Like us, Memphis barbecue doesn’t need fancy; it abhors pretense and imitation; it stands on its own; it’s one of a kind and we’re happy to share.

“We cannot just wait, though, until students reach our doors as adults. We have to reach them earlier and younger; we cannot, however, do it alone.”

Kevin Ritz’s confirmation before the full Senate is far from a slam dunk. His April 17 confirmation hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee was, to put it mildly, brutal, and Rep. Steve Cohen, D-Memphis, a Ritz supporter, said his chances are 50-50. 

Mack Weaver, the new president and CEO of Memphis in May, was asked about “the competition” in BBQ contests this year. “There’s another contest going on?” he deadpanned. Yes, Memphis, there certainly is.

“According to the latest statistics, Memphis’s population is 621,000, and 16.5% are uninsured, meaning 102,000 are affected.”

Hazel Moore could have styled hair, taken care of her children and decided that was enough. Instead, she looked around, noticed things in the community needed doing — and figured she might as well do them herself.

“Track is unique because it is both an individual and a team sport. It is a meritocracy in which the best time wins and the fastest athletes get to perform regardless of the opinions of parents or coaches. But the competition in track is not just between runners, but most importantly within each runner too.”

“In a world either on fire or simmering, in a country dangerously divided, in a challenged city, perspective returns in an ambulance.”

“Chronic absenteeism has a devastating impact on a child’s achievement and long-term potential. However, we refuse to accept this as fate; instead, we view it as a call to action for our entire community.”

LeBron James, Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant and Kawhi Leonard dominated for more than a decade. This could be the first time since 2005 none of them are in the second round of playoffs.

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Two decades ago, Gabrielle Rose walked away from swimming in disappointment. Now, at 46, she’s the oldest swimmer on record to ever qualify for the U.S. Olympic trials. 

“Each and every one of us has an Elizabeth Lemmonds in our lives. Each and every one of us could be Elizabeth Lemmonds with just a few shifts of circumstance. How long will we wait for our turn at medical bankruptcy?”

“The liberation of the Jewish people from Egyptian bondage has become a powerful symbol of redemption not only for the Jewish people, but for the entire world.”

This is an open letter to the woman I had an embarrassingly vigorous yelling match about a parking spot in front of the UPS store on Colonial Road last Tuesday.

“Keeping criminals off our streets and encouraging good parenting are crucial steps in improving public safety in Tennessee,” state Rep. John Gillespie, R-Memphis, writes. “This remains my priority.”

Lemmonds has a brain tumor and no health care. Why is she telling her story? “Someone reading this is going to get hit ... by a diagnosis that is going to bankrupt them,” she said.

We’ve had plenty of rallies, vigils and marches. We’ve created one anti-violence group after another. We’ve floated balloons as well as ideas. And still, the deaths keep coming.

Far too many people, including children, in Memphis continue to end up on the streets, living in cars out of the parking lots of libraries and Walmarts and disappearing into the background of the hustle and bustle of this city.

“Then you find yourself legitimately considering letting someone slice open your rear to insert a TicTac made of yams that will get you closer to ‘normal,’ whatever that even means.”

In Munford, they knew Joseph “Rusty” McKinney as an Eagle Scout and a band kid. Saturday, the town honored him by assembling at the football stadium to form a giant, solemn M.

“Contrary to what activist groups might have you think, Memphians agree about the problems of and solutions to crime. Right now, Memphians need to not only remind ourselves, but also remind our elected leaders that we are united. Memphis stands together.”

“We were out in the country, the middle of nowhere yet right here, two old friends and a couple dogs among old barns on a new morning, and we were having a business meeting.”

“We spent months holding community meetings, conducting door-to-door surveys, taking phone calls and opening the proposed site daily for the Memphis Urban Wood project.”

Since 2017, the MLGW board has allowed for two members who live outside the Memphis city limits, but they don’t get a vote. That could soon change if the City Council and residents agree.