“We can’t solve the poverty and cultural issues that plague our community in the short or even medium term. But we can build more prisons, with an emphasis on reform.”

“Community members shouldn’t have to wait years for relief. Instead of making excuses and dodging questions, the Shelby County Health Department needs to act now to make the facility reduce its emissions or — if it continues to refuse — shut down completely.”

“I’ll admit that the Easter bunny is cute and tons of fun – he swings by our house every year. The eggs are nice. The flowers are a delight. In their own ways, they all point to new life. But there is nothing that compares with celebrating what it means for humanity that Jesus walked out of that tomb.”

“Memphis — tough, strong, seasoned Memphis — this is our chance to be soft. This is our chance to love our sister city — to be the ones who understand. This is our chance to be with.”

“The sound of Rolling Fork was the sharp drone of chainsaws as volunteers with equipment went house-to-house, cutting and dragging debris out to where it could be picked up.”

“I believe that the truth is to be found, and we can find it the same way that King was looking for it on the night of April 4, 1968.”

“As bad as it was last Saturday morning, it’s bound to get worse for my hometown. Nothing is working the way it should ... And it was already a town in the vice grip of extreme poverty.”

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“Would that Memphis and its surrounding communities realize King’s dream and be a compelling model for the nation.”

“Pig butchering” alludes to the practice of fattening up a hog before slaughter. The investment scam originated in Southeast Asia and spread worldwide during the pandemic.

“I’m from Rolling Fork, Mississippi, in what I like to call the Deep Delta. It is the place that made me. It is the place that gave me the confidence to do all the things I’ve dreamed of and accomplished.”

“The residents of the neighborhoods surrounding Sterilization Services of Tennessee already face more than their fair share of adverse health, social and environmental conditions compared to many other parts of Shelby County.”

“I think maybe every time I’ve left a piece of my heart somewhere, I have been cataloging signposts — signposts that point to a place where all good things will not come to an end.”

“To unite Memphians around solving Memphis’ problems for Memphis’ future, we need nonpartisanship. We need to keep nonpartisanship in City Hall and bring it back to our county government.”

“My advocacy work has a purpose. I have a purpose. And as long as I’m able to advocate, I will continue to fight for others with melanoma.”

“In addition to being a teacher, all three of my own children attend public schools. Like everyone, I want to keep them safe. I want to keep my students safe. Putting more guns into schools is not the answer.”

“In the past couple years, the Jail has seen troublesome population increases and has left key positions vacant ... the family of Gershun Freeman has called for a DOJ investigation into his homicide.”

“As my school librarian taught me, not all books are right for every reader, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t right for the library.”

“While we might not agree on where to get the best pizza in town or which is the best Memphis in May band, we may find we totally see eye-to-eye on the ideal spot to catch a stunning sunset.”

A former MPD officer talks about his experiences on the police department’s Auto-Theft Task Force and the juveniles he encountered — repeatedly — during his time on the force. 

“Those of us in Memphis fortunate enough to have known Ron Terry, and even those who didn’t, have one thing in common: We are better off because Ron Terry called Memphis home.”

“The mayor’s report not only had different conclusions than those that were reported, but they elaborated on specific factors in which MLGW’s actions when it issued an RFP were inadequate and unprofessional.”

“We create the ability to live with our fears by knowing that the goodness of life follows us on the journey.”

“There is nothing basic about racialized poverty and violence in Memphis. And there is nothing basic about the approach required to fix it.”