Protesters block entrance to xAI’s Memphis data center
Demonstrators outside xAI’s Colossus I data center in Southwest Memphis voice concerns about air pollution in the area.
County Commission to meet on funding for MSCS lawsuit against takeover
The commission will try again on a resolution to provide county funding for a legal challenge of the state’s pending takeover of Memphis-Shelby County Schools.
Lee greenlights special session for redistricting next week
Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee has called a special session of the Tennessee Legislature to consider redrawing the lines of the state’s nine Congressional districts in a bid to turn the state’s largest and only blue district red in this year’s midterm elections.
Friday prep report: Tipton-Rosemark holds off late St. Benedict charge
Lanie Howe gets the victory and drives in three runs as Rebels secure their place in the next round of the Division 2-A postseason.
Man who attempted to kidnap Mayor Young indicted federally
The man who recently pleaded guilty to attempting to kidnap Memphis Mayor Paul Young last year has now been charged federally.
Early-voter turnout spikes in last days
More than 57,000 early votes were cast in the 14-day period ahead in the Shelby County primaries. Here’s how that compares to past turnout in the same election cycle and what it could say about Election Day.
Germantown has low voter turnout despite mayoral referendum
Nearly 33,000 people are registered to vote in Germantown, but only 3,513 have voted, according to the Shelby County Election Commission.
Collierville sues over unfinished hotel near Carriage Crossing
The proposed Holiday Inn Express — visible to more than 3,200 drivers from State Route 385 — was approved in 2019.
Memphis-based event agency acquired by private equity firm
LEO Events announced it has been bought by Hoffmann Family of Cos. LEO Events employs more than 100 people.
Grizzlies Podcast: NBA Draft guard prospects
Drew Hill and Chris Herrington discuss each of the draft’s top guard prospects in 2026.
Memphis Tigers land a big man in transfer portal
Corneilous Williams averaged 12.2 points and 9.3 rebounds last season. He ranked in the 90th percentile nationally for offensive rebounding percentage at 12.9%.Related content:
Southern Miss’ Tylik Weeks commits to Memphis
New Tiger Tylik Weeks, a 6-foot-7 Southern Miss transfer, ranked in the top 40 of scoring nationally last season at 19.7 points per game.Related content:
Viral sensation Luke Almodovar brings high-flying talent to Memphis
Luke Almodovar’s style of play has the potential to ignite crowds at FedExForum, a potential Memphis Tigers fan favorite in the season ahead.
Kansas State’s strength and conditioning coach joining Tigers staff
Kansas State’s strength and conditioning coach Phil Baier is being hired to Memphis’ staff, according to the university’s online records.
Arts Beat: Meet Memphis Art & Fashion Week’s featured designers
Runway at the Museum includes six featured designers, most of whom are local.
Bailey: Round one of the race for a full-time mayor in Germantown is complete
Now that early voting is complete, campaigners have one more shot on Tuesday’s Election Day to sway Germantown residents on whether the mayor should transition to a full-time job.
Calkins: The best young athlete in Memphis? Noah Schepman is an inspiration on wheels.
When Noah Schepman was one, his dad built him a tiny wheelchair. Now Schepman’s tennis coach calls him “the fastest kid — on feet or wheels — that I’ve ever seen.”
Ted Townsend out as Chamber president
Ted Townsend out as Greater Memphis Chamber president and CEO, officials announced Thursday, after he was placed on leave in March for unspecified reasons.
‘An alternate Memphis’: Baron Von Opperbean opens the multiverse at Mud Island
The immersive experience “Baron Von Opperbean and The River of Time” opens Friday, May 1, in the old River Museum at Mud Island River Park.
Fair on the Square returns to Collierville and ‘just screams small town’
Collierville Mayor Maureen Fraser will proclaim Saturday “Fair on the Square Day” in the suburb.
Trump says Gov. Lee on board with redistricting push
Trump posted Thursday on social media that he had talked with Gov. Bill Lee about a special session of the Tennessee legislature. Lee hasn’t commented. Blackburn, Rose call to ‘flip Memphis’ in wake of Supreme Court rulingRelated content:
Baptist Memorial breaks ground on $27M Fayette County hospital
Fayette County Mayor Rhea “Skip” Taylor said a hospital is important for healthcare, but it also becomes a community anchor.
Arlington breaks out the bats in district semifinal victory
Luke Turner drives in three runs as the Tigers advance.
What Daily Memphians think*
“Terrific story. Noah is an inspiration, as are his parents. ...” — Charles Hanover about Calkins: The best young athlete in Memphis? Noah Schepman is an inspiration on wheels
“Looks like another amazing success story based on hard work in the tradition of entrepreneurship in the river city.” — David Less about Memphis-based event agency acquired by private equity firm
“The BVO team has done what nobody else could do - imagine a rebirth of the former Mud Island museum and then actually do it.” — Michael Scarbrough about 'An alternate Memphis': Baron Von Opperbean opens the multiverse at Mud Island
* Select comments upvoted by Daily Memphian readers.
Tennessee Legislature passes two bills aimed at DA Mulroy
Tennessee lawmakers recently passed two bills aimed at Shelby County District Attorney General Steve Mulroy that aim to scrutinize how his office handles cases stemming from the Memphis Safe Task Force.
Food Files: Flame Ramen is back Downtown, paired with coffee and tea
It’s all openings this week with TacoNGanas, Bloom Bakery & Cafe, Playa Bowls and Brain Food Memphis.
Redbirds recap: Memphis defeats Indianapolis, 5-2
Shortstop Brody Moore went 3-for-3 with three RBI in the win for the Redbirds.
Sudoku: May 1
Ready for today’s sudokus?
Daily WordRow: May 1
Are you a Wordle fan? Try WordRow, a similar game. It’s free to play.
Daily Jigsaw: Farmers market flowers
This jigsaw puzzle is a photo of flowers at the Hernando Farmers Market and was provided by DeSoto County Tourism.
Metro
Legislature adds two more criminal courts to Shelby County
The state Legislature has passed a bill that would add two more judges to Shelby County for criminal cases. The bill now heads to Gov. Lee to sign.
2026 elections Elections Early voting’s last day could see higher turnout than 2022
Elections Elections Blackburn, Rose call to ‘flip Memphis’ in wake of Supreme Court ruling
Premium Spirit of Memphis Inside the world of Senior Assassin, the all-consuming game being played by high school seniors
Premium Metro Ask the Memphian: Did Memphians really freak out over a strange man’s earthquake prediction?
Business
Locals buy East Memphis hotel for $5.5 million
The sale price, which comes down to $44,000 per room, is a deal for the market, leaving room for the new owners’ plans to upgrade the property.
Premium Real Estate The Works eyes South Memphis site for affordable housing
Premium Real Estate Inked: ServisFirst doubles, Painted Tree closes and Bartlett center gets two new tenants
Premium Business Google announces $25M in grants for West Memphis
Premium Real Estate Major Memphis industrial portfolio sale signals rebound in investor demand
Sports
Buckley: Josh Holloway isn’t just the kid punched by Ja Morant. He’s the local talent Penny Hardaway promised.
“How fitting that things seem bound to come full circle, and the Grizzlies star guard may be heading out just as the kid whose name became known for a fight is about to play for the Tigers.”
Premium Memphis Grizzlies Herrington: Previewing NBA Draft guard prospects for the Grizzlies
Premium Memphis Tigers Basketball How Penny Hardaway’s history with small guards helped him land Jayden Reid
Premium Bartlett Course correction: Quail Ridge’s comeback in full swing
High School Sports Houston strikes twice late to salvage draw with rival Collierville
Food
Table Talk: Winner, winner, barbecue dinner
This week’s Table Talk comes to you from Sophia Surrett, The Daily Memphian’s new food and restaurant reporter.
Premium Food News A shrimp-ly amazing journey: 2 Crazy Fellas opening second location
Premium Food News This new wine bar is Over Keel
Suburbs
Millington secures initial funding for coveted Lone Sailor Monument
Millington’s effort to secure the 20th Lone Sailor statue around the world, reached fruition Wednesday as the city and organizers signed the contract to locate the work in a plaza near Navy Road and Easley Avenue.
Premium Education Collierville Schools approves $142 million budget
Premium Lakeland Lakeland considers roundabouts for U.S. 70
Arts & Culture
5 must-see concerts in May
May is a notable month for music in Memphis.
Visual Arts Memphis Movies This Week: ‘The Devil Wears Prada,’ ‘Hairspray’
Music Photo Gallery: Grind City Amp’s grand opening party
Opinion
Sanford: Time for Big Shelby to come to the table — and vote
“(This) all adds up to being arguably the most significant county primary in recent memory. And it is almost exclusively a fight among Democrats who make up a majority of the more than 432,000 active registered voters.”
Podcasts
The AM/DM podcast: The first thing you need to know about the Shelby County primaries
The Shelby County primaries are here, with early voting already ongoing, and election day coming fast and furious on Tuesday, May 5.
Games
Daily Jigsaw: You Silly Goose
Today’s puzzle is Serafine cocktail and Farm Daddy pizza from Silly Goose and was taken by Brad Vest.