Morning, Memphis. It’s Wednesday, April 1, and GloRilla is opening a nightclub in Prince Mongo’s old castle. 

Okay, I’m kidding. It’s April Fool’s Day, so be on your guard all day. Here are some things happening that are no joke though: The state comptroller is expected to release a Memphis-Shelby County Schools audit report, and the Memphis Grizzlies play the Dallas Mavericks. 

THE NEED TO KNOW

A House bill that would have awarded FedEx Corp. tax breaks for building materials failed on Monday. (Gene J. Puskar/AP file)

No tax breaks for FedEx: A bill that would have given $20 million in tax breaks to the Memphis-based shipping giant died on the House floor this week. The bill from Rep. Mark White, R-Memphis, would have continued a long trend of FedEx tax breaks, but lawmakers on both sides of the aisle likened the bill to corporate welfare. One Republican representative said he couldn’t justify tax breaks for a corporation recently valued at $81 billion. That said, there’s a chance the bill could come back.

Two Memphis Grizzlies fans checked out their purchases after leaving FedExForum. (Patrick Lantrip/The Daily Memphian file)

Grizz lease momentum: If you blinked, you probably missed a small move by the Shelby County Commission that signaled progress on a Memphis Grizzlies lease for FedExForum. On Monday, the commission approved a resolution asking the state General Assembly to allow Shelby County to keep collecting hotel-motel taxes until 2050, or until the Grizzlies are no longer a tenant at FedExForum. Here’s a look at how that ties in with Grizzlies lease negotiations beyond 2029.

The Memphis-Shelby County Schools board voted to make Roderick Richmond the district’s official superintendent Tuesday night. (Mark Weber/The Daily Memphian file)

Super again: Roderick Richmond is probably feeling some whiplash this morning. After being named permanent Memphis-Shelby County Schools superintendent and then having the title taken away, the school board gave the job back again Tuesday night. The MSCS board approved a permanent contract for Richmond after denying one earlier this month as a forensic audit and state takeover loomed. The new contract came with a few changes that will allow the board to fire Richmond more easily. 

Inmate’s family sues: The widow of Courtney Berry, who died at the Shelby County Jail last March, is suing Shelby County Sheriff Floyd Bonner, the jail’s medical provider WellPath and Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris. Berry died of heart complications at the jail on March 30, 2025, after complaining of chest pains. The suit alleges the jail wasted time giving Berry Narcan, despite no evidence of an overdose, and calls out Bonner and Harris for finger pointing rather than solving problems at the jail.

MEET MEMPHIS

“I’m seeing that people want ways to get around outside of a car,” Kelsey Huse said. (Courtesy Kelsey Huse)

After Kelsey Huse moved to Memphis in 2024, she quickly realized the city’s public transit was “shockingly unusable.” And so she did something about it. Huse, who is working on her master’s degree in city and regional planning at the University of Memphis, is the woman behind popular Instagram account @memphisurbanism. There, she highlights local transit issues and shares stories from locals who struggle to get around using city buses. 

THE NICE TO KNOW

Robert Smith flipped burgers at Piccadilly To Go at 3587 Riverdale Road. (Patrick Lantrip/The Daily Memphian)

Take me out before you go-go: Six years post-pandemic, you’re probably (hopefully) wearing pants again. But chances are, most of your restaurant meals are still takeout. And that’s why Piccadilly — the chain known for its massive buffet and dining space — is opening its third to-go location on Riverdale Road today. And with this one, you won’t even have to leave your car for a meat-and-three. In more to-go news, Central BBQ is also making it easier than ever to order in. 

A fan looked for a foul ball during the home opener for the 2026 Memphis Redbirds vs. Norfolk at AutoZone Park. (Brad Vest/Special to The Daily Memphian)

For the love of the game: Tuesday was the home opener for the Memphis Redbirds, and though the crowd was small, it was filled with devoted fans who just love baseball. Or, at least that’s what three people told reporter Jody Callahan. Of course, there were others there who weren’t quite as devoted, like a couple of visiting Germans on a sports tour of America. And good news for those who showed up: The undefeated Redbirds beat the Norfolk Tides.

Stryker Corp. is moving out of this office at 1023 Cherry Road. (Submitted)

Shrinking and expanding: Stryker Corp., the medical-tech company that acquired Memphis-based Wright Medical in 2019, is moving out of its Cherry Road office campus. News broke last week that Stryker wasn’t renewing its lease there, but the company confirmed this week that it plans to “relocate operations.” But while one company closes an office, another expands its footprint: Memphis-based AutoZone is building a new store. In other news, an Ohio-based defense and space manufacturer is looking to open a plant in Memphis.

Memphis Grizzlies guard Mike Conley shot a free throw in the second half of an NBA game against Maccabi Haifa on Thursday, Oct. 8, 2015, in Memphis. (Brandon Dill/AP file)

Man in the mask: Remember when Mike Conley broke his face and we all wore masks to the game to show our support? In the famous Mask Game, the Memphis Grizzlies star point guard scored 22 points while wearing a clear plastic mask. He was just that good. Conley was the first player of the Grit-and-Grind era to arrive and the last to leave, and he still holds a bunch of franchise records. That’s why he’s No. 3 in our top 25 Grizzlies list.

Robert Pattinson and Zendaya star in “The Drama,” a new A24 film by director Kristoffer Borgli. (Submitted)

Rom-drams on the big screen: If you’re more “A Star is Born” than “You’ve Got Mail,” this is your week at the movies. In Memphis Movies This Week, Chris Herrington highlights two “promising romantic dramas, big and small” opening this week, including the appropriately named “The Drama” with Zendaya and Robert Pattinson. If rom-drams don’t interest you, zany 1989 baseball comedy “Major League” has a throwback screening Thursday, but Herrington says it doesn’t even rank in his top five baseball movies. (Fighting words, Chris.)

WHAT WE’RE TALKING ABOUT

Those ducks would be ripped.

And on that note, I’m off to the gym. See y’all tomorrow!

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