State Attorney General appeals drag ban ruling
Jonathan Skrmetti’s appeal comes nearly a month after a federal judge in Memphis ruled in favor of an LGBTQ+ theater company, which argued the law restricted its performers’ free speech rights.
Desmond Bane signs largest deal in Grizzlies history
Bane signs a five-year max extension with Grizzlies, the largest contract in franchise history, surpassing Ja Morant’s five-year, $197 million extension signed last offseason.
Derrick Rose returns to Memphis as Grizzly
Rose, a 34-year-old former NBA MVP, led the University of Memphis to the 2008 NCAA title game.
Herrington: Derrick Rose’s improbably long career returns him, improbably, to Memphis
The Memphis Grizzlies made what may be the most curious and questionable signing from the opening night of NBA free agency.Related story:
Memphis school receives $10M for energy improvements
“No children in America should be sitting in a classroom, sweltering in the summer and cold in the winter,” said Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm. “Every child should have a safe and comfortable learning environment so they can soar.”
‘Just brothers’: Kendric Davis, Lester Quiñones team up with Golden State
Former Memphis Tigers Kendric Davis and Lester Quiñones will be with the Warriors for NBA summer league play.
Trustees approve tuition hike, capital funding for UTHSC
In-state undergraduate students at UTHSC, the largest educator of health care professionals in the state, can expect a 1.5% hike in tuition and mandatory fees and a 2% to 5% increase in housing, dining and parking fees.
Supreme Court favors artist’s right to discriminate
The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled a Colorado graphic artist who wants to design wedding websites can refuse to work with same-sex couples. The decision is a defeat for gay rights.
Judges block state law banning teacher group from automatically deducting member dues
The Tennessee Education Association sued earlier this month over the two-pronged law, which also gradually raises the minimum teacher salary up to $50,000 for the 2026-27 school year.
Area cooling centers include Northaven, Bartlett
With an excessive heat warning currently in effect in Shelby County, cooling centers are available to help the public beat the heat.
State TCAP results released
Scores in English language arts and social studies exceeded pre-pandemic levels, while student proficiency in math has not.
Calkins: She fought off a second carjacking. Now this young Memphian wonders if it’s time to leave
Madeline Johnson was carjacked almost a year ago. This weekend, it nearly happened again. Now this 25-year-old Memphis transplant is thinking about moving away from a city she has come to love.
USFL president addresses future of the league
Daryl Johnston wants to put all eight of the USFL’s current teams in their home markets before thinking about expansion.
Youth draw out neighborhood beauty on Binghampton sidewalks
Children and teens cleaned up Memphis streets including Tillman Street, Carpenter Street and Mimosa Avenue. Then, they were handed chalk.
Mulroy discusses Germantown party-goers ‘brandishing guns’
Shelby County District Attorney General Steve Mulroy addressed the nuisance party in Germantown and other crime and courts issues with town residents on Thursday, June 29, during the second of his town hall series at Germantown City Hall.
Conaway: Health care is robbing us blind in broad daylight
“There’s a quote that comes to mind. Max von Sydow said, ‘If Jesus came back today, and saw what was going on in his name, he’d never stop throwing up.’”
The To-Do List: Slide into summer, boot-scoot at Black Lodge; plus, your fireworks guide
This week, the Hi-Tone hosts a freestyle rap battle, Alicia Keys is at FedExForum and yoga meets plant-based cheese at Crosstown Concourse.
Here’s how to celebrate Fourth of July in the Memphis area
Fireworks, parades and community events will be held across the Memphis area in celebration of Independence Day 2023.
Workers find ‘military grade munitions’ in Southaven home
Officers were called to a residence after construction workers found a “small amount of what appears to be old military ordnance.”
Metro
State troopers want to stop speeders. Drivers are crashing out.
Since the beginning of the Memphis Safe Task Force, routine traffic stops by state troopers have turned into high-speed pursuits, several which have ended in crashes.
Premium The Early Word The Early Word: Troopers don’t play by MPD’s rules; Palladio’s story may go on
Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris says county could take Memphis Safe Task Force to court
Public Safety How Boss Crump stared down a governor’s threat to send the National Guard to Memphis
Business
Glasses that slow nearsightedness in children now FDA-approved
“For a long time, it’s been our desire to try to halt progression as nearsightedness develops, especially with it being on the rise,” said a local optometrist. It is estimated that more than 50% of the world population may become nearsighted by 2025.
Premium Real Estate Inked: Carhartt store opens in East Memphis
Movers and Shakers Movers & Shakers
Premium Real Estate Hardware-store supplier opens Collierville showroom larger than Wrigley Field
Sports
Herrington: The Grizzlies have been bad in preseason. A reason to worry?
Preseason struggles are rarely predictive, but have the Memphis Grizzlies given fans good reason to worry?
Memphis Grizzlies Grizzlies crushed again in preseason, despite JJJ’s return
High School Sports ECS wins region title over St. George’s in penalty shooutout
High School Sports Memphis area high school football statistical leaders
Food
Soybeans and coffee: How tariffs are impacting some in the Mid-South
“What it costs to produce a crop is at record numbers, and the price that (Tennessee farmers) get for that corn, soybeans, wheat and cotton … are almost at near-record lows,” said a Farm Bureau Federation staffer.
Suburbs
Lindsey Whiteside’s sentence is illegal, DeSoto County DA says
DeSoto County District Attorney Matthew Barton said his office is challenging the sentence, arguing sexual battery committed by a person in a position of trust is classified as a violent crime and is specifically ineligible for the house arrest program under Mississippi law.
Arts & Culture
The hard, block-by-block work to improve Klondike, Smokey City
Klondike Smokey City CDC is working to mow and maintain yards, build a pocket park and turn 150 vacant lots and empty homes into assets in the community.
Opinion
Letter to the Editor: We don’t need military occupation. We need poverty eradication.
“That jail was already overcrowded; today it holds 800 people over capacity. Incarceration is not the solution.”
Podcasts
The AM/DM podcast: The birds and the bees, tigers and chimpanzees
To help animals reproduce — and species thrive — staffers at the Memphis Zoo study poop, freeze sperm at -196 degrees, and even help endangered species reproduce long after their deaths.