Elizabeth Cawein says about Memphis music: “2024 has been full of wins so big, so long-anticipated, so hard-fought, that I had to spill some digital ink celebrating them all.”

“I will admit I go overboard. It’s not exactly ‘National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation,’ but I try my best. And some of my yard decorations may not immediately lead you to think ‘Christmas.’”

“For the third consecutive year in a row, the No. 1 cause of death for American children and teens is gunshot wounds. More than car accidents, more than cancer — our kids are dying from guns.”

“Whether you are handed a roster of registrants or whether you run the tryouts and hand-select the team yourself, find a way to work in every player, every game.”

Ben Schulman writes that “a land-value tax (LVT), an old idea gaining new currency to unlock the potential for more equitable development outcomes, could be the catalyst for revitalizing underutilized areas across Memphis.”

I say it’s time to end the costly courtroom haggling. It’s clear that Halbert is not leaving on her own, and conditions in the Clerk’s Office don’t appear to have further deteriorated. And soon she’ll be a lame duck.

Kennon Vaughan has been told that the insurance company’s survivability expert concluded there was a zero percent chance anyone could have survived the plane crash. But he did. Here’s how he makes sense of his story. 

Ja Morant is back in flight and back in control, dominating the game with the Trail Blazers with 22 points and 11 assists in only 23 minutes.

No, this wasn’t an NCAA Tournament win. No, this doesn’t mean the Tigers can go directly to the Sweet 16 — or even the tournament. But this was the biggest regular-season win in a long time.

“Anger wrestled my grief to the mat. ... The news of uncle’s death had cracked open my heart, but a great many griefs came pouring out.”

The history of Thanksgiving can help us appreciate the miracle of being alive in this time and place, and the timeless gift of gratitude can ground us through any storm.

A Florida woman claimed to have more than 10 years of experience in grant writing. In reality, her last known employment was at a Krystal, and she was on probation for stealing cash deposits from it.

Candace Echols says The Retreat House is “A place that feels like a massage, a nap, a good book, a cup of coffee and afternoon recess on a countryside playground — all together at the same time.”

Joshua Henry Narcisse: This year I am a widower. And I am approaching these coming weeks with curiosity. I am interested to see what these hard and happy days will bring.

Friday night in San Francisco, the Grizzlies will complete their first West Coast road trip against a team that’s so far had even more success this season with a similar approach: the Golden State Warriors.

If Memphis doesn’t find the money to make needed repairs, Geoff Calkins says, there could be an empty ballpark at B.B. King Boulevard and Union Avenue before long.

In an opinion piece, Otis Sanford says Jesse Turner has a section of Regional One Health named in his honor, as well as a South Memphis park and a small bridge on Elvis Presley Boulevard. But is it enough? 

The Grizzlies have labeled Ja Morant “week-to-week,” a purgatory where he joins backcourt mate Desmond Bane. Can the Grizzlies go on to win without the two as the schedule grows more difficult?

The forum will address juvenile crime, bail, truancy and other factors with speakers including representatives from the Memphis Police Department, the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office, General Sessions Court and the school system.

Ron Olson celebrated 50 years in Memphis radio at the beginning of November. How has he done it? By making us laugh.

Two Memphis schools are now several months into their decisions to go completely phone-free during classroom hours. Last week, Candace Echols checked in with both campuses to see how things are going.

“This certainly isn’t the most anticipated season of the Penny Hardaway era. But it’s the most pivotal. What lies ahead for Hardaway and the Memphis Tigers? It all begins tonight.”

If you’re voting Tuesday, don’t be surprised if you’re checked in by a high school student. More than 250 have signed up to work the polls this week. So be on your best behavior, people.

“It isn’t new for bitterness and meanness to enter into American politics. It existed even from people we consider to be the founders of the nation.”

“Seventy-two hours from now, everybody will be in the same boat: The votes will have been cast, and once the votes have been counted, we’ll all know who won. And ... we will all know who lost.”