MPD spends more than a million dollars a year on overtime to staff special events. But it’s billing for only 60%, leaving taxpayers on the hook for the other 40%. 

Maybe we shouldn’t have been surprised the Memphis Tigers are a No. 5 seed in the NCAA Tournament. They’ve certainly earned the respect. 

For a while last offseason, there was no telling how this season might end for Penny Hardaway and his Tigers. And Memphis’ new athletic director arrived well-aware of all the bad vibes.

Before No. 5 seed Memphis takes on No. 12 seed Colorado State in the first round of the NCAA Tournament’s West Regional in Seattle at 1 p.m. CT Friday (TBS), learn a little bit about the Rams.

The possible freeze, which follows the indictment of Commissioner Edmund Ford Jr. on bribery and tax evasion charges linked to grants, is one of the items on the March 17 agenda. 

Tony Madlock, a former Memphis player and assistant coach, led Alabama State to its first SWAC Tournament Championship since 2011. His son TJ was a major reason why. 

This trip to the Big Dance comes after Hardaway led Memphis to a bounceback season in which it has already won its most games since 2012-13.

Also happening this week: Memphis amateur athletes are honored, and suburban schools are on spring break.

Despite having just nine scholarship players available, the Tigers captured the AAC Tournament title. PJ Haggerty and Dain Dainja combined for 45 points to lead Memphis.

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Box score: Memphis 84, UAB 72

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“We have over 10,000 abandoned homes in disrepair, with overgrown yards, piles of trash, and more. It’s time to shift accountability back to where it belongs and make neglectful property owners pay up.”

Walter Clayton Jr. scored 22 points and fourth-ranked Florida won its fifth Southeastern Conference Tournament title and first since 2014 Sunday, beating the No. 8 Tennessee Volunteers 86-77.

Joining Memphis on the list of finalists for the 2026 AAC’s men’s basketball tournament are Wichita, Kansas; Birmingham, Alabama; and Tampa, Florida.

Dr. Bret Mettler is a new leader at Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital’s growing Heart Institute, which boasts a slew of recently recruited pediatric cardiologists and heart surgeons from around the country.

Foster: “By prioritizing community investment, Shelby County can address the root causes of crime rather than perpetuating a cycle of incarceration.”

When Complete Care Family Psychiatry opened, Dr. Annie Gadiparthi wanted to offer unique care based on clinical shifts. Her own experiences fueled her passion.

Harmony at Morning Grove is accepting applications for the 55-and-older community that includes 196 units in a four-story building at 9525 U.S. 64.

A change in how federal criminal cases are processed has left violence hotlines, domestic violence shelters and child-abuse counseling centers struggling — and looking to the State of Tennessee for help.

“Coffee brings people to the table,” Cxffeeblack founder Bartholomew Jones said.

“I’m fully aware that we didn’t have it all right back then. But today, I lament the passing of the past by submitting this list of Top 5 Everyday Experiences from My Childhood That My Kids Know Nothing About.”

“On and off the court, Allen turned being an NBA player into a kind of lunatic performance art, and in Memphis, he found a deeply appreciative audience.”

The Bartlett Panthers finish as state runner-up for the third consecutive season.

Jaren Jackson Jr. had 31 points, and Desmond Bane added 22 points, 10 rebounds and eight assists as the Memphis Grizzlies led from start to finish.

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Box Score: Grizzlies 125, Heat 91

The No. 1 seed Tigers (28-5) will take on the No. 3 seed Blazers (22-11) for the AAC Tournament championship on Sunday (2:15 p.m., ESPN or ESPN+) at Dickies Arena in Fort Worth, Texas.

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Tigers NCAA Bracketology tracker. What seed will Memphis receive?

About 30 people showed up to the Mid-South Ice House Saturday to learn the ancient sport of curling, taught by members of the Mid-South Curling Club.

“Our team is built one through 13 to be ready to play and to be ready for war,” coach Penny Hardaway said Saturday. “So, when one guy goes down, the next guy’s gonna step up.”

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Box score: Memphis 78, Tulane 77

Tigers NCAA Bracketology tracker. What seed will Memphis receive?