Martin: Memphis escapes Rice. Tiger fans should probably get used to days like this.
It’s a win, to be sure. The Tigers are 2-0 in league play and have won three in a row. But can you really look at this team and think the arrow is pointing up?
Memphis ekes out win over Rice for first road victory of season
On Saturday afternoon, Memphis (7-7, 2-0 American Conference) needed to string together enough plays late to defeat Rice in Houston.Related content:
Box score: Memphis 76, Rice 70
Box score for Saturday’s NCAA men’s basketball game between the Memphis Tigers and Rice Owls played at Tudor Fieldhouse in Houston.
Venezuelans in Memphis feel euphoria now that ‘nightmare’ is over — but dreams for future uneasy
Venezuelans in Memphis cheered the removal of their home country’s president but express fear and uncertainty about what comes next for the beleaguered South American nation.
After US topples Maduro, Memphis-area leaders react
The Memphis area’s representatives in Washington, D.C., reacted hours after the military operation that took Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro into custody for trial on federal drug charges in the U.S.Related story:
Trump claims Memphis crime drop due to Task Force
President Donald Trump linked Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro’s regime to the alleged presence of Venezuelan gangs in American cities, including Memphis.
Milton Nichols, former Olive Branch mayor dies
Milton Nichols held the mayor’s office for 20 years from 1977 to 1997. He then won a seat on the DeSoto County Schools Board of Education, serving from 2011 to 2023.
Memphis officially announces coaching staff hires
Many of head coach Charles Huff’s hires had already been reported, but the Tigers made the additions official with their announcements.
Buckley: Is the Liberty Bowl doomed? Far from it, one Memphian says.
AutoZone Liberty Bowl executive director Steve Ehrhart addresses the future of the game, which saw Navy beat Cincinnati in the rain after a week of fun in Memphis.
Shelby County traffic fatalities are way down, and MPD credits outside manpower for the decline
The number of traffic fatalities in Shelby County dropped by almost a third in 2025, and MPD credits its officers as well as the extra help provided by state and federal officers.
Memphis saw lowest number of murders since 2015
Memphis saw a 26.4% decline in murders year over year.
LaRavia, Smart stick it to old team in win over Grizzlies
Former Grizzlies Jake LaRavia and Marcus Smart made clutch plays for Los Angeles as the Lakers pulled away from Memphis during the fourth quarter. Related content:
Recipe Exchange: The Chubby Vegetarian’s warm egg roll salad
The Chubby Vegetarian’s warm egg roll salad is a warm, savory dish that is a fun and delicious way to get more vegetables in at lunch or dinner.
Two of the biggest Memphis stories of 2025 have a surprising connection
On Behind The Headlines, reporters discuss top local stories of 2025, including the link between the Memphis-Shelby County Schools ouster of Marie Feagins, and the arrival of the National Guard.
Blake Horvath leads Navy to victory over short-handed Cincinnati in AutoZone Liberty Bowl
Horvath scored on a 2-yard run and had scoring passes of 30 and 13 yards on a wet field and in overcast conditions at the 67th annual AutoZone Liberty Bowl.Related content:
Sudoku: Jan. 3
Are you ready for it? Here are today’s sudokus.
Daily WordRow: Jan. 3
Are you a Wordle fan? Try WordRow, a similar game. It’s free to play.
Daily Jigsaw: Working at the club
Today’s puzzle is of the former Club 616 on Marshall Avenue and was taken by Mark Weber.
Lymphatic massage gains momentum in Memphis
Lymphatic-drainage massage is gaining traction across Memphis as practitioners and clients alike tout its gentle techniques, postsurgical benefits and surprising impact on overall wellness.
Metro
First five qualify as 2026 Shelby County primary field takes shape
Take a look at the latest list of who has a petition in circulation and who has gotten the 25 signatures required to get on the May 5, 2026, county primary ballot.
Premium City of Memphis Money, MATA, xAI: Top Memphis City Council votes of 2025
Shelby County Top County Commission votes: MSCS board elections, budget, ethics
Premium Public Safety Christmas party shooting rekindles fight over ‘party house’ rentals
Premium City of Memphis New THC laws will reshape how Tennessee eats, drinks and gets high
Business
XAI buys building for 3rd Memphis-area data center in Southaven
The company already has two Memphis data centers.
Premium Real Estate First Horizon building next to former Houston’s sold
Business Start your engines: Former Memphis Motorsports Park to reopen
Business TVA moving ahead with natural gas turbines in Southwest Memphis
Health Care Want to be healthier? Local app makers are looking out for you.
Sports
Martin: Uncomfortable conversations coming for Memphis basketball, and more 2026 Memphis sports predictions
As 2025 draws to a close, it’s time for John Martin’s annual list of Memphis sports predictions for the new year.
Premium Memphis Grizzlies Herrington: The bad and (yes) good of the Grizzlies’ game of the year
Premium Geoff Calkins Calkins: Why the Memphis sports year was so disappointing — and what can be done now
Sports AutoZone Liberty Bowl box score: Navy 35, Cincinnati 13
Memphis Grizzlies Grizzlies podcast: Morant returns; trade deadline approaches
Food
Food Files: Maciel’s on Summer closed, Byway Coffee No. 2
Plus, 7Brew is set to plant another location and another Piccadilly To-Go could come to Memphis.
Premium Business Marshall Steakhouse owner decides against selling
$15 Deals $15 Deal: Soul Fish’s crawfish tacos have crunchy inside and chewy shell
Suburbs
State senator to introduce legislation targeting school board member who supported Lindsey Whiteside
As the federal trial for Lindsey Whiteside is delayed by a month, a DeSoto County state senator is seeking legislation targeting officials who vouched for the former youth pastor charged with sexual battery with a minor.
Premium Suburbs Bailey: Hold the jerky for a year. Buc-ee’s ain’t comin’ to Fayette County yet
Premium Millington ‘Save the Harrold’ campaign reimagines historic Millington building
Arts & Culture
Memphis Movies This Week: A promising note on ‘Song Sung Blue,’ a ‘Plague’ in theaters
“Stranger Things” fans can watch the finale of the Netflix series in a communal, big-screen setting at Paradiso Cinema Grill on New Year’s Eve and on New Year’s Day.
Visual Arts Dixon opens third installment of ‘Black Artists in America’
Premium Spirit of Memphis For Monica Sanchez, Cazateatro is a labor of love
Opinion
Opinion: Why the Shelby County Clerk’s Office deserves our attention
“At its best, the Clerk’s Office is where the government meets everyday life, where efficiency, fairness and accountability translate directly into better public service.”
Opinion Echols: ‘Much like a middle child, Gen X can feel overlooked or unseen’
Podcasts
Grizzlies podcast: Morant returns; trade deadline approaches
Drew Hill and Chris Herrington discuss Ja Morant’s return, Jaren Jackson Jr.’s positive trajectory and the options on the table for the Grizzlies this trade deadline.
Podcasts The AM/DM podcast: Ask Me Anything edition
Games
Daily WordRow: Jan. 3
Are you a Wordle fan? Try WordRow, a similar game. It’s free to play.
Games Daily Jigsaw: Working at the club
Neighborhoods
Hike, paddle, mediate or wrestle your way into a new year
This week, an Elvis tribute artist pays tribute to Elton John, and Navy takes on Cincinnati in the AutoZone Liberty Bowl.