Grizzlies romp over Bucks in Morant’s return
Memphis beat Milwaukee for the eighth straight time, all of them by double digits.
Box score: Grizzlies 125, Bucks 104
Box score for the NBA game between the Memphis Grizzlies and the Milwaukee Bucks at FedExForum on Friday, Dec. 26, 2025.
Memphis singer-songwriter Don Bryant dies at 83
Bryant’s music spanned soul and gospel, singing and songwriting, and the Grammy Award-nominated musician co-wrote the Ann Peebles hit song “I Can’t Stand the Rain.”
The Arts Beat: New year, more art
What’s coming in 2026? Museums, band reunions, new concert venues, landmark anniversaries, a handful of funny guys and portals to parallel universes.
Bailey: Maybe pillowcases at Youth Village should be a reminder to help year-round
A group of volunteers makes pillowcases for the incoming residents at Youth Villages, and maybe we all should take that as a reminder to help folks in need all year.
Meet the big food company in Memphis you don’t know exists
With 3,500 employees and facilities in nine communities in the eastern part of the U.S., the Memphis-based company makes snacks for some of consumers’ favorite brands.
U of M asking state for $162 million for two projects
Overall, school officials have identified more than $400 million in deferred maintenance needed for the campus’ 133 buildings.
Food Files: Could Cava come to the Mid-South? And, The Artist Table hosts all-you-can-eat ramen.
Cordova is possibly being “considered” for a buzzy fast-casual chain restaurant’s new location. Downtown’s The Artist Table will host an all-you-can-eat ramen dinner to send off its first chef-in-residency.
Bible education program expanding into Germantown and Collierville public schools
Some Collierville and Germantown students will get Biblical education during school hours next year. It’s allowed by a 1952 ruling by the United States Supreme Court.
$15 Deal: Libro’s 1/2 pasta portions
Three things always keep food writer Erica Horton from eating at Libro. But not this time.
House GOP to push forward Memphis school takeover plan with ‘teeth’
If lawmakers can agree this year, change could come quickly to Memphis-Shelby County schools, which is already primed for major upheaval in 2026.
Opinion: Cardiac arrest doesn’t wait. Neither should MLGW.
“As organizations set goals for the new year, there’s one resolution that belongs at the top of every leadership agenda: be ready to save a life.”
Sudoku: Dec. 26
Are you ready for today’s puzzles?
Daily Jigsaw: The weevil lives!
This jigsaw puzzle is a photo of the chestnut weevil and was taken by Michael Charles.
Daily WordRow: Dec. 26
Are you a Wordle fan? Try WordRow, a similar game. It’s free to play.
What Daily Memphians think*
“Another great Memphis success story.” — Ramkrishna Kasargod about Meet the big food company in Memphis you don't know exists
“The AED devices are a game-changer when somebody has a heart attack out in the community. ” — Rebekah Doe about Cardiac arrest doesn't wait. Neither should MLGW.
“Upscale dining in a relaxed atmosphere, excellent service, reasonable prices, a more than adequate wine selection, and BOOKS!” — LeAnne Fryman about $15 deal: Libro's 1/2 pasta portions
* Select comments upvoted by Daily Memphian readers.
Metro
Westwood teetered on the edge of closure for years. Will a middle school merger save it?
Chickasaw Middle could close at the end of the school year, one of five closures MSCS officials have proposed. The students would move to the Westwood High campus, making it a school for sixth-12th graders.
Premium Business Ask the Memphian: Why does Memphis require liquor stores to be 1,500 feet away from a church or school?
Premium Public Safety What do Memphians think about Memphis Safe Task Force?
Public Safety Native Memphian appointed No. 2 of U.S. Marshals Service
Premium Spirit of Memphis Stitching love into every seam: Quilt guild’s pillowcases give Youth Villages children something of their own
Business
From worry to relief: Stanton neighbors welcome Ford’s gas truck pivot — and the promise it brings
“Everybody saw that coming,” said Stanton Mayor Norman Bauer on the new gas-powered pickup truck. “We all know that the EV market is not what it’s supposed to be, so yeah, nobody was surprised. I think they’re actually getting to something that is what we’re going to end up seeing.”
Premium Transportation & Logistics Chicago agriculture processor closes part of Memphis facility, lays off 95
Premium Real Estate Downtown mid-century high-rise bought for more than $3M
Premium Real Estate Food Files: Belltower Coffee Arlington closes, Flip Side pauses service
Premium Health Care Memphis Zoo elephant predicts who will win the 2025 AutoZone Liberty Bowl
Sports
Grizzlies notebook: Coward’s comp, Aldama’s spot and the injury crown
Grizzlies fans have compared Cedric Coward to Clippers wing Kawhi Leonard, but does the Memphis rookie have a better player comparison in Oklahoma City?
Premium Memphis Tigers Basketball What we know about Tigers as they head into American Conference play
Premium Memphis Grizzlies Cam Spencer plays like nobody wants him — because nobody did
Premium Memphis Grizzlies Grizzlies 25: O.J. Mayo rained jumpers for four drama-filled Memphis seasons
Memphis Grizzlies GG Jackson reemerges for Grizzlies in Utah road win
Food
Paulette’s welcomes new chef to honor original vision — with a modern twist
Harbor Town mainstay Paulette’s Restaurant has a new executive chef at the helm, and he’s resurrected and revamped some of the restaurant’s signature dishes.
Premium Dining Guides What to order: Surf and turf at Porch & Parlor
Suburbs
From The Heights to the ’burbs: Community builder Jared Myers to shape Bartlett’s next chapter
Bartlett has a new economic development manager who took over the role at the first of December and is learning all the key players in the suburb.
Premium North Mississippi DeSoto County dentist office will start 2026 with something to smile about
Arts & Culture
Memphis Movies This Week: ‘Song Sung Blue,’ ‘Marty Supreme’
Josh Safdie’s “Marty Supreme” arrives with the tagline “Dream Big.” But Craig Brewer’s “Song Sung Blue” one-ups it with the tagline “Dream Huge.”
Visual Arts Glaciers, asthma and the midnight sun: Memphis artists’ adventures in the Arctic Circle
Opinion
Opinion: Hidden Christmas in a juke joint off Highway 51
“I’m not sure if Jesus would find Christmas in a juke joint off 51, but I did. And if he came back today, I like to think he would order a Bloody Mary and smile, watching the children gather unto the mic on a stand, the youth reassuring the adults that yes, Christmas was still with us.”
Podcasts
Grizzlies podcast: Is Memphis’ momentum already gone?
Drew Hill and Chris Herrington recap a pair of losses for the Memphis Grizzlies to the Washington Wizards and Oklahoma City Thunder.
Games
Daily WordRow: Dec. 25
Are you a Wordle fan? Try WordRow, a similar game. It’s free to play.