The new chair of the FedEx board was previously the interim president of the University of Memphis, CEO of Saks Inc. and the lead director of the board of Pilot Flying J. 

The company, which is launching a 625,000-square-foot warehouse, signed a 12-year lease earlier this month.

A Memphis-based hemp grower and distributor could soon find itself in the bizarre situation of having to sell its products to an alcohol distributor before buying them back to sell at its own retail stores.

Jack Sammons spent a portion of Saturday with the FedEx founder: “No matter how routine our regular conversations ... every time I talked to him, I felt like I was talking to Thomas Edison, an individual who changed the world.”

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‘Most important Memphian of all time’ has died

The Memphis and Shelby County Airport Authority will introduce plan to rename Memphis’ airport in honor of the aviator, businessman and hometown hero Fred Smith. 

More than 50 years ago, FedEx began as an idea proposed in a Yale economics paper. Here’s what happened next. 

“We want it to be a place that’s for Memphians, by Memphians,” said John Halford, founder of Cnct Design, about the Edge District.

A restaurant and event space has opened in the former Jerry Lee Lewis’ Cafe and Honky Tonk location.

FedEx founder and executive chairman Frederick W. Smith, who changed the face of global commerce and his adopted hometown of Memphis, has died at age 80.

Also, the local Sakura chain, offering a selection of sushi and seafood, will share the new location with casual ramen and poké restaurant Subarashi. 

Filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission shed further light on xAI and Solaris Energy Infrastructure’s joint venture. They also offer further confirmation that xAI’s plans in the Memphis metro area will likely cross state lines. 

The Ross I-40 industrial park sits roughly 40 minutes from Ford Motor’s BlueOval City in Stanton, Tennessee. 

Memphis-based Varsity Spirit is launching a professional cheerleading league in January, giving athletes 18 years old and older the opportunity to get paid to compete after college.

Downtown business owners received money to renovate their properties with plans for a liquor store, cafe and possibly more.

The 18 S. Main St. building was formerly owned by developer Tom Intrator — and had been part of his plans for several Main Street properties — but was transferred during an April foreclosure sale. 

“You can have the best community in America … . But if you don’t have available buildings or land, then a community cannot grow its economy,” the president of the Bartlett Area Chamber of Commerce said.

Archer, Tioga Environmental Consultants, Marston Group, Christian Community Foundation and BRIDGES announce promotions and additions. 

Dr. Peter Buckley joins a global network of academic health center leaders from countries such as Australia, China, Kenya, Lebanon, South Korea and Switzerland. 

He succeeds Dr. Jeffrey Towbin who recently announced his retirement from the institute he helped build.

The retailer will fill the last available space in Ridgeway Trace — making the 300,000-square-foot shopping center 100% leased. 

A decrepit cemetery sign sparked a partnership between a Memphis school and Elon Musk-founded xAI. 

Also in the Political Roundup: City vs. county at Southwind High, a short history of going from the Senate to the governor’s mansion in Tennessee and Lee Harris on his successor and his next campaign.

The substation is on Democrat Road and will provide power to the hub without adding strain to the Memphis Light, Gas and Water grid.

Plus: Three Guys Pizza Pies is under new ownership, and Bloom Bakery and Cafe brings new tastes to Downtown.

Plus, a Bartlett shopping center gets a new owner.