After a season of misery, Memphis fans got everything they wanted in Saturday’s home opener. Including the return of Ja Morant, the debut of Yuki Kawamura — and an unexpected hero in a Hufflepuff shirt.

Gene Brady, 89, died in a single-car wreck last week. Maybe you didn’t know him. But if you’re lucky, you’ve known people like him. We could use more of them today.

FedEx exec Richard Smith says this is a critical moment for Downtown Memphis — and the Grizzlies, FedExForum and Beale Street may be the key.

Richard Smith was as surprised as anyone when Fred Smith, his father, decided the family would give $50 million to help renovate the stadium. Here’s Smith on crime, Ja Morant, conference realignment and how that gift came to be.

“Could not be any better,” said Richard Shadyac Jr., the president and CEO of ALSAC, the fundraising and awareness arm of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. “And next year, we’ll take it to the next level.”

Twenty-two years ago, Derek Clenin blocked an extra point to lift MUS over CBHS. Clenin died Oct. 8. Now, the quarterback of that CBHS team, Carter Giovannetti, plans to run the St. Jude Marathon in his friend and rival’s name.

Rick Spell, who owns three Memphis restaurants, had a recent meeting with the police. And he came away impressed. 

Was it prudent for Memphis to say no to the Pac-12? Possibly. Was it deflating? Unquestionably.

“The future of the Grizzlies might be caught up in the ongoing fight over the gun referendum. For Memphis, it’s a dangerous game to play.”

If given the chance, Memphis should jump to the Pac-12. It isn’t even a close call. 

“Ryan Silverfield called the win over Florida State ‘monumental.’ It was certainly that. Indeed, there is an argument that it was the most important win in program history.”

The North Carolina men’s basketball team and the South Carolina women’s basketball team are coming to Memphis. for a nationally televised doubleheader to benefit St. Jude. And just wait until you hear what St. Jude is hoping to do next.

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Scott said Hardaway would absolutely, unequivocally be back “based on every piece of information I have right now, today.” Tomorrow, the information could be different.

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“Penny Hardaway has fired Rick Stansbury and three other staffers just weeks before a new season begins. The continuing chaos is not ideal.”

Memphis crushed North Alabama in their first game at the Liberty Hole, also known as Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium. The place looked really strange. But in a good way.

The comedian, DJ, video producer and ‘poet laureate of Alabama football' is new to Memphis-Shelby County Schools. But he’s not as new to Memphis as you might think.

Linda Sklar was hired to bring middle-class families back to Memphis schools. For roughly 50 years, she did that and more. She built optional programs that inspired hundreds of people to stand in lines. 

It’s the perfect way to honor Fletcher’s legacy — and to continue to spread her light.

Dr. Jon McCullers became an influential leader of the Mid-South’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. In the midst of that, he was diagnosed with an aggressive form of prostate cancer. 

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When he was 16, Seth Rider told his family he wanted to be an Olympian. It was an audacious thing to say. But that kid from Germantown now has a silver medal around his neck. 

“They started knocking down Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium Monday. The goal isn’t to have a nicer place to watch games. The goal is an invitation to a power conference. But is it too little, too late?”

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Forty-four years ago, after the last game the Memphis Rogues would ever play, 14-year-old Geoffrey Gaia asked Jado Hasanbegovic for his jersey. Hasanbegovic stripped off the jersey handed it to the kid.

Olson thought he was giving away a painting of a cat. Instead, he tapped into a massive, enthusiastic and wonderfully supportive cat community he didn’t know existed before.

High Point Terrace is staging its 75th Independence Day Parade this year. But the parade isn’t beloved because it’s big and spectacular. It’s beloved because it touches the heart.