Early in his U.S. Senate campaign, former governor Phil Bredesen shied away from talking about his opponent, Republican U.S. Rep. Marsha Blackburn, preferring to focus instead on ideas.

2. Rhodes’ Football Team Relying On Defensive Changes, 3-Year Starting QB - Saturday, September 1, 2018

Parker Rye can’t help but smile when he watches his Rhodes College teammates, most of whom came from elite private schools around the country, get Memphis-ized. More specifically “North North North North” Memphis-ized.

3. MATA’s Lack of Funding Could Result in Route Cuts - Thursday, August 30, 2018

The Memphis Area Transit Authority is proposing several adjustments to its bus network, including the elimination of seven routes. Tuesday night, MATA held a public hearing at the Benjamin Hooks Central Library for the proposed changes, which can be found here. 

4. Memphis City Council Could Take Final Vote On Historic Districts Oversight - Tuesday, August 14, 2018

After a two-and-a-half-month delay, Memphis City Council members may be ready Tuesday, Aug. 14, to take a final vote on new rules for historic districts including more oversight by the council.

A vote on third and final reading of the ordinance was delayed in June so the sponsor, council member Kemp Conrad, could meet with all sides of the issue to come up with a compromise. The ordinance follows council votes to grant historic district status, with guidelines enforced by the Landmarks Commission, for the Cooper-Young and Speedway Terrace neighborhoods.

5. A Costly Ride - Saturday, August 11, 2018

Memphis is poised to adopt a transit plan that promises a big economic splash, but first supporters must sell the general public on a $30 million annual price tag before any transformation occurs.

“Everyone in Memphis has an interest in a good, effective transit system,” said Mayor Jim Strickland, already in promotion mode, “even if you never get on a bus.”

6. Colonial Country Club Submits Request for Redevelopment of a Larger Tract - Wednesday, August 8, 2018

The planned redevelopment of Colonial Country Club in Cordova has taken a major turn, including a new, deep-pocketed development partnership planning to add acreage, a mix of retail, restaurants, offices and full-service hotel.

7. Last Word: Storm Damage, Overton Square Parking and Corker's Tariff Plan - Monday, June 4, 2018

The week begins with recovery across the river in Arkansas where high winds, possibly tornadoes, did quite a bit of damage Saturday evening – the Delta Regional Airport just outside Colt in St. Francis County destroyed, by the National Weather Service preliminary damage estimate Sunday.

8. Graceland Political Push Faces First Test at County Commission - Monday, April 30, 2018

In introducing Joel Weinshanker Thursday, April 27, at a town hall meeting in Whitehaven, Graceland CEO Jack Soden talked about Weinshanker’s “appetite for risk.” The group of 150 people in the theater at Guest House at Graceland soon got a good look at Weinshanker’s emerging plan to go public in a big way with one of the city’s most sensitive economic development issues – the city and county noncompete agreement with the Memphis Grizzlies that keeps the city and county from funding any 5,000-seat and up arena that might compete with FedExForum.

9. Strickland Proposes City Property Tax Rate Change After Windfall - Wednesday, April 25, 2018

Memphis Mayor Jim Strickland is proposing a change in the city property tax rate from the current $3.27 to a $3.19 rate as part of his third budget proposal.

10. Mayor Strickland Takes Third Budget Proposal to City Council - Tuesday, April 24, 2018

Memphis Mayor Jim Strickland takes his third budget proposal to the Memphis City Council Tuesday, April 24, opening City Hall’s budget season with what is expected to be a budget that keeps the city property tax rate stable.

11. The Week Ahead: April 23-29 - Monday, April 23, 2018

Good morning, Memphis. There’s no better way to start off your week than hearing the beautiful sounds of a world famous boys’ choir from London inside a historic Memphis church Downtown. And the concert is free!

12. Last Word: TNReady Blinks Again, Gov. Debate Thoughts and Mud Island's Museum - Friday, April 20, 2018

There was a point Thursday morning during the troubled TNReady testing at some Tennessee school districts when there was a “brief” slow down in the online testing, according to the Tennessee Education commissioner’s office. By noon that had been resolved and more than 250,000 completed tests had been submitted since testing began Monday. One can only imagine what some of the thoughts were in the office during the slow down and the gap between how long the slow down seemed and how long it actually was.

13. Events - Friday, April 20, 2018

Circuit Playhouse will present the regional premiere of “Stupid F#!&ing Bird” Friday, April 20, through May 13 at 51 S. Cooper St. Visit playhouseonthesquare.org for times and tickets.

14. Events - Monday, April 16, 2018

The Mississippi River Commission will host a public meeting aboard the Motor Vessel Mississippi as part of its annual high-water inspection trip Tuesday, April 17, at 9 a.m. at Beale Street Landing, 251 Riverside Drive. Interested parties are invited to present views on matters affecting the water resources infrastructure needs in the region, including flood control, environmental issues, recreation and more.

15. Bus System Overhaul Would Shift Balance of Service to More Frequency - Tuesday, April 10, 2018

Consultants mapping a reconstruction of the city’s bus system are suggesting $30 million more a year in annual city funding for the system and a shift of bus service so that 70 percent of the routes have a higher frequency, reducing wait times during peak hours on major north-south and east-west corridors.

16. Three Incumbents Unopposed at August Primary Ballot Deadline - Monday, April 9, 2018

Three incumbent Democratic state House members in the Shelby County delegation to the Tennessee Legislature were effectively re-elected Thursday, April 5, at the noon deadline for candidates in the Aug. 2 state and federal primaries to file their qualifying petitions.

17. Three Incumbents Unopposed at August Primary Ballot Filing Deadline - Friday, April 6, 2018

Three incumbent Democratic state House members in the Shelby County delegation to the Tennessee Legislature were effectively re-elected Thursday, April 5, at the noon deadline for candidates in the Aug. 2 state and federal primaries to file their qualifying petitions.

18. Explore Bike Share Reveals Station Locations - Wednesday, March 28, 2018

The launch of Explore Bike Share is getting closer with the nonprofit revealing Wednesday, March 28, the locations of the stations for the 600-bike system.

Explore Bike Share’s 60 stations span from Downtown, South Memphis and Cooper-Young to Orange Mound, Overton Square and Crosstown. The stations and bikes are being funded through a combination of donations from foundations and individuals, plus a $2.2 million federal Congestion Mitigation Air Quality grant, said Explore Bike Share executive director Trey Moore.

19. Digest - Tuesday, March 6, 2018

Memphis Grizzlies Suffer 15th Consecutive Loss

The Grizzlies lost their 15th straight game, 119-110 at Chicago, on Wednesday, March 7.

The team has not won since defeating the Phoenix Suns at FedExForum on Jan. 29.

20. Cooper Tire Taking 1 Million Square Feet in Gateway Global - Thursday, February 8, 2018

Ohio-based tire manufacturer Cooper Tire & Rubber Co. will lease a 1 million-square-foot warehouse in Gateway Global Logistics Center in Marshall County that Newport, California-based Panattoni Development Co. broke ground on Wednesday, Feb. 7. 

21. Fairgrounds Project May Get More Acreage - Thursday, February 1, 2018

More than 12 acres of land next to the Mid-South Fairgrounds could open up with the move of the Shelby County Schools central office as the city embarks on a redevelopment of the Fairgrounds and surrounding area.

22. SCS Looking To Move Out of Central Offices Near Fairgrounds - Wednesday, January 31, 2018

Shelby County Schools is in the due diligence phase of a relocation out of its long-time central office near the Mid-South Fairgrounds. And it comes as the city is pursuing a redevelopment of the fairgrounds and areas around it.

23. Events - Wednesday, January 31, 2018

NAWBO Memphis will host a reception honoring Memphis Mayor Jim Strickland Wednesday, Jan. 31, from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Hattiloo Theatre, 37 Cooper St. The chapter is recognizing Strickland and the city for the progress being made in increasing business and spending with women- and minority-owned businesses. Tickets are $15. Visit nawbomemphis.org.

24. Events - Tuesday, January 30, 2018

The Shelby County Office of Resilience will gather public input on the creation of the Mid-South Regional Resilience Plan at three workshops: Tuesday, Jan. 30, at Memphis Leadership Foundation, 1548 Poplar Ave.; Wednesday, Jan. 31, at the Baker Community Center, 7942 Church St. in Millington; and Thursday, Feb. 1, at the Southaven Public Library, 8554 Northwest Drive. All meetings run from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Workshops offer an opportunity for residents to share their opinions on the best strategies to mitigate effects of and manage recovery efforts for future weather-related incidents. Learn more at resilientshelby.com.

25. Last Word: Eureka Education, Confederate Monuments in Court and Dillon Brooks - Friday, January 26, 2018

Supermarkets are hard. That is the tag line in every discussion about getting a supermarket or grocery store for a given part of town that doesn’t have one. And once a new supermarket goes up somewhere else, there is inevitably word that a competitor or two is going to build nearby. The discussion always includes the mandatory recitation of the 3 to 4 percent profit margin stores operate on, which even knowledgeable critics of the decisions about where to locate and not to locate stores acknowledge is accurate.

26. Events - Saturday, January 27, 2018

Novel will host Wintrell Pittman, author of the “Children of the World” book series, for a discussion and book signing Saturday, Jan. 27, at 2 p.m. at 387 Perkins Road Extended. The 12-book series uses crayon characters to teach children basic morals and values while enhancing reading and comprehension skills. Visit novelmemphis.com.

27. Akbari Pulls Petition To Run for State Senate - Tuesday, January 9, 2018

Democratic state Rep. Raumesh Akbari has decided to run for the District 29 state Senate seat being vacated by Lee Harris in the Shelby County legislative delegation.

28. Memphis Experts See Economic Growth Building Off 2017 Into 2018 - Saturday, January 6, 2018

With resolutions made and the new year now, another annual exercise rises to the forefront – predictions on what Memphis and its economy can expect in 2018.

If 2017 taught us anything, it’s that there’s so much we won’t be able to even remotely see coming, from Memphis bidding to become the potential home for Amazon’s second headquarters to action finally being taken on the Confederate monuments in city parks and so much more.

29. Candidates in August State and Federal Primaries Start Pulling Petitions Friday - Thursday, January 4, 2018

Contenders for the May Shelby County primaries are still coming out of the political woodwork. And starting Friday, Jan. 5, candidates in the August state and federal primaries can begin pulling qualifying petitions for the second of three elections in 2018.

30. Black: State, Congress Should Release Sex Harassment Claims - Monday, December 4, 2017

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) – Congresswoman Diane Black wants Tennessee's General Assembly and Congress to disclose sexual harassment claims and settlements involving lawmakers and staffers.

31. Landers Loss Factored Into Coliseum Not Being in Plan - Tuesday, November 14, 2017

The probability of a repurposed Mid-South Coliseum running an operating deficit as part of a youth sports tournament complex at the Fairgrounds was what prompted Memphis Mayor Jim Strickland and his administration to put a renovation of the arena on hold for now.

32. Ex Pilot Execs' Attorneys Argue Against Guilt by Association - Wednesday, November 8, 2017

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (AP) — Attorneys for two former executives at the Pilot Flying J truck stop chain told jurors on Tuesday that their clients shouldn't be found guilty by association with other members of the company's sales team who pleaded guilty to the scheme to defraud customers through diesel fuel rebates.

33. Sports Complex Remains Driver of Fairgrounds Redevelopment Plan - Wednesday, November 8, 2017

Parts of the city’s tentative plan for redevelopment of the Mid-South Fairgrounds may still come and go and the cost estimates could vary. But Memphis Mayor Jim Strickland’s administration made it clear at a Monday, Nov. 6, public meeting to unveil the most specific plan yet that a youth sports tournament complex is the anchor and driver of the financing for a redevelopment covering 175 acres.

34. City's Tentative Fairgrounds Plan Confirms Separating Coliseum from Youth Sports - Tuesday, November 7, 2017

Memphis Mayor Jim Strickland’s tentative plan for the redevelopment of the Mid-South Fairgrounds, presented Monday, Nov. 6, included a renovation of old Melrose High School in neighboring Orange Mound and a confirmation that the city administration doesn’t think the Mid-South Coliseum should be part of a youth sports tournament complex.

35. City Judges Timing and Steps in Fairgrounds Planning - Friday, November 3, 2017

City of Memphis leaders likely will reveal a few new details when they present the draft plan for Mid-South Fairgrounds redevelopment at a Monday, Nov. 6, town hall meeting. But Mayor Jim Strickland’s administration took much of the suspense and speculation out of next week’s session Wednesday, Nov. 1, releasing details that show the administration’s general belief that a few steps still need to be taken before the city gets to a broad reconfiguration of the Fairgrounds.

36. City Fairgrounds Plan Keeps Coliseum on Hold - Thursday, November 2, 2017

When it unveils a general plan for Fairgrounds redevelopment Monday, Nov. 6, the administration of Memphis Mayor Jim Strickland will put the emphasis on setting the stage for a fuller redevelopment.

37. Memphis Leaders Await Final Reports for Possible Coliseum Renovation - Thursday, October 19, 2017

As Memphis Mayor Jim Strickland’s administration considers final details for a Fairgrounds redevelopment plan, he and his staff are waiting on a complete analysis of the condition of the Mid-South Coliseum.

38. Week Ahead: Oct. 9-15 - Monday, October 9, 2017

Hey, Memphis! The real NBA and college basketball seasons creep closer with teasing events this week and the schedule of fun things to do is highlighted by the second annual Memphis Food & Wine Festival Saturday evening. Here’s toasting to a great week.

39. Boyd Drops Beale Contract, But Says It Wasn't A Conflict of Interest - Wednesday, September 20, 2017

Memphis City Council chairman Berlin Boyd ended his company’s fundraising contract with the Beale Street Merchants Association Tuesday, Sept. 19. But he again insisted the contract was not a conflict of interest in his duties as a council member voting on items involving the entertainment district.

40. Last Word: Monuments Pace Quickens, Campaigning on Opioids and High Heels - Thursday, August 17, 2017

The financial services company that is a crucial tenant for the Bakery project between the Medical District and Downtown is Orion, which would move to the space in and around the old Wonder Break bakery building on Monroe from its Bartlett HQ.

41. City Reopens Fairgrounds Planning Process - Friday, August 4, 2017

About two weeks after unveiling a concept plan for Memphis riverfront development, Mayor Jim Strickland’s administration has reactivated a dormant city move to redevelop the Mid-South Fairgrounds.

42. Strickland Reopens Fairgrounds Redevelopment Planning - Thursday, August 3, 2017

By the end of the year, the administration of Mayor Jim Strickland plans to have a specific enough plan for Fairgrounds redevelopment to take an application for a Tourism Development Zone to state officials for approval.

43. Overton Gateway Compromise Approved By Council - Wednesday, July 26, 2017

Memphis City Council members approved the Overton Gateway mixed residential development Tuesday, July 25 in a pair of unanimous votes – one for the plans on the north side of Sam Cooper Boulevard at East Parkway and the other for the plans on the south side of Sam Cooper at East Parkway.

44. Overton Gateway Compromise Approved By Council - Wednesday, July 26, 2017

Memphis City Council members approved the Overton Gateway mixed residential development Tuesday, July 25 in a pair of unanimous votes – one for the plans on the north side of Sam Cooper Boulevard at East Parkway and the other for the plans on the south side of Sam Cooper at East Parkway.

45. Council Approves Sanitation Workers Benefits - Wednesday, July 12, 2017

There may be more than 14 city sanitation workers from 1968 who are still alive. And the city is double-checking its list as the Memphis City Council approved Tuesday, July 11, the payment of $50,000 grants to 14 of the workers it has already identified including four still working for the city.

46. Council Takes Up Sanitation Worker Benefits - Tuesday, July 11, 2017

Memphis City Council members vote Tuesday, July 11, on grants of $50,000 each for the 14 surviving city sanitation workers from the 1968 strike along with a supplemental retirement plan for sanitation workers hired after the strike.

47. Tennessee, Left Coast a World Apart on Immigration - Thursday, June 29, 2017

San Francisco resident Terry Karlsson relishes her hometown’s reputation for embracing “multi-cultural diversity.”

The wife of a Swedish immigrant, Karlsson says she believes San Francisco’s status as a sanctuary city, one in which it refuses to participate in the enforcement of federal immigration law, reflects a nation born of people who moved here, a land of immigrants from many countries.

48. Last Word: Easy Fishing on Big River, Competing City Priorities and Durham's Fine - Thursday, June 8, 2017

The Arkansas side of the Big River Crossing opened Wednesday for the first time since May 2 when a rising Mississippi River prompted its closing while the crossing proper on the north side of the Harahan Bridge remained open. There is still some of the muddy river left on the Arkansas flood plain and several dozen cranes stopping in Wednesday afternoon for some easy fishing in the shallow waters.

49. Last Word: Your Neighbor Has Power, City Budget Wrap Take One and BBQ - Wednesday, May 31, 2017

We are at the point in our storm recovery where the novelty and sense of adventure have reached the end of their very short lives in areas where the power is still out. And the restoration of that service is at a point where you now have people on one side of a street with power and those on the other side may still be in the dark and the heat.

50. Council Faces Railgarten, Beale Bucks, Police Overtime - Tuesday, May 23, 2017

Memphis City Council members have a rare evidentiary hearing Tuesday, May 23, at the top of their agenda on an unusual development case the council approved several months ago.

The council holds an evidentiary hearing on the Railgarten bar and restaurant on Central Avenue east of Cooper Street that the council granted a special use permit for. The council moved to possibly revoke that permit after Railgarten added some intermodal containers and an outside area to the development.

51. The Week Ahead: May 22-28 - Monday, May 22, 2017

Happy Monday, Memphis! School is almost over for the year, and you have plenty of chances to get outside in the coming days for the unofficial start of summer – from 901Fest at Tom Lee Park to the opening of the Splash Park at the Children’s Museum. Check out details on those and more events you need to know about in The Week Ahead…

52. Council Hears Railgarten Dispute in 2 Weeks, Appoints Impasse Panels - Wednesday, May 10, 2017

Memphis City Council members will hold an evidentiary hearing in two weeks to sort out a Midtown restaurant-bar that ran afoul of the approvals needed to open with annexes including intermodal containers and an outdoor area.

53. Memphis City Council Could Act to Revoke Railgarten's Permit - Tuesday, May 9, 2017

Memphis City Council members are considering a hearing that could lead to revoking the special-use permit that allowed the Midtown restaurant/bar Railgarten to open just last month.

The council approved a special-use permit for Railgarten on Central Avenue east of Cooper Street, but code enforcement officers closed down two annexes to the business using intermodal containers shortly after it opened in April to large crowds.

54. The Week Ahead: May 1-7 - Monday, May 1, 2017

Happy Monday, Memphis! May has arrived, which means it’s time to kick off the Memphis in May International Festival with the always-popular Beale Street Music Festival – and that’s just one of the events music lovers will enjoy this week. Plus, check out where to celebrate Star Wars fans’ favorite holiday and other happenings you need to know about in The Week Ahead... 

55. Events - Tuesday, March 28, 2017

The second series of Memphis 3.0 public meetings continues this week at these locations: 
• Tuesday, March 28, 5:30 p.m.: Hollywood Community Center, 1560 N. Hollywood St.
• Thursday, March 30, 5:30 p.m.: Glenview Community Center, 1141 S. Barksdale St.
The comprehensive planning team will share research that has been conducted since the first set of rallies, which generated more than 10,000 comments, and seek input on specific topics to help shape priorities and goals. Visit memphis3point0.com for a schedule of upcoming meetings.

56. Last Word: No More Lottery Balls, The Voucher Bill Advances and UCLA - Wednesday, March 22, 2017

Spring is in the air, which can only mean one thing – the Overton Park Greensward controversy is back on. Just this past weekend, I was in the park noting the metal barrier that separates Greensward pedestrians from Zoo parkers and that the barrier was not “decorated” with save the greensward paraphernalia as much as it has been the previous three springs.

57. Last Word: Lakeland Date Set, Silos in South Main and Trespassing in Apartments - Thursday, March 16, 2017

Here comes the Governor’s race with Randy Boyd doing the honors here in Memphis Wednesday at the top of the second day of his fly-around. Boyd’s opening sounds very much like he is running as the heir apparent to Gov. Bill Haslam – although there are no heirs in politics, at least not without an election. He talked a lot about hitting workforce development and job goals of the Haslam administration if he is elected Governor in 2018.

58. Events - Thursday, March 16, 2017

NAWBO Memphis will hold a reception honoring Memphis Mayor Jim Strickland on Thursday, March 16, from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at Memphis Bioworks, 20 Dudley St., suite 200. The reception celebrates Strickland and the city’s Office of Diversity for moving the needle to ease access for women- and minority-owned enterprises to do business with the city. Cost is free with a suggested donation of $15. Visit nawbomemphis.org.

59. Events - Wednesday, March 15, 2017

NAWBO Memphis will hold a reception honoring Memphis Mayor Jim Strickland on Thursday, March 16, from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at Memphis Bioworks, 20 Dudley St., suite 200. The reception celebrates Strickland and the city’s Office of Diversity for moving the needle to ease access for women- and minority-owned enterprises to do business with the city. Cost is free with a suggested donation of $15. Visit nawbomemphis.org.

60. Events - Tuesday, March 14, 2017

An Islamic art presentation and exhibit on the topic “What Is ‘Islamic Art’?” will be held Wednesday, March 15, at 5 p.m. at the Germantown Library, 1925 Exeter Road. The Muslims in Memphis month event will also feature hands-on activities. Cost is free. Visit muslimsinmemphis.org for a full schedule of events.

61. Events - Monday, March 13, 2017

The fourth annual Memphis Multicultural Career Expo will be held Monday, March 13, from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Memphis Hilton, 939 Ridge Lake Blvd. The event brings together job seekers from different backgrounds and communities with hiring managers from more than 30 Memphis companies. Attendees are strongly recommended to wear professional attire and bring business cards and copies of their resume. Cost is free; visit careerexpomemphis.com for advance registration and a list of participating employers. 

62. House Committee Delays Haslam's Transportation Bill - Thursday, March 9, 2017

NASHVILLE – A split House Transportation Committee slammed the brakes Tuesday on Gov. Bill Haslam’s IMPROVE Act, even though it contains a measure to use the sales tax for transportation funding instead of raising fuel taxes.

63. City Hall List Leads to Court Fight Over Police Surveillance - Friday, March 3, 2017

Memphis Mayor Jim Strickland’s administration may have put to rest the basic matter of the City Hall escort list and who is on it.

64. Protesters Pared from City Hall List as Second Lawsuit Filed - Thursday, March 2, 2017

Protesters on the City Hall escort list are off the list, Memphis Police Director Michael Rallings said Wednesday, March 1. But their names will remain on a no trespassing notice for Mayor Jim Strickland’s home.

65. The Week Ahead: February 28-March 6 - Monday, February 27, 2017

It's Monday, Memphis – time to peek at this week's (very busy) dance card, from the opening of Graceland's $45 million entertainment complex to a showcase of the latest high-tech ag innovations to a celebration of some local "hidden figures." Check out what else you need to know about in The Week Ahead...  

66. Binghampton Gateway Comes to Food Desert - Friday, February 24, 2017

The groundbreaking of a shopping center doesn’t always attract a large crowd of city officials and TV cameras, but then again not every shopping center is an oasis in the middle of a food desert.

67. Binghampton Gateway Center Spells End for Inner City Food Desert - Thursday, February 23, 2017

The groundbreaking of a shopping center doesn’t always attract a large crowd of city officials and TV cameras, but then again not every shopping center is an oasis in the middle of a food desert.

68. The Week Ahead: February 20-26 - Monday, February 20, 2017

Enjoying that spring-like weather, Memphis? It’s another week of politics and music in the Bluff City, highlighted by the anticipated announcement Wednesday of acts that will be playing the Beale Street Music Festival in May. Here are some other highlights:

69. Last Word: Connecting Downtown, Tranquil Treasure and Gas Tax Complexities - Thursday, January 26, 2017

Temple over the Tigers Wednesday in Philadelphia 77-66. East Carolina at the Forum is coming up Saturday. Grizz and Raptors at the Forum Wednesday evening and the Grizz win 101 – 99. The Grizz are on the road starting Friday against the Trail Blazers.

70. Last Word: The TVA Well Controversy, Fred Smith Redux and Norris On The Gas Tax - Wednesday, January 25, 2017

The new Trader Joe’s in Germantown won’t be alone by the plans the supermarket chain got approved Tuesday night by the Germantown Design Review Commission. The conversion of the old Kroger store on Exeter includes seven other bays as Trader Joe’s goes for a smaller footprint than the size of the original building.

71. Events - Friday, January 20, 2017

Playhouse on the Square will present the regional premiere of “Rock of Ages” Friday, Jan. 20, through Feb. 12 at 66 S. Cooper St. Visit playhouseonthesquare.org.

Memphis Mayor Jim Strickland and the Memphis Office of Youth Services will hold the first event in the “Hear Me Out” Youth Forum Series Saturday, Jan. 21, from 10 a.m. to noon at Greater New Liberty Missionary Baptist Church, 250 E. Raines Road. The series allows youths ages 14-21 the opportunity to share concerns and offer solutions to issues they’ve faced or observed to a panel of city leaders. Others forums will be held Jan. 28, Feb. 4 and Feb. 11 at different locations. Registration required; visit cityofmemphisyouth.org.

72. Events - Friday, December 30, 2016

The 58th annual AutoZone Liberty Bowl, featuring Georgia vs. TCU, will be held Friday, Dec. 30, at 11 a.m. at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium, 335 S. Hollywood St. Halftime entertainment includes Motown legends The Commodores, high school marching bands, dancers and homecoming queens from across the country. A pregame buffet ($40) starts at 8 a.m. in the Pipkin & Creative Arts Building at the Mid-South Fairgrounds. Visit libertybowl.org or call 901-795-7700 for tickets.

73. Events - Thursday, December 29, 2016

The 58th annual AutoZone Liberty Bowl, featuring Georgia vs. TCU, will be held Friday, Dec. 30, at 11 a.m. at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium, 335 S. Hollywood St. Halftime entertainment includes Motown legends The Commodores, high school marching bands, dancers and homecoming queens from across the country. A pregame buffet ($40) starts at 8 a.m. in the Pipkin & Creative Arts Building at the Mid-South Fairgrounds. For ticket information, visit libertybowl.org or call 901-795-7700.

74. Nashville, Memphis Respond Differently to Pot Ordinance Opinion - Monday, November 28, 2016

A legal opinion from the Tennessee attorney general requested by two Shelby County legislators has again put Nashville city leaders in the lead as municipal marijuana ordinances enacted there and in Memphis have taken a turn toward the courts.

75. Broke and Broken: Democrats Lose More Ground in State Legislature - Thursday, November 17, 2016

Tennessee House Democrats will have to start calling themselves the “Fighting 25,” down from the “Fighting 26,” after dropping a district in the battle to regain relevance statewide.

76. Election Fallout: What a Trump Or Clinton Presidency Means for State - Saturday, November 5, 2016

Donald Trump is going to win easily in Tennessee.

Everyone, most of all the campaigns for both Trump and Hillary Clinton, accept this fact, as evidenced by the lack of campaign time spent in the state – and most of the South, for that matter – during this contentious campaign cycle.

77. Last Word: An Early Voting Challenge, Raleigh Settlement and Rocky Top Tumult - Friday, November 4, 2016

Early voting in Shelby County ended with some lines Thursday at several of the 21 sites. We should have the final turnout numbers Friday morning and you can get the totals first @tdnpols, www.twitter.com/tdnpols.

78. Last Word: After The Fire, Hard Changes at Fred's and Durham Doesn't Go Quietly - Wednesday, September 14, 2016

The immediate questions have simple answers. It was a short in an air conditioner cord that caused the fire that killed 9 people – three adults and six children – before dawn Monday morning in South Memphis.

79. As Long as You’re Here, Kick Durham Out - Thursday, September 8, 2016

State lawmakers hit the snooze button in July when prospects were high for a special session to oust Rep. Jeremy Durham over a career of carousing.

80. Looks Like 10-2, SEC Title Game, Orange Bowl for UT - Monday, September 5, 2016

Editor’s note: Nashville sports correspondent Dave Link has been accurate in predicting season outcomes for the Tennessee Vols in recent years. His 2016 season predictions, released just before press time, culminates with an SEC Championship appearance. Here’s his take on the season…

81. Celtic Crossing Making Changes, But Retaining Irish Pub Identity - Saturday, August 27, 2016

Celtic Crossing owner DJ Naylor was in his native Ireland this summer and, naturally, in a pub. He was offered a craft beer and told he would like it. He did.

As Naylor remembers that moment: “It’s good; now just get me a pint of Guinness.”

82. Events - Friday, August 5, 2016

Another Broken Egg will celebrate its new location at 65 S. Highland St. with pre-opening charity events Friday, Aug. 5, and Saturday, Aug. 6, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. All proceeds from Friday’s event will go to Ronald McDonald House Charities-Memphis, and Saturday’s proceeds will go to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Reservations are required and can be made for up to four guests at newatabe.com.

83. Events - Thursday, August 4, 2016

Metal Museum will host its Pokemon Go-themed Whet Thursday on Aug. 4 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at 374 Metal Museum Drive. Attendees can enjoy free museum admission, food, live music and a hands-on activity while catching all the Pokemon they can find. Cost is free. Visit metalmuseum.org.

84. Outnumbered Democrats Hope To Ride Anti-Trumpmentum - Thursday, August 4, 2016

State Rep. Raumesh Akbari identified herself with the “Fighting 26,” also known as the Tennessee House Democratic Caucus, when she took the podium to support Hillary Clinton at Philadelphia’s Democratic National Convention.

85. Events - Wednesday, August 3, 2016

Tennessee Department of Labor & Workforce Development’s mobile Career Coach will be at the Millington Public Library on Wednesday, Aug. 3, from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at 4858 Navy Road. Career Coach staff will help people create resumes and register with jobs4tn.gov, where more than 200,000 jobs are available.

86. Last Word: Orlando, Rain Delay At Southwind and Church Health Center's Move - Monday, June 13, 2016

Many of us were watching the streets of our own city closely this weekend – the places where people gather for good times when the weather is warm and the sky is clear. Lately some of those places have been the settings for vivid and sudden reminders that all is not well in our city.

87. Local LGBT Community Stands in Solidarity After Orlando Massacre - Monday, June 13, 2016

Flags across the state of Tennessee were at half staff Sunday, June 12, following the Sunday morning mass shooting at the Pulse nightclub in Orlando, Florida.

And a vigil for the victims of the Orlando shooting was scheduled Sunday at 8:30 p.m. at the Memphis Gay & Lesbian Community Center in Cooper-Young.

88. June 10-16: This week in Memphis history - Saturday, June 11, 2016

2015: Andrea Miller is named the new president of LeMoyne-Owen College, making her the first woman to lead the city’s only historically black college. Miller is selected by the college’s board of trustees in a meeting on campus that lasts several hours as students, alumni and other supporters wait on the lawn outside Brownlee Hall for the announcement.

89. The Week Ahead: May 9-15 - Monday, May 9, 2016

Alright, Memphis, grab your calendars! Whether you want to book it over to the Ruby Bridges Reading Festival or just baste in the scent of barbecue, there’s plenty to do this week. Here’s our roundup...

90. Events - Wednesday, May 4, 2016

Center for Southern Folklore will host Bill Donoghue for a seminar and Q&A titled “Sonny Boy Williamson II: Rock’s Missing Blues Link” on Wednesday, May 4, at 3 p.m. at 119 S. Main St. Following the seminar, co-researcher Jim Basnight will perform Delta-style selections on his 12-string guitar. Cost is free. For reserved seating, email jlpeiser@gmail.com or call 901-525-3655.

91. Last Word: BSMF Looks Up, Overton Park Respite and Slow Economic Growth - Monday, May 2, 2016

The Beale Street Music Festival box office numbers won’t be in for a bit yet. But it looks like the three-day event that ended Sunday evening with Beck and Paul Simon weathered the weather very well, maybe better than usual.

92. Last Word: The Bible Veto Override Vote, Grizz Nostalgia and Kroger Goes Online - Thursday, April 21, 2016

The Tennessee Legislature hoped to end its 2016 session Wednesday at the end of an eventful day that included a failed attempt to override Gov. Bill Haslam’s veto of the bill that would have made the Bible the official state book.
But into Wednesday evening, the state House was still debating the Hall tax on dividends – specifically further roll backs of it. And the Senate had gone home for the night.
So Thursday looks like a good bet for the adjournment for the year and the formal start of the election season for incumbents.

93. Most Political Hopefuls Follow Through in August Elections - Monday, April 18, 2016

Shelby County election commissioners meet Tuesday, April 19, to set the ballot for the Aug. 4 state and federal primaries and county general elections.

Of 99 qualifying petitions for the ballot pulled in Shelby County, some by the same citizen pondering multiple races, 65 were filed by the April 7 qualifying deadline and four of those 65 petitions had been withdrawn by the April 14 withdrawal deadline.

94. Three Withdraw From August Ballot At Thursday Deadline - Friday, April 15, 2016

Three contenders in the Aug. 4 state legislative primaries in Shelby County withdrew from the races by the Thursday, April 14, withdrawal deadline including two would-be challengers of veteran Democratic state House members from Memphis.

95. Last Word: Lipscomb's Successor, MATA School Buses and Roland's Big Breakfast - Tuesday, April 12, 2016

Paul Young gets a lot more attention these days than he did when he was the first director of the city-county Office of Sustainability. The attention comes with being the city director of Housing and Community Development where virtually all of the funding comes from the federal government.
That federal funding has changed the face of public housing in the city in the last 25 years. There is only one large public housing project left in the city as a result of the federal funding and its use by Young’s predecessor, Robert Lipscomb.
And what Lipscomb did with the job combined with being the executive director of the Memphis Housing Authority is why a lot of people want to get to know Paul Young these days.
Our centerpiece story by Madeline Faber in Tuesday’s edition makes clear that Young has no desire to wield that kind of power. And it is unlikely anyone in the near future will have the kind of autonomy Lipscomb did.
But beyond that there is still the flow of a lot of federal dollars and Young has some ideas based on his experience in government and finance prior to coming to HCD – everything in government is initials.
It’s a much different experience than Lipscomb’s. Lipscomb coined the phrase “ending public housing as we know it” and at times that slogan wasn’t followed with a lot of detail about what came after public housing was demolished, especially with the first of the projects to fall.
The last public housing project, Foote Homes, will be demolished on Young’s watch which makes his tenure important if more limited than Lipscomb’s tenure.

96. August Primaries Feature Intra-Party Challenges - Monday, April 11, 2016

Two years after a disastrous slate of races for countywide offices, there is a move among younger Democratic partisans in Memphis to shake up the Democrats who represent the city in the Tennessee Legislature.

97. 8th Congressional District Primaries Draw 22 Contenders, 13 Republican - Friday, April 8, 2016

The Republican primary race to fill the 8th District Congressional seat Republican incumbent Stephen Fincher is giving up drew a field of 13 contenders – seven from Shelby County and four from Jackson, Tennessee – at the Thursday, April 7, noon filing deadline for the Aug. 4 ballot.

98. Last Word: The De-Annexation Express, Return of The Curb Market and Different Fuel - Thursday, March 24, 2016

When time ran out Wednesday on the state Senate’s state and local government committee in Nashville, de-annexation legislation was still on the tracks as the Tennessee Legislature draws closer to adjournment for the year.

99. Last Word: Putt and 1969, Fred Smith on Amazon and Ramsey's Departure - Thursday, March 17, 2016

George Howard Putt died in prison sometime last year state prison officials disclosed Wednesday -- far from the brief time he spent in Memphis but never far from the carnage he left behind in the Memphis of 1969.
The bodies of the first two of the five people killed by Putt between Aug. 14 and Sept. 11, 1969 were discovered just days after the murders of actress Sharon Tate and six others in Los Angeles by the Manson family dominated national news coverage. Less than a year earlier the Boston Strangler movie was in theaters, creating a sensation about the murders committed by serial killer Albert DeSalvo in Boston just a few years earlier.
Bernalyn and Roy Dumas were strangled by Putt in their home in Cooper-Young and Putt mutilated her body in a way that police homicide detectives still wouldn’t talk about decades later. The bodies were found in separate rooms.
Even with no details other than the names of the victims, the city was quickly spooked by the double murder. So when the body of Leila Jackson was found short of two weeks later, the city’s reaction was a palpable fear in which anyone unknown was to be avoided. Memphians didn’t tarry after work. They went home and bolted the doors.
It got worse as more victims turned up with little in common other than four of the five were women. They were of varying ages. Some were strangled and some were stabbed.
Just about any magazine rack of the day include true crime magazines that by the late 1960s were beginning to look very dated in their lurid noir-like covers teasing the most sensational crime narratives of the day.
They were an intentional contrast to the cover images of youth in bright colors in natural settings in other magazines heralding a new future and youth culture.
The murders in a Southern city, whose 1969 conservatism is hard to describe nearly 50 years later, quickly grabbed the covers of the true crime magazines. And the images they offered spoke to the scenic reality where Putt roamed even as the murders continued.
Apartment buildings and boarding houses were the settings for some of the murders but not all.
Glenda Sue Harden was last seen walking to her car parked on the Cobblestones from the insurance office she worked at nearby. Her body was found in Martin Luther King/Riverside Park hidden under a piece of plywood.
At one of the murder scenes, police found an ice pick stuck in the side of the building with a stocking tied around it.
Putt’s last victim, in an apartment building on Bellevue, screamed as she was stabbed repeatedly and others in the building gave chase with police close behind, arresting Putt near the new and unopened section of the interstate that runs west of Bellevue.
Putt tried to force his way into another apartment nearby but the women inside kept him on the other side of the door.
The killer that panicked an entire city was a skinny utterly forgettable guy in his 20s with sideburns and glasses who appeared to have rarely roamed beyond a community of neighborhood bars, boarding houses and old apartment buildings in the Midtown and Medical Center areas.
It turns out he came to Memphis after walking away from a prison farm in Mississippi and into a Memphis that was slowly but surely changing. And the world that Putt encountered would soon vanish in large part.
Overton Square’s incarnation was about a year away. A new bridge was about to be built across the Mississippi River as part of Interstate 40 which was to go through Overton Park just south of the north-south leg of the interstate where Putt was captured.
Originally sentenced to death, Putt’s sentence was commuted when the U.S. Supreme Court banned the death penalty in the early 1970s.
He was serving a 497-year sentence when he died at the Turney Center Wednesday in Only, Tennessee.
Putt never sought parole and never gave any explanation for why he killed five people in less than a month and his apparently random selection of victims.

100. The Week Ahead: March 14-20, 2016 - Monday, March 14, 2016

How was your weekend, Memphis? Here’s our weekly roundup of local happenings you need to know about, from the first look at the Greater Memphis Chamber’s proposed diversity program to a truly Irish celebration of St. Paddy’s Day.