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
Takeover bill to propose state-funded forensic audit of MSCS
Early research suggests such an audit could cost more than $2 million depending on its scope, according to a spokesperson for the Tennessee comptroller of the treasury.
Shelby County Edmund Ford Jr. appears in federal court Thursday
Business
Spring break to bring almost 50,000 people through Memphis airport
The busiest days will be Friday, Sunday and Monday, with more than 10,000 passengers passing through the security checkpoint.
Premium Real Estate Inked: Convenience store takes over former Jerry’s Sno Cones spot
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
Longtime Cooper-Young restaurant closing in current form
The space that is now Cafe Ole will close as a Mexican restaurant Friday, March 7, and will reopen in the coming weeks with a new concept and menu.
Suburbs
Memphis in May in March in Collierville
Memphis in May wants to kick off spring in Collierville with a new barbecue event: “Memphis in March.”
Arts & Culture
The To-Do List: Elvises descend upon Memphis, and the library gets jazzy
This week, dance all night to R&B hits from Colors Worldwide, warm up with whiskey and celebrate women in the arts.
Opinion
Calkins: Richard Shadyac Jr. on his legacy, the future, Memphis — and some sports stuff, too
Will Hoops for St. Jude be back? How does Shadyac want his tenure as CEO of ALSAC to be remembered? Some parting thoughts as Shadyac steps down after 16 years.
Podcasts
Tigers Podcast: Can Memphis avoid another hiccup before Selection Sunday?
Tigers basketball beat writer Parth Upadhyaya and college-sports columnist John Martin take a look at the final stretch of the regular season.