Environmental groups push for transparency around xAI
Environmental groups are asking Memphis Light, Gas and Water to slow down approvals for xAI’s supercomputer construction in southwest Memphis.
Tennessee beats Florida State to reach CWS finals
The Volunteers will play another SEC team, Texas A&M, in the three-game championship series beginning Saturday.
DeSoto inmate escaped through courthouse ‘design flaw,’ sheriff says
Authorities have begun Phase 2 in the search for an escaped DeSoto County inmate, and the reward for his capture is $10,000.
Gabrielle Rose’s bid to make Olympic team in 200 breaststroke falls short
The 46-year old Rose wound up with the 14th-fastest time in preliminary heats Wednesday morning, but was unable to advance out of the semifinals Wednesday night.
Tim Howard steps down as 901 FC sporting director
The Hall of Fame goalkeeper had been with the club since its inception in 2019.
David Kustoff seeks funding for Germantown stormwater
“We’re fighting for it,” U.S. Rep. David Kustoff said at the Germantown Rotary Club meeting. “I think we’ve got a realistic shot.”
As BlueOval develops, coalition asks to secure union jobs, affordable housing
The BlueOval Good Neighbors Coalition wants a legally binding community development agreement to protect West Tennessee’s historically Black communities.
Southaven adopts new voting districts very much like the old ones
The new districts keep all six of the currently elected aldermen in their respective wards, and polling locations for each ward remain the same from the 2021 city elections with the exception of Ward 5.
Mayor Harris talks about the compromises of county budget season
Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris breaks down how county commissioners settled amid budget season, including keeping vacant positions on the books and local opposition to the Regional One Health rebuild.
Germantown school district approves 2024-25 budget
Germantown’s budget has been a moving target due to changes in funding.
Local leaders hear fears about crime from Vollintine-Evergreen residents
Crime is down in the Vollintine-Evergreen neighborhood this year compared to last. But some residents still don’t feel safe.
Lakeland approves final reading of fiscal budget and tax rate
Lakeland approves its annual budget, maintaining the lowest municipal property tax rate in Shelby County.
DeSoto supervisors amend budget to give DA an additional prosecutor
This approval means the DeSoto County District Attorney’s Office will employ seven assistant district attorneys as it prepares to deliver more than 450 indictments, a total that would set a record for the county and the state.
Hot Grizz Summer: In one week, a summer of intrigue starts in Memphis
Will the Grizzlies trade their draft pick? A busy summer for the Memphis Grizzlies gets started in just a week. Here’s an overview of what is to come.
Johnathan Lawson says return to Tigers ‘a possibility’
A year after leaving Memphis for Creighton, Lawson is again looking for a new home. Shelby County Pro-Am League returns with familiar faces at new locationRelated story:
New book highlights how golf played a role in Memphis’ integration
Pastor LaSimba Gray’s book “Out of Bounds” is a history of how golf played an integral role in Memphis’ gradual path to desegregation.
Reporter’s notebook: The rest of Monday’s marathon County Commission meeting
While the end of the county budget season was the centerpiece of the nearly 12-hour Monday, June 17, commission meeting, here are the nonbudget actions the commission took on a long agenda.
Table Talk: Why you need to go to a restaurant tasting or wine dinner
Jennifer Chandler shares why you should make a reservation when you see one of your favorite restaurants is hosting a wine dinner or a special tasting menu event.
Grizzlies podcast: What should Memphis do with Luke Kennard?
Drew Hill and Chris Herrington discuss the future of Luke Kennard with the Grizzlies and the price the team should be willing to pay to bolster its frontcourt.
Lakeland strips vice mayor of title after ethics complaint
A misstep in the process for approving a contract with a Memphis Symphony Orchestra group has led to Wesley Wright losing his vice mayor title in Lakeland.
Here’s what is closed for Juneteenth
Here’s a look at closings for Juneteenth as well as local events being held for the holiday.Related content:
Juneteenth explained: What is it and how should it be celebrated?
Juneteenth has also been called Freedom Day, Emancipation Day, Black Fourth of July and second Independence Day, among others. Here’s the history of the holiday.Related content:
Sudoku: June 19
Are you ready for today’s puzzles?
Metro
Sheriff keeps vacant positions, tax rate stays stable in approved county budget
At a meeting that stretched past 1:30 a.m. on Tuesday, the Shelby County Commission closed out its budget season with no property-tax hike and a 6% pay raise for county employees.
Shelby County Taylor threatens Shelby County DA, judge ouster as Mulroy drops diversion program
Business
Passion for Overton Park fed strong roots for future
After 12 years, Overton Park Conservancy executive director Tina Sullivan is ready to step down and she’s confident the green space will endure and thrive under the next generation of leadership.
Real Estate Make-A-Wish Mid-South receives more than $100K from local fundraiser
Sports
Interim AD, two others added to Tigers athletic director search
The Memphis Tigers now are expected to interview up to 10 candidates for their vacant athletic director job, including current interim AD Jeff Crane.
Memphis Tigers Football Eight 2025 prospects commit to Tigers in a week
Food
Holiday Deli & Ham’s pimento cheese lives on
When Holiday Deli & Ham Co. closed last year, many Memphians worried they’d never be able to buy Papa’s Pimento Cheese again. But they can.
Suburbs
Taking a plunge: Freshwater aquariums dive into Bartlett
His pride and joy is a specially designed tower with 32 separate compartments to hold betta fighting fish, which must be kept isolated from other fish.
Arts & Culture
Temple Israel screening ‘The Memphis 13’ June 25
Documentary tells the story of 13 Black first-graders who integrated four white Memphis City Schools in 1961.
Opinion
Morris: Shut out the negative and focus on what matters
“A city is made up of its people, and we have beautiful people. ... Every day, I come away inspired by the hardworking souls who go unseen in our midst.”
Podcasts
Zak Ozmo on how music, art can heal the brain
Zak joined Eric Barnes on this week’s episode of The Sidebar along with Dr. Lynn Dobrunz, Professor and Chair of the Department of Anatomy & Neurobiology at the UT Health Science Center, where the Ozmo Institute is based.