The Commercial Appeal
‘Blessing to be here’
Big Cypress Lodge and Wahlburgers joined forces on Sept. 8 to present “Above the City” — a first-look event celebrating the renovations to multiple dining outlets at the Bass Pro Shops at the Pyramid, including The Lookout and the relaunch of a new...
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Meet ‘Miss Kathy’ Sulentic, Memphis football’s quiet, viral godsend
It’s more than three hours until kickoff — the first one at the University of Memphis’ splendidly spruced-up Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium — on Sept. 5. It is sweltering, and Kathy Sulentic is scrambling to help get ticket scanners in place before...
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‘ISOLATED’
Severe storms, heat waves and wildfires can shut down the social life of a community, flooding out festivals, canceling community events and keeping people indoors. They’re also evidence of how climate change isn’t just changing the environments we...
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Memphis adventurer Dale Sanders reclaims Appalachian Trail record
Dale Sanders, a Memphis-area man who goes by the alias “Greybeard,” became the oldest person to hike the entire Appalachian Trail on Aug. 31. Sanders, 91, summitted Mount Katahdin in Maine around noon on the last day of August with five days to spare,...
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FIRST LOOK
Reimagined as the Memphis Art Museum, the Memphis Brooks Museum of Art is relocating to a Front Street river bluff, after 110 years in Overton Park. h Its migration follows the dissolution of the Memphis College of Art, which closed in 2020, after 61...
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Protestors show support for Memphis ICE detainees
About two dozen protestors gathered in nearly 100-degree heat outside a West Tennessee prison this week to support ICE detainees on hunger strike and demand better conditions for them. The Sept. 2 protest in the small, rural town of Mason — about 45...
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Inside Satellite Music Hall
After 18 months of planning and construction, Memphis’ latest concert venue, Satellite Music Hall, officially opens its doors this week. Operated by the Beverly Hills, California, entertainment giant Live Nation, Satellite Music Hall is located at...
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Officials divided over data center moratorium
A temporary 12-month data center moratorium in Memphis could be put on hold after Memphis City Council approved newly introduced resolutions that could eliminate such action. The newly introduced resolutions come two weeks after the council moved...
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Shelby County swears in mayor, sheriff, officials
Now-former Shelby County Commissioner Mickell Lowery and now-former Shelby County Chief Deputy Sheriff Anthony Buckner were the highlights of Aug. 31’s Shelby County government swearing-in ceremony. Lowery now holds the position of Shelby County mayor...
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Inside new Grizzlies Prep charter school
Memphis Grizzlies Preparatory Charter School is in its 15th year, but it’s going through changes. The school, supported by the Memphis Grizzlies Foundation, is entering a new era — it recently added a new school for girls and it’s the school’s first...
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3 Memphis innovators tell how Epicenter boosted their startups
Over a decade after its founding, one downtown-based nonprofit is driving job growth in Memphis through the hundreds of startups it has helped get off the ground. Epicenter, founded in 2015, operates as educators, early investors and a support system...
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$226.5M RENOVATION
For years, as Memphis repeatedly tried and failed to join a power conference, school officials began to believe there were a few key things holding them back in those discussions. h Specifically: Academic standards that needed to be raised, a football...
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Colleges confront decline in reading
Anyone who has spent time on a college campus lately has probably heard laments from faculty about their students’ reading habits, or rather nonreading habits. Such complaints are more than an unfounded nostalgia for a bygone age. Reading – not just...
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Cramsey, trick play called ‘cuckoo’ led Kevin Decker to Memphis
The group chat has been growing for close to two decades now. It includes Arkansas offensive coordinator Tim Cramsey and the quarterbacks who have played for him and who have graduated from college. There are 12 quarterbacks from his time as a...
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New Shelby County sheriff talks transition, first steps
Shelby County Sheriff-elect Anthony Buckner hosted the first of what he said will be many transition team meetings on Aug. 24 at the University of Memphis Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law. The transition team meeting saw nearly 40 officials and...
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Country legend, gone
Dolly Parton, music icon, Hollywood icon, business icon, philanthropic icon, Tennessee icon and American original, who inspired children to read, workers to not be satisfied with their 9 to 5 existence and Whitney Houston to sing about always loving...
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Opportunity flourishes for Memphis youth at Urban Roots of Tennessee garden
Urban Roots of Tennessee, a new agricultural training center for youth in Raleigh is set to provide transformative learning experiences, generate opportunities for children and allow them to give back to the community. A ribbon-cutting was held Aug....
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TVA establishes new rate class for data centers
With the debate over data center development taking center stage in Memphis, the power supplier of Memphis Light, Gas and Water — which provides electricity to the city — is looking to insulate residential customers from utility bill hikes due to...
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A LOT AT STAKE
Elon Musk’s Spacexai will see one of its major litigation hurdles as the company and its affiliate, MZX Tech LLC, head to federal court. But when that happens is now up in the air. h The U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Mississippi was...
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Toyota teams with Comfort Cases, stuffs bags for foster kids
Toyota Tennessee and Comfort Cases have partnered to give youth in foster care across West Tennessee backpacks filled with essential supplies. Dozens of Toyota team members gathered to fill 150 backpacks that will be distributed to youth in 20...
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Longtime Collierville-based window supplier expands
Owner of Maximus Building Supply Richard Cooper is continuing to push forward with the company’s latest growth strategy in the marketplace. Cooper said Maximus saw an opportunity to create a new revenue stream by expanding its focus and footprint. The...
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‘CURRENCY OF HOPE’
Army efficiency, family loyalty, forensic anthropology and “the currency of hope” merged Aug. 17 in Memphis to bring overdue emotional closure and a fitting ceremonial finish to a story that one participant termed “absolutely phenomenal.” h Eighty-two...
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TOO LATE TO RECONSIDER?
It felt inevitable. When Scottie Scheffler shook off a fluky bogey on the third hole at TPC Southwind on Aug. 16 by birdying two of the next three, a feeling of predictability started blanketing the Fedex St. Jude Championship. There was no way...
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REMEMBERING ELVIS
Lola Sewell had never been outside of Australia until her son, Jason Sewell, brought her to Memphis for Elvis Week. The trip was a birthday present. A 90th birthday present. The Sewells considered delaying their visit until Elvis Week 2027, which...
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Darana Hybrid, Spacexai battle over millions
A legal battle continues between Spacexai and service provider Darana Hybrid, an international electro-mechanical contractor. More than half a billion in construction liens have been filed against Spacexai affiliates, CTC Property LLC and MZX Tech...
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Meatloaf and a ‘missing’ King
Two of Elvis Presley’s closest friends from his inner circle were Charles Stone and Sam Thompson, both of whom were part of the King’s Graceland years in the 1970s. The two now live in Dallas and have gotten together with other friends for a weekly...
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Cancer survivor gets Purple Eagle plane honor
The night before surgery, Southaven's Luis Carlos admitted he feared the worst. He was diagnosed with medulloblastoma in 2022 at age 11. It's is a fast-growing, cancerous brain tumor that starts in the cerebellum, the lower back part of the brain that...
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From free speech to AI, new laws reshape landscape of education
As the new school year gets underway in Tennessee, several new education laws are changing the landscape for teachers, students and parents alike. Most notably, lawmakers expanded the state’s taxpayer-funded voucher program that gives families money...
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Critics take aim at Trump vaccine order
President Donald Trump hailed his new order on childhood vaccines as a win for parental choice as doctors slammed the move, saying it could lead to greater risk of diseases that were rarely seen for generations. Trump signed an executive order Aug. 10...
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Made-in-memphis ‘faith’ film gets national release
Can the influence of a Duck Commander, the strength of a former Hercules and the power of a “redemption arc” be a winning combination for a small-scale but big-hearted made-inmemphis movie? That’s the hope of the filmmakers and film distributors...
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Inside the King’s closet
“We wanted to show how cool his closet is.” Manifestos generally aren’t slangy, but that comment from Graceland archivist Angie Marchese might be the mission statement for “Elvis: The Fashion Icon,” an inevitable and even overdue exhibit that...
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UNCERTAIN FUTURE
Memphis has been home to a PGA Tour event for the past 68 years. h The tournament — in its various incarnations, from what was dubbed the Memphis Invitation in 1958, to the current Fedex St. Jude Championship — is the longest-running professional...
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How many gallons of water do Tennessee’s largest data centers use daily?
In a matter of months, data centers have become one of Tennessee’s most widely discussed topics and one of the most contentious parts of the debate is water usage. Tennessee is home to approximately 60 data centers across 10 different markets,...
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Aug. 6 election results are in
Results are in from the Aug. 6 Shelby County general election and state and federal primary elections. Voters in the Shelby County suburbs also weighed in on multiple municipal races. Shelby County voters have selected a new county mayor and a new...
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TENT CITY
Farmland lays where was once Haywood County’s Tent City in Brownsville on July 2. INSET, LEFT: Fayette County’s Tent City was built on land owned by Shephard Towles. A White merchant, whose name is kept secret to this day, donated the tents. Another...
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Memphis Classic draws spectators from 34 states
The first Memphis Classic came to a close Sunday with a striking victory from 16-year-old Russian player Kristina Liutova, who secured a remarkable moment in history as the youngest player to win a Women’s Tennis Association title since Coco...
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Memphis-shelby County Schools students returned to class Monday
Memphis-shelby County Schools Superintendent Roderick Richmond toured several schools in the district on Aug. 3, the first day of the 2026-27 school year. Richmond visited Westwood Middle-high School, Kirby Middle School, Hawkins Mill Elementary...
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‘It’s been a good ride’
Nestled in the back corner off busy U.S. Highway 51 in Millington lies a longrunning mechanical equipment and repair company that has withstood the test of time. Even with economic volatility through the years, Hi-speed Industrial Service...
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Memphians have left a lasting mark on arts, entertainment
As you know, the United States of America this year is celebrating its 250th birthday. h Also as you know, Memphis, Tennessee, is a city within those united states. h So, in recognition of the country’s semiquincentennial, here’s a Memphicentric list:...
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Today last day for early voting before Aug. 6
The early voting period for Tennessee’s Democratic and Republican state and federal primaries is almost over before voters must vote altogether on Aug. 6. Primary elections are currently underway for governor, U.S. Senate, U.S. House, odd-numbered...
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UTHSC gets grant to take Health Hubs statewide
What began as an effort to improve healthcare access in Memphis is now expanding across Tennessee, bringing preventive care and chronic disease support to more underserved communities. The United Health Foundation has committed $4 million to expand a...
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Family sues over inmate’s death
A lawsuit alleges Rockez Mcdaniel, an inmate who died last year at the Shelby County Jail, was sprayed with a chemical irritant three times by riot squad jailers before they left him in restraints for nearly an hour before he died, the lawsuit filed by...
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Big decisions for small TN towns
LAWRENCEBURG — Horse-drawn buggies clipclopped along the road beneath the blazing July sun, passing farmland and signs reading: NO DATA CENTERS! OUR GRID, OUR WATER, OUR SAY! A digital billboard echoed the same message. The winding roads in...
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Can you get river views for $1,500 rent in Memphis?
If you’re looking to rent in Memphis, good news — you’re still likely getting more bang for your buck than in most other major U.S. cities. According to a recent annual market analysis from Rentcafe, $1,500 per month stretches the furthest in Memphis...
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St. Jude CEO reflects on 13-year tenure
Dr. James R. Downing, president and CEO of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, sat down at a shiny conference table in his office on a warm, rainy day in mid-june. h The walls of the high-floor office held no plaques, no awards. On a table near the...
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Lighthouses in Tennessee?
Built to warn sailors of danger and guide vessels safely to shore, lighthouses are most often associated with the coast. But in landlocked Tennessee, these distinctive landmarks have found an unexpected home. The Volunteer State is home to several...
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How Memphis compares to other cities on data center regulations
In 2026, it is difficult not to read a headline with the words “data” and “center” in succession. With a surging number of data centers popping up nationwide, communities are navigating challenges associated with the tech developments. Several local...
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City discussing how to spend XAI taxes
The City of Memphis during the last fiscal year collected just over $12 million in property taxes from Spacexai, and is now having discussions about how to spend a quarter of it. Per an ordinance passed last year, a quarter of Elon Musk’s xai’s...
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Volunteer this summer at these 10 Shelby County organizations
With summer in full swing, it’s the perfect time for students on break and adults alike to volunteer their time around Memphis and Shelby County. Opportunities are everywhere you look such as homeless shelters, community kitchens, animal shelters and...
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Shining light on Newport
The new movie from Memphis filmmaker and author Robert Gordon focuses on the years 1963 to 1966, but its lessons and applications are as timeless as the music of Bob Dylan, Johnny Cash and its other featured players. h “I’ve been describing it lately...
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Ocasio-cortez, top Dems back Pearson
Rep. Justin J. Pearson, D-memphis, stood on stage with a trio of prominent progressive Democrats — U.S. Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-cortez of New York, Ayanna Pressley of Massachusetts and Summer Lee of Pennsylvania — at New Direction Church in Southeast...
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From New Deal to next era, TVA’S greatest power is still expanding in 2026
Franklin Delano Roosevelt came into the nation’s highest office with priorities he believed would push the United States forward. Almost immediately, he set his eyes on the South. In his first 100 days, FDR advanced a project to create what in 2026 is...
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Featuring Robert Fuller, other ‘classic’ stars
Among the several hundred female fans of Robert Fuller in town this week to see — ogle? — the 92-year-old veteran cowboy actor at the Flashback Film & TV Festival is at least one particularly hirsute and, in fact, four-legged individual. Jessie, a...
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IDA B. WELLS PLAZA DOWNTOWN REOPENS
City officials cut the ribbon to the newly renovated Ida B. Wells Plaza in Downtown Memphis on July 16, commemorating an activist who Memphis Mayor Paul Young called “an essential part of Memphis’ story.” “History should be very visible,” he said. “It...
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New PILOT approved for Downtown hotel
Revitalizing the former Doubletree hotel in Downtown Memphis took another step forward July 14. The financial board of the Downtown Memphis Commission passed a 20-year tax incentive plan for the proposed renovation of the historic former Doubletree by...
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A sunny future for new data center
Google’s West Memphis data center is set to be powered by the “nation’s largest solar project.” Cypress Creek Energy held July 14 a ceremonial groundbreaking for its Steel River Energy Center in Wilson, Arkansas. The solar project will combine solar...
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President: U.S. aims to control Strait of Hormuz
WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump said the United States is reinstating a naval blockade on Iran and will seek operational control of the Strait of Hormuz after several days in which he declared the ceasefire over, and the United States and Iran...
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Princeton James celebrates ‘decade of intentional storytelling’ in Memphis
Seemingly ubiquitous and apparently indefatigable, Princeton James is a Memphis “playwright, producer, director, actor, and vocalist,” according to his website. He specializes in what he calls “participatory storytelling” for all ages. For adults, he...
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Mayor
around 8 points ahead of the runner-up, Memphis City Councilman JB Smiley Jr. Deberry has a long history in Memphis, and the “word on the street” is that Deberry has a lot of support from local ministers, Carson said. Deberry has long served as the...
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Study: TN cities among nation’s worst for renters
Tennessee cities rank among the least renterfriendly places in the country, according to a recent Wallethub study. Nashville, Memphis and Knoxville all placed near the bottom of the rankings, making them some of the least desireable cities nationwide...
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OUT LOUD
July 8 marked the 250th anniversary of the first public reading of the Declaration of Independence. h To celebrate, people in cities across the nation — including Memphis — read the Declaration of Independence contemporaneously on Wednesday. h The...
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RECLAIMING HIS VOICE
Exactly 13 years after Randy Travis was hospitalized due to the stroke that took his voice, the country music superstar was back in a hospital, this time to reclaim it. Joined by his wife, Mary Travis, he appeared on July 7 in front of young patients...
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Fresh off the VINE
Tucked away on a former residential turned scrap tire lot on Knight Arnold Boulevard, sweet summer tomatoes are ripening on the vine on a modest half acre, soon to be enjoyed by Memphians at select grocery stores. Grown by VINE Foods, the inaugural...
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AI can lead to false arrests and wrongful convictions
In Baltimore County, Maryland, on Oct. 20, a 17-year-old student named Taki Allen was sitting outside his high school after football practice when an artificial intelligence-enhanced surveillance camera falsely identified the Doritos bag in his pocket...
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WHAT IS ALL THE BUZZ?
On the way to his 12th consecutive “Jeopardy!” victory, Adam Remsen of Memphis made a mysterious and puzzling wager. h Going into the “Final Jeopardy!” round on June 29, Remsen, with $27,395, was $18,795 in earnings above his nearest challenger, who...
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What is Memphis’ impact on American sports?
The tale may well have been told in Atlanta, at the 1996 Olympic Games. h But a significant portion of the story of America’s dominance there was written in Memphis. Thirty years later — as the United States celebrates its 250th birthday — the four...
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Founders show ability to disagree, still work for common cause
Like Americans today, the people living in the United States in 1826 were preparing to celebrate a milestone for their country. July Fourth of that year marked the 50th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. As what was known as the “Jubilee”...
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Fireworks 3D glasses bring surprise to July 4 celebrations
Independence Day is a big one, the nation’s 250th anniversary, and a Bartlett optics company is bringing new light to fireworks shows across America to make them even more spectacular, the owner says. To give the celebrations extra gravitas, American...
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Advocates breathe ‘sigh of relief ’ after birthright citizenship upheld
The United States Supreme Court’s decision to uphold birthright citizenship was a “massive victory” for the country, said Rachel Campbell, the chair of the Tennessee Democratic Party, in a June 30 statement. “Today, the Court upheld a cornerstone of...
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Ja OUT
Ja Morant caught the ball at the top of the key, already turning toward the basket. h Anthony Edwards had overcommitted and had become a spectator, just like the 17,794 people crowded into a raucous Fedexforum to watch the Memphis Grizzlies take on the...
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Driving connection in East Memphis
Whether you’re leaving a counseling appointment, heading to a presentation or just want to relax in a rocking chair on a porch with a hot cup of coffee overlooking a sprawling green lawn, The Front Porch is dedicated to creating a welcoming...
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‘It’s up to Senatobia to protect this family’
Kohen Wiley, a 1-year-old from Senatobia, was memorialized on June 27 following a fatal police-involved shooting two weeks prior that still has many looking for answers. Over 200 family members, friends, and supporters gathered in the small town of...
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WEEKEND GETAWAYS
“Memphis in June.” The song was written by Hoagy Carmichael and Paul Francis Webster, and introduced to audiences by Carmichael in “Johnny Angel,” a 1945 crime film. Croons Carmichael: “Brother, take my advice/ Nothing’s half as nice/ As Memphis in...
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Dolly’s truck stop
Dolly Parton’s new truck stop is several hours away from Memphis, but still within driving distance for any dedicated fans who want to make a pilgrimage to the southern icon’s latest business venture. Parton cut the ribbon to the new Dolly’s...
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ROSTER CRUNCH
NBA rosters, at their core, are a numbers game. Right now, the Memphis Grizzlies’ numbers are telling a pretty clear story. The NBA draft is complete. They added three young prospects, highlighted by Cameron Boozer, and strengthened their frontcourt...
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