“Paying attention to the world around you and then flapping your lips about it ... starts to feel decidedly one-sided after a while, a bit like talking to yourself out loud for the whole city to hear.”

A recent study found 81% of the public say the potential risks they face because of data collection by companies outweigh the benefits.

Elizabeth Cawein asked musicians what makes a gig worthwhile, outside of what they are paid. Their answers came down to one thing: They want to be valued.

For nearly 40 years, FedEx, St. Jude, Memphis and the entire Mid-South have united to spread this lifesaving mission to the world for one week. 

“Memphis is a fascinating tapestry of subcultures that I suspect is far more complex and nuanced than most of us would ever dream. This is both our bane and our beauty.”

State Sen. Brent Taylor’s new bail law is already enhancing community safety by imposing higher bail and keeping habitual criminals off our streets.

“While we all welcome the good news that crime has continued its downward turn for the third straight quarter, we cannot lose sight of the fact that the percentages reflect real people.”

“It is time for us to talk about whether our DA has the philosophical beliefs and tenacity to help us solve our crime challenge.”

“Not enough of us understand or respect what Memphis truly is. The Mississippi River is a confluence of 10 to 12 rivers that become one. Memphis is a confluence of cultures. Rich and poor. City and country. Religious and secular. Black and white.”

“I have forgotten that outposts are just that – outposts. Outposts offer a roof and a bed and company to the wayfaring stranger, but they are never the final destination.”

A study in Texas a few years ago concluded that on average, in a six-hour day, panhandlers “make” about $10 an hour. What is the right thing to do when someone on the street asks you for money? I believe the answer lies inside of you and has little to do with the person doing the asking.

“Having been to both the City Museum in St. Louis and Meow Wolf in Las Vegas, I’m excited that an interactive, immersive, indoor playground on this scale, with climbing walls, tunnels, slides and more, will open in Downtown Memphis.”

“The purpose of Judaism, and all sacred faith traditions, is not to teach people to repress their appetites as evil but to train people to control their appetites because they are God-given.”

“Lately, I’ve been treading in the waters of the mundane. Groceries, laundry, text messages that require responses. Neither a cup of coffee nor the moon have been history lessons that reach backward nor spiritual meditations that reach upward.”

“We each can complain to our elected officials and advocate in the coming years, but wouldn’t it be better if we all started with an informed choice and voted in our community’s elections?”

Opinion: Peer Power celebrates its 20th anniversary with the knowledge that our students consistently choose high school graduation and post-secondary pathways over crime and violence. 

Opinion: Will the Mid-South continue supporting trendy cultural rebellions against traditional civilizational norms and natural law? Can the River City stand against lawlessness and humanism that is influencing the leadership in our city?

“We must confront and address the legacies of slavery embedded in our surroundings, not just for the sake of the past, but for the integrity of our future.”

“If baseball is to truly be America’s game, it can only do so if it represents all Americans.”

“People ask, ‘What can I do about crime?’ If you are a resident of Shelby County, then voting on Aug. 1 for a qualified court clerk will absolutely make a difference. This one simple action you can make the justice system well run, transparent and accountable.”

Memphis Mayor Paul Young writes: “Even if you do not have kids participating in the system, I ask you to treat the current school board election as a key vote worthy of your highest attention.”

“Without question, Memphis is a great city. Now, one of the world’s richest men wants to join us. We welcome and celebrate his investment, but aren’t surprised.”

“Reducing plastic pollution requires collective participation and commitment from all in our community. By choosing to reuse, residents can play a significant role in creating a cleaner, greener, more sustainable city for future generations.”