Memphis council chair warned her behavior could violate city charter
Memphis City Council Chairwoman Jana Swearengen-Washington has been accused of using her position to benefit her niece, who worked in the city’s IT department.
Hill: It may be ‘zero-sum’ for the league, but it’s bad for the Grizzlies
On a conference call Thursday, league executives offered an explanation for its new lottery system that likely won’t land well with Grizzlies fans.Related content:
The Early Word: Slaps on the wrist for City Council chair and Arlington mayor
NBA passes lottery reform that could impact the Grizzlies, a Bartlett soul-food spot catches fire and you can stop worrying about Fred Smith Jr.
Fred Smith Jr. to participate in Memphis basketball workouts, his father says
University of Memphis basketball summer workouts start June 2. Prized Briarcrest product Fred Smith Jr. will indeed be among the participants, his father told The Daily Memphian.
Here’s who is on the panel that will hear the federal redistricting cases
Three judges have been selected to preside over the constitutional challenges to Tennessee’s new congressional map.
Arlington mayor’s shoplifting case dismissed
The shoplifting charge against Arlington Mayor Mike Wissman was dismissed after an appearance in General Sessions court.
Food Files: Local Insomniacs get a third Memphis location
The late-night cookie chain Insomnia Cookies will soon open its third Memphis store on Winchester Road. Tekila Group opened its newest concept in Senatobia. A Downtown patio area up for debate.
Memphis FC falls in home opener
City’s United Soccer League 2 team drops to 0-2, but Thursday was another step in the process.
State prosecutors, civil rights attorneys argue over bail statute
Attorneys squared off in federal court Wednesday over a 2024 state law that changed Shelby County’s bail-setting procedures.
$15 Deal: Harry’s three-topping pizza
Head to Harry’s Italian Restaurant, owned by the family behind Olympic Steak & Pizza, for this $15 deal available on Thursdays.
NBA Lottery reform passes despite Grizzlies objection
Per a team source, the Grizzlies’ vote was based on the league’s implementation of the consecutive picks rule, not based on opposition to the larger lottery reform proposal.
Chef Flavas’ Bartlett location caught fire, but Downtown is ready for business
Owner Chris Moore said they weren’t planning to open the Downtown location of Chef Flavas until mid-June, but now they are offering to-go orders from the new restaurant.
There’s an app to track sex offenders in DeSoto County
There are more than 250 registered sex offenders in DeSoto County. Now, a new app allows residents to track offenders, get alerts if their child is contacted by someone on their watch list and more.
After highs and lows, Duron Sutton finds renewed purpose at Germantown
Football has given Germantown’s new coach plenty. Now, he’s aiming to give his all to the Red Devils.
Eat spaghetti gravy at Italian Fest, and dance to Italo disco at Wiseacre
In this week’s To-Do List, hear “weird music” at Crosstown, watch dragon boats race at Shelby Farms and see Olympic stars on ice in Southaven.
Horseshoe Tunica operator closer to $17B merger
Caesars Entertainment, which operates the Horseshoe casino in Tunica, is being acquired by a Houston-based entertainment company for $17.6 billion.
Methodist hospital back to normal admissions, surgeries after early morning transformer fire
Methodist University Hospital back to normal admissions, surgeries after early morning transformer fire caused damage
The AM/DM podcast: Five Betties and a lot of cats
Redbirds recap: Memphis jumps back to first place with extra-inning win
Memphis wins their third-straight game behind a stellar Joshua Báez slugging stretch.
Key senators look to break college sports logjam in Congress with bipartisan bill
The senators will introduce a bipartisan bill that would regulate payments to players, limit them to one “free” transfer over their careers and create a “Lane Kiffin Rule” to restrict coach movement during the season.
What Daily Memphians think*
“I hope it is Boozer. It’s really hard to find good consistent bigs these days. And he is one.” — Martha Smith about Herrington: The Grizzlies have a decision to make at No. 3. It might be an easy one.
“Nevertheless — Way to Go, Kid ! !” — Arthur Treacher about Memphis-area speller eliminated in quarterfinals of national bee
“I grew up with college football on Saturday afternoons. Loved it. Now UM is almost all night games. Very hard for old fans. But ‘Television, Inc.’ calls all the shots now in every sport.” — John Malmo about Kickoff times for eight Memphis football games announced
* Select comments upvoted by Daily Memphian readers.
Sudoku: May 29
Are you ready for it? Here are today’s sudokus.
Daily WordRow: May 29
Are you a Wordle fan? Try WordRow, a similar game. It’s free to play.
Daily Jigsaw: Houston’s end of the line
This jigsaw puzzle is a photo from the Spring Fling final game for Houston High baseball and was taken by Mark Humphreys.
Arts Beat: Briarcrest alumnus in ‘Beauty & the Beast’ at the Orpheum
The Lakeland native started out in the children’s programs at Germantown Community Theatre, Playhouse on the Square, Harrell Theatre and New Day Children’s Theatre.
Bailey: Don’t forget to recognize the 11-year-old who cast a S-P-E-L-L
Josh Verma made it to the national spelling bee for the third straight year. Even though he was eliminated this week, the Farmington Elementary student deserves notice.
Metro
Blackburn says Trump’s $1.8B anti-weaponization fund needs ‘a revisit’
Blackburn’s comments, which came during a stop in Memphis, are her first on the controversial fund that could be used to pay those convicted of violent offenses in the Jan. 6, 2021, U.S. Capitol insurrection.
Germantown Memphis-area speller eliminated in quarterfinals of national bee
Shelby County DA sues over state laws requiring Task Force reports
City of Memphis City Council lets impasse ordinance veto stand. Now the rewrite begins.
State Government Judges uphold map in state redistricting lawsuit
Business
Inked: Downtown’s The Daily News building has a new owner
Local buyers claim former Daily News building and Fox Run Square. Helen of Troy expands to Southeast Memphis.
Premium Transportation & Logistics AutoZone earnings climb as new mega-hub stores beat sales expectations
Premium Real Estate Former Immaculate Conception high school buildings, convent being demolished
Movers and Shakers Movers & Shakers: Boyle elevates executives, SCO names Trustees
Spirit of Memphis The AM/DM podcast: A career that began on the air
Sports
Herrington: The Grizzlies have a decision to make at No. 3. It might be an easy one.
The Grizzlies obviously covet Cameron Boozer with the No. 3 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft. But do they?
Memphis Tigers Football Kickoff times for eight Memphis football games announced
Sports Tigers will open NCAA golf championships
Grizzlies Podcast Grizzlies Podcast: Lottery rules fiasco, Boozer vs. Wilson
High School Sports Daily Memphian postseason tennis awards: Standouts from MUS, Lausanne honored
Food
Table Talk: Etowah goes back to the beginning
Kinfolk owner Cole Jeanes was the chef for both the first and the most recent Etowah Collective Dinner.
Premium Food Oh, sip! Dr. Bean’s Coffee is owned by an actual doctor, and his last name is really Bean.
Premium Food News Restaurant Remix: No Comment is staying ’80s-themed but with a twist
Suburbs
Most suburban school districts say they aren’t getting funding owed to them
A 13-year-old referendum is sparking a budget battle in some Memphis suburbs as school boards see flat funding despite higher property values. However, government officials say they can freeze the funding due to other ways they contribute.
Premium Collierville Collierville budget plan: no tax increase, higher utility bills and more employee benefits
North Mississippi DeSoto County vets start club for fellow disabled former service members
Arts & Culture
Only 16, this Memphis kid has performed nationwide and stars in ‘Michael’
Jaylen Hunter has toured the U.S. in major stage productions of “The Lion King” and “MJ The Musical,” and in recent weeks, millions around the world have seen him play young Marlon Jackson in the blockbuster movie “Michael.”
Visual Arts Memphis Movies This Week: Discovering ‘Backrooms’, reliving ‘Summer of Soul’
Premium Spirit of Memphis Well versed: A Memphis wordsmith makes history with ‘little poems’
Opinion
Opinion: People — not dogs — have created our stray problem
“There is no shelter system, rescue network or group of volunteers large enough to absorb endless human irresponsibility. Memphis cannot rescue its way out of this.”
Podcasts
Books from Birth looks for ways to double its service
Wynette Jones, program director for Books from Birth, joined Eric Barnes on this week’s episode of “The Sidebar” to talk about Books from Birth.
Games
Daily Jigsaw: Memphis Memorial Day
Today’s puzzle is from the West Tennessee Veterans Cemetery on Memorial Day and was taken by Mark Weber.