The Daily Memphian reported July 21 that the city paid a Memphis consulting firm $10,000 to facilitate the one-and-a-half-day retreat. Here’s what it cost taxpayers. 

New documents shed some light on xAI’s long-term plans for the former Duke Energy Plant in Southaven that it bought last month.

This first day of school, Memphis-Shelby County Schools third grader Willie Perry felt “nervous and excited at the same time.” Adults interested in the school system have reasons to feel the same about the new academic year.

The funding — generated from $2.8 million interest income on federal grant money — would support a police reform task force appointed in late 2024. The Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Memphis, Children and Youth Wellness Crisis Center and PURE Academy are also proposed to receive a piece.

In this episode of The AM/DM podcast, editorial director Mary Cashiola and newsletter editor Bianca Phillips talk about what’s on the horizon this week for the Memphis area. 

Musselwhite gushes over xAI, some inmates will get out of jail free and Bartlett isn’t losing its Mojo.

For that matter, what is a viaduct, anyway?

This Political Roundup dives into what the Southaven mayor said about Elon Musk’s xAI buying a former energy plant, MLGW customers who could be cut off skyrocket, TVA’s demand highs and more.

Also happening this week: Neighborhood groups across the county host police meet-and-greets for National Night Out.

MSCS board members start another academic year with a temporary district leader, as state takeovers loom, school closures are expected, and new policies could take hold.

Each year, teachers from all seven Germantown Municipal School District schools gather at Houston High for a party and inspirational speech from Jason Manuel, the superintendent.

The Alcy Ball neighborhood in South Memphis sits beside industrial lots with a known history of contamination, most notably the former Memphis Defense Depot.

When Tennessee State Board of Education Chairman Bob Eby mentioned at a May board meeting that he wanted to launch a study of the state’s language graduation requirement, he kicked off a firestorm of public response.

John Larkin was a tireless advocate for the Overton Park Shell, and if not for him and those like him, the Shell might have been torn down and replaced by a parking lot years ago.

Two developers of affordable housing and the head of the city’s Housing and Community Development Division talked on “Behind The Headlines” about the latest wrinkles in building more affordable housing to meet a citywide shortage.

Memphis criminal justice reform nonprofit Just City already has a list of around 30 people for whom it will pay bail.

More than 1,500 students in Memphis-Shelby County Schools could lose access to targeted in-school literacy tutoring this year as nonprofit Literacy Mid-South faces budget challenges.

A cold front has arrived, a fancy wine bar opens Downtown and there’s vegan sorcery afoot at Guac Fresh Mex.

In Memphis, significant portions of the teacher population are either new to the profession or nearing retirement eligibility.

The issue stems from a May news release attorneys for Nichols’ family and estate issued.

Schwinn enjoyed a good reputation among conservative education advocates for her work in Tennessee to boost reading proficiency and target pandemic relief dollars toward academic recovery.

Germantown Municipal School District recently changed its clear-bag policy, joining the majority of public school districts around Memphis.

Assessor Melvin Burgess Jr. came to the Frayser Exchange Club on Thursday, July 31, to talk taxes. He also talked about broader issues touching on his bid to become the next county mayor.

In a Memphis August, there’s no such thing as a “cold front.” But temperatures are expected to be 10 degrees cooler on Friday than on Thursday. 

Germantown tries to help Houston High, Tom Lee’s house may see new life and runners cover 465 miles for St. Jude.