City Council votes down health insurance benefits for itself
After several moves to delay or table the measure, it failed without getting a single yes vote.Related story:
Tuesday prep report: Bartlett outlasts Cordova in round three
R’Chaun King led the Panthers to claim the District 15-AAAA title and a No. 1 region seed in a battle of the state’s top-ranked teams in Class 4A.
Memphis financial strategist predicts ‘soft landing’ for US economy in 2024
Amid the wars, negative credit growth, shrinking money supply, upcoming elections and yield curve inversions, investment strategist David Waddell predicts a soft landing for the economy.
Memphis economy is healthy but has areas for improvement
Memphis' economy can be improved by stabilizing income inequality, low median household income, and housing and food insecurity.
Judge reprimanded for overturning 163-year sentence
The Tennessee Board of Judicial Conduct issued Shelby County Criminal Court Division 1 Judge Paula Skahan a public reprimand Feb. 14 for overturning the sentence of Courtney Anderson in December 2022.
Law aimed at protesters would increase penalty for blocking traffic to felony
A bill moving through the Tennessee General Assembly would make it a felony to block a roadway, a penalty enhancement intended to prevent another protest like the one that blocked the Hernando DeSoto bridge for hours earlier this month.
Ikea unveils Memphis mural and model recording studio
Ikea pays homage to Memphis’ music legacy and future with two new attractions at its local store.
Memphis teams with EPA to fund $103M in drainage upgrades
The City of Memphis plans to issue revenue bonds with the Environmental Protection Agency to help fund upgrades to the city’s aging stormwater system over the next five years.
Blue Suede Networks applies for 15 year tax incentive for $829M project
In five years, BSN estimates the economic impact of its project will be $1.4 billion, create 4,600 jobs and generate $5.76 million in local taxes and fees.
MPD wants 10-day holds for vehicles used in drag racing, street stunts
In conversation that covered murder-clearance rates, aggravated assault charges, illegal car stunts and more, the Shelby County district attorney general and the Memphis Police Department’s interim chief both presented to the Memphis City Council public safety committee. DA says MPD clears more than 30% of murders. MPD disputes it.Related story:
What to expect in Memphis’ game against Charlotte
The Tigers have lost six of their last heading into Wednesday’s game against Charlotte, which is second in the AAC. Golden State to convert former Tiger Lester Quinones to standard contract Nike launches apparel collab between Tigers and Hardaway’s 1 Cent brand Tigers Basketball Insider: Hardaway defends deep rotation, says people are ‘up in arms’Related stories:
DA says MPD clears more than 30% of murders. MPD disputes it.
Steve Mulroy said Tuesday, Feb. 20, that MPD had a murder clearance rate of 31.2% in 2022, something that Interim Chief Cerelyn “C.J.” Davis audibly disputed as he said it. MPD wants 10-day holds for vehicles used in drag racing, street stuntsRelated content:
Nike launches apparel collab between Tigers and Hardaway’s 1 Cent brand
The clothing line features Memphis’ Leaping Tiger logo and the 1 Cent mark as part of various designs on “T-shirts, long sleeved T-shirts, hoodie tees, hoodies, quarter-zip tops and more.”
Pine Hill clubhouse to be named for first Black pro manager
“My daddy worked a few jobs to take care of his six children through college,” Charles Hudson said. “On Sundays after church, was his time to play golf.” Hudson said both he and his father both started off as caddies, while growing up in Orange Mound.
After questions, Memphis Tourism says political donations weren’t donations after all
Memphis Tourism asked the Metropolitan Memphis Hotel and Lodging Association’s political action committee to amend campaign finance filings after The Daily Memphian questioned why it had not disclosed political donations on its federal tax returns.
Trip: Jaren Jackson Jr. lifted his game — and left his mark — in small-town Indiana
Part 2 of a three-part series travels to the magical boarding school where Grizzlies star Jaren Jackson Jr. met close friend Jordan Poole. Grizzlies Insider: ‘Trip’ is last of three projects on Grizzlies starsRelated story:
Decarcerate Memphis report breaks down MPD traffic stop data
“Memphis and Shelby County have, in some respects, truly become more threatening in recent years; traffic fatalities have risen, especially since 2020; fewer people are able to legally drive; and people of color face more discrimination on the road and in court,” Decarcerate Memphis’ new report said.
Calkins: Pat Halloran believed in a better Memphis. Then he made it come true.
Pat Halloran’s life was celebrated in grand style Monday. There was music! There was laughter! There were stories about a larger-than-life character who fell in love with Memphis — and then made it a better place.
Tigers basketball podcast: Hardaway’s criticism reaction and the NIL mess
Is Penny Hardaway’s criticism of criticism reasonable? Will his highest-paid players be benched? Parth Upadhyaya, Tim Buckley and host Greg Gaston discuss.
Sudoku: Feb. 20
Today’s sudoku is an easy one.
Metro
AI-powered cameras are monitoring Downtown
Downtown Memphis’ 63 artificial-intelligence-powered traffic cameras monitor activity down to the types of vehicles that pass through its streets daily and how fast they are going. The city plans to add about 200 additional cameras.
Public Safety Two dead after shooting in South Memphis
Premium City of Memphis Professor says xAI turbines don’t affect air quality if company’s claims are true
Shelby County Sheriff’s Office pegs ‘worst case’ cost of new jail
Business
Colossus: Can Memphis stop Elon Musk?
To many, xAI is just another chapter in what residents said they think is a legacy of industrial racism and pollution. The debate centers on one central question: Is Colossus worth the cost?
Health Care Le Bonheur hires its first chief of child psychology, behavioral health
Business Bush Sr.'s granddaughter speaks to Memphis women’s foundation
Premium Food News Food Files: 711 Social to open in former DeeO’s; new owners for Ryu Sushi
Sports
Herrington: Ja’s fall, JJJ’s touches and other Grizz-Thunder thoughts
The Memphis Grizzlies think they found a formula to combat the Oklahoma City Thunder. But is there any hope of deploying it without Ja Morant?
Memphis Grizzlies Grizzlies place Morant on injury list, respond to report he is out
Premium Memphis Tigers Football Players to watch in Tigers’ spring game
Premium Sports Showboats beat Birmingham to snap four-game 2025 losing streak
Food
Sound Bites: What’s planned for ‘Felicia’s 2.0’
Chef Felicia Willett-Schuchart said Felicia Suzanne’s will offer signature dishes and Southern favorites.
Suburbs
Arlington superintendent lands new four-year contract
After settling the district after the death of former Arlington Schools superintendent Jeff Mayo, Allison Clark has been rewarded with a four-year contract.
Arts & Culture
Day-by-day guide to Riverbeat
Don’t know every band on the Riverbeat lineup? Daily Memphian staffers did the cold hard research into each artist performing at the Downtown Memphis music festival.
Opinion
Opinion: Remembering Holocaust is act of resistance
“On Wednesday, 600-plus members of our Memphis Jewish community gathered for our 63rd annual Yom HaShoah Commemoration, a solemn and vital moment for remembrance and reflection.”
Podcasts
Sound Bites: What’s planned for ‘Felicia’s 2.0’
Chef Felicia Willett-Schuchart said Felicia Suzanne’s will offer signature dishes and Southern favorites.