Here comes Trader Joe’s with a Friday opening in Germantown after lots of mystery and delays and changes for what is a pretty simple concept. For so many of us, this has been a long-hoped for goal. It’s kind of up there with smuggling in Coors beer from the west in the 70s before it became available everywhere and Coors had a brewery here.

2. Gridiron Thespians? Florida State Coach Believes So - Friday, September 7, 2018

Sports and theater often merge. We’ve got high drama in Pittsburgh right now where the Steelers are wondering when running back Le’Veon Bell will show up for work (more on that in a moment).

3. Enthusiastic Fans Embrace City’s New Soccer Team - Tuesday, September 4, 2018

How’s this for a 9-01 day? At 9:01 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 1, Memphis’ expansion United Soccer League franchise rolled out its logo and identity as Memphis 901 FC on social media.

By 12:01 p.m., fans were already snatching up gear in the team’s AutoZone Park store – seven months before 901 FC plays its first game in March.

4. Kick in the Grass - Saturday, September 1, 2018

Mentally, the ownership group bringing a United Soccer League team to share AutoZone Park with the Memphis Redbirds has been flipping the switch for the better part of two years. After the last out of the Redbirds regular-season home finale was recorded Monday, the act got physical. The concept became real.

5. Accounting for Music - Wednesday, August 29, 2018

For veteran accountant and accomplished musician Steve Dunavant, balancing his two passions – music and accounting – is easy. For more than 20 years, he has maintained music as a side gig, playing multiple instruments around town, recording albums, and creating a music label and recording studio to help showcase Memphis musicians. During his weekdays, he crunches numbers as CBIZ senior managing director.

6. Comptroller’s TBI Report Spurs New Legislation - Thursday, August 23, 2018

Legislation to crack down on misuse of state-issued cell phones is being spurred by a state Comptroller’s report showing the former acting director of the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation and his girlfriend downloaded apps enabling them to communicate undetected.

7. 11 of 30 Suburban Races in November Decided at Filing Deadline - Monday, August 20, 2018

Of the 30 elected positions on the Nov. 6 ballot in five suburban towns and cities in Shelby County, 11 were decided at the Thursday, Aug. 16, deadline for candidates to file their qualifying petitions.

8. 11 of 30 Suburban Races in November Decided at Filing Deadline - Friday, August 17, 2018

Of the 30 elected positions on the Nov. 6 ballot in five of the six suburban towns and cities in Shelby County, 11 were decided at the noon, Thursday, Aug. 16, deadline for candidates to file their qualifying petitions.

9. USL Memphis Coach Tim Mulqueen Embraces Expansion Challenge - Thursday, August 16, 2018

Let’s get the hard part out of the way first, the thing that might make you resistant to welcoming your first USL Memphis head coach. Tim Mulqueen is a rabid New York Knicks fan. Yes, the same team that now employs former Grizzlies coach David Fizdale.

10. Last Word: Transition Time, Two Years of Heart and Eads De-Annexation Growth - Thursday, August 9, 2018

Here comes the transition in the county mayor’s office. Shelby County Mayor-elect Lee Harris announced Wednesday that the transition team will be co-chaired by former Downtown Memphis Commission president Paul Morris and former Grizz coach Lionel Hollins. Harris’s campaign manager Danielle Inez will be executive director of the transition team. They are soliciting applications to be on the transition team and the resumes have to be in soon. Harris takes office as outgoing mayor Mark Luttrell leaves at the end of this month.

11. Team Name for USL Memphis, First Soccer Match a Month Away - Thursday, August 2, 2018

USL Memphis sporting director Andrew Bell is sworn to secrecy about the team’s logo, name and colors, but this much he will reveal: They’re not going to hurt merchandise sales.

12. Former Redbirds Manager Mike Shildt gets First Win as Cardinals' Interim Manager - Monday, July 16, 2018

The St. Louis Cardinals’ firing of manager Mike Matheny late Saturday, July 14, cued an opportunity for former Memphis Redbirds manager Mike Shildt as he was promoted from his bench coach position to interim manager. He wasted no time getting his first victory as the Cardinals beat the Cincinnati Reds 6-4 on Sunday before the start of the MLB All-Star Break.

13. Last Word: Kyle Anderson's Apartment Search, Tate vs. Robinson and Finding Capital - Monday, July 9, 2018

Keedran Franklin, an activist who has been a visible part of the rise in local protests and other actions over the last two years or so is free on bond pending a first court appearance Monday morning after being arrested by Memphis Police on a variety of misdemeanor and felony charges Friday night.

14. Around Memphis: July 9, 2018 - Monday, July 9, 2018

The Daily News offers a weekly roundup of Memphis-related headlines from around the web, adding context and new perspectives to the original content we produce on a daily basis. Here are some recent stories worth checking out…

15. FedEx Q4 Profits Beat Wall Street Estimates - Wednesday, June 20, 2018

Memphis-based FedEx Corp. posted solid growth during its fiscal fourth quarter, beating Wall Street estimates.

The shipping giant reported earnings of $4.15 per diluted share for the quarter ended May 31, and net income of just over $1.13 billion, which is up from $1.02 billion, or $3.75 a share, a year ago.

16. Last Word: Scooter or Bike, Clapp's Flip and Found Memphis Belle Footage - Monday, June 18, 2018

If this past weekend is any indication, Bird scooters are a thing in Memphis and they have also had a spillover effect in increasing the use of Explore Bike Share which has about a three-week head start. In many Downtown locations the scooters and bikes are in close proximity to one another. And that was offering some choices to those looking for a quicker way around in the heat. Well dressed wedding parties just a bit early for the ceremony in Court Square -- scooter. Intrepid explorers in t-shirts, cargo shorts and floppy hats regarding the sites to be seen in Memphis as Lewis and Clark -- bike.

17. Candidates Stake Claims For November Elections - Wednesday, May 30, 2018

At the Memorial Day holiday, the incumbent mayors of Bartlett, Germantown and Lakeland had pulled petitions to seek re-election in municipal elections on the Nov. 6 ballot.

Bartlett Mayor Keith McDonald and Lakeland Mayor Wyatt Bunker pulled their qualifying petitions from the Shelby County Election Commission on May 18, the opening day of the filing period. Germantown Mayor Mike Palazzolo, who has already kicked off his re-election campaign, pulled his petition four days later.

18. If Only Legislators Could Focus on Important Issues - Thursday, May 24, 2018

A year-old law enabling Tennessee colleges and universities to keep secret the “proprietary” fees they pay money managers for handling risky investments is likely to be reviewed this year.

19. Cellphone Pics Expose New Front in Public-Records Debate - Tuesday, May 22, 2018

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP) – Pics or it didn't happen? Good luck with that on the public records trail.

From Mountain City to Memphis and Clarksville to Chattanooga, local government agencies follow conflicting, contradictory – and completely arbitrary – rules on whether residents can take cellphone pictures of the records they helped pay to create.

20. Memphis Giving Area Players, Fans Taste of Professional Soccer - Monday, May 21, 2018

In the hotel-casino universe they’d call this a “soft opening” – hold the bells and whistles, but concentrate on the building blocks that will make up the ultimate experience. So it was on a recent Saturday night as USL Memphis sporting director Andrew Bell excitedly paced around Christian Brothers High School’s stadium waiting to watch some soccer rather than just talk about it.

21. Restored WWII Bomber Memphis Belle Makes Public Debut in Ohio - Friday, May 18, 2018

DAYTON, Ohio (AP) – Robert K. Morgan Jr.'s voice wavered with emotion when he talked about seeing the Memphis Belle all put together for the first time in 50 years.

His father, Robert Sr., had flown the legendary B-17F on 25 perilous bombing missions in World War II and worked the rest of his life to make sure the airplane was preserved.

22. Fall Creek Falls Project Leaves Destructive Trail - Thursday, May 10, 2018

The Fall Creek Falls Inn and Conference Center will soon be in ruins like the livelihoods of the state employees who worked there.

Fewer than half the state employees who worked at the inn found new state jobs after it closed in early April. Some are working for nearly half the pay, and some had to move away from Van Buren County or drive long distances to keep a job with the state.

23. Last Word: Making Memphis Easier, Strickland on Graceland and Construction Jobs - Tuesday, May 8, 2018

Some of the BSMF reviews in from this past weekend are thumbs up for the way Memphis In May has ramped up what you might call its infrastructure around Uber, Lyft and little items like muddy boots for the increasing number of Memphians and visitors who are ready to go no matter what the weather is doing. And they may opt for some other way into Downtown beyond driving a car and finding a parking place and walking, especially when there’s a drop off at the northern end of the music festival. Even a fire hydrant water flow to take the mud off your boots. We can make Memphis easier with less effort than we think at the outset.

24. Fogelman Properties Adds VP of Acquisitions - Tuesday, May 8, 2018

Fogelman Properties has appointed Mike Aiken vice president of acquisitions, a newly created position at the Memphis-based multifamily real estate services company.

25. Web Extra: Forrest Slave Market Site Emerges From Past As Part of Heritage Trail - Saturday, April 28, 2018

The same week as the formal re-opening of the Universal Life Insurance building, Tim Huebner, a Rhodes College history professor, and the students in his “historical methods” class went to Calvary Episcopal Church to unveil a new historical marker that marks the site of a very different business success story.

26. USL Memphis to Operate Memphis City FC in 2018 - Saturday, April 14, 2018

USL Memphis has acquired Memphis City FC and will operate it as a Premier Development League (PDL) franchise starting with the 2018 PDL season, with the first match set for Saturday, May 12.

Tryouts will be held on Saturday, April 21 at Memphis University School. The fee to register for tryouts is $35 and can be done at www.usl2memphis.com/pdl.

27. Doubleheader - Saturday, April 14, 2018

These days, Craig Unger calls himself the “corporate guy.” After all, he is now president of both the Memphis Redbirds and the United Soccer League (USL) team that will share AutoZone Park with the St. Louis Cardinals’ Triple-A club beginning in 2019.

28. Events - Thursday, April 12, 2018

The 2018 Bartlett Business Expo is Thursday, April 12, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Bartlett Recreation Center, 7700 Flaherty Place. A variety of local businesses will showcase their goods and services. Admission is free. Visit bartlettchamber.org.

29. Events - Wednesday, April 11, 2018

The 2018 Bartlett Business Expo is Thursday, April 12, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Bartlett Recreation Center, 7700 Flaherty Place. A variety of local businesses will showcase their goods and services. Admission is free. Visit bartlettchamber.org.

30. Events - Tuesday, April 10, 2018

The Orpheum Theatre presents “Something Rotten!” Tuesday through Sunday, April 10-15, at the theater, 203 S. Main St. This Broadway musical tells the story of two brothers who are desperate to write their own hit play while the “rock star” Shakespeare keeps getting all the hits. Buy tickets at orpheum-memphis.com.

31. Religious Leaders Recount Catechism of 1968 Memphis - Tuesday, April 10, 2018

Rev. James Lawson, the architect of nonviolent resistance who counseled Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on it, walked in a circle last week around the new “I Am A Man” bronze and stainless steel sculpture. As he walked with his head down, still and video photographers scrambled for the best angle to capture the seminal strategist of the civil rights era, seemingly deep in thought.

32. Week Ahead: April 9-15 - Monday, April 9, 2018

Good morning, Memphis! We’ve seen in recent national elections how important every vote can be, much less on the local level where far fewer votes are cast than in a national presidential election, for example. It’s one of your basic rights and a great opportunity for you to be an influence in the local community.

33. Around Memphis: April 9, 2018 - Monday, April 9, 2018

The Daily News offers a weekly roundup of Memphis-related headlines from around the web, adding context and new perspectives to the original content we produce on a daily basis. Here are some recent stories worth checking out…

34. MLK50 Observances Come With Appeals, Memories - Friday, April 6, 2018

The way National Civil Rights Museum president Terri Lee Freeman described it as the MLK50 commemorations began this week, the church bells would cascade when they rang Wednesday, April 4, starting at 6:01 p.m. – the moment Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was shot 50 years ago.

35. Last Word: MLK50s Big Day, Hotel Changes and Murica on Capitol Hill - Thursday, April 5, 2018

The peak of the MLK50 events came Wednesday with a chill but some sunshine and lots to consider. Understand -- this isn’t over. There are still a few more events to go through the weekend and even into next week. If nothing else, a lot more Memphians and visitors got a good look at most of South Main in the best way possible – on foot. And if the Beale Street District ever expands east to Danny Thomas, the intersection there makes a really good place for a party.

36. Anniversary of King's Assassination Marked With Marches, Rallies - Wednesday, April 4, 2018

Several thousand people marching under the banners of unions and civil rights organizations marched peacefully Wednesday, April 4, from the headquarters of the American Federal of State County and Municipal Employees at Beale Street and Danny Thomas Boulevard to Mason Temple Church of God in Christ.

37. Last Word: Opening Day, Slowing the Flow and 30 Years of Shangri-La - Friday, March 30, 2018

There is something about opening day of the Major League Baseball season – especially when it is opening day for just about every team at the same time. Just seeing the green fields with a solitary outfielder, the low brick walls behind the symmetry of batter, catcher and umpire renews my love for the game. I don’t really pay attention to players – don’t know any of their names. And how and when did the Astros wind up in the American League and the Brewers in the National League? I just like watching the game in a sport where the team and the individual coexist as in no other sport.

38. Football Can’t Arrive Soon Enough for Vols Fans - Friday, March 30, 2018

Thank goodness Tennessee spring football is here. Vol Nation needs a diversion with all that’s happened the past couple of weeks, like the men’s basketball team losing to Loyola-Chicago in the NCAA Tournament’s second round, and Loyola advancing to the Final Four.

39. USL Memphis Makes ‘Huge Get’ In Hiring Andrew Bell as its First Sporting Director - Friday, March 30, 2018

Andrew Bell had come to Memphis in January to discuss the possibility of becoming the first sporting director for the new USL (United Soccer League) franchise that will begin play here in 2019. And Bell was blown away by AutoZone Park, which will be the team’s home; the venue reminded him of the stadium where the Portland Timbers of Major League Soccer play.

40. USL Memphis Selects First Sporting Director - Saturday, March 24, 2018

USL Memphis has named Andrew Bell, formerly of the Charleston Battery, its inaugural sporting director, team president Craig Unger announced. Bell, who has spent nearly 20 years with the United Soccer League’s Battery, will be tasked with handling all player and technical staff-related decisions and building the USL Memphis front office ahead of the team’s 2019 debut.

41. This Week In Memphis History: March 23-29 - Saturday, March 24, 2018

2010: Groundbreaking for the Salvation Army Kroc Center at the Mid-South Fairgrounds after a five-year effort that included the local Salvation Army chapter raising $25 million to trigger $60 million in matching funds from the estate of Joan Kroc.

42. USL Memphis Selects First Sporting Director - Wednesday, March 21, 2018

USL Memphis has named Andrew Bell, formerly of the Charleston Battery, its inaugural sporting director, team president Craig Unger announced. Bell, who has spent nearly 20 years with the United Soccer League’s Battery, will be tasked with handling all player and technical staff-related decisions and building the USL Memphis front office ahead of the team’s 2019 debut.

43. MLK's Daughter, Bernice, Has Private Audience With Pope - Tuesday, March 13, 2018

VATICAN CITY (AP) – The Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.'s surviving daughter had a private audience with Pope Francis at the Vatican on Monday.

44. Companies Updating Their Sexual Harassment Policies - Saturday, February 17, 2018

Workplace sexual harassment has been making headlines nationwide, with high-profile individuals in entertainment, media and other industries losing their jobs over accusations of misconduct. In recent months, companies have been taking a closer look at their harassment policies and updating them where necessary.

45. Last Word: Shutdown Round Two, The Pastner Charges and 1968 Virtual Reality - Friday, February 9, 2018

The federal government technically shutdown at midnight in Washington, D.C., Friday for the second time in 17 days. But the House and Senate were still going for a vote on a two-year budget compromise before dawn Friday morning as this is posted.

46. Josh Pastner Refutes Sexual Assault Accusation - Friday, February 9, 2018

Former University of Memphis basketball coach Josh Pastner on Thursday night, Feb. 8, vehemently denied a woman’s allegations of sexual misconduct. Pastner, who is in his second season as coach at Georgia Tech, responded to a question during his post-game press conference after his team played at Louisville.

47. Around Memphis | Feb. 5, 2018 - Monday, February 5, 2018

The Daily News offers a weekly roundup of Memphis-related headlines from around the web, adding context and new perspectives to the original content we produce on a daily basis. Here are some recent featires worth checking out...

48. Digest - Monday, January 29, 2018

Memphis Toys R Us

To Remain Open

A representative with Toys R Us has confirmed to The Daily News that the retailer’s Memphis location, at 7676 Polo Ground Blvd., won’t close after all.

49. Around Memphis | January 29, 2018 - Monday, January 29, 2018

The Daily News offers a weekly look at Memphis-related headlines from around the web, adding context and different perspectives to the original content we produce on a daily basis.

In photos: Barber and beauty shops are centers of community in sprawling Whitehaven
High Ground, Brandon Dahlberg

50. The Week Ahead: Jan. 29-Feb. 4 - Monday, January 29, 2018

Good morning, Memphis! Proceedings related to the city’s removal of Confederate statues from two parks get underway, just one of many events on a busy Monday. Check our rundown of all the happenings you need to know about in The Week Ahead…

51. Mavis Staples, Taj Mahal Among Blues Music Awards Nominees - Thursday, January 11, 2018

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) – Mavis Staples, Taj Mahal and the North Mississippi All-Stars are among the nominees for this year's Blues Music Awards in Tennessee.

Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Wee Willie Walker and Rick Estrin also are nominated for Blues Music Awards announced Monday.

52. Energy Savings Fuel Entegrity’s Growth - Thursday, December 28, 2017

With environmental issues becoming a more common consideration and saving money always in vogue, it’s a great time to be in the construction industry. Those are the sentiments of Entegrity Partners, which has benefitted from an industry shift in recent years to more sustainable buildings.

53. Memphis Sound at 60 - Saturday, December 23, 2017

As Stax Records and Royal Studios both wrap up a year of celebrating their 60th anniversary, The Memphis News looks back at the creators and purveyors of the Memphis sound and its significance, both in its heyday and today.

54. Last Word: Lawyering Up, No More Beale Street Cover and Pastner Probe - Wednesday, November 8, 2017

Committee day for the Shelby County Commission on Wednesday has now come to include a special meeting to vote on something. And that something amounts to doubling down on the move by commission chairwoman Heidi Shafer to lawyer up on the issue of opioid abuse and the role big pharma has played in the problem. The special meeting comes two days after Shelby County Mayor Mark Luttrell sued Shafer in Chancery Court claiming she violated the county charter by unilaterally making that decision last week.

55. Josh Pastner Under NCAA Microscope - Wednesday, November 8, 2017

Former University of Memphis basketball coach Josh Pastner has been accused of being complicit in extra benefits provided to at least two Georgia Tech players and to former Tiger player Markel Crawford.

56. AutoZone Closing Book on Unusual 2017 Performance - Tuesday, November 7, 2017

A new Raymond James analyst report covering the auto parts industry suggests a few slightly concerning trends for retailers like AutoZone Inc., including a decrease in the growth rate of vehicle miles driven and an uptick in gas prices.

57. November 3-9, 2017: This week in Memphis history - Saturday, November 4, 2017

1933: The Tennessee Brewing Co. reopens for the first time in 15 years with the first bottles of Goldcrest beer, brewed and bottled in Memphis, delivered to stores by the Tennessee Brewing Co.

58. The Sound of (Memphis) Music - Saturday, November 4, 2017

By her own account, Marcella Simien fell in love with Memphis on Day One when she moved here to attend college. Almost a decade later, she’s still here, the frontwoman for Marcella & Her Lovers, a band that plays what she describes as “swamp soul” and finished up an album this summer.

59. Democrats Hope Bredesen Run Will Reinvigorate Party - Thursday, October 26, 2017

Tennessee Democrats are canvassing the state to find candidates at every political level, but their next star is a well-known veteran who has people of all political stripes holding their breath.

Phil Bredesen, the former mayor of Nashville and a two-term governor, could alter the landscape of Tennessee politics if he enters the race for U.S. Senate to fill the void by departing Republican Sen. Bob Corker in 2018.

60. Pinnacle Sees Major Growth in 2017 - Tuesday, October 24, 2017

There’s not usually much in the way of big change reflected in the bank deposit market share report that comes out once a year from the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. This year for the Memphis metropolitan statistical area, though, there was.

61. Big River Crossing: Observations on two wheels … and sometimes two feet - Saturday, October 21, 2017

You can’t really do the reporting on Big River Crossing and the connections to it without going at it on bike. And so here are a few observations and opinions:

I've seen the jerseys and other riding apparel. And I understand its comfort as well as its purpose. But I can't do it -- at least not the whole outfit. I feel like I will have to turn in my Frayser resident card. If this gear had been around when we had bell bottoms, before the return of straight leg jeans – maybe. But probably not.

62. Last Word: The Amazon Offer, Mario Chalmers, The New Symphony Conductor - Wednesday, October 4, 2017

If you want to figure out the rhythm of Downtown there are a couple of time-honored indicators. One of my favorites is the church bells. The bell at Calvary Episcopal Church rang 60 times Tuesday for all of the lives lost in the Las Vegas massacre including that of the shooter. Old tones for new mourning as the seasons change in our city by the river.

63. First Tennessee, Pinnacle Settle Legal Dispute - Saturday, September 30, 2017

A dispute between First Tennessee Bank and Pinnacle Financial Partners stemming from Pinnacle’s recruitment of a group of First Tennessee employees when it first arrived in the Memphis market back in 2015 appears to have been resolved.

64. First Tennessee, Pinnacle Settle Legal Dispute - Friday, September 29, 2017

A dispute between First Tennessee Bank and Pinnacle Financial Partners stemming from Pinnacle’s recruitment of a group of First Tennessee employees when it first arrived in the Memphis market back in 2015 appears to have been resolved.

65. First Tennessee, Pinnacle Financial Partners Settle Legal Dispute - Thursday, September 28, 2017

A dispute between First Tennessee Bank and Pinnacle Financial Partners stemming from Pinnacle’s recruitment of a group of First Tennessee employees when it first arrived in the Memphis market back in 2015 appears to have been resolved.

66. Last Word: The Monument Letter, Soulsville Gateway and Gas Tax Hike Regrets - Thursday, September 14, 2017

The Redbirds take Game 1 of the Pacific Coast League Championship series Wednesday evening with a 6-4 win over El Paso at AutoZone Park. Game 2 is noon Thursday at B.B. King and Union.

67. Memphis Moves Closer to Confederate Statue Removal - Thursday, September 7, 2017

The Memphis City Council has passed the first of three votes on a resolution that declares Confederate statues on city-owned property public nuisances and sets up a framework for the city to remove those statues even without approval from the state.

68. Statue of Martin Luther King Jr. Unveiled in his Hometown - Tuesday, August 29, 2017

ATLANTA (AP) – The daughter of civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. stood beside her father's newly unveiled statue Monday, just a few blocks from where he grew up, handing out hugs and telling each well-wisher: "It's about time."

69. Artist Cat Peña Named Director Of CBU’s Ross Gallery - Wednesday, August 23, 2017

Cat Peña, a Memphis-based artist, arts administrator and independent public art consultant, has been named director of the Beverly & Sam Ross Gallery at Christian Brothers University. As an artist, Peña’s work in recent years has centered on public art installations, including “There’s More To Be Proud Of,” a canopy of metallic streamers on display in the Edge District through next February. In addition, she is the founder of Collabortory, a creative platform that expands public art practices through collaborative and social practices.

70. Wolf, Offense Look To Prove Predictions Wrong - Friday, August 18, 2017

It’s championship or bust for Tennessee senior tight end Ethan Wolf.

Bowl victories are nice. So are nine-win seasons. But Wolf wants a lot more in his final season with the Vols.

“Our goal here at Tennessee every single year is to win a championship, and that’s going to remain the goal,” Wolf says. “Yeah, there may have been a little bit of excitement the first year, maybe the second year winning the bowl game. It’s always exciting, but that’s the bare minimum right now.”

71. Memphis Belle Taking Shape in Restoration With Tail Gunner - Tuesday, August 1, 2017

DAYTON, Ohio (AP) – The tail gun turret of a fabled World War II bomber undergoing restoration at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force in Ohio has been re-attached.

The Memphis Belle is being restored at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base near Dayton before going on display next spring. The B-17F "Flying Fortress" was the first Army Air Force bomber to complete 25 missions over Europe. It arrived at the museum a dozen years ago in pieces.

72. The Week Ahead: July 31-August 6 - Monday, July 31, 2017

Hello, Memphis! It's time to wave goodbye to July and hello to August, and there's plenty to keep you busy this week. Check out our top picks, plus more you need to know about in The Week Ahead...

73. The Week Ahead: July 24-30 - Monday, July 24, 2017

Hello, Memphis! Politics will be heating up this week to match the weather and you’ll be able to see and learn about the stars at the Pink Palace Museum. But there are also some indoor events to take in, including an event for creators at Crosstown Arts.

74. Legislature Losing Some Powerful, Familiar Members - Thursday, July 13, 2017

A shakeup in leadership is looming for the state Legislature, though it may portend more of a change in personalities than party strength.

In the House, longtime Rep. Craig Fitzhugh, the affable Democrat from Ripley in West Tennessee, is preparing for a 2018 gubernatorial run, a move that would knock him out of his House seat, at least temporarily, and the position as Democratic Caucus leader.

75. Tourism Leaders Focus on City’s Complexity, Struggle - Tuesday, June 27, 2017

Stax Records turns 60 years old this year, going back to its origins as a country music label called Satellite at a tiny studio in Brunswick. Next year marks 50 years since the sanitation workers strike and the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. In August, it will be 40 years since the death of Elvis Presley. And in 2019, the city of Memphis will mark 200 years since its founding.

76. Memphis and Liverpool Host Songwriters Exchange - Saturday, June 24, 2017

This summer, the cities of Memphis and Liverpool, England, will see their music scenes collide when Music Export Memphis and Monkey Mind Productions present “From Memphis to the Mersey,” a songwriters exchange that will select two emerging artists from each city for an immersive cultural and creative experience on both sides of the ocean.

77. Memphis and Liverpool Host Songwriters Exchange - Monday, June 19, 2017

This summer, the cities of Memphis and Liverpool, England, will see their music scenes collide when Music Export Memphis and Monkey Mind Productions present “From Memphis to the Mersey,” a songwriters exchange that will select two emerging artists from each city for an immersive cultural and creative experience on both sides of the ocean.

78. Redbirds’ Chad Huffman Grinding For a Return to Big Leagues - Friday, June 9, 2017

The Memphis Redbirds had just finished a Tuesday afternoon game at AutoZone Park. Wednesday was a cherished off day at home. It was a good time for a player to exit quickly, to get the most of the down time before coming back for the next game on Thursday night.

79. First Tennessee Bank Complaint vs. Pinnacle Financial to Go to Trial - Wednesday, June 7, 2017

A legal fight brought in the wake of Pinnacle Financial Partners’ arrival into the Memphis market appears set for a jury trial.

Shelby County Chancellor Jim Kyle on Tuesday, June 6, denied a motion for partial summary judgment made by Memphis-based First Tennessee Bank, which filed its complaint against Pinnacle in February 2016.  First Tennessee originally brought the action in 2015 only against Damon Bell, a First Tennessee executive vice president recruited to be Pinnacle’s Memphis president.

80. Unwilling Private Sector Gives Park Workers a Victory - Thursday, May 25, 2017

Two state parks are celebrating victories in an atmosphere of uncertainty created by the governor’s penchant for privatizing state functions.

Fall Creek Falls drew no bidders for a $20 million plan to hire a vendor who would tear down its inn, construct a new one and take over operations for 10 years. Henry Horton State Park, meanwhile, is set for $10 million in improvements this coming fiscal year, including upgrades to its hospitality facilities, plus a new visitors center, rather than a proposal to raze its inn and not rebuild.

81. Privatization Opposition Renewed as No Bids Come in for Falls Creek Falls Project - Tuesday, May 16, 2017

The lack of bidders for a $20 million inn reconstruction project at Fall Creek Falls could spur legislative hearings this summer on parks funding and privatization amid growing lawmaker concern about the governor’s outsourcing plans.

82. Last Word: BSMF, Budget Books and Milli Vanilli - Monday, May 8, 2017

Three days of sun and mild temperatures for the Beale Street Music Festival. Not to be all “Dawn Lazarus” about the weather. Of course, it wasn’t just that way over Tom Lee Park. And many of us continue to find there is life outside after you have determined your festival days may be behind you. We were all over the place this weekend including Tom Lee Park and Shelby Farms Park and backyards and trails and on a rising river. Can you still claim you were at BSMF if you were within earshot of it?

83. Resolution Targets California’s Proposed Travel Ban, Discourages Similar ‘Blackmail’ - Thursday, May 4, 2017

Despite a Memphis lawmaker's concerns about a “knee-jerk” reaction, the House passed legislation Monday, May 1, aimed at a California travel ban against states passing anti-gay laws.

Rep. Raumesh Akbari raised questions about the resolution brought by Rep. Tilman Goins, asking him if it would make Tennessee look as “petty” as California if California enacts a prohibition on state-funded travel to Tennessee and several other states that passed laws in 2016 considered unfair to the LGBT community.

84. Last Word: Rain, Rain... Cooper-Young Holding Pattern and Haslam on IMPROVE - Monday, May 1, 2017

Trees down, power out, Redbirds' Saturday game called early with no fireworks, flooding in some parts of the Mid-South region. So this means Beale Street Music Festival weekend will be clear as a bell, right? Ponchos and boots ready just in case, as well as light sabres.

85. Spring Lessons: Here’s Who Vols Will Start - Friday, April 28, 2017

Tennessee football coach Butch Jones isn’t big on naming starters and divulging depth charts. Not until he has to. So it comes as no surprise the Vols enter summer workouts and fall camp with junior Quinten Dormady and redshirt freshman Jarrett Guarantano still competing for the starting quarterback’s job.

86. Events - Tuesday, April 11, 2017

A strategic management seminar presented by Fisher Phillips, Judy Bell Consulting and HR Professionals magazine will be held Tuesday, April 11, from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Crescent Club, 6075 Poplar Ave., suite 909. Supervisors, managers and HR professionals will learn about how to prevent sexual harassment lawsuits, hire A-players, handle LGBT issues, be an effective leader, and more. Visit hrprofessionalsmagazine.com to register.

87. Events - Monday, April 10, 2017

A strategic management seminar presented by Fisher Phillips, Judy Bell Consulting and HR Professionals magazine will be held Tuesday, April 11, from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Crescent Club, 6075 Poplar Ave., Suite 909. Supervisors, managers and HR professionals will learn about how to prevent sexual harassment lawsuits, hire A-players, handle LGBT issues, be an effective leader, and more. Visit hrprofessionalsmagazine.com to register.

88. The Week Ahead: April 11-17 - Monday, April 10, 2017

Happy Monday, Memphis! For those so inclined, get out your John Calipari hate towels because he will be featured in an ESPN 30 for 30 documentary this week. It’s also time for some Memphians to vote again and the Grizzlies wrap up the regular season on the way to a first-round playoff series against the San Antonio Spurs, a rival that will not be getting a key to the city.  

89. Events - Saturday, April 8, 2017

The fourth annual Bringing Out the Leaders Networking Event will be held Thursday, April 13, at 6 p.m. at the University of Memphis University Center, 499 University St. College students from across the Mid-South will have the opportunity to connect with top business, community and political leaders at this program sponsored by the nonprofit Setting the Standard Enterprise. Cost is free; registration required. Visit stsenterprise.org.

90. Tennessee Senate OKs Gun Background Check Exemption Bill - Friday, April 7, 2017

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) – The Tennessee Senate has passed a bill eliminating background check requirements when gun dealers occasionally sell from their personal firearm collections.

Senators voted 24-3 Thursday on the legislation by Republican Sen. Mae Beavers of Mt. Juliet. The House passed it Monday. Gov. Bill Haslam will decide to sign or veto the bill.

91. Senate Passes Less Speedy Rural Broadband Bill - Wednesday, April 5, 2017

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) – The Senate on Monday passed a bill that could make it easier for rural areas in Tennessee to get access to high-speed internet. However, a last-minute amendment tacked on to the bill would not require the internet to be so speedy.

92. Inn Construction, Private Management Plan Draw Ire of State Sen. Lee Harris - Tuesday, March 28, 2017

State Sen. Lee Harris is criticizing Gov. Bill Haslam’s decision to renew an outsourcing plan for development and operations at Fall Creek Falls State Park, calling it a move to bolster profits for a private company.

93. Last Word: Veep Visit, Women and Baseball and Civil Rights Cold Cases - Friday, March 24, 2017

Game time at FedExForum for the NCAA South semifinals and Vice President Mike Pence is expected to be here to cheer on the Butler Bulldogs. The Butler mascot – a live bulldog – was already in town Thursday making the rounds. I think March Madness requires that all involved up their mascot game if they get this far. So UCLA, we expect to see a live bear roaming Beale Street. You might be able to work a deal with the zoo on this. But if there’s a cost split make sure you nail down those percentages.

94. Tennessee Senate Passes Bill to Punish Protesters Who Block Streets - Friday, March 24, 2017

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) – The Tennessee Senate has passed a bill that would punish protesters who block traffic and obstruct emergency vehicles from responding to an emergency.

Under the bill, protesters who block emergency responders would be charged with a misdemeanor and fined $200. The measure was sponsored by Sen. Mike Bell, a Republican from Riceville.

95. Chuck Berry's Influence on Rock ‘n’ Roll Was Incalculable - Tuesday, March 21, 2017

Rock n' roll was more than a new kind of music, but a new story to tell, one for kids with transistor radios in their hands and money in their pockets, beginning to raise questions their parents never had the luxury to ask.

96. Workers’ Comp Bureau Gets New Memphis Judge - Saturday, March 18, 2017

Jackson, Tennessee, attorney Deana Seymour is the new Memphis trial judge for the state Court of Workers' Compensation Claims.

97. Workers' Comp Bureau Gets New Memphis Judge - Monday, March 13, 2017

Jackson, Tennessee, attorney Deana Seymour is the new Memphis trial judge for the state Court of Workers' Compensation Claims.

98. View From the Hill: Outsourcing Win More About Turf Than Trends - Thursday, March 9, 2017

As Fall Creek Falls folks celebrate a state decision to postpone park privatization, the question is whether public opposition or failure to follow long-standing state protocol led to the plug-pulling.

99. Real Estate Experts to Talk Market Trends, Projections - Friday, March 3, 2017

With more than 30 years of expertise, second-generation homebuilder James Reid has seen a lot of ups and downs in West Tennessee’s real estate market.  

“While the market has obviously improved tremendously, last year in Shelby County we only pulled about 925 permits, which traditionally we’ve done in the neighborhood of 3,000 to 4,000,” Reid said. “So while we’ve recovered some, we’re still down from a typical year.”

100. Fall Creek Falls Park Contract Postponed Indefinitely - Thursday, March 2, 2017

NASHVILLE – The state is putting an indefinite hold on a proposed contract for a private company to redevelop and operate Fall Creek Falls State Park.

The Department of General Services is postponing the request for proposals process from vendors for a contract to oversee construction of a new inn at the park and to run its hospitality services after the $22 million project is complete.