Plus, Chris Herrington ranks the Wes Anderson films he’s seen.

Yes, I’m keenly aware that these words — diversity, equity and inclusion — can spark controversy and even anger from some, especially those now in political power. But when we strip them down to their meaning, they are about something much older than politics: the common good.

Henry Douglas, age 8, decided to sing songs to generate contributions to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. So who should make a request? Santi Aldama, from Spain. 

The Memphis Grizzlies now find themselves in the familiar but unwelcome territory of having injury concerns with both their starting and backup centers. But Zach Edey’s injury raises larger concerns. 

“The top of the medicine packet didn’t give, but the edge julienned his fingers like Julia Childs over a pair of carrots.”

“Public safety is not a partisan issue — everyone deserves to feel safe in their community.”

“We often say loneliness is a public health crisis, and it is. I see it daily. People come to Church Health for physical ailments, but many times what they are really suffering from is isolation.”

In this opinion piece, Memphis faith leaders call on city and county officials to fund community safety and well-being with a moral budget. 

“Civil rights remain a movement, and that movement is more at risk now than any time in a generation. Diversity and inclusion have been declared illegal.”

“Our crime problem remains the No. 1 issue on the minds of area residents. And last week FBI Director Kash Patel added to the angst by summarily declaring Memphis ‘the homicide capital of America per capita.’”

Archie Manning said Reggie Barnes “had a gift for bringing people together.” For the better part of five decades, Barnes — who died Monday — used that gift to promote Memphis sports. 

Jes Shea leaned down to light the cookstove in her Sprinter van. Then the world went “BOOM.” 

“When you boil it all down: Haggerty is leaving the team that he led to the NCAA Tournament as an All-American, to go to a team that didn’t make the tournament last year, and ultimately for less money than he would’ve made if he had just committed to Penny Hardaway for another season.” 

“All Americans owe the families of the servicemen and women who died serving our country more than lip service in gratitude, appreciation and reverence.”

“Living this way has flung the doors wide for me to write about things like the Grammys and National Parks and PGA golf and missionaries. ... And it’s all largely because I’ve now been taught to see.”

“On Dec. 2, 1943, USS LCT-242 was sunk by a circling torpedo off Naples, Italy. In a little more than a year of service, she earned two battle stars. She was a Memphis girl.”

“Air pollution doesn’t know borders. It doesn’t stop at the state line. Running dozens of polluting turbines at this location would threaten air quality for families in South Memphis as well as those in Southaven.”

Chris Herrington answers some interesting questions about the Grizzlies’ two ostensible tentpole players: Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr.

“Jimmy Moore was a good-natured and gentle man. ... Yet he understood what politics was all about. For Moore, politics was about helping people who needed help. Getting things done. “

“XAI is creating hundreds of jobs — from skilled trades to advanced technical roles — offering higher wages and economic stability. These jobs can lift families out of poverty, boost local businesses, fund improvements to our schools and infrastructure.”

“I don’t think hope is what we need in Memphis right now. I don’t even think a disciplined hope is the answer. Rather we need hope joined to action and plain old stubbornness. We need courage.”

“Had my stepmom broken a limb or cut herself open or gotten cancer or a chronic disease, she and my dad and the family would all would have talked about it. But not with dementia.”

Tennessee’s new Farmland Preservation Fund helps farmers secure their land and legacy, supports local and regional food systems, conserves wildlife habitats and stimulates rural economies.

Reports from the Council on Foreign Relations and the United States Institute of Peace say some overseas call centers are staffed by people who have been trafficked or lured in by fake job ads.

As MATA tried to meet a state mandate for an electric fleet, Gary Rosenfeld said it was more expedient and less costly to visit overseas manufacturers rather than ship equipment back and forth for testing.