This Week in Memphis: Fans flock here for Elvis Week, FedEx St. Jude golf
Also happening this week: MATA hosts public meetings to reimagine transit, and xAI should be fully operational.
More county funding for Whitehaven STEM Center tops Commission agenda
The proposed budget amendment comes less than two months after the start of the new county government fiscal year.
Meet the Brooks Museum’s new Memphis-area curators
The Memphis Brooks Museum of Art added two locals to its curatorial staff in 2023. Meet Kristin Pedrozo and C. Rose Smith.
COVID now looks more like other common respiratory viruses
Like many parts of the world, the Memphis area is seeing a COVID uptick. What differs now is the virus has become endemic like the flu and RSV.
Ravens sign former Memphis, CBHS receiver Miller
The Baltimore Ravens have signed former Memphis Tigers and CBHS receiver Anthony Miller.
Democrats tout plans to flip Tennessee House seats
Democrats have a goal of flipping seven to eight state House seats through the 2028 elections to bring Republicans down to just a simple majority there.
Y’all don’t have to hush at FESJC Bluff at 14
The “Hush Y’all” paddles are hallmarks of the FedEx St. Jude Championship. But this year No. 14 will be a center of not-so-quiet activities for the golf tournament, including unique viewing areas, giveaways, beverage sales and more.
Residents, activists voice concerns, hear details of xAI project
The meeting hosted by MLGW alongside Memphis City Council member Pearl Walker came after months of community worry about the project, which promises to add the electrical equivalent of several thousand homes to the utility’s distribution system. Related story:
Advocates want to expand awareness of victim-compensation fund
Rafiah Muhammad-McCormick hopes an expansion of the state’s Criminal Injuries Compensation Act will make the process easier for victims and their families. But she and other advocates are working to clear another hurdle: awareness.
Award-winning food truck New Wing Order closes
After six years on the streets of Memphis, the hot wing food truck has stopped operation. But owner Jesse McDonald isn’t giving up: “I still have dreams for New Wing Order. I hope I can bring it back in some kind of capacity some day. I’m not done yet.”
Redbirds win on Memphis Red Sox throwback night
The Memphis Redbirds unveiled a salute to the 1938 Memphis Red Sox Negro American League Champions during their 8-2 victory over Gwinnett.
At Edmundson Berry, EQ is as big as balance sheet
Business coaches respond to clients’ demand for help with emotional intelligence, also known as emotional quotient or EQ.
Silo Square barber experiences internet fame but still gives back
Chris Newson has more than a million followers across TikTok, Instagram and Facebook combined, and customers come from all over the U.S. to visit his shop in Southaven’s Silo Square.
Memphis Showboats head coach will not return in 2025
After leading the Showboats to a 2-8 record in his one and only season, Memphis and head coach John DeFilippo have parted ways. The team’s general manager is out too.
Mississippi high jumper wins Olympic silver medal in Paris
Shelby McEwen of Abbeville, Mississippi and world indoor champion Hamish Kerr of New Zealand battled in a jump off for the high jump title at the Paris Olympics on Saturday.
Echols: ‘A wrinkle in time’
“This parenting journey from crib-to-college goes bizarrely fast. As a mother, I can almost feel as if I’ve been cheated out of something. Mocked. Duped. Ripped off.”
Movers & Shakers
OrthoOne Sports Medicine and Memphis Youth Symphony Program announce additions.
Sudoku: Aug. 11
Are you ready for it? Here are today’s sudokus.
Crossword: Memories
We’re smack in the middle of Elvis Week, and our crossword puzzle was inspired by recent Elvis-related articles.
Metro
Cordell Walker poured all he had into Alpha Omega Veterans Services
Under Walker’s leadership, Alpha Omega Veterans Services grew from a duplex in South Memphis to a nonprofit that helped more than 15,000 veterans get training, treatment and access to the benefits they were due.
Public Safety MPD officers involved in 251 crashes so far this year
Business
BlueCross BlueShield to deliver free fruit, vegetables to members
Members of BlueCare Tennessee, a subsidiary of BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee, can receive deliveries of free fresh fruits and vegetables shipped directly to their doors after they’ve completed preventative health screenings.
Premium Real Estate Inked: Law firm expands in Clark Tower, apartment building sold, more
Sports
Rachel Heck embraces identity outside of golf
The Memphis native decided not to play professional golf after assembling a brilliant amateur career, including an NCAA individual title and two team national championships at Stanford.
Premium High School Sports Prep football 2024: Fairley aiming to take advantage of even-numbered year
Food
Invasive carp are surging in the Mississippi River. Can people be convinced to eat them?
Four species of Asian carp have firmly established a home in the Mississippi River basin, and experts say they are here to stay. But one way to get the carp population under control seems relatively simple — eat them.
Suburbs
Elizabeth Parr to seek Collierville alderman seat
Parr is banker, and her family has a long history in Collierville. She wants to serve the suburb by seeking elected office.
Arts & Culture
Elvis landmark reopens to the public after seven-year closure
The mausoleum at Forest Hill Cemetery where Elvis Presley was interred shortly after he died in 1977 opens again to the public this month after being closed for the last seven years.
Opinion
Opinion: Frayser Recycling Center says ‘we are good neighbors’
“We have made a concerted effort over the last 18 or so months to meet with the Frayser community regarding our expansion and community benefits proposal. We never wanted to ‘push it down’ anyone’s throats.”
Podcasts
More on the menu with Tsunami’s Ben Smith
At Tsunami, the owner ships in fresh fish from around the world, and he likes to order whole fish so he can control portion sizes.
Neighborhoods
Permits not required for temporary xAI turbines
Environmental activists have raised concerns about emissions from the site as well as impact on the region’s drinking water.