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In 2001, the Mid-South Fair stunned with wild new contests—duck decoy carving, fly tying, and even woodcraft, plus a cheeky cross-stitch category reserved for the fellas. Then, in 1976, Theatre Memphis reimagined Shakespeare’s “As You Like It,” dressing characters in jeans, bikinis, and hiking boots to feel refreshingly real. Flash back to 1951: Miss America Yolande Betbeze made her Memphis debut,...

Mayor Mickell Lowery is ramping up for a potential 2026 re-election bid, doubling down on public safety, economic growth, and education—key issues shaping Memphis and Shelby County’s future. With major initiatives like the Memphis Safe Task Force and ongoing debates over property taxes and PILOT programs, Lowery is balancing growth with resident needs while positioning himself as a leader ready fo...

Memphis Public Libraries and its longtime fundraising partner, the Friends of the Library, have parted ways after failing to agree on a new funding strategy — a move that could reshape how the library raises money moving forward. Once vital to the library’s financial health through events like book sales at the Benjamin L. Hooks Central Library, the volunteer group will no longer handle fundraisin...

West Nile virus is still active in Shelby County, with three confirmed human cases this year. The Health Department is spraying affected areas and offering a wild free solution: mosquito fish called Gambusia affinis, which devour up to 300 mosquito larvae daily. Available through October, these fish are perfect for artificial ponds and water gardens—but not natural lakes or rivers. They’re part of...

Semi Truck Stuck on I-55 | Memphis News

Inside the sweltering 201 Poplar facility, inmates—many still presumed innocent—are enduring brutal heat, concrete floors, and no air conditioning, sparking outrage over inhumane conditions. Lawyers and court staff are also suffering, with temperatures nearing 90 degrees and water leaks adding to the chaos. While officials claim repairs are underway, blame is being cast across county leadership ov...

Storms Brewing Late Saturday | Memphis News

Discover the hidden joy of trinket boxes popping up in neighborhoods everywhere—simple, sweet treasure hunts where kids swap goodies and explore their towns. Started by a family on Hobbs Drive with a free library, this trend has sparked global interest through Worldwide Sidewalk Joy, a site tracking boxes across the planet. Perfect for summer days, it’s bringing communities together—one surprise f...

A federal trial is set for February 1, 2027, in a high-stakes lawsuit filed by former Landers Center executive director J. Todd Mastry, who claims he was fired for refusing to comply with discriminatory requests to sideline Black artists like Lil Wayne. Allegations include supervisors openly expressing disdain for “those people” from Memphis and demanding Mastry “end Black acts.” Mastry seeks comp...

In a shocking turn of events, 47-year-old Alfonso Ivy was killed during a warrant service by the Memphis Safe Task Force, after allegedly drawing a gun on officers—an incident that’s now part of a disturbing pattern: just days earlier, 20-year-old Tyrin Johnson was also fatally shot by the same unit. Ivy, with a nearly 30-year criminal history including multiple drug and weapons charges, had only...

Beale Street in Memphis is about to turn into an athletic epicenter this weekend with the return of the Ed Murphey Classic — a wild mix of Olympians and everyday runners taking over the iconic street. The Beale Street Games feature pole vaulting, shot put, and a one-mile road race open to all, blending elite competition with community energy. Local organizers are still fine-tuning the setup, espec...

A new audit flags $119 million in potential fraud, waste, and abuse across Memphis-Shelby County Schools’ $6 billion spending over three years, sparking heated debate. Superintendent Dr. Roderick Richmond defends the district, noting many issues were already under review and being corrected before the report’s release. He stresses the district’s ongoing efforts to boost accountability, tighten pro...

St. Francis County is reeling after anonymous, vile letters—filled with racist and sexually explicit content—falsely signed by Sheriff Bobby May began arriving at women’s homes. The Sheriff denies any involvement, calling the stunt a desperate attempt to frame him. Investigators have collected three letters so far, suspecting more are out there, and are urging anyone who receives one to keep it se...

A Tennessee Highway Patrol trooper was dragged by a fleeing vehicle during a traffic stop, sustaining injuries but surviving thanks to quick intervention by other officers. The suspect crashed into a median, was arrested without further incident, and remains unidentified as authorities investigate. Crockett County Sheriff Troy Klyce condemned the attack, calling it an assault on the entire communi...

Ten years ago, thousands flooded Memphis’ Hernando DeSoto Bridge in a historic protest sparked by police killings of Alton Sterling and Philando Castile, demanding urgent police reform. Tensions flared as demonstrators clashed with police, but Chief Rallings and now-Fisher, then-Memphis Police Director Toney Armstrong, stood shoulder-to-shoulder with protesters to de-escalate the standoff. While b...

A chilling kidnapping and robbery unfolded last Thursday, involving 43-year-old Courtney Jefferson and 47-year-old William Woods, both now facing serious charges. The alleged victim, who owed Jefferson $600 for hotel time, claims the duo escalated tensions after failed attempts to collect the debt at a car dealership and pawn shop. They allegedly took him to Woods’ home, where he says he was physi...

The family of missing teen Nolan Wells is demanding answers after his body was found on Horn Island — and civil rights leaders are calling for a full, transparent investigation. Authorities initially point to drowning, but the family and Ben Crump’s independent team, backed by Colin Kaepernick and Tyler Perry, are pushing back, citing conflicting accounts and rushed conclusions. With an autopsy un...

Shelby County Jail’s cooling system failed in July, sending temps soaring past 92°F, forcing staff to evacuate and sending over a dozen detainees to medical care — one even hospitalized. Officials blame Mayor Lee Harris for ignoring repeated pleas for permanent repairs, calling it a “life safety crisis.” This isn’t an isolated incident — just a week prior, basement flooding shut down courts. With...

Memphis-Shelby County Schools is under fire after a forensic audit uncovered rampant fraud, waste, and abuse — especially around a $48 million cleaning contract from 2022. The district, Tennessee’s largest school system, is already investigating internally and even pursuing legal action to recover funds. A corrective-action plan is expected, but the real test is whether it leads to real change — b...

From the ashes of a career-ending injury, retired Memphis firefighter Adrian Davis forged a new mission: building a community that lifts the unhoused. After saving lives in a fiery crash, he founded CSLA, a powerhouse nonprofit uniting lawyers, educators, and healers to deliver food, showers, clothes, and mental health care to those in need. With local businesses and city leaders rallying behind h...

Nolan Wells, a promising college athlete, was found dead on Horn Island after going missing last weekend—his family and high-profile allies like Ben Crump and Al Sharpton are demanding a full, transparent investigation, rejecting the official “accident” narrative. They’re holding a major press conference in Harlem Friday at 11 AM CT, with independent autopsy results expected to drop the same day....

Tennessee Honors Fallen DOT Worker | Memphis News

Get ready for a weekend packed with Memphis energy—track stars, waterslides, streetwear, food trucks, climbing, jazz, and family fun all in one! The Ed Murphey Classic kicks off Friday with elite athletes from 30+ countries, while Saturday brings Summer Splash at Overton Park, the Valabasas Streetwear Market, High Point’s food truck fair, and Stax’s free Family Day. Wrap it up Sunday with Sunset J...

Storms Bring Wind Damage Then Cooler Temps | Memphis News

Memphis boasts five top public golf courses that blend challenge, community, and scenery—perfect for all skill levels. From The Links at Whitehaven’s driving range and ballroom to Galloway’s private-club vibe with stunning views, Fair Oaks’ food drive-thru and stellar service, Overton 9’s historic charm and Peyton Manning nod, and recent upgrades at Overton 9’s bunkers and clubhouse, these courses...