Runners race round-the-clock in the Moccasin 24-Hour Run
Contestants from across the country sprint to Memphis for the event at Shelby Farms Park. Some may catch a few winks, then hit the trail again during the nonstop race.
Memphis Zoo welcomes critically endangered baby orangutan
The delivery took place after months of preparation with the support of the Memphis Zoo’s animal care and veterinary teams.
What will new Memphis football coach prioritize in the transfer portal?
The NCAA transfer portal officially opens Jan. 2, and the Memphis Tigers are heading into the new year with a laundry list of needs.Related content:
Recipe Exchange: Hard Times’ buttermilk-herb ranch
After one taste of Hard Times Deli’s homemade buttermilk-herb ranch, you may never want to go back to a store-bought bottled ranch dressing again.
Ja Morant’s return sparks high-flying Grizzlies win
With Morant back at the wheel the Grizzlies offense generated 26 fastbreak points, the second most of the season. Related content:
How clear is the line between immigration stops and MPD policy?
Activists responding to immigration police calls on behalf of those detained said on “Behind The Headlines” the lines look blurred at times as a police stop is followed by a federal presence.
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.”
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.
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.
What Daily Memphians think*
“This was JA AND JJJ at their most in the new offense backed up by a really good defensive effort.” — Derrol Power about Ja Morant's return sparks high-flying Grizzlies win
“Great to see a mostly full FedExForum tonight, with people all over downtown.” — Mark Mitchell about Grizzlies romp over Bucks in Morant's return
“Cava should go in saddle creek if we are being honest” — Evan Winburne about Food Files: Could Cava come to the Mid-South? And, The Artist Table offers all-you-can eat ramen
* Select comments upvoted by Daily Memphian readers.
Daily WordRow: Dec. 27
Are you a Wordle fan? Try WordRow, a similar game. It’s free to play.
Sudoku: Dec. 27
Ready for today’s sudokus?
Daily Jigsaw: Dispatch control
This jigsaw puzzle is a photo of the upgraded dispatch center in Collierville and was taken by Mark Weber.
Metro
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.
Premium Education Bible education program expanding into Germantown and Collierville public schools
Public Safety Native Memphian appointed No. 2 of U.S. Marshals Service
Premium Spirit of Memphis Secrets of a 2nd-generation Santa
Premium Education Westwood High teetered on the edge of closure for years. Will Memphis buy in to the middle school merger that could keep it open?
Business
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.
Premium Business U of M asking state for $162 million for two projects
Premium Business Meet the big food company in Memphis you don’t know exists
Premium Health Care Memphis Zoo elephant predicts who will win the 2025 AutoZone Liberty Bowl
Premium Real Estate Downtown mid-century high-rise bought for more than $3M
Sports
Grizzlies romp over Bucks in Morant’s return
Memphis beat Milwaukee for the eighth straight time, all of them by double digits.
Memphis Grizzlies Box score: Grizzlies 125, Bucks 104
Premium Memphis Grizzlies Grizzlies notebook: Coward’s comp, Aldama’s spot and the injury crown
Memphis Tigers Football Memphis Tigers football portal tracker
Premium Memphis Grizzlies Cam Spencer plays like nobody wants him — because nobody did
Food
$15 Deal: Libro’s 1/2 pasta portions
Three things always keep food writer Erica Horton from eating at Libro. But not this time.
Premium Table Talk Table Talk: I’m catering Christmas dinner this year
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 author debuts ‘Duck and Bubba’ book based on family bonds
Arts & Culture
Stitching love into every seam: Quilt guild’s pillowcases give Youth Villages children something of their own
A local quilting group donates part of their talent to Youth Villages residents, creating pillowcases for the children living in the Bartlett facility.
Visual Arts Glaciers, asthma and the midnight sun: Memphis artists’ adventures in the Arctic Circle
Opinion
Opinion: ‘Now we must get serious about second-chance hiring’
“I say as a retired police detective: If Memphis wants fewer repeat offenders, fewer victims, and stronger communities, we don’t need to look far for solutions. We just need to open the doors that lead to work.”
Podcasts
The AM/DM podcast: What to do on the last weekend of the year
If you’re looking for something to do this weekend, hopefully you like music or comedy. Or both.