Memphis Local, Sports, Business & Food News | Daily Memphian | Geoff Calkins

Calkins: Penny Hardaway gets a thrilling win — and more evidence that this team might be the one he needs

gcalkins@dailymemphian.com (Geoff Calkins) — Mon, 9 Nov 2026 20:57:45 -0600

Memphis got its second gutty win of the season Saturday — and further proof that this just might be a season of redemption for head coach Penny Hardaway.

Calkins: Why Ed Scott is so fired up about Memphis athletics — and why he's done talking about Penny Hardaway until the end of the year

gcalkins@dailymemphian.com (Geoff Calkins) — Mon, 9 Nov 2026 17:55:54 -0600

Memphis athletic director Ed Scott on why he is so optimistic about the basketball program, the job rumors already swirling around Charles Huff, chances Memphis will get into a power conference — and the reason Scott has already turned down another job to stick around.

Calkins: A last-minute election thought, what to think about the perils of gambling from an expert on the subject and how great are these Grizz?

gcalkins@dailymemphian.com (Geoff Calkins) — Tue, 3 Nov 2026 12:31:28 -0600

The Grizzlies are hot, Mike Norvell got canned and gambling addiction is a rising problem across the country. All that plus a thought about why this election is particularly important for Memphians.

Calkins Podcast: Hot start by Grizzlies, a sex therapist on breast cancer and SpaceXAI has jobs for you

gcalkins@dailymemphian.com (Geoff Calkins) — Tue, 27 Oct 2026 04:00:09 -0500

The Grizzlies and Tigers both had surprising, big weeks. Geoff Calkins talks about it with John Martin. Calkins then talks with local sex therapist Jennifer Valli about her own breast cancer diagnosis. And author Charles Fishman shares his thoughts about SpaceXAI.

Calkins: 50 years ago, Vietnamese immigrants arrived in Midtown. A new festival celebrates what they did — and what might be.

gcalkins@dailymemphian.com (Geoff Calkins) — Fri, 23 Oct 2026 08:00:54 -0500

It’s been 50 years since thousands of Vietnamese refugees ended up in Memphis after the Vietnam War. Sunday, the Mekong Memphis Festival aims to celebrate their journey — and spark a revitalization of the neighborhood.

Calkins: The Grizzlies aim to win back the city. They got off to a sensational start.

gcalkins@dailymemphian.com (Geoff Calkins) — Thu, 22 Oct 2026 09:03:51 -0500

The Grizzlies took the wraps off not just a new season but a new era Wednesday night with a resounding 123-103 win.

Calkins: Pete Pranica and Brevin Knight have thoughts on the Grizzlies season. And what's up with the lease?

gcalkins@dailymemphian.com (Geoff Calkins) — Tue, 20 Oct 2026 16:40:52 -0500

It’s the start of another Grizzlies season! Pete Pranica and Brevin Knight have big thoughts. But what’s up with the lease, anyway? All that is on “The Geoff Calkins Podcast.”

Calkins: Mayor Paul Young on data centers, the Grizzlies, his favorite place in the city — and why he's taking a fresh approach to media

gcalkins@dailymemphian.com (Geoff Calkins) — Sun, 18 Oct 2026 16:11:49 -0500

Memphis Mayor Paul Young is the first guest on the Geoff Calkins Podcast. Why? “It is intentional for me,” he said. “I want people to understand I’m not ducking, dodging any question or any issue.”

Calkins: Her dad told her not to follow in his footsteps. Now, at 44, she's Shelby County's top new firefighter.

gcalkins@dailymemphian.com (Geoff Calkins) — Fri, 16 Oct 2026 10:08:34 -0500

At 44, Katie Barrett is the Shelby County Fire Department’s top recruit. Her message to anyone, especially women: “It’s never too late.”

Calkins: She's 110. Yes, 110. And after all those years, she has learned what matters most.

gcalkins@dailymemphian.com (Geoff Calkins) — Thu, 15 Oct 2026 04:00:14 -0500

Martha McAnespie just celebrated her 110th birthday. She had some thoughts about manicotti, the president — and what really endures.

Calkins: It was bedlam at City Hall — as Memphis is at the center of a national debate once again

gcalkins@dailymemphian.com (Geoff Calkins) — Wed, 14 Oct 2026 09:34:44 -0500

Memphis City Council member Chase Carlisle warned his colleagues: “It’s going to get pretty hot down there,” he said. That was before the council voted to postpone the data center moratorium. And then chaos broke out.

Calkins: They arrested the East Parkway water guy? Now that's a real civic outrage.

gcalkins@dailymemphian.com (Geoff Calkins) — Wed, 7 Oct 2026 19:35:07 -0500

The Memphis Police Department arrested Demarcus Dickerson, the guy who sells water at the corner of East Parkway and Poplar. Why? For doing what he does. And, yes it’s an outrage.

Calkins: We agree about crime. We agree things are better. As for the Task Force? It didn't have to be this hard.

gcalkins@dailymemphian.com (Geoff Calkins) — Sun, 4 Oct 2026 04:00:11 -0500

Memphians wanted extra cops. Memphis wanted help with crime. Memphis didn’t want to be a prop in a national sideshow. That’s why we are where we are.

Calkins: This is the state that thinks it can run Memphis? The state that just tried and failed to kill someone?

gcalkins@dailymemphian.com (Geoff Calkins) — Thu, 1 Oct 2026 11:14:26 -0500

“The State of Tennessee can’t even kill someone. But it can teach Memphis kids, run the Memphis airport and redefine who Memphis gets to vote for in Congress just because the president said so.”

Calkins: It's the Super Bowl, the World Cup and 'American Idol' all wrapped up in one. Plus, lots of ducks!

gcalkins@dailymemphian.com (Geoff Calkins) — Thu, 24 Sep 2026 15:55:02 -0500

The Federal Duck Stamp Contest is taking place in Memphis on Thursday and Friday. Pick the winner, and Geoff Calkins will buy you lunch.

Calkins: It's not just a new stadium. Liza Fletcher is still 'sprinkling hope'

gcalkins@dailymemphian.com (Geoff Calkins) — Tue, 22 Sep 2026 14:41:50 -0500

Too many Memphians exploit the reality of violent crime for their own purposes. But the legion of people who made the Liza Wellford Fletcher Stadium possible decided the better response was to be like Liza and sprinkle hope.

Calkins: Ed Scott promised to fix the problems at the Liberty Bowl. I bought a ticket to see if it worked.

gcalkins@dailymemphian.com (Geoff Calkins) — Sun, 20 Sep 2026 20:13:53 -0500

“Two weeks after the University of Memphis apologized for the long lines and general chaos at the new Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium’s home opener, the school bounced back with a performance that didn’t leave a lot to criticize.”

'Knowledge Bowl' placed 'on hiatus' after nearly four decades

gcalkins@dailymemphian.com (Geoff Calkins) — Wed, 16 Sep 2026 07:29:11 -0500

“Knowledge Bowl” may not return this year, according to an email from the general manager at WREG-TV.

Calkins: The Memphis Tigers got bludgeoned. But what happens now?

gcalkins@dailymemphian.com (Geoff Calkins) — Sun, 13 Sep 2026 09:30:24 -0500

Coach Charles Huff warned that the Memphis Tigers might get bludgeoned by Boise State. But he already has a new theme for the season. And it just might work.

Calkins: It's not just a new museum. It's the story of a father, a son — and a silver bowl for M&Ms.

gcalkins@dailymemphian.com (Geoff Calkins) — Fri, 4 Sep 2026 04:00:11 -0500

The Metal Museum takes the wraps off its move to Overton Park this weekend. For one Memphis family, the celebration will be deeply personal.