The first Shelby County Commission meeting of the year saw a first step toward a review board to hear misconduct allegations against the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office.

“Before it could even really begin, the Mikey Williams era at the University of Memphis is over.”

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Shelby County Criminal Court Division 3 Judge James Jones Jr. made the ruling in Joel Bowman’s case Monday, Jan. 8, after hearing from witnesses, including the victim of the burglary and Bowman’s former basketball coach.

More than 60% of money has been pledged; the finished library and science suite will open in summer 2025. 

In taking down the Los Angeles Lakers on Friday and then the Phoenix Suns on Sunday, Memphis won consecutive games for only the third time this season.

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Nine local schools ranked in first boys state rankings, including Bartlett High at No. 1 in Class 4A and Douglass High at No. 1 in Class 2A.

At the birthday celebration, Joel Weinshanker presented an acetate record of Elvis Presley’s “That’s Alright Mama,” which was the late singer’s first commercial recording. 

More than half of the 20 players Memphis drafted came from the New Orleans Breakers’ roster. The Showboats also selected Case Cookus, one of the USFL’s top quarterbacks last season. 

The Memphis Grizzlies are staying humble as they try to climb their way out of the bottom of the West. 

The Tigers rise in the AP Top 25 poll for the fourth consecutive week.

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Standouts from Memphis School of Excellence-Winchester, St. Benedict, St. George’s, Trezevant and Westwood are up for consideration this week. 

Standouts from Bartlett, ECS, FACS, Harding and Memphis Business Academy are up for consideration this week.

Shelby County commissioners start the new year Monday, Jan. 8, with a short agenda and a deeper dive into the details and rules of getting to votes on resolutions and ordinances.

Other than Gov. Bill Lee’s proposal to expand private school vouchers, legislation intended to fight crime is likely to be the General Assembly’s biggest focus in its 2023 legislative session, which begins Tuesday.

Five former Memphis Police Department officers received state and federal charges for their alleged roles in Tyre Nichols’ death. They were also named as defendants in a civil wrongful death suit Nichols’ family filed. Here’s where their cases stand.

The new mayor and Memphis City Council members were sworn in to office Jan. 1. This puzzle features a Mark Weber photo of Ephie Johnson and Kirk Whalum.

Here’s where things get interesting — with a hard puzzle. 

“Memphis, we need to get it together here because we going in the wrong direction,” said RowVaughn Wells, Tyre Nichols’ mother, at the one-year anniversary vigil in Hickory Hill. “This is a beautiful city, I used to brag about it. I don’t brag about it anymore.”

Young’s hustle and energy helps Tigers snap out of first-half funk and get momentum and the crowd back into Sunday’s game.

“Jahvon Quinerly bailed the Tigers out, again, but even he knows there is a price to eventually pay for living on the edge.”

The Grizzlies star point guard was on the bench in a sling, but Jaren Jackson Jr., Vince Williams Jr., Desmond Bane and Marcus Smart lifted the team to come back win on the road.

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Box score: Grizzlies 121, Suns, 115

Ja Morant out with shoulder injury vs. Suns

Mills had averaged 7.9 points, 3.1 rebounds and 1.4 assists in 24.2 minutes through 14 games for Memphis. The fifth-year senior’s college career is over.

Memphis was flat out the gate against SMU but eventually turned things around before point guard Jahvon Quinerly played hero. Again.

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Box score: Memphis 62, SMU 59

Jayhlon Young serves as unsung hero in Tigers’ win over SMU

Memphis’ Caleb Mills to miss remainder of season with knee injury

Elvis Presley would have been 89 on Monday, Jan. 8. And as always, Graceland is hosting a party. Also this week: The Memphis City Council holds its first meeting since new members were elected.

Hold onto your hat, it’s gonna be breezy Monday afternoon through Tuesday night. The National Weather Service also says there’s a chance of snow Friday evening.