Nearly every weekend, Laura Elliott picks up a collection of rescue dogs that can’t find a home in Memphis and drives them to Illinois, where there are families waiting to adopt.

A year ago, Cameron Pryor was on a winning team. On Monday, he was killed trying to carjack an SUV. His shooting may have been ruled justified, but the path that took him to that Kroger was a civic tragedy.

The University of Memphis said the tradition of having a live tiger at games “has come to an end.” It seems like the right decision, but it’s still a sad moment for Memphians. 

Related Story: University of Memphis mascot TOM III dies

Shelby County athletes are right to ask why everyone else can play sports when they cannot. The honest answer to that question reflects badly on us all. 

In a blistering statement to the media Monday, the Memphis Tigers coach denied that his players were on such a bus. His anger was understandable. His response was worrisome. 

Dr. Anthony Fauci said that it may be late 2021 before life begins to feel normal again. So how to we persevere? Here is the wisdom of three people: Kirk Whalum, a character called “TrashMan” and my 95-year-old mom. 

Two local football programs were put on hold Friday because of COVID-19. But don’t blame the players. Blame us.

Here's what athletic director Laird Veatch said of the season opener at the Liberty Bowl and what might get tweaked.

The band was masked, the stadium was nearly empty of fans. But the Tigers won a football game at the Liberty Bowl Saturday night. For now, that will have to do. 

One misguided voter kept Ja Morant from being a unanimous selection as Rookie of the Year. Morant has something he wants to say to that guy. 

'Sky's the limit' for rookie of the year Ja Morant

Murray St. coach to Ja: Don't ever change

How can the Mighty Sound of the South be heard during a pandemic? With creativity, determination and spit containers.

And there to witness the triumph of reaching game day will be his parents.

Memphis running back Kenny Gainwell decided to opt out of the season six days before the opening game. It's yet another disappointment in a relentlessly disappointing year. 

Dr. Joris Ray should get credit for his cautious approach to reopening schools and athletics. But his recent threat to take Shelby County Schools out of the TSSAA seems to be driven by old grievances. 

By banning media from a high school football game, Collierville High School taught their students a valuable lesson in leadership. The lesson: Don't be as small and as shortsighted as this.

Related story: Collierville checks temps at no-media football game

Should parents be worried about their kids who play sports? Dr. Jason Johnson, of Le Bonheur Children's Hospital, tells us what we need to know.

Elliot Perry will be representing the team in the draft again, just like he did last year. But there's no anxiety this time around. 

The season ended with a loss to the Portland Trail Blazers Saturday. But the rookie showed the country why this will be remembered as one of the most important seasons in the history of the franchise. 

Memphis' triumph against the Bucks gave them a spot in the playoff play-in series against the Trail Blazers. It was the ending this unlikely regular season deserved.

I dropped off my youngest kid at college this week. The pandemic has changed everything about that experience. Except the stuff that matters most. 

After losing to the Boston Celtics, the Grizzlies' trip to Disney appears to be nearing the end. But one more great ride remains.

The campaign with season ticket holders is #KeepMemphisRoaring. The hope is that they will.

No, this isn't what the Grizzlies expected. There have been setbacks in Orlando they didn't foresee. But this year of all years, maybe y'all know how that feels. 

My longtime pastor, Steve Montgomery, died of injuries from a bicycle accident earlier this week. What would Steve have said to help us make sense of his death? I asked some of his close friends.