“Doctors peddling phony promises should know that the FTC will use its strengthened authority from Congress to stop them from exploiting Americans struggling with addiction.”

With the slow pace of the holiday season upon us, it is time to recognize those who pull together our coverage of the suburbs every day to provide information you won’t find elsewhere.

“If you’re looking for something to look forward to in the New Year, I’ll give you two. Just look up.”

Will Plenk and Christian Carichner were once college roommates. Friday, they’ll be directing the Memphis and Iowa State marching bands at the AutoZone Liberty Bowl. It’s a story about life, about friendship — and about tubas.

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“I wonder if there is some unspoken desire to shed things like bills and emails and jobs and smart phones and instead become a child alongside our children, all a mess together with bed-heads and pj’s and sock feet, no matter how polished or professional we are in our adult life.”

“Heading into a new year, where much ahead lies unknown, the discipline of waiting on the light to break through in our personal lives, and in our community, is a lesson not just for the final days of December, but for each day that is to come.”

The Grizzlies’ points per 100 possessions before Morant’s return were dead last in the NBA. In his two games back, they’re now the sixth-best offense. 

The worn Big Bird and Cookie Monster, the Scotties and Flamingos, the typewriter and macramé angel, the stuff kids made, weren’t for the marketing target audience, they were for us.

Ja Morant was back at FedExForum Thursday. But you know what else was back? Fun! It suddenly seems like a whole new season for the Grizzlies. And in this season, the Grizzlies are a perfect 2-0.

“I can’t believe that this is even a council responsibility. Voting benefits for yourself? Shouldn’t that be up to your employer — the citizens of Memphis?”

“I’m willing to say that, overall, (Jim Strickland’s) tenure as mayor was good. Not great, but nowhere near a disaster either. He does have some positive things to show. But we cannot just brush aside the negatives.”

Yes, Ja Morant really did that. He really did score 34 points — and the winning bucket — in his return to NBA basketball. It was a night already part of Grizzlies lore. And it should give Memphians real hope.

“After seeing the barrage of allegations concerning Youth Villages, I felt the need to speak the truth. The truth is that we need more organizations like Youth Villages, not fewer — committed to transforming systems and improving the lives of people that for far too long have been left behind.” 

“I have asked some fellow lifelong Memphians who know all about the big city/small town nature of our home to share memories from the Christmases of their earliest years.”

“But, as they say, all good things must end. ... Dec. 29 will be my last day at The Daily Memphian, which has served as a five-year encore to 40 years at The Commercial Appeal.”

“(Neighborhoods) need incremental change to remain relevant and survive. Improving bike networks and pedestrian connections shouldn’t need to wait for the next multi-million dollar project.”

“JB Smiley Jr., or any local elected official, has no business in the board rooms of the University of Memphis. If the city council ran the university, chaos would be the only curriculum, and a BS degree would not stand for Bachelor of Science.”

“If we have district policies that made sense in the past but now show that we are failing in the best interest of students, we will find a way to correct them.”

Addressing childhood traumatic stress is a gift that will keep on giving, a step forward that will benefit all Memphians.

“The council chairman failed to take advantage of an opportunity to positively affect the lives of thousands of Memphians. Rather than receive help, they were served up hollow words.”

It was a wild day in court for Ja Morant Monday. But it doesn’t matter if Morant wins or loses. This is a sideshow. The real show starts next Tuesday, when Morant makes his return.

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“Moving from the original Hebrew, there are actually eight different ways to spell the name of this week’s Jewish holiday in English — all of them correct. No matter how you letter it, Hanukkah contains a beautiful and powerful message.”

“All those years ago, I thought I was ministering to the people in the seats with my smile and my soprano song. But I’m the one who walked away with the secret treasure.”

“The room embodied the artistic energy of our time — vibrant, diverse, dynamic and unexpected. It reminded me exactly why we are here and where we are going as a city.”

“I urge both Memphis in May and Forward Momentum to set aside differences and engage in meaningful discussions. By uniting their expertise ... of enhancing Memphis through live events, we can forge a path towards a unified vision.”