MLGW CEO J.T. Young takes position with Florida utility
Young leaves MLGW after four years. His departure next month comes at a critical point in the utility’s consideration of leaving the Tennessee Valley Authority.
Thursday prep report: Collierville rallies past arch-rival Houston
Lindsey Vicknair said her team needed a high-intensity test. And they got one.
Halbert says ‘whistleblower’ status should make her immune to recall
Shelby County Clerk Wanda Halbert reacts to talk of legislation lowering the number of signatures needed to force a recall election. She also continues to blame County Mayor Lee Harris’ administration for a backlog of license plates and tags that she says has been cleared up.
Voters could recall Shelby County Clerk under proposed bill
Under the current law, 15% of registered county voters have to sign a petition to get a recall question on the ballot. State Rep. Mark White (R-Memphis) wants to lower that to 1%.
FedEx announces $2 billion in cost-cutting measures, rate increases
In 2023, FedEx hopes to generate total cost savings of $2.2 to 2.7 billion, and the Memphis-based company plans increase some of its rates.
Memphis rapper GloRilla gives back to MLK Prep
Gloria “GloRilla” Woods visited her former high school, MLK Prep, to surprise students with a musical performance and a donation.
Former MSCS teacher indicted on crimes against children
A former teacher at Oakhaven Middle School and Wells Station Elementary School has been indicted for crimes against children, according to a statement from Memphis-Shelby County Schools.
In return to Memphis, former deputy AD Wren Baker sees promise for Tigers, new-look AAC
Before his team takes on the Tigers on Saturday afternoon in a preview of a future American Athletic Conference matchup, Baker said he’s as confident as ever in the Tigers’ brand and the new-look league.
St. George’s standout wins fan vote for player of the week
McClain recorded 4.5 quarterback sacks, one short of the school record, as the Gryphons shut down one of the area’s top offenses while picking up their second victory.
Collierville residents injured in 2021 shooting sue Kroger
Two residents wounded in the Sept. 23, 2021 shooting spree at Kroger in Collierville, have filed suit against the grocery store chain and the third-party company who hired the employee who went on the rampage.
Cleanup group talks long-term and short-term fixes for blight, illegal dumping
The city is adding a convenience dumpster site soon at Collins Yard and next year, plans to roll out artificial intelligence tracking to address blight and illegal dumping.
3,000 ‘AutoZoners’ gather for annual sales meeting
AutoZone opened 118 new stores and closed one in the U.S., opened 39 stores in Mexico and 20 stores in Brazil in 2022.
Kevin Ritz confirmed by U.S. Senate as new U.S. Attorney
Ritz was recommended to the White House by U.S. Rep. Steve Cohen of Memphis and succeeds Joe Murphy, who had been acting U.S. Attorney since February 2021.
Rape victim’s appearance on ‘Good Morning America’ prompts calls for reform
As the woman who police think was raped last year by Eliza Fletcher’s alleged killer takes her story to a national audience on ‘Good Morning America,’ community leaders are demanding answers about law enforcement’s slow-moving investigation of the 2021 rape.
Trezevant Manor ushers in fall with fashion show fundraiser
The show helps support the Trezevant Manor Foundation, which funds capital improvements at the senior living facility.
Calkins: How TV’s Marybeth Conley found God, love and a new mission — with an ex-con
Twenty years after starting “Live at 9,” Marybeth Conley has found love, God and a new mission with a childhood crush — who happens to have served time for robbing a bank.
National Black Restaurant Week launches in Memphis
The event celebrates the flavors of African, African-American and Caribbean cuisine.
$10 Deal: Ms. B’s Sub Shop offers one bargain after another
Ms. B is Bonnie Harris, who worked at the Chinese Sub Shop for 25 years, has portions large enough to make sure nobody goes away hungry.
U of M updates Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium gameday procedures
The pregame pep rally will begin 15 minutes earlier at 1:30 p.m. so fans can start entering the stadium. There will also be seven additional security wanding and ticketing locations.Related story:
Five fall concerts for adventurous Memphis rock fans
From major touring bands headed to Elvis’ house to emerging Memphis groups, the fall concert calendar has some intriguing options for risk-taking rock fans.
The To-Do List: Gonerfest, Veganfest, Arcade fest and Martin/Short
This week, Crosstown Arts screens a Japanese gangster film, Cynthia Daniels hosts five parties in one and the Pink Palace Crafts Fair is back for the 50th time.
TSSAA high school football leaders and standings
Totals are through Week 5 games. Northpoint QB Jack Patterson leads area in total offense per game. Northpoint and Lausanne tie for top of Division II-AA West Region. Statistical leaders and standings for TSSAA schools.
For the Grizzlies, Ja Morant’s pairing with greatest H-O-R-S-E champ is perfect
The Grizzlies assistant who works with Ja Morant on his shooting made 276 3-point shots and 95% of his free throws while at Missouri State. Plus, he knows how to “push the right buttons and mess with you in the best way.” Sounds like the perfect coach to work with Morant. Grizzlies Insider: Ja Morant lands at No. 9 in ESPN’s NBArank seriesRelated story:
Metro
This fall, MSCS regains two campuses and Tennessee’s state-run turnaround district ends
Memphis-Shelby County Schools will resume control of the final charter schools in the state-run Achievement School District, a largely unsuccessful effort to boost academic achievement in the state’s chronically low-performing schools.
Premium Spirit of Memphis Costume sketches and letters to Paris: What created Memphis Mardi Gras and what remains?
Elections Halbert is term-limited but still pulls petition for county clerk
Premium Elections One Shelby County candidate has more cash than all his opponents combined
Premium Education More than 300 students are in limbo as a charter school fights for its future
Business
Investors plan $25 million project at former Houston’s site
Local investors Darrell Horn and Brown Gill are partnering to bring office, retail and restaurant space to the former Houston’s site at Poplar Avenue and South Mendenhall Road.
Movers and Shakers Movers & Shakers
Premium Business Some nonprofits ‘feel like they’re on an island by themselves’
Premium Real Estate Oak Court Mall being cleared for redevelopment
Premium Real Estate Food Files: Evelyn & Olive reopens as Jamaica Soul
Sports
Former Tiger’s eligibility case could directly impact Memphis
An eligibility lawsuit that allowed former Tigers receiver Cortez Braham Jr. to compete in 2025 is still being litigated.
Player of the Week Vote for the high school boys basketball player of the week, Week 9
Player of the Week Vote for the high school girls basketball player of the week, Week 9
Premium Memphis Tigers Basketball Hill: It’s time for Penny Hardaway to do what’s best for Memphis basketball
Memphis Grizzlies Grizzlies won’t raise season ticket prices
Food
Tsunami helped Cooper-Young become a dining hot spot
Chef Ben Smith opened Tsunami in 1998, helping Cooper-Young transition from “a downtrodden backwater for failing businesses.”
Premium Business After 28 years, Tsunami is ‘going out with a bang’
Suburbs
Ballots before beaches: DeSoto County prepares for March 10 primary amid vacation season
The Mississippi primary elections coincide with spring break, and DeSoto County officials are encouraging voters to take advantage of absentee ballots if they need that option.
Premium Millington Millington is cracking down on sidewalk standards but some citizens are split
Arts & Culture
Memphis creator featured in new PBS series
Content producer, curator, and DJ Bryan Roberson — aka YoBreezye — is featured in episode 2 of “The Story in Us,” which was released on Jan. 15.
Performing Arts Classics anchor Theatre Memphis’ next season
Opinion
Opinion: A simple blood test can help save more Tennesseans from colorectal cancer
“The impact of colorectal cancer is exacerbated for Black Tennesseans and people in rural areas who face even more challenges to getting screened and treated.”
Opinion Opinion: Is Mayor Young the right mayor at the wrong time?
Podcasts
The AM/DM podcast: Will federal troops be pulled from Memphis?
If federal law enforcement operations in other cities are ending, could Memphis be far behind?
Memphis Grizzlies Grizzlies podcast: Memphis in middle of lottery race
Games
Sudoku: Feb. 17
Ready for today’s sudokus?