The city spends big on contracts, the Showboats are off to a slow start and we look at why it takes so long to open a restaurant.

The Daily Memphian examined city consulting contracts executed in 2025, which focus on technology, improving the police department’s efficiency and more.

For more than 35 years, buffalo have been a part of Shelby Farms. In the latest installment of “Ask the Memphian,” we take a look at their past and future as symbols of the park.

Also happening this week: James Beard Award finalists will be named, and pickleball is popping up.

The Monday, March 31, County Commission meeting will be a busy one. On the agenda is an advisory board for Memphis-Shelby County Schools and a call for public hearings on xAI’s permitting process.

The convention to elect a local party chairman went astray over the bylaws and the 300 attendees never got around to voting on a new leader. 

Dozens gathered at Grind City Brewing on Saturday to celebrate all things canine as part of the annual Dogchella event. Local dog celebrities Sir Meatball and Milkshake lent their star power to the event.

The owner of Biscuits & Jams, the owner of Cameo and Mary’s BOTE and the former owner of Edge Alley discuss the struggles, successes and realities of the industry this week on the WKNO-TV’s “Behind The Headlines.”

President Donald Trump announced Murphy will replace Reagan Fondren in the post, according to U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn of Tennessee. Fondren was fired Thursday in a one-line email from not only the interim position but also as a Justice Department employee.

Dr. Ralph Alvarado, commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Health, touched on everything from vaccines to fluoride to health disparities during a presentation at the University of Memphis on Friday, March 28.

Although the resident contracted West Nile virus after they traveled to a region where its endemic, the case serves as a reminder to all residents to protect themselves against mosquito bites with the weather heating up. 

State Sen. Brent Taylor, R-Eads, and Senate leaders are asking the Tennessee Supreme Court to appoint a panel outside the legislature to investigate Shelby County District Attorney General Steve Mulroy. 

A jury of up to 16 members will be brought in from out of town to hear the state case against three former Memphis police officers charged in the death of Tyre Nichols, a judge ruled.

MATA’s Bacarra Mauldin has been fired, three weeks after she was placed on administrative leave following the discovery of questionable charges on her company credit card.

Trump could let xAI off the hook for air pollution, the state takeover bill could snare other school districts and JoJo’s has a latte more space. 

The Senate proposal would expand Tennessee’s voucher program to some rural and poor school districts, whether state officials believe other takeover measures are necessary or not.

President Donald Trump could potentially exempt a large portion of heavy industry from emissions standards. Here’s what that could mean for xAI in Memphis. 

The state-funded bonuses were part of the controversial school-voucher legislation.

“Without Bayard Rustin, there is no ‘I Have a Dream’ at the Lincoln Memorial on Aug. 28, 1963.”

“Knowing where the case is and what population they are in ... that will really shape what we do over the next several days.”

Related story: 

What to make of measles: The situation in Shelby County

The bill passed narrowly in an 11-7 vote, with three Republicans, including Memphis Republican Mark White voting against it alongside all four of the committee’s Democrats.

Young says he doesn’t want to raise taxes, police search for a Downtown shooting suspect and a Midtown outdoor bar is closed for good.

When Gov. Bill Lee’s budget amendment was released Tuesday, $10 million for Germantown’s desired sports complex was not included.

Bail amounts in Shelby County increased following the passage of a recent state law aimed at peeling back local bail reform efforts.

Tennessee’s herd immunity is high, but most physicians practicing now have never treated a case of measles. And adults, especially those between 40 and 68 years of age, might want another dose of the vaccine.