Exclusive: Legal fees mount in MSCS takeover lawsuit
Memphis-Shelby County Schools’ court challenge of the state’s takeover of the school system has cost at least $211,700 in legal fees, according to MSCS and Shelby County government officials.
From The Peabody to Prince Mongo’s Castle, a look at Hodges’ real estate legacy
Robert “Prince Mongo” Hodges had an interesting history as a property owner, and some of his buildings are still listed for sale.
Saturday’s storm ‘wreaked havoc’ on the MLGW system
Memphis Light, Gas and Water CEO Doug McGowen said the storm that blew in Saturday evening was the 7th most destructive by outage minutes in the utility’s history. 600 employees and contractors working on power restoration, MLGW saysRelated content:
New Eats: The pies at Bob’s Bakery are as good as we remember
Bob’s Bakery may be tiny and fairly nondescript, but the items in the case are anything but. And if you longingly remember the pies at the Wilson Cafe, you’re in luck.
How AOC, Cohen shared flight illustrates the Democratic divide
Also in the political roundup: more from state Senator Brent Taylor on Behind The Headlines, a closer look at the 5th Congressional District Democratic primary results and Mongo’s campaign art.
MSCS closes all campuses Monday due to storm-related power outages
All Memphis-Shelby County Schools campuses will close Monday, Aug. 24, due to a destructive weekend storm. Collierville Schools delayed start times Monday, but no other suburban school systems had changed schedules.
‘The Lorraine’ to open 2026 Indie Memphis Film Festival
Indie Memphis will announce the entire festival lineup during a preview party on Wednesday, Sept. 30, at the Metal Museum in Overton Park.
‘It’s going to be a dogfight when you play us’: Huff says about Tigers’ toughness
UNLV will be the first team to test Memphis when the Tigers travel to Las Vegas for the season opener.
Six Memphis area teams ranked in TSWA high school football rankings
Houston High jumps into Tennessee Sports Writers Association’s state rankings after a big win Friday against Germantown.
Vote for the high school football player of the week, Week 1
Standouts from Briarcrest, CBHS, Houston, KIPP and Southwind are up for consideration this week. Voting ends at 5 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 27.
Maybe grandma was onto something? Grandmillennials think so.
Millennials are finding time to be a little crafty and picking up the same hobbies — like sewing and baking — their grandmothers might have enjoyed.
‘It absolutely inspires and drives me': Incoming St. Jude CEO talks career, research, and how he unwinds
Charles Roberts talks about his medical career, advances in childhood cancer research, the opportunities and challenges ahead, and meeting one of the most important figures in U.S. men’s ice hockey history.
What we do and don’t know about TVA’s data center rate hikes
When the TVA Board of Directors approved the new rate class for data centers in Memphis on Aug. 20, it held back some important information.
Changing of the guard at Shelby County Commission
The Monday, Aug. 24, session of the Shelby County Commission is the last of the four-year term for eight of the 13 commissioners. Here is a rundown of the old commission versus the new body that takes office Sept. 1 and a few last-minute moves on Monday’s agenda.
Opinion: Other cities have limited data center development. Memphis can, too.
“Memphians have been given a false choice: either accept AI data center development without safeguards or be left behind. Memphis must treat clean air, clean water and affordable energy as non-negotiable, as other cities and regions have.”
Opinion: We can have data centers while also protecting Memphis and Memphians
“Some of my neighbors feel unheard, and that is a gap we have to close. But a blanket moratorium fixes none of the problems. It stops new construction jobs and increases in the tax base while leaving the plants already running exactly where they are.”
What Daily Memphians think*
“Can we trade the Tennessee National Guard for the Army Corps of Engineers?” — David Kaplan about Saturday’s storm ‘wreaked havoc’ on the MLGW system
“Perhaps the Tennessee National Guard or the state Emergency Management Authority can help.” — Tom Jeanette about 600 employees and contractors working on power restoration, MLGW says
“A strong regulatory framework is needed that ensures local benefits, protections for residents, and growth to our tax base. Memphis is a city of grit, so let’s figure out how to do the hard thing right.” — Micheal Scarbrough about Opinion: We can have data centers while also protecting Memphis and Memphians
* Select comments upvoted by Daily Memphian readers.
Sudoku: Aug. 24
Are you ready for today’s puzzles?
Daily Wordrow: Aug. 24
Are you a Wordle fan? Try WordRow, a similar game. It’s free to play.
Daily Jigsaw: Sandwich still-life
Today’s puzzle features the Roma Club from Fratelli’s Cafe & Catering. Mark Weber took the photo.
Metro
Calkins: Another day, another cyclist killed by a car. This time, it was ‘The Dancing Man.’
Quentin Ratliff, 39, was known in Olive Branch as “The Dancing Man.” He was killed by a car Friday morning. It was the latest tragedy in a brutal week for cyclists across the South.
Spirit of Memphis Watchdog, activist Joe Kent dies after battle with cancer
Metro Lichterman palooza plants seeds of fun — and warning
Elections Brent Taylor said legal immigration should be ‘paused’
Education Holy Rosary families protest Catholic Diocese after principal’s abrupt exit
Business
Poplar Plaza is looking for people who want to hang out
The East Memphis shopping center has a new leasing strategy: “dwell time.”
Premium Business After a veteran got DOGE’d, she and her family found a cool side hustle
Business Party in Ardent Studios lawsuit dies, but litigation remains
Premium Business Baron Von Opperbean weathers HVAC problems to draw more than 10K people
Premium Real Estate Cordova shopping center sells with plans to add to neighborhood’s growing Asian hub
Sports
Dandy Dozen No. 1 Collierville falls
The Dragons — ranked first in the Daily Memphian preseason Dandy Dozen and fifth in the state in Class 6A — had planned on roaring out of the gate like the storm that pushed Saturday’s scheduled kickoff back 90 minutes.
High School Sports Friday football report: Houston opens strong, Central shuts out Melrose
High School Sports Southwind holds off Lausanne in Dandy Dozen showdown
Premium Memphis Tigers Football How linebacker Mike Montgomery went from FCS to the Memphis Tigers
Memphis Grizzlies Grizzlies podcast: How hot are these Grizzlies takes?
Food
Recipe Exchange: Farmers market tomato and sweet corn rice grits
In this recipe, a sauteed mixture of corn and tomatoes is served atop a bed of creamy rice grits for a tasty side dish or a vegetarian main.
Premium Food News Food Files: Newby’s, Brookhaven and an Indian restaurant all reopen
Suburbs
Retired Collierville fire chief, mayor speak out
Fire Chief John Selberg released a statement Saturday. It was the first time he’d spoken out since being placed on leave Aug. 10 and retiring Aug. 20.
Premium Real Estate Millington seeks input for future of Harrold building
Arts & Culture
Mollie Fontaine Lounge returns — but only for a few nights a year
Owner and local restaurateur Karen Carrier will open the Victorian lounge to the public once again Friday, Sept. 25 — something she’s done about once a quarter for the past couple of years.
Premium Performing Arts Arts Beat: New festival brings works of Hemingway, Whitman, Wright to the stage
Opinion
Opinion: Tackling domestic violence, the hidden part of violent crime
“Addressing the domestic violence part of our violent crime challenge must involve providing more support for domestic violence victims, more accountability for the perpetrators and efforts to change behavior.”
Podcasts
Sound Bites: JEM chefs talk brunch plans, tomato-tastic menu for Edgy Tomato Fest
Josh Mutchnick and Jamaurin “Vino” Wright join Holly Whitfield to talk about JEM Dining’s first three years and their plans for the Edgy Tomato Fest.
Games
Daily Jigsaw: Historic trolley
Today’s puzzle features an historic photo from the construction of the Downtown trolley line. Jodie Vance provided the photo.