Former basketball player arrested for sexual assault at St. George’s
Bryant Swing Jr. turned himself in Friday following an investigation of rape at St. George’s outside of school hours.
New Memphis indoor football team ain’t nothing but Hound Dogs
Memphis’ latest minor-league professional football team has a nickname that pays homage to Memphis music history.
Ford suppliers to pay $5M in property taxes to Stanton, Tenn., throughout 10 years
“Rebuilding Main Street and creating a vibrant downtown continues to be my main priority,” Stanton’s mayor said. “This funding gives Stanton the ability to move from planning to construction and to invest in the core of our town.”
From organizers to donors, it took heart to make Northside Square project happen
Unconventional project provides new digs for Code Crew, Greater Memphis Chamber, Literacy Mid-South, Moore Tech, Memphis Symphony and Collective Blue Print.
FedEx announces board members for freight division, timeline for spinoff
FedEx Corp. aims to make FedEx Freight a standalone, public company starting in June.
Shelby County Jail inmate died from heart failure, autopsy finds
According to an official autopsy report, heart disease claimed Antonio First, who died Nov. 1 at the Shelby County Jail.
Rachel Davis to run for Collierville Schools board
Rachel Davis moved to Collierville because keeping her kids in the district was important. Now she’s seeking election to the suburb’s Board of Education.
Multiple major leaguers coming to Memphis area in Cardinals Caravan
Local prospect Blaze Jordan along with a newly acquired pitcher and three pitchers who played for the St. Louis Cardinals last season are part of the caravan headed to Germantown.
Tigers honoring two Memphians who have left their mark on the city
The University of Memphis is honoring two graduates with its Legacy Award.
Lakeland earmarks land for new veterans center
Lakeland commissioners have approved the city negotiating with a veterans group to locate a new center south of the Interstate 40 and Canada Road interchange.
Arts Beat: Hattiloo bringing play to South Africa
The all-Memphis cast will spend a month in South Africa, with support from Hattiloo.
Bailey: Trees gone, doctors on the way
With the disappearance of trees along one stretch of Wolf River Boulevard, the suburb’s medical corridor should soon get new offices.
Downtown Crazy Coop closes, takes planned French restaurant down with it
Fleur was meant to be a French/American Southern fusion restaurant located in the former Fancy’s Fish House space in One Beale.
Thousands more applied for Tennessee vouchers. What does that mean for Shelby County?
Last year, 5,500 Shelby County students got about $45 million in public funding to use at private schools by participating in the state’s two major school voucher initiatives. Even more vouchers could be on the way.
Pottery Barn packs up for Southaven, leaving Memphis behind
Tanger Outlets in DeSoto County will soon be the new home of Pottery Barn.
Former VP Kamala Harris doesn’t mince words about Trump at Memphis book-tour stop
Former Vice President Kamala Harris torched President Donald Trump at the Orpheum Theatre, calling his administration “callous, corrupt and incompetent.”
Food Files: Cat cafe comes to Southaven, Gibson’s and Carrington Oaks Coffeehouse Collierville reopen
In this edition of Food Files: Fancy Cat Cafe in Southaven offers coffee and cats. Gibson’s Donuts made some upgrades, but “everything is back to normal.” And Carrington Oaks Coffeehouse in Collierville has reopened.
Opinion: Our Afghan neighbors should be welcomed, not detained
“These Afghan immigrants are not criminals. These are our neighbors. They did not enter the United States illegally and they have not violated any of the prescribed guidelines our government has given them.”
A long week for the Grizzlies ends in Berlin defeat
The game, which sold out minutes after tickets released months ago — 14,500 strong — was the first regular-season contest ever played in Germany. NBA hopes Ja Morant can play against Magic in London on SundayRelated content:
Wanda Chism will not seek reelection to Collierville school board
“It’s time, and I’m very happy with my decision. I have no regrets,” Chism said.
High school football transfer tracker: Some big names on the move for 2026
A Mr. Football runner-up, a couple of talented running backs and a massive offensive lineman are among the players who will have new high schools in 2026.
What Daily Memphians think*
“Fix the trolley system and get people moving around downtown again ...” — Karen Smith about Memphis lands $74M in state money for Beale Street
“Hold judgment till coach is playing with healthy roster ...” — Ralph Morgan about A long week for the Grizzlies ends in Berlin defeat
“Beale Street needs all the money it can get!” — James Williams about Memphis lands $74M in state money for Beale Street
* Select comments upvoted by Daily Memphian readers.
After inmate deaths, Harris says Shelby County Jail needs real reform, not rhetoric
Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris is calling for stronger reforms at the Shelby County Jail, saying the Sheriff’s plan falls short amid a rise in inmate deaths and what he described as a “lack of basic humanity.”
Lakeland Prep readies for first robotics competition
Students at Lakeland Prep are preparing for a weekend robotics competition where an outstanding performance could earn them a spot in the state championship next month.
Sudoku: Jan. 16
Ready for today’s sudokus?
Daily Jigsaw: Blacksmithing
This jigsaw puzzle is from the National Ornamental Metal Museum’s A Day of Tasters event and was taken by Patrick Lantrip.
Daily WordRow: Jan. 16
Are you a Wordle fan? Try WordRow, a similar game. It’s free to play.
Metro
In wake of fatal Minneapolis ICE shooting, some locals worry what could happen here
U.S. Rep. Steve Cohen is calling on Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem to resign as federal immigration raids in other places have taken a violent turn.
Premium Education Once weighing whether to leave, new CBU president tasked with saving school that shaped his life
Premium Public Safety Memphis prosecutors feel weight of Task Force cases
Premium State Government Lawmakers return to Capitol Hill with affordability, immigration on the mind
Public Safety Man dies in Frayser after chase with Task Force
Business
The next Blockbuster? Local GameStop locations to close — part of 400+ nationwide
In its third quarter earnings report from Dec. 9, GameStop officials said it had already closed 590 stores and anticipated “closing a significant number of additional stores.”
Premium Business Another local AI data center planned, this one on Sycamore View
Premium Health Care Trees on Wolf River Boulevard cleared for possibly 2 new Germantown medical offices
Premium Real Estate After a steep drop in 2025, new home starts picking up in Lakeland
Transportation & Logistics Amazon to add same-day delivery facility in Memphis
Sports
NBA hopes Ja Morant can play against Magic in London on Sunday
Saturday is the most likely date the Grizzlies would reveal some sort of decision about Morant’s availability for the London game.
Premium High School Sports High school football transfer tracker: Some big names on the move for 2026
Premium Memphis Grizzlies Ja Morant’s reaction to trade rumors: ‘Live with it’
Memphis Tigers Football Memphis adding more quarterback talent from the portal
Premium Memphis Grizzlies Grizzlies 25: James Posey defined the franchise’s first good team
Food
Not so fast, barbecue fans. Amid uncertainty over combined BBQ fest, community reacts
The announcement that the SmokeSlam BBQ Festival and MIM’s World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest would likely participate in a shared 2027 event was met with happiness, suspicion, disbelief and — from many MIM board members — confusion. Related content:
Premium Table Talk Table Talk: Smoke signals and mixed messages
City of Memphis SmokeSlam to pause in 2026, could combine with MIM for 2027
Suburbs
‘Every dollar is counting these days’: Residents who want out of Collierville speak to board
“If I was asking you to give me 300 bucks a month every day for five years and get nothing — what would you do?” one of the property owners said.
North Mississippi Concrete plans: Design approved for multi-use safe room in case of emergencies
Germantown Germantown updates rules on beer, liquor sales
Arts & Culture
‘Young Warriors’ is more than a movie made in Memphis; it’s the start of a film ecosystem in Memphis
As “Young Warriors” wraps filming across Memphis, a local production company is proving the city can be both the setting and the engine for films with national reach and deep local roots.
The Sidebar: Eric Barnes on arts, culture & more Brantley Ellzey on the intensity and relief he finds in his new art exhibit
City of Memphis Council plans to turn block of Monroe into ‘Hyde Family Way’
Opinion
Opinion: For Memphis Jews, the arson attack in Jackson is painfully close to home
“Beth Israel is a place where people come to mourn loved ones and celebrate new love, to mark milestones and share meals together. Anyone who visits their church, mosque or temple for such moments can easily imagine our pain.”
Podcasts
The AM/DM podcast: All about orangutans, including the newest at the Memphis Zoo
Having a new baby orangutan at the Memphis Zoo is good news for the species, the world and the city — and it’s unbelievably adorable.
Games
Daily Jigsaw: Baby Ruhana
This jigsaw puzzle is a photo of orangutan mom Jahe as she cuddles her newborn daughter Ruhana, and it was provided by the Memphis Zoo.