Jury selection kicks off in Abston’s rape trial, Coach Cal could be our neighbor and we’ve got a look at the good (and the bad) from Cordova’s Eat N Vibe.

Throughout his first 100 days, Memphis Mayor Paul Young has sought ways to get to “yes” and make Memphians feel heard by their new mayor, wielding his newfound power and spotlight to recast the city’s narrative and try to paint hope on Memphis’ self-portrait. 

But yes is not easy to come by. Listening takes hours that turn into days. Narratives don’t change in 90 days. Or 100. Already, circumstance has intervened. 

The study would cost $250,000, and the new center $18.6 million. County Mayor Lee Harris meanwhile has said the diversion center is a more immediate priority that could help with conditions in the current jail.

There was an undeniable buzz inside the Memphis Zoo as attendees waited for the partial solar eclipse to hit its maximum percentage.

The Daily Memphian photographer Patrick Lantrip traveled to Sikeston, Missouri, to photograph the solar eclipse. From Missouri, the disk of the sun was covered 100% by the moon, as opposed to 97.7% in Memphis.

Related content: 

Gallery: A live look at the solar eclipse

Path to totality: Memphians head out of town to get 100%

Opportunities to explore the universe offered at U of M

A new deal has been struck to fund the FedExForum renovations, according to a draft agreement obtained The Daily Memphian.

Abston’s attorney previously tried to have jurors from Davidson County used in the trial, arguing that excessive media coverage of the Eliza Fletcher case would taint a potential local jury pool.

Daily Memphian photographer Mark Weber photographed the eclipse, and those watching the eclipse, on Monday, April 8, 2024, at the University of Memphis and Overton Park.

Related content: 

Gallery: Show me the eclipse from Missouri!

Path to totality: Memphians head out of town to get 100%

Opportunities to explore the universe offered at U of M

The quarterly meetups will include expert guest speakers or panelists discussing the uses of AI in work and other settings. 

Participants will be able to learn more about more than 140 training programs for jobs in the Mid-South. 

The council move comes as Mayor Paul Young prepares to fill the newly created position of city public safety director. Meanwhile, Young takes some changes in the current city budget to the council Tuesday, April 9, which may be clues to his budget for the new fiscal year.

But first, the Memphis Police Association says the city needs to demote 120-plus newly promoted second lieutenants.

County elections administrator Linda Phillips said in a release that all petitioners should be aware of pending legislation that could remove Melissa Boyd’s former seat, making any petitions null and void. 

A bill to complete the financing remains pending at the Tennessee General Assembly.

The exploration this month began with an an eclipse gathering. 

MPD’s homicide-solve rate is complicated, DeSoto’s DA has a true-crime podcast and you’ll be paying more for crawfish this season. 

Chasing the feeling of being “on another planet for a while,” Memphians are headed to places such as Greers Ferry and Cherry Valley, Arkansas, and Purmela, Texas, to experience this year’s total eclipse. 

A lack of solid, shared data across the local public safety system’s multiple agencies has led to plenty of discrepancies, and the Memphis Police Department’s homicide clearance rate stands as a stark example.

Also happening this week: Memphis City Council member Michalyn Easter-Thomas’ ethics board hearing. Plus, there’s a free Brown v. Topeka Board of Education conference at the University of Memphis.

The problems that have led to business nuisance closures in recent years have ranged from drug crimes to homicides, yet the establishments usually don’t stay closed long. The DA’s office says the process is an effort to stop illegal activity, not lawful commerce.

While walking to raise awareness for breast-cancer rates in Black women, Sista Strut recognized Danita Brown for her work in the community.

President Bill Hardgrave wants to make the U of M “the most transfer-friendly university in the country.”

U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn and Rep. David Kustoff, both Republicans, and Democratic Rep. Steve Cohen all face challengers in the August primaries as well as the November general election.

On the first episode of “DeSoto Crime Cast,” DA Matthew Barton says he plans to go after all citizens who shoot at members of law enforcement the same way he did Kyle Dodson.

Tennessee Department of Transportation will close the Bobby Lanier Bridge near Germantown Parkway and Wolf River Boulevard this weekend, April 5-8, as it prepares for a longer closure starting next weekend.