Young, Mulroy push for stiffer penalties for gun switches
Shelby County District Attorney Steve Mulroy and Memphis Mayor Paul Young are pushing for stiffer penalties for people who are caught possessing gun “switches.”
State, defense rest cases in Kroger security guard’s murder trial
The murder trial against former security guard Gregory Livingston entered its fourth day Thursday, May 2, during which the defendant declined to testify and the defense counsel and prosecution rested their cases.
Transgender Tennesseans want birth certificate policy declared unconstitutional
The plaintiffs argue in court filings that sex is properly determined not by external genitalia but by gender identity, which they define in their brief as “a person’s core internal sense of their own gender.”
Herrington: There’s upheaval in NBA playoffs. The Grizzlies watch and wait
LeBron James, Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant and Kawhi Leonard dominated for more than a decade. This could be the first time since 2005 none of them are in the second round of playoffs.
Memphis begins search for new AD, forms advisory committee
Memphis has organized a six-person search advisory committee to assist university president Bill Hardgrave in the hunt for a new athletic director.
Calkins: How a Memphis pool project inspired Gabrielle Rose to make history
Two decades ago, Gabrielle Rose walked away from swimming in disappointment. Now, at 46, she’s the oldest swimmer on record to ever qualify for the U.S. Olympic trials.
The To-Do List: Food truck fests, river beats and what to do for Cinco de Mayo
This week, the Memphis Symphony Orchestra plays “Star Wars” tunes, Overton Park hosts a discussion on snakes and the Listening Lab celebrates a blues great’s 90th birthday.
County HR director calls Clerk Halbert’s raise requests ‘asinine’
Funding requests came before Shelby County commissioners Wednesday, May 1, in committee sessions. They appear to be a move toward a corrective-action plan, but the pay raises are likely to face more questions.
Former head of CBHS named interim president at CBU
Chris Englert was principal/president at CBHS for nearly three decades. He left in 2019 to take another assignment.
An ogre, a king, a blonde and a bunch more stars come to Memphis
“Shrek the Musical” and “Legally Blonde” are some of the shows coming to theater stages across Memphis. Plus, a Pulitzer Prize winning comedy-drama makes its regional premiere at Circuit Playhouse.
$10 Deal: Belltower’s chicken sando
It might sound boring to spend too much time talking up a chicken sandwich, but Belltower’s is a sleeper hit.
Experts, witnesses take stand in Kroger security-guard murder trial
Throughout the day Wednesday, the prosecution and defense examined six witnesses and experts, including a medical examiner, witnesses and law-enforcement personnel.
DeSoto DA opposes potential Hernando municipal judge nominee
Hernando Mayor Chip Johnson intends to nominate Bob Morris to a municipal judgeship when the city’s aldermen meet next on Tuesday, May 7.
Germantown graduate turned Broadway actor found dead
Thay Floyd, who performed on Broadway in “Waitress” and “A Christmas Story,” got his start in Germantown High School fine arts department.
Memphis interim athletic director addresses stadium reno, NIL deal, interest in job
Jeff Crane, who was named Memphis’ interim AD on April 23 after former AD Laird Veatch departed for Missouri, talked about a variety of topics in an interview with The Daily Memphian.
As plant opening nears, Ford Philanthropy hones in on West Tennessee communities
As Ford Motor Co. inches closer to the 2025 opening of its BlueOval City megasite, the company’s philanthropic arm is investing in the West Tennessee communities on which Ford will rely for its workforce.
Collierville Schools budget to invest ‘big and bold’ in staff
Collierville Schools’ proposed $137.2 million budget highlights its appreciation for the district’s teachers and includes holiday bonuses.
Grizzlies Insider: Combine changes should help Memphis evaluate draft talent
Changes are coming to the NBA combine that should help the Grizzlies evaluate NBA Draft prospects in a couple weeks.
What Daily Memphians think*
“Out of her own mouth: didn’t know about the wheel tax and almost six years not understanding ... Halbert was incompetent going into the job and six years later still incompetent in the job. … she wants more money to fund and reward more incompetence? This is absurd!” — Grady Franks about County HR director calls Clerk Halbert’s raise requests ‘asinine’
“This should be an appointed position not elected. Hire someone with experience to run it well. If they don’t you can fire them.” — Shawn Massey about County HR director calls Clerk Halbert’s raise requests ‘asinine’
“… It is fascinating to see the different comments and feelings between MSCS teachers getting a raise and Collierville teachers getting a raise, when it was an act by the State to raise all teachers wages. It is apparent who some people think ‘deserve’ a raise and those that don’t. …” — Aaron Prather about MSCS to bump base teacher pay to $50K
* Select comments upvoted by Daily Memphian readers.
LifeDoc’s journey providing health care in Memphis
Pedro Velasquez joined Eric Barnes to talk about LifeDoc’s mission, his family’s journey from Venezuela to Memphis, and the organization’s evolution nearly 20 years after its founding.
Sudoku: May 2
Ready for today’s sudokus?
Word Search: Blue Note and pickleball
Can you solve this word search?
Metro
Mother who lost son in Orange Mound Park calls out fear at town hall
Jennifer Fason spoke before a crowd of 200 who gathered at Orange Mound Community Center Tuesday, April 30, at the latest One Memphis forum led by Memphis Mayor Paul Young.
Education Internal Feagins video hints at MSCS staffing changes
Business
Inked: Centennial Place for sale, Clark Tower and Trinity Ridge have new tenants
Centennial Place Shopping Center is up for sale, Trinity Ridge Business Center and Clark Tower have new tenants and Mi Escuelita doubles its space.
South Memphis ‘One down, and more to go’ as polluter closes in South Memphis
Sports
White parents pushed for firing, Collierville girls basketball coach alleges
Pattie Gardner is out of a job as coach of the Collierville varsity girls basketball team and out of patience over what she calls “white privilege.”
Premium High School Sports ‘We’re going to get better through this’: CBHS track gives state record a run, but falls short
Food
Eat barbecue and drink beer at Memphis’ May food festivals
While the Memphis in May World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest and SmokeSlam dominate Memphis’ May food-event lineup, there are other things to eat this month, too, from food-truck fare to high tea.
Suburbs
Germantown considering more than $12 million in capital improvements
Germantown’s $12 million improvement budget was approved by the financial advisory commission in early April.
Arts & Culture
First female Episcopal priests documentary screening at Paradiso
In celebration of the 50th anniversary of women’s ordination in the Episcopal Church, Memphis is one of 11 cities nationwide selected for a one-night viewing of the new documentary “The Philadelphia Eleven.”
Opinion
Echols: ‘Either way, I was a big, fat jerk’
This is an open letter to the woman I had an embarrassingly vigorous yelling match about a parking spot in front of the UPS store on Colonial Road last Tuesday.
Podcasts
Sound Bites: Quizzing Daily Memphian staffers, part three
Here’s part three of asking Daily Memphian staffers their food hot takes, date night ideas, lunch plans and more. Digital desk manager Elle Perry, digital producer Nick Lingerfelt and reporter Sophia Surrett are in the hot seat.