The observation deck and boardwalk are due to open next year. It will offer an unobstructed view of the Mississippi River.

The Memphis City Council votes on urging Gov. Bill Lee to stop the deployment of the National Guard to the city. The resolution also authorizes the council’s attorney to take legal action to stop the troops if necessary.

Sweet Musings first opened last year in Cordova with from-scratch pastries made daily. 

Standouts from Central, ECS, Fairley, Northpoint, Rossville Christian and Southwind are up for consideration. 

“The big alligators will swim about 20 yards from you, parallel to you, and they’ll stay right next to you for about half a mile,” said one paddler. “What they’re trying to do is figure out who’s bigger — you in the kayak, or them.”

A Memphis festival this week includes ‘70s Zambian psychedelic rock, early ‘80s Georgia post-punk, Moroccan “desert blues,” Rhode Island noise-rock, Chicago power-pop, soulful New Orleans garage-rock, U.K. and Australian singer-songwriters and Pacific Northwest indie mainstays. 

Two species of geckos can now be found in Memphis, part of an “invasion” from Florida. But not to worry: they aren’t causing any trouble.

Today’s jigsaw puzzle features an image by Brad Vest from the recent Memphis Comic Expo.

Are you a Wordle fan? Try WordRow, a similar game. It’s free to play.

Zach Williams has hit comedy gold with his online clips about Grandpa, a National Guard veteran remembering his time in the Bluff City, and a bunch of Memphis-centric inside jokes. 

The Dixon’s resident feline has survived enough near catnappings that the museum has put up a little sign letting people know he works there and not to take him home.

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Also happening this week: Memphis Music Hall of Fame inducts six new members, and Collierville could reach its liquor store limit. 

Memphis clinches a winning home record with the season finale victory.

Shelby County commissioners will weigh in on the coming of National Guard troops to Memphis. Commissioners also return to the question of a new jail and moving Memphis school board elections.

“For my final column, I wanted to write a letter to Memphis, to the city I love and that has made so much of my story possible,” Narcisse said. 

“The farming aspect is really dope, but I ultimately like having that feeling of service,” said one veteran.

Two barbers who formerly worked at the Stage Road Barber Shop have opened The Barber Shop, an old-fashioned clip business around the corner from their former employer.

“New structures and new individuals and new ideas will have to bridge the gap between a dying community and a living community,” said Hyde Park resident Jairus Winfrey.

Political Notebook: How Memphis’ representatives in Washington voted on honoring Turning Point founder Charlie Kirk, and a resolution to keep the federal government funded.

The coming deployment of the Guard to the city is also finding its way into other parts of local politics including a surprise appearance by a Democratic County Commissioner at a Republican rally backing the Guard’s arrival.

Today’s jigsaw puzzle features a photo from the 37th annual Cooper-Young Festival taken by freelance photographer Brad Vest.

When Robert Moody joined the Memphis Symphony in 2016, the orchestra was in danger of collapsing due to financial challenges. But Moody believed the MSO could survive. 

Ready for today’s sudokus?

 Are you a Wordle fan? Try WordRow, a similar game. It’s free to play.