south side of the suburb but favored a rezoning request on Poplar Pike.
Tigers Football Insider: Punter Joe Doyle built strong relationship with Houston Texans
Former Tigers punter Joe Doyle felt confident in his chances of signing an undrafted free agent deal with the Houston Texans.
Miles away, years apart: Air pollution steals time from Black communities
Air pollution is a global issue when it comes to longevity. In Shelby County, there are five air monitoring sites but not one in southwest Memphis, where residents have some of the area’s lowest life expectancies.
Hernando aldermen vote to close part of McIngvale Road, buy Civic Center
A lane of McIngvale Road in Hernando will be closed to traffic soon as construction begins on the new Hernando High.
Inked: An adaptive reuse project in the Edge; The Falls in Arlington updates
The Downtown Memphis Commission’s Design Review Board will consider exterior renovation plans for the single-story masonry building at 405 Monroe Ave.
Metro
The AM/DM podcast: The 2026 election season starts ... now
Because of term limits, Shelby County will see a new mayor, new sheriff and new county clerk — positions currently held by Lee Harris, Floyd Bonner Jr. and Wanda Halbert, respectively — elected in 2026.
Premium The Early Word The Early Word: Churches, liquor stores and gas-powered pickup trucks
Education Is Tennessee’s ban on religious charter schools unconstitutional? Attorney General says likely.
Premium Elections With term limits looming, most suburban incumbents still all-in for 2026 races
Premium Business Ask the Memphian: Why does Memphis require liquor stores to be 1,500 feet away from a church or school?
Business
Ford shifts gears: Will produce gas-powered trucks, instead of EVs at BlueOval City
The Tennessee Truck Plant could produce other vehicles in the future, but for now, it will be the auto giant’s “Built Ford Tough” models.
Premium Real Estate Grant family tree branching out with development, homebuilding efforts
Premium Real Estate New approval gives old properties a ‘second chance to create value for Shelby County’
Premium Business Ask the Memphian: Why does Memphis require liquor stores to be 1,500 feet away from a church or school?
Premium Business From worry to relief: Stanton neighbors welcome Ford’s gas truck pivot — and the promise it brings
Sports
Cam Spencer plays like nobody wants him — because nobody did
As a junior in high school, Cam Spencer created a recruiting profile for himself. His self-belief may be his biggest strength.
Memphis Tigers Basketball What to watch as Memphis looks to snap 3-game losing streak against Alabama State
Memphis Tigers Football Memphis quarterback AJ Hill to enter transfer portal
Premium Memphis Tigers Football When it comes to coaching, Charles Huff learned what he needed to know in college — and from his father
Memphis Grizzlies Wizards defeat Grizzlies in second-half rally
Food
Ask the Memphian: Why does Memphis require liquor stores to be 1,500 feet away from a church or school?
In this week’s “Ask the Memphian,” we explain how that distance came to be and compare it to other populous cities across Tennessee.
Premium Dining Guides What to order: Surf and turf at Porch & Parlor
Suburbs
With term limits looming, most suburban incumbents still all-in for 2026 races
Even though we haven’t quite reached 2026 yet, candidates for elections in the Northeast Shelby County suburbs already are making their intentions known with many of the incumbents running again.
Premium Collierville Trinity Church gets donated property in Collierville
Arts & Culture
Arts Beat: What Memphis arts and culture looked like in 2025
From arts shows, concerts, to theater productions and beyond, the Memphis art scene blossomed in 2025. Here’s a recap of some of our top arts and culture moments. And some staff favorites.
Premium Arts & Culture Herrington: My favorite films of 2025
Opinion
Opinion: Increasing voter turnout is laudable. Feagins’ mayoral candidacy is not.
“It’s one thing to wage a public fight against a divided MSCS board. It’s quite another to wage a costly political campaign against other, far more entrenched opponents.”
Premium Guest Columnists Echols: Love languages, grace and gift cards
Podcasts
The AM/DM podcast: The 2026 election season starts ... now
Because of term limits, Shelby County will see a new mayor, new sheriff and new county clerk — positions currently held by Lee Harris, Floyd Bonner Jr. and Wanda Halbert, respectively — elected in 2026.
Shelby County Services helping poor county residents are putting ‘Band-Aids on bullet wounds’
Games
Daily WordRow: Dec. 22
Are you a Wordle fan? Try WordRow, a similar game. It’s free to play.