Riverside Drive to close — but Tom Lee Park will stay open — during most of May
Riverside Drive closes, as it has for decades, on April 22. But Tom Lee Park will be partially open between the Riverbeat and SmokeSlam events in May.
Colliervillle hurdler wins athlete-of-the-week vote
The voters have spoken, and they have chosen Khari Webb as The Daily Memphian’s spring-sports athlete of the week.
Tennessee lawmakers send bill to ban first-cousin marriages to governor
The Tennessee House of Representatives cast a 75-2 vote Thursday on the bill after the Senate previously approved it without any opposition.
MSCS superintendent announces transition team members
During a media event earlier this week, Marie Feagins said the team would consist of people inside and outside the district, including other well-known superintendents.
Jury deliberations stretch on in Abston rape trial
The jury began deliberating around 1 p.m. Thursday, April 11 — the third day of Cleotha Abston’s trial — before breaking at about 5 p.m.
Incoming AAC commissioner Tim Pernetti addresses hot-button issues
American Athletic Conference commissioner Tim Pernetti spoke about the College Football Playoff, membership retention, media rights and NIL matters in a news conference.
SmokeSlam barbecue contest announces music lineup, opens ticket sales
St. Paul and the Broken Bones will headline the inaugural SmokeSlam barbecue contest. The lineup also includes rap, rock and funk.
$10 Deal: The Mad Grocer’s pastrami sandwich and boudin po’boy
When I see a hot pastrami sandwich on a menu, it’s tough to stay away. While ordering one at The Mad Grocer when I noticed a crispy boudin po’boy and nearly switched. Then I thought: Why not both?
Women’s football clinic: A ‘ladies’ night out’ planned for Tiger fans
Registration remains open for the annual Memphis Tigers football women’s clinic, which will be held at the Billy J. Murphy Complex Saturday, April 13.
String lights may come to the Orpheum Theatre and Beale Street corner
The Orpheum Theatre might get string lights, Hotel Pontotoc might have a new restaurant, a new construction trades space on Decatur Street and safety repairs and improvements to come at The Businessmen’s Club.
‘We have enough’: Westwood residents oppose new gas stations
“There’s already plenty of gas stations ... That’s not what the community has asked for. They’ve asked for investment in their community in terms of supportive items,” said a board member of Uplift Westwood.
FedExFamilyHouse Gala welcomes Jenna Bush Hager for fireside chat
Prior to the chat, Jenna Bush Hager will tour FedExFamilyHouse, which provides free lodging for out-of-town-families with children being treated at Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital.
Commercial real-estate developers honored at Pinnacle Awards
Hosted by the Memphis Area Association of Realtors Commercial Council, more than 160 people attended the event at the FedEx Event Center at Shelby Farms to recognize the top commercial real-estate professionals of 2023.
The To-Do List: Puppies on the plaza, fairy tales on stage, rock ‘n’ roll on film
This week, Stax kicks off a summer dance series in Handy Park, flowers meet art at the Dixon and Memphis Made rolls out the hops.
Grizzlies Insider: Three reasons Jake LaRavia has impressed since February
Jake LaRavia has impressed the last part of this season. Here are three reasons.
The return: Brandon Clarke drew inspiration from Kevin Durant in journey back to basketball
In December, as he soared through the air for his first dunk in 291 days, Grizzlies big man Brandon Clarke realized all of his hard work was paying off.
Former world’s fastest man adds spice to this year’s Houston Track Classic
Tennessee’s largest regular-season meet will bring plenty of talent from the city and region, including Olympic gold medalist Asafa Powell.
Tennessee to criminalize giving help to minors seeking transgender care
The bill almost mirrors almost the same language from a so-called “anti-abortion trafficking” proposal that the Senate approved just a day prior.
Tennessee’s at-risk youth could see a new education option under charter school bill
At least 75% of an opportunity charter school’s students would have to be classified as at risk, and the school also could include a residential setting.
Lichterman Nature Center moves to private control with ‘Discovery Forest’
The East Memphis nature center’s new area is designed for unstructured play. Meanwhile the museum system overseeing Lichterman and several other several other city-owned attractions continues to move toward a private board and day-to-day control.
Ja won in court. What does it mean?
Although a major win for the Memphis Grizzlies point guard, it is only temporary. The case will likely move on, either over self-defense or Tennessee’s “stand-your-ground” law. Ja Morant fairly raised issue of self defense, Shelby County judge rulesRelated story:
Sanford: Let’s give voters a break and stagger local judicial races
I’m no fan of our legislature. But in the case of former Shelby County Criminal Court Judge Melissa Boyd, lawmakers acted with prudence and in the best interest of all Memphis and Shelby County voters.
Sound Bites: Downtown lunch spots, spring festivals
Holly Whitfield and Chris Herrington discuss recent Downtown restaurant news, including the Front Street Deli reopening, Huey’s renovations and the Frank’s Biscuits & Briskets coming to South Main.
Lauren Kennedy goes from urban art to an art gallery
For eight years, Lauren Kennedy was executive director of the UrbanArt Commission, an organization which was essential to the spread of so much public art throughout Memphis
Metro
County Commission approves purchase of Regional One land despite markup
The commission approved more money to buy the property that goes with the old Commercial Appeal buildings. Deals on the three remaining adjacent parcels for the 16-acre site are still pending.
Shelby County County Commission moves forward on sheriff’s pay raise, but not its own
Business
Memphis Chamber, economists say city is in ‘high-growth phase’
Last year was the first time the city exceeded $100 billion in gross regional product, officials at the Greater Memphis Chamber State of the Economy luncheon said.
Premium Real Estate Memphis hotel industry struggles to get back to pre-pandemic numbers
Sports
The return: Brandon Clarke drew inspiration from Kevin Durant in journey back to basketball
In December, as he soared through the air for his first dunk in 291 days, Grizzlies big man Brandon Clarke realized all of his hard work was paying off.
Premium Memphis Tigers Football New NIL rules permit Tigers football stars to appear in EA Sports video game
Food
Lucchesi’s heads back to grocery stores
Though Lucchesi’s used to sell its products in grocery stores, a USDA rule change several years ago forced the company to pull its casseroles from stores. But now they are back with a full line, new partners and plans for growth.
Suburbs
Germantown to have large bookstore after 14 years without one
Barnes & Noble is looking to open in Germantown, but the space will be significantly smaller than Shelby County’s existing locations.
Arts & Culture
Memphis Movies This Week: Stephen King is back
One might think that all of Stephen King’s work has already been adapted into a movie or miniseries, but here comes “The Monkey,” adapted from “Skeleton Crew,” one of King’s short story collections.
Opinion
Echols: Nine fresh ideas already happening in Memphis
“These people have no idea I’m writing about them. But they are using what they have in time, money, energy and ideas to bless the rest of us.”
Podcasts
Local Democratic, Republican leaders talk pros, cons of deportation
“... They are not committing any other crime,” Worth Morgan said. “But they are being exploited and they are taking a job away from somebody here in Memphis that would want that job.”