Calkins: Mayor Young has a request for Memphians: Don’t leave.
Mayor Paul Young had a direct request for Memphis Tuesday: Don’t leave. Here’s why he made the request. And why it made a lot of sense.
Bonner: Sheriff’s Office will hand youth detention facility to Juvenile Court
Bonner informed the County Commission of the change via an emailed letter Tuesday, April 16.
Mayor Young to propose property-tax hike, says city faces $30M shortfall
“I think it’s time for us to step into a new reality,” he told a crowd of several hundred at Mount Vernon Baptist Church. “I’m going to ask for a tax increase.”
Germantown police investigating fires at Wolf River Professional Center
Germantown police are investigating fires in Germantown’s medical-office area. Police said they are being investigated as intentional.
Silverfield expects only ‘a few additions’ during transfer window
Memphis, which lost three players to the NCAA transfer portal on its opening day, hauled in most of its transfers in December. Coach Ryan Silverfield doesn’t anticipate a significant number of new additions now. Related stories:
Sterick and Dermon buildings, Lowenstein House will get new life
The three Memphis buildings were among 26 historic properties statewide chosen for the program, which aims to encourage investment in abandoned historic buildings.
Memphis’ Humes school, Elvis Presley’s alma mater, is closing after yearslong turnaround attempt
Humes, now a middle school, is exiting a state-run turnaround district after 10 years. Its students will be reassigned to a school in a different part of the city.
Four candidates apply for former Judge Melissa Boyd’s seat
Even as the Tennessee Legislature inches closer to eliminating the seat, four candidates have applied to run for the Shelby County Criminal Court Division 9 judgeship formerly held by Melissa Boyd.
Martin: Penny Hardaway is assembling the AAC All-Stars. Will that be enough?
Penny Hardaway has added two former AAC players in this portal transfer period and he has two more AAC players that may choose Memphis.Related story:
Grizzlies Wrapped: Recapping the 2023-2024 season
It’s finally over. The Memphis Grizzlies’ record-breaking (in a bad way) season has come to a close. Before we put this all behind us, let’s take stock of what we’ve been through.
From barber to bartender: Tennessee law would let hair stylists sell drinks
A new law would let some Tennessee barbershops and salons sell and serve drinks, but they’d also need to serve food and have seating. Some Memphis places are interested, while other say it’s a hair don’t.
Calkins: A Memphis theater producer found a brother he never knew about. A story straight from the stage.
After nearly four decades, Memphis theater producer Mike Detroit found a full brother he never knew existed. It’s a mystery that could be a miniseries. But even Detroit warns: “There are parts you may not believe.”
IP to buy London-based packaging company for $10B
“Combining with DS Smith is a logical next step in IP’s strategy to drive profitable growth by strengthening our global packaging business,” said International Paper CEO Mark S. Sutton.
Herrington: Grizzlies made the best of a bad year. Now the pressure builds
One day after the Grizzlies' 27-55 season concluded, Chris Herrington counts the ways the team had one of the most productive bad years ever. Grizzlies exit interviews: Everything you should know from Zach Kleiman, Ja Morant and others Grizzlies Insider: Ja Morant coaches Derrick Rose’s son in AAU basketballRelated stories:
Mixed-use development approved by Arlington planners
The Arlington Planning Commission has endorsed the latest plan for the Hawthorne mixed-use development, sending the proposal to the town’s Board of Mayor and Aldermen.
Memphis Area Legal Services loses biggest chunk of funding
National source cites years of issues for the nonprofit charged with helping poor people get legal aid in civil cases. The vast majority of its clients are women.
Herrington: A Grizzlies fan guide to the NBA playoffs
How should Grizzlies fandom be applied to these Grizzlies-free playoffs? There’s no one way to fan, but Chris Herrington offers some playoff observations and advice here, filtering it all through Beale Street Blue glasses.
Defendant’s ability to pay won’t be considered in setting bail
The Tennessee House passed a bill Tuesday, April 16, that removes a magistrate’s financial consideration from the initial bail-setting process.
Germantown budget includes flat property tax, utility rate increase
Germantown officials are recommending maintaining the city’s current property tax rate, but an increase in the cost of utilities is proposed.
Bridges leader stepping down at year’s end
During Dana Wilson’s tenure, the signature Bridge Builders grew from 1,200 young leaders to about 5,000.
Letter to the Editor: Conaway’s COVID column included too much scolding
“If Dan wants to encourage people to get out and support restaurants and whatever else, great. But I don’t expect my favorite news source to shame me for making choices to protect myself once I realized how very badly COVID acts on my particular body.”
Tennessee schools may be required to out transgender students to parents
State GOP House lawmakers gave near-final passage to the bill on Monday, putting Tennessee close to joining states such as Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Idaho, Indiana and North Carolina with similar laws.
Tennessee lawmakers pass bill to involuntarily commit some defendants judged incompetent for trial
The bill approved Monday would also temporarily remove their gun rights if they are ruled incompetent to stand trial due to intellectual disability or mental illness.
Sudoku: April 16
Ready to sudoku? We got an easy one for you.
Metro
‘What in the world’ is Bonner spending money on, Harris asks
Sheriff Floyd Bonner’s lawsuit seeks $67 million in proposed funding for his office that he says was not included in the county’s $1.7 billion consolidated budget.
City of Memphis It’s official: Sports authority OKs funding agreement for FedExForum renovations
Business
Southwest Airlines adds more flights for three major cities
The additional flights will begin on March 6, 2026.
Health Care At 3, he was diagnosed with kidney disease. At 35, he’s telling his story over coffee.
Sports
MUS beats Bartlett with walk-off touchdown
Owls receiver Cannon Sherman snatched the ball out of the air to score a 45-yard touchdown and win the season opener 23-17 in dramatic fashion.
High School Sports Southwind grounds, pounds, wins against Lausanne
Food
Food Files: TacoNGanas adding three locations, Frutta Bowls bringing four
A popular taco truck and a place to get smoothie bowls are expanding in the Memphis area.
Suburbs
Elephants, sharks and a $250M plan: Zoo renovation details take shape
By bringing in new animals, expanding for the current ones and revamping spaces like the aquarium, the Memphis Zoo renovation will transform outdated exhibits. “Talk about immersive. You will be transported,” the CEO said.
Arts & Culture
Darius Rucker’s at the Garden, and there’s a horror circus at the mall
On The To-Do List this week: The Ostrander’s show must go on, Kelly English serves an art-inspired menu and the Stax Music Academy opens the fall Shell series with a summer-themed show.
Opinion
Conaway: The heart is in the middle
“The heart of America is in the middle, and we, the people, are in the middle. And there’s no lonelier place today than the center aisle.”
Podcasts
The AM/DM podcast: Sing along to KPop Demon Hunters or Darius Rucker
In this episode of The AM/DM, editorial director Mary Cashiola and newsletter editor Bianca Phillips talk about what to do this weekend.
Games
Daily WordRow: Major merger
This puzzle follows some of the conventions of Wordle. You get six tries to guess each individual word.