2025 5-star Jasper Johnson talks Memphis, re-opened recruitment
“Coach Penny (Hardaway) keeps in contact with my dad a lot,” Johnson said. “He’s been in my position before, made it to the league and was a great player.”
Redbirds hit a home run with dog-loving fans
Memphis Redbirds fans and their pooches filled the stands Saturday for Bark in the Park night at AutoZone Park. The Memphis Redbirds defeated the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp, 10-1
Tigers RB Watson signs free-agent deal after missing NFL Draft
Blake Watson and Tigers defensive lineman Jaylon Allen both sign free agent deals with the Denver Broncos. Also, Memphis receiver Joe Scates has signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Crawfish fest brings bayou-style fun to Overton Square
Saturday marked the 29th year for the Midtown event that merges Memphis and New Orleans cultures, with a bounty of beer, vendors and crustaceans.
TBI identifies man shot by sheriff’s deputies
The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation has identified the man who was fatally shot by Shelby County Sheriff’s Office deputies Friday, April 26, as James Q. Hampton, 30.
Bartlett High runner dies two years after collapsing during race
Bartlett High School cross country and distance runner Gabriel Higginbottom died Friday, April 26, 19 months after suffering a cardiac event during a cross country race in Florida.
Three shot on Beale Street
MPD said it responded to a shooting around 3:30 a.m. Saturday on Beale Street.
Mississippi River cobblestone landing project resumes this summer
The cobblestone landing project got underway in 2017. It seeks to make the public and historic space on the city’s harbor more accessible with amenities like floating restaurants.
Grizzlies Insider: Draft workouts start and other Memphis offseason notes
April 27 is the final day for college players and international early entrants to put their name in the NBA draft-player pool, meaning the Grizzlies will soon begin working out prospects of interest.
Showboats look to fix second-half woes, end losing streak
The Memphis Showboats have been outscored in the final two quarters of every game played this season by a combined margin of 45 points.
Veatch bids Memphis farewell: ‘We had a great run’
When Laird Veatch was introduced as the new athletic director at the University of Missouri, he acknowledged those at his most-recent stop.
Orange Mound Library breathes new life into old Melrose High building
The $17 million renovation is the first public library in Orange Mound. Mayor Paul Young said the project is an answer to the gunfight last week in the community that killed two and wounded seven.
New Eats: JEM serves eclectic food, warm vibes in Edge District
“Eclectic” is an overused term, but it’s a good word for when hamachi crudo, chicken liver pate, spinach dip and a double cheeseburger all appear on the same menu.
Five must-see shows in Memphis for May
A crooner comes to Midtown’s Minglewood Hall, two FedExForum concert include star music acts with Memphis roots, a Black country music revue graces the Overton Park Shell and the Shell gets its first electronic-dance event.
Opinion: Death of police officer requires action, accountability
“Keeping criminals off our streets and encouraging good parenting are crucial steps in improving public safety in Tennessee,” state Rep. John Gillespie, R-Memphis, writes. “This remains my priority.”
Tennessee lawmakers adjourn after finalizing $1.9B tax cut and refund for businesses
Gov. Bill Lee was able to secure a deal on the $1.9 billion tax cut and refund for businesses. The amount is almost 4% of the state’s $52.8 billion budget — which largely does not contain tax breaks for most Tennesseans.
Waste Pro takes over Southaven sanitation services May 1
With the change, Southaven residents will begin paying $17.64 for sanitation services, compared to the $12 a month they paid with Waste Connections. Some will also see their collection dates shift.
Feagins: Teachers are asking for books and tech, not guns
Local education officials, from both private and public schools, continue to express skepticism about the “armed teachers” law.
Sudoku: April 27
Ready for today’s sudokus?
Metro
Keep the power on or keep it green? The paradox of tree trimming
Foliage has historically caused about 40% of power outages in Memphis, but thick canopies shelter residents from the sun and harsh winds, meaning tree trimming is a balancing act for MLGW.
State Government State legislative session ends, with changes to bail, biz taxes and barbecue
Business
Liberty Bowl names Dinstuhl’s owner as president
Rebecca Distuhl, owner and president of Dinstuhl’s Fine Candy Company, is a longtime board member and volunteer with the AutoZone Liberty Bowl.
Premium East Memphis New Brookhaven restaurant approved, gas station on Poplar returning
Sports
Team Thad eager to play as Nike EYBL brings top talent to Memphis
Thirty-eight teams featuring some of the country’s top high school basketball prospects will compete this weekend as the annual Nike Elite Youth Basketball League comes to Liberty Park’s Memphis Sports & Events Center.
Sports Showboats to honor Reggie White, Pepper Rodgers
Food
Food Files: BluffCakes’ owner says closure is reinvention, not goodbye
Plus, Casarap is closing, and the Starbucks in Millington is remodeling.
Suburbs
Suburban schools push back on arming teachers
School leaders respond to a bill that could allow Tennessee teachers to carry guns on campus.
Arts & Culture
Playhouse resurrects a forgotten Broadway musical
The Tony-winning musical “Your Arms Too Short to Box with God” hasn’t been officially produced since 1982 but will return to the stage in Memphis.
Opinion
Sanford: Orange Mound shooting spree struck a nerve. But we cannot concede defeat.
We’ve had plenty of rallies, vigils and marches. We’ve created one anti-violence group after another. We’ve floated balloons as well as ideas. And still, the deaths keep coming.
Podcasts
Memphis sanitation-strike scenes seen through stained glass
Lonnie Robinson, one of the artists who worked on new stained-glass images for Historic Clayborn Temple, talks on the “On The Record” podcast about bringing images of the 1968 sanitation-workers strike to the landmark’s windows.