MSCS approves final budget before takeover oversight begins
The $1.7 billion plan for Memphis-Shelby County Schools could be shaken up by a new board of state appointees during the 2026-27 academic year.
Redbirds recap: Redbirds blow past Storm Chasers
Memphis improves to a half-game behind the Rochester Red Wings for first place in the International League standings.
Blackburn says Trump’s $1.8B anti-weaponization fund needs ‘a revisit’
Blackburn’s comments, which came during a stop in Memphis, are her first on the controversial fund that could be used to pay those convicted of violent offenses in the Jan. 6, 2021, U.S. Capitol insurrection.
City Council lets impasse ordinance veto stand. Now the rewrite begins.
An ad hoc group will now work on another rewrite to overhaul the 48-year-old procedure for resolving impasses between the city administration and labor unions.
Judges uphold map in state redistricting lawsuit
A panel of judges delivered a setback for those wishing to preserve Tennessee’s only majority-Black congressional district. While a federal judge denied an ACLU injunction in its redistricting lawsuit.
Sexton adds to McNally’s takeover appointees, taps education-policy leader
Lt. Gov. McNally selected a former MSCS board member and a local attorney for the school takeover board. House Speaker Sexton tapped the leader of a Nashville-based education-policy group to the board.
Grizzlies await vote by owners that could restrict future draft pick
The NBA is quiet. The criticism is loud. The Grizzlies would be the only NBA team directly impacted by a proposed rule change next season, and the vote is right around the corner.
Memphis-area 5th grader advances to National Spelling Bee quarterfinals
At 11 years old, Josh Verma, a Memphis-area elementary student, has made it to the quarterfinals of the Scripps National Spelling Bee being held this week in Washington, D.C.
AutoZone earnings climb as new mega-hub stores beat sales expectations
AutoZone’s mega hub and commercial business strategy has it poised to continue growing in the summer months, officials said during an earnings call Tuesday, May 26.
Memphis Movies This Week: Discovering ‘Backrooms’, reliving ‘Summer of Soul’
As devoted as their cult followings may sometimes be and as reliable as they are — relatively speaking — at luring people into theaters, horror movies used to get no respect.
Le Bonheur’s next pediatric chief bows out weeks before start date
The hospital will restart its search after their top pediatric recruit decides to stay in Texas.
Ask the Memphian: How did the U of M law school end up in the old Custom House?
The U of M’s law school used to be located in a run-down building with unreliable air conditioning and a flooding problem. Now, it’s Downtown home is “a huge selling point.” Here’s how the move came to be.
Restaurant Remix: No Comment is staying ‘80s-themed but with a twist
“We know we can do oysters. We want to make sure this new menu crushes,” said the co-owner of No Comment as it transitions to a restaurant with an Indian-Italian flavor.
Only 16, this Memphis kid has performed nationwide and stars in ‘Michael’
Jaylen Hunter has toured the U.S. in major stage productions of “The Lion King” and “MJ The Musical,” and in recent weeks, millions around the world have seen him play young Marlon Jackson in the blockbuster movie “Michael.”
Former Commercial Appeal building set for demolition
Demolition of the former Commercial Appeal building could start in late June. DT Specialized Services, an Oklahoma-based company, filed a demolition permit for the property at 495 Union Ave.
Collierville budget plan: no tax increase, higher utility bills and more employee benefits
Molly Mehner, town administrator, has repeatedly urged elected officials to focus on needs instead of wants, calling the financial plan a “plain Jane” budget.
What Daily Memphians think*
“Thank you to the Boy Scouts and leaders who spent Saturday putting those flags out on everyone’s grave.” — Terry Stanford about Flags, headstones and hard truths: Memphis National Cemetery tells a different Civil War story
“Beautiful and respectful photos honoring those veterans whom have gone before us.” — Joe Barnard about Photo Gallery: Memorial Day in Memphis
“Love that my town appreciates its employees who do a great job serving the community. They are the best.” — Dennis Paden about Collierville budget plan: no tax increase, higher utility bills and more employee benefits
* Select comments upvoted by Daily Memphian readers.
Daily Memphian track and field honor roll
Here are the top performances by Memphis-area TSSAA track and field athletes through the state championship meets.
Sudoku: May 26
Are you ready for today’s puzzles?
Daily WordRow: May 26
Are you a Wordle fan? Try WordRow, a similar game. It’s free to play.
Daily Jigsaw: Whitehaven YMCA
Today’s puzzle is from the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Robertson Family Aquatic Center at the Whitehaven YMCA and was taken by Brandon LaGrone II.
Metro
Here’s where the cases against Tennessee’s new congressional map stand
There are now a total of four lawsuits against Tennessee’s new congressional map. Here is a breakdown of where each case stands as the August primaries rapidly approach.
Premium Elections Democrats switch to campaign mode in new Congressional districts
Premium Spirit of Memphis Well versed: A Memphis wordsmith makes history with ‘little poems’
Premium Spirit of Memphis Green acres: How one local couple is living and loving off-grid life
City of Memphis Storybook trail opens at Tom Lee Park
Business
Former Immaculate Conception high school buildings, convent being demolished
The Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception is clearing four buildings on its campus to make the property more accessible, add green space and to save money on upkeep.
Premium Real Estate Tsunami building goes on the market
Business SpaceX buys data center building for $185 million
Real Estate Former Commercial Appeal building set for demolition
Transportation & Logistics Airport board approves $172M budget
Sports
Grizzlies Mailbag: Trading Ja Morant and other offseason issues
This mailbag is full of questions on trades that have and haven’t happened and how exactly the Memphis Grizzlies are positioned entering the offseason.
Premium Sports Redbirds Recap: League leader Memphis loses first-place spot after fall to I-Cubs
Premium Memphis Tigers Basketball How Memphis basketball’s transfer class can help fix issues from last season
Premium Memphis Grizzlies Hill: Is the NBA about to rip off the Memphis Grizzlies?
Premium Memphis Grizzlies Hill: Who do the Grizzlies take at No. 3? Let’s dive into the numbers.
Food
Oh, sip! Dr. Bean’s Coffee is owned by an actual doctor, and his last name is really Bean.
Here’s the tea on Dr. Bean’s business and its eponymous founder.
Premium Germantown After six years, a new Enjoy A|M restaurant to open
Premium Recipes Recipe Exchange: Back-to-back barbecue winner Heath Riles’ ribs
Suburbs
Most suburban school districts say they aren’t getting funding owed to them
A 13-year-old referendum is sparking a budget battle in some Memphis suburbs as school boards see flat funding despite higher property values. However, government officials say they can freeze the funding due to other ways they contribute.
Premium Lakeland Lakeland shirks property tax rate hike: ‘We run a lot of things lean in this city’
Performing Arts Collierville students lead Orpheum musical theater honors
Arts & Culture
Thinker, dreamer & leader: Artist Derek Fordjour reimagines Room 306
Anchoring the Civil Rights Museum expansion is celebrated artist Derek Fordjour’s “Three Kings: Epilogue.” The massive artwork shows three sides of Martin Luther King Jr. in the Lorraine Motel and it tethers Fordjour to his hometown.
Premium Music In its third year, Ghost River Brewing expands music festival to two weekends
Arts & Culture Mom! Dad! It’s Mickey Mouse!
Opinion
Opinion: Why is the state’s focus on redistricting not matched by equal attention to BlueOval City?
“The same people who can summon a special session to redraw congressional maps in service of a national political project have had remarkably little to say about how that same national political project cost thousands of jobs and four years of economic momentum in Tipton, Fayette, Haywood and Shelby counties.”
Guest Columnists Echols: Music as a metaphor for God
Podcasts
How New Memphis Institute recruits and retains talented people
As they’ve done for more than 40 years, New Memphis Institute is working to do a not-so-simple thing: connect talented people not just with companies in Memphis but with other talented people here or thinking about moving here.
Memphis Grizzlies Grizzlies podcast: Would Memphis trade up from pick No. 3?
Games
Daily Jigsaw: Charlie’s Butcher
Today’s puzzle is the meat display case at Buster’s Butcher and was taken by Greg Campbell.