Memphis Local, Sports, Business & Food News | Daily Memphian | Jody Callahan

Memphis Animal Services officer charged with aggravated animal cruelty

jcallahan@dailymemphian.com (Jody Callahan) — Mon, 8 Jun 2026 20:58:40 -0500

Police found 17 abused or severely neglected dogs at the officer’s residence, as well as evidence that he was possibly involved in dogfighting.

Dueling lawsuits threaten future of Memphis' historic Ardent Studios

jcallahan@dailymemphian.com (Jody Callahan) — Mon, 8 Jun 2026 16:53:28 -0500

The building is locked, the parking lot is empty and no music is being made at Ardent Studios, a piece of music history that once hosted acts like ZZ Top, the Replacements, Isaac Hayes, Bob Dylan and R.E.M.

'Whoever somebody wants to be, that’s fine with me'

jcallahan@dailymemphian.com (Jody Callahan) — Sun, 7 Jun 2026 09:32:43 -0500

Thousands attend the Memphis Pride Fest and Parade in Downtown Memphis, including both members of the LGBTQ+ community as well as their straight allies.

Another 201 Poplar inmate dies

jcallahan@dailymemphian.com (Jody Callahan) — Thu, 4 Jun 2026 11:50:23 -0500

The inmate was arrested May 27 after allegedly stealing $258.91 in merchandise from a local TJ Maxx.

With Memphis as a 'model city,' feds offer other towns money to fight crime

jcallahan@dailymemphian.com (Jody Callahan) — Thu, 4 Jun 2026 09:40:36 -0500

Cities are encouraged to apply for a portion of $300 million in federal money to reduce crime, but that money comes with strings attached in terms of anti-immigration efforts.

Funeral service for Mary and Jon McCalla set

jcallahan@dailymemphian.com (Jody Callahan) — Wed, 3 Jun 2026 18:39:50 -0500

A ceremony is planned for Memphis judge Jon McCalla and his wife Mary, a well-known physician.

U of M board approves a tuition increase, bonus for president

jcallahan@dailymemphian.com (Jody Callahan) — Wed, 3 Jun 2026 12:42:46 -0500

U of M in-state undergraduate students, the largest group of students at the school, will pay $11,760 in tuition and fees for the 2026-27 academic year.

Man killed by MSTF agent wanted on aggravated assault and burglary charges

jcallahan@dailymemphian.com (Jody Callahan) — Tue, 2 Jun 2026 16:03:21 -0500

A warrant tied to a January gun threat led agents to man killed outside the Frayser Burger King.

U of M board set to vote on tuition increase

jcallahan@dailymemphian.com (Jody Callahan) — Tue, 2 Jun 2026 16:02:17 -0500

University of Memphis tuition is set to increase for all students, with in-state undergrad costs for the 2026-2027 academic year rising 4.48%, or $504.

Ask the Memphian: Do I have to pay a ticket from a traffic camera?

jcallahan@dailymemphian.com (Jody Callahan) — Mon, 1 Jun 2026 10:05:50 -0500

In this week’s Ask the Memphian, we delve into whether drivers really have to pay speeding tickets issued by traffic cameras.

Memphis Italian Festival: A place to play bocce, eat pasta and greet family

jcallahan@dailymemphian.com (Jody Callahan) — Sat, 30 May 2026 19:18:25 -0500

Since 1989, Holy Rosary Catholic Church in East Memphis has staged the festival centered that centers around Italian gravy, aka spaghetti sauce.

UTHSC investigating former employees after racism claim involving controversial instructor

jcallahan@dailymemphian.com (Jody Callahan) — Fri, 29 May 2026 15:50:41 -0500

The decision to launch an investigation has left some of the employees who resigned feeling angry and persecuted.

Methodist hospital back to normal admissions, surgeries after early morning transformer fire

jcallahan@dailymemphian.com (Jody Callahan) — Thu, 28 May 2026 17:35:29 -0500

Methodist University Hospital back to normal admissions, surgeries after early morning transformer fire caused damage

Memphis-area speller eliminated in quarterfinals of national bee

jcallahan@dailymemphian.com (Jody Callahan) — Wed, 27 May 2026 21:17:12 -0500

Josh Verma’s quest to win the Scripps National Spelling Bee has come to an end.

Memphis-area 5th grader advances to National Spelling Bee quarterfinals

jcallahan@dailymemphian.com (Jody Callahan) — Wed, 27 May 2026 07:10:47 -0500

At 11 years old, Josh Verma, a Memphis-area elementary student, has made it to the quarterfinals of the Scripps National Spelling Bee being held this week in Washington, D.C.

Spelling star aims for top prize at third straight trip to national bee in DC

jcallahan@dailymemphian.com (Jody Callahan) — Sun, 24 May 2026 04:00:07 -0500

Farmington Elementary student Josh Verma hopes to be the fourth Memphis-area student to win the whole thing.

Mom! Dad! It's Mickey Mouse!

jcallahan@dailymemphian.com (Jody Callahan) — Sat, 23 May 2026 14:29:25 -0500

The Children’s Museum of Memphis opened a new interactive Disney exhibit that officials hope will draw tens of thousands of extra visitors to the Midtown facility.

National Civil Rights Museum opens $55M 'Legacy Experience'

jcallahan@dailymemphian.com (Jody Callahan) — Thu, 21 May 2026 21:49:07 -0500

NCRM officially unveiled its $55 million renovation of the former boarding house where James Earl Ray fired the shot that killed Martin Luther King Jr. on April 4, 1968.

TBI investigating second fatality involving Task Force in a week

jcallahan@dailymemphian.com (Jody Callahan) — Thu, 21 May 2026 18:48:58 -0500

In the latest incident, task force agents responded to a call at a Memphis-area residence Wednesday evening.

Newby's is back from the dead — again

jcallahan@dailymemphian.com (Jody Callahan) — Sat, 16 May 2026 18:14:42 -0500

Despite being declared dead at least twice before, Newby’s could reopen on the Highland Strip as soon as mid-June with a new owner.