During a noon press conference, Memphis Light, Gas & Water president and CEO Doug McGowen announced that MLGW will not be doing any rolling blackouts. 

Watch the press conference now.

Beginning at 11:30 a.m. Friday, Dec. 23, MLGW will implement systemwide “rolling blackouts.” 

Bill Lee grants clemency, a bid to recognize the 1917 Ell Persons lynching site moves ahead and Young Dolph is honored in a pop-up museum. 

In some areas of West Tennessee, water is being pumped from the Memphis Sand Aquifer more quickly than it’s being replenished by rainfall. 

Here are the links to report outages, find shelter and get rides if you have to get out in the dangerous temperatures that aren’t expect to crack 20 degrees until late Saturday morning. 

The lynching site that drew a crowd of 5,000 in 1917 is now an overgrown area by the Wolf River west of Summer Avenue.

The governor also made 30 people eligible for parole who were sentenced before a reformed Drug-Free School Zone law was passed in 2020.

As Ya Ya and Le Le prepare to return home to China in the coming months, Memphis Zoo officials are preparing to make an official bid for a new mating pair of pandas. 

Related story:

Leaders, residents say goodbye to giant pandas

CBU’s behavioral sciences department will house the new program, which is the department’s first graduate-level degree offering.

Memphis is experiencing a drug shortage, the Tigers easily take Alabama and Olive Branch gets its first RV park.

Since taking office Sept. 1, District Attorney Steve Mulroy has pushed criminal justice reforms with the formation of the Justice Review Unit and expansion of the office’s restorative justice program — and he’s not done yet. 

“(It will be) too cold to be outside for long periods of time,” said a NWS meteorologist. “And, in addition to that, we do have our winds that are going to be gusting up to 40 miles per hour.”

“It is absolutely wonderful,” said Joyce Douglas, manager of the district’s MWSBE program. “We are truly grateful to be recognized for our efforts to help women and minorities do business with Memphis-Shelby County Schools.”

Though dangerously cold wind chills are predicted for the Memphis area, MLGW doesn’t expect widespread power outages. But McGowen is keeping a focus on the local water system. 

“It does make me sad that we will have to say goodbye to them after they’ve become such a part of our Memphis history and what we know and love about our Memphis Zoo.”

Lucy Elementary goes to Millington, The Kitchen Table will open in Vinegar Jim’s and the Klondike TIF is a done deal.

“I think the biggest thing that we’ve done is shown that there is a way that you can actually measure poverty-fighting effectiveness objectively with analytics ... and still be compassionate and caring.”

The 5% surcharge on items bought and rooms rented at the Downtown Sheraton hotel goes to finance a renovation of the existing 600-room hotel by the Renasant Convention Center. 

Related story:

City Council passes Klondike tax vote, but residents’ concerns remain

The unanimous Memphis City Council vote approving the tax increment financing district in Klondike follows months of delay. Debates about residents’ displacement and representation will stick around into the new year.

Memphis-Shelby County Schools and Millington Municipal Schools District approved an agreement transferring ownership of Lucy Elementary by June 2027.

Related story:

Terms set for MSCS to transfer Lucy Elementary to Millington

The text messages will only be used in the case of major emergencies, major disasters, terroristic acts or imminent danger that could potentially pose an immediate threat to Shelby County citizens. 

Memphis-Shelby County Schools will transfer Lucy Elementary to Millington Municipal School District by June 2027.

“It is really important for us to take care of our Downtown space,” said Memphis Police Chief Cerelyn “C.J.” Davis. “It is the face of the rest of the city.”

Klondike TIF wins county approval, Collierville Schools raises tuition for non-residents and pre-pandemic airport traffic is back.