The AM/DM

Today is the first day of spring, and there are so many ways to get outdoors and celebrate this weekend. Daily Memphian digital producer Kelsey Bowen joins Bianca Phillips today to talk about all the spring fests: the Indian festival of Holi, the German Frühlingsfest at Brewing and a fairy party at Loflin Yard. Plus: Horn Lake board approves a second sanitation rate hike in under a year A Hilton-branded hotel is planned for Lakeland's The Lake District Democratic contenders for sheriff call for big changes A Downtown board backs incentives for a law firm, a church and the former Puck Food Hall The MSCS board makes Richmond an "interim" again

Erica Horton is a local foodie and, for the past year, she's been writing many of The Daily Memphian's $15 Deals. Today, we talk to her about the local restaurant scene and some of our favorite $15 deals.  Plus: The Tennessee House passes controversial immigration bills A DeSoto captain is honored after rescuing teens from a submerged car Wonder Cowork Create is expanding in the Edge District Aldi can be your neighbor or your tenant

For the past year and a half, Jerry Lee Lewis' Nesbit ranch has been open to tourists. As with the home tour of another famous Mid-South musician, visitors of the house can see gold records, antique cars and other rock 'n' roll artifacts. Today, North Mississippi reporter Brandon LaGrone II is in the studio to talk about the history behind the tourist attraction. Plus: The immersive museum on Mud Island sets a new May opening date The Tigers will bring Penny Hardaway back for a ninth season A South Korean manufacturer moves forward with the next phase of a $157 million Memphis expansion Memphis' lack of populaton growth could soon hurt the budget

When local birds of prey are injured, they may end up at the Mid-South Raptor Center near Shelby Farms Park. The organization's volunteers are dedicated to rehabilitating — and more importantly, releasing — hawks, falcons, eagles and owls. Today, we're talking to enterprise reporter John Klyce about who's behind the Mid-South Raptor Center and how they get the birds back in the air.   Plus: Bartlett City Schools unvels plans to replace the deteriorating Altruria Elementary A new cocktail bar is planned for the former Pearl's Oyster House The former Gameday Baseball complex in Cordova will become an upscale RV park Peabody's Chez Phillipe is awarded a prestigious Five Diamond designation

It's spring break week for area public school students (except for the University Schools district), which means the airport may be busy but the roads probably won't be. his week also brings us St. Patrick's Day, the Memphis Amateur Sports Hall of Fame ceremony and a vote on an exterior grant for another plan for 409 S. Main, formerly Puck Food Hall.  Today, newsletter editor Bianca Phillips is here to set up the week for us.  Plus: A former teacher found the recipe for a brighter tomorrow Stars on Ice tour brings Olympic gold medalists to Landers Center February home sales are up with a busy spring expected The owner of Wing Guru gets diversion

St. Patrick's Day celebrations start early this year, with parades and parties beginning Saturday, March 14. But there's also the Grind City Coffee Xpo, "Seussical" the musical, a daffodil show and the Orpheum Theatre's Broadway season reveal party. Daily Memphian newsletter editor Bianca Phillips joins us today to share all the tea (and coffee) on what to do this weekend.  Plus: Memphis students are awarded for an immigration reform documentary The National Civil Rights Museum is open seven days a week during March Court upholds a conviction for a man accused of killing rapper Young Dolph Memphis schools need nearly 1,000 upgrades

The Standard could have been Germantown's first TIF, or tax increment financing, district. Located at Poplar Avenue and Kirby Parkway, the development is slated to replace the Carrefour at Kirby Woods. The Carrefour shopping center has already been demolished, and in its place, developers planned to build a hotel, 40 luxury condos and 150,000 square feet of office space. But earlier this week, the Germantown Board of Mayor and Aldermen voted against tax incentives for the project.  Today, we're joined by suburbs reporter Abigail Warren to talk about what happened with the vote and what happens now.  Plus: A company with two Memphis offices was hit in a suspected Iran-based cyberattack The Memphis Amateur Sports Hall of Fame is adding new members 'Homes not Hedge Funds' passes in the state senate Mississippi regulators approve xAI's turbines in Southaven A state lawmaker visits the ICE facility where a local student is detained MSCS plans to update certain processes

In February, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that tariffs enacted by President Donald Trump's administration, and using the International Emergency Economic Power Act, were illegal. In light of the ruling, the president quickly enacted other tariffs, but the Supreme Court's decision did not go unnoticed. Several international companies, such as Costco, Nintendo, Dole Fresh Fruit Co. and Memphis' own FedEx, want refunds on the billions in duties they've paid over the past year. Today we're joined by business reporter Steve Bohnel to talk about what the companies are doing to get their money back and what it might mean, way in the future, for the American consumer.  Plus: 'Homes not Hudge Funds' passes the state senate The Tradition plans to serve Houston's-inspired chicken tenders  The County Commission fills Ford's former seat The NAACP says Mississippi is moving too fast on the xAI permit decision Memphis is moving on from women's basketball coach Alex Simmons The Standard's tax incentive fails

Before this weekend, Ja Morant, the Memphis Grizzlies star point guard, hadn't spoken to the media since January. That also meant he hadn't spoken publicly since after the NBA's trade deadline — when he notably wasn't traded and Jaren Jackson Jr. was.  But there's a story there about him talking to the media now, and it involves the injury he sustained to his left elbow on Jan. 21.  Today, The Daily Memphian's Grizzlies reporter Drew Hill returns to the show to talk about Morant, his recent conversation with him and NBA rules about injuries. Plus: Tennessee passes on federal help that would feed more children Overton Park Shell will celebrate 90 years in four days Noem touts the Memphis Safe Task Force on her way out at DHS BlueOval SK will see 150 layoffs Petra Cafe reopens near its old Carrefour location MSCS pitches an "accountability plan" alternative to a state takeover

This week begins with a flurry of government activity. Bianca Phillips is here to talk about all of it and help us prepare for the coming work week.  Plus: The Jerry lee Lewis Ranch Experience is now a fixture in Mid-South music tourism Millington hopes to break ground on a Lone Sailor monument by July 4 A former county director and his wife could face federal charges Collierville could get a third McDonald's A Tennessee court mulls the legality of the National Guard   

If this weekend has a theme, it's food competitions for a good cause. There are also Elvis Tribute Artists in town to perform and roller derby lessons, so one might be able to skate, rattle and roll.  Newsletter editor Bianca Phillips is here to tell us all about them.  Plus: The Tennesee Board of Education is preserving its two-credit world-language requirement A councilmember urges the administration to make a plan for regulation of short-term rentals Tigers projects a deficit in men's basketball Filipino bar opens Downtown Mid-South Chinese Chamber buys the historic Cordova School

The Memphis Area Transit Authority has struggled in recent years, with funding, misallocated resources, bad bus schedules and questionable spending. Now, the beleaguered public transportation agency is headed by an operations trustee, Rodrick Holmes, who used to MATA's general counsel.  Mary Cashiola is joined today by enterprise reporter Samuel Hardiman, who recently got an inside look at the MATA trolley barn and information about the future of the transit authority. Plus: Memphis musicians were recognized by the Tennessee Legislature Michael Drake is the new CEO of Christ Community Health Memphis continues to see a drop in crime in 2026 Two buildings could fill out Germantown's medical corridor

Last year, a U.S. District judge finalized a settlement permitting university athletic departments around the country to distribute up to $20.5 million annually in revenue to student athletes. This past week, for the first time ever, the University of Memphis disclosed it paid $11 million to student-athletes under revenue sharing. Today, the U of M Board of Trustees will hear a presentation on that program, and we're asking sports editor David Boyd all of our questions about how this all works.  Plus: Brent Taylor faces a potential Democratic challenger in the August state primaries Two former Medtronic buildings are for sale Teachers may soon have have to pass a civics exam to earn their license A family files a $35 million wrongful death suit against Youth Villages A British pub is coming to Overton Square A UK-based sports retailer is coming to East Memphis

The Shelby County primaries are fast approaching. The official primary election day is Tuesday, May 5, but early voting starts Wednesday, April 15. Moreover, there are all kinds of seats up for grabs, including county mayor, 13 Shelby County Board of Commissioners districts, county sheriff, probate court clerk, county clerk and circuit court clerk.  Joining Mary Cashiola today is longtime political reporter Bill Dries to talk about how it's all shaking out so far.  Plus: Shelby County residents share thoughts on MSTF and immigration arrests A pro women's tennis tour brng the Memphis Classic to Leftwich An incident with a visitor leads to damage at the Memphis Zoo bonobo exhibit Memphis trucking leaders back Trump's crackdown on unqualified drivers The bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Memphis has submitted his resignation The cause of an inmate's death at 201 Poplar has been released

This is the week when the Banana Ball Championship League (finally) comes to Memphis. The Savannah Bananas are not coming to Memphis, but two other teams from the league — the Party Animals and the Indianapolis Clowns — will be at AutoZone Park with their signature take on baseball.  And this week marks the next step in who might replace Edmund Ford Jr. on the Shelby County Board of Commissioners.  Today, Bianca Phillips joins Mary Cashiola to talk about it all as we prepare for the week ahead.  Plus: A bipartisan effort to study DA pay disparities moves forward Tony Salvaggio will run for Germantown mayor The Univeristy of Memphis has publicly divulged revenue shared with their athletes The man accused of killing a Campbell Clinic doctor will face a hearing

Another week is in the books, and it's time for the weekend.  There's a "Heated Rivalry"-themed dance party at Minglewood Hall, the Memphis Coin Club Show at the Landers Center and more tulips blooming in East Memphis than you'll see anywhere else outside of the Netherlands. Well, actually, don't quote on us on that last bit. But a lot of tulips. Suffice it to say, this weekend isn't for wallflowers.  Newsletter editor Bianca Phillips is in the studio, so she and Mary Cashiola discuss all that and more.  Plus: Democrats boot five and Republicans strike three from the May primary ballot U of M marks the launch of $90M upgrade of business school Cohen reacts to Trump's speech FESJC head Joe Tomek steps down East Memphis momentum spawns a new mixed-use development along South White Station Road

One of the first classes medical students take is gross anatomy. They first learn about the human body during a lecture and then it's onto the lab, where their first patient — a donor body — awaits them.  Today, reporter John Klyce is here to talk to us about how UT Health Science Center's cadaver lab works, why it's important and even how they find their bodies. Plus: FedEx sues the U.S. government A local nonprofit and the ACLU sue the city over MPD records MLGW says the price of gas and increased electricity use led to higher bills DA's office is to use Memphis-made AI for case management

After more than 40 years at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital and over a decade as its president and CEO, Dr. James Downing announced last week he is stepping down. So what happens now?  Today, we'll introduce you to new business reporter Steve Bohnel and we'll chat about Downing's new role, his possible replacement and even about curing cancer.  Plus: Smart Mart will soon be replaced NBA hits Grizzlies guard Pippen with a $35K fine DeSoto's long-term traffic goals start with a 4-year road plan Comeback Coffee comes back for one day  

After the Memphis Safe Task Force was deployed last fall, the Collierville Police Department did something unexpected. It increased the number of officers who were on patrol and paid them overtime to work the shifts. The idea was that the task force might push would-be Memphis criminals into Collierville and the other suburbs, where those individuals would be safe, so to speak, from the full 13-agency federal task force. But it hasn't worked out that way for many reasons.  Today, suburbs section editor Clay Bailey joins Mary Cashiola to talk the impact of the task force on places like Collierville, Germantown and Millington.  Plus: How a little girl from rural Louisiana became a research leader at UTHSC Clayborn Temple is set to be rebuilt One Memphis lawmaker wants to stop evictions from being livestreamed The convention center Sheraton could be redeveloped and rebranded by 2029 A veteran Memphs judge is set to retire

This week brings us the NFL Combine and two Tigers tackles who get to attend, Memphis City Council and Shelby County Commission meetings, a deadline to not run for office and the annual Guns to Gardens drive, in which guns are donated and then melted down to be made into garden tools. Today, newsletter editor Bianca Phillips joins Mary Cashiola to talk about all of that to help prepare you for the week ahead.  Plus: Officials say the Task Force is driving down suburban crime St. Jude's CEO is stepping down The TN General Assembly votes to expand birth control access  GXO Logistics will lay off 185 in Memphis