The AM/DM

May traditions, old and new

Two longtime Memphis events [https://dailymemphian.com/section/arts-culturethe-to-do-list/article/63046/memphis-to-do-list-great-american-river-run-sunset-symphony-lemon-drop-festival] return this weekend, right in time for Memorial Day. The first is the Great American River Run, which is hosted by Memphis in May International Festival and starts and finishes Downtown. The second is the Sunset Symphony, now held at the Overton Park Shell, with the Memphis Symphony Orchestra. In between, there's a show you can't bring your phone to and a festival for lemon-drop-lovers. Newsletter editor Bianca Phillips joins us today to talk about what you might want to do. Plus: * A Memphis man is granted a 1-year stay after his execution was called off [https://dailymemphian.com/section/metropublic-safety/article/63170/tennessee-halts-mans-execution] * The Memphis Airport is in the early planning stages of a new rental-car facility [https://dailymemphian.com/section/businesstransportationlogistics/article/63163/memphis-international-airport-board-2027-budget] * Novel bookstore workers approve a union [https://dailymemphian.com/section/business/article/63147/novel-bookstore-workers-in-east-memphis-approve-union] * An immigrant rights group sues the Tennessee Highway Patrol over traffic stops in Memphis and Nashville [https://dailymemphian.com/section/metropublic-safety/article/63151/tennessee-immigrant-and-refugee-rights-rights-coalition-sues-highway-patrol] * The Lakeland School System approves the 2026-2027 budget [https://dailymemphian.com/subscriber/section/metroeducation/article/63088/lakeland-school-system-approves-2026-27-budget] * The Tsunami building goes on the market [https://dailymemphian.com/subscriber/section/businessreal-estate/article/63123/memphis-restaurant-tsunami-building-for-sale-cooper-young]

How Regional One saved a police sergeant's leg

More than a month ago, Marion police sergeant Darrell Prewitt became the victim of a high-speed collision on Interstate 40. The impact left his left leg hanging on by just a muscle. These days, however, he's back on two healthy legs, after being taken to the Regional Medical Center at Memphis and undergoing six surgeries. Today, health care reporter Steve Bohnel joins us to talk about this story [https://dailymemphian.com/subscriber/section/businesshealth-care/article/62532/dont-give-on-yourself-arkansas-police-officer]. And, a warning, this podcast contains graphic descriptions of a limb-threatening injury, so it may not be for the most squeamish of listeners. Plus: * John Isner and Sam Querrey will play a special exhibition in Memphis [https://dailymemphian.com/section/sports/article/63135/geoff-calkins-john-isner-and-sam-querrey-memphis-classic] * Whitehaven YMCA's public pool opens with a promise of free swim lessons [https://dailymemphian.com/section/metrocity-of-memphis/article/63091/whitehaven-ymca-public-pool-opens-free-swim-lessons] * NAACP calls for a college boycott [https://dailymemphian.com/subscriber/section/metrostate-government/article/63095/aclu-brings-in-outside-attorneys-to-argue-against] * Only MSCS third-graders at risk of retention are to retake the TCAP exam on the last days of school [https://dailymemphian.com/section/metroeducation/article/63080/only-some-mscs-third-graders-retake-tcap]

Spotlight on a mini Memphis

At 516 Tillman St. in Binghampton, there's a mini Memphis. It's the Junior Achievement of Memphis and the Mid-South's Wang Experiential Learning Center, where fifth- and sixth-graders get to explore future careers and #adulting. Today, writer John Klyce joins us to talk about JA Biztown, and why it's so important [https://dailymemphian.com/subscriber/section/business/article/62548/ja-biztown-junior-achievement-memphis-uthsc-university-of-tennessee-health-science-center]. Plus: * Outdoors Inc. is closing its landmark East Memphis store [https://dailymemphian.com/subscriber/section/businessreal-estate/article/63035/memphis-outdoors-inc-store-closing-joe-royer] * The DA releases footage of police spraying protestors and fellow officers during the No Kings march [https://dailymemphian.com/section/metrocity-of-memphis/article/63065/da-releases-footage-of-police-spraying-protesters] * A jury convicts a man of manslaughter in a 2022 road rage stabbing of a Memphis chef [https://dailymemphian.com/section/metropublic-safety/article/63070/jury-convicts-man-of-manslaughter-in-2022-memphis-road-rage-killing] * New rules for county "community" grants heads to committee [https://dailymemphian.com/section/metroshelby-county/article/63074/shelby-county-commission-rewrites-rules-for-community-grants]

After 20 years holding federal office, Cohen drops out

After the Tennessee legislature redrew the state's congressional districts [https://dailymemphian.com/section/metroelections/article/63001/latest-tennessee-redistricting-news] during a three-day special session, it left District 9 incumbent Steve Cohen and democratic challenger Justin J. Pearson living in District 5. The two are still allowed to run in August's District 9 primary, for which they were both already certified. Pearson plans to do so. But Cohen announced last week that he was dropping out of the race, saying it was the most difficult moment he's had as an elected official. Longtime political reporter Bill Dries joins us today to talk about Cohen's legacy and how the three congressional races are shaping up. Plus: * A former Grizz Girl is fighting cancer at Methodist University Hospital [https://dailymemphian.com/subscriber/article/63029/calkins-methodist-hospital-flash-mob-brittnye-ostrom-robinson] * A lawfirm that helped reverse affirmative action may aid TN in defending new congressional maps [https://dailymemphian.com/section/metrostate-government/article/63022/memphis-redistricting-us-supreme-court-voting-rights-act?streamId=63001] * Mississippi Governor Reeves calls off a special session but still says redistricting is expected before 2027 elections [https://dailymemphian.com/subscriber/section/metroelections/article/63004/mississippi-redistricting-legislative-tate-reeves-bennie-thompson] * A Mississippi state Representative has been arrested in Hernando [https://dailymemphian.com/section/suburbsnorth-mississippi/article/63023/mississippi-state-rep-jeff-hale-arrested-hernando]

A week for Hope?

As we prepare to go into our new work week, it's with summer on our minds. The Shelby County Board of Commissioners will meet after having heard Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris' budget for the new fiscal year, which begins July 1. School ends for all Shelby County public school systems this week, though on different days. And the Memphis Hope Festival is Friday. Newsletter editor Bianca Phillips is here today to tell us all about it [https://dailymemphian.com/article/62907/this-week-in-memphis-summer-break-redistricting-court-hearing]. Plus: * Cohen calls off his congressional reelection campaign [https://dailymemphian.com/section/metrostate-government/article/62992/cohen-calls-off-congressional-reelection-campaign] * The final suspect in the Young Dolph slaying gets a 20-year sentence [https://dailymemphian.com/section/metropublic-safety/article/62986/final-suspect-in-young-dolph-slaying-gets-20-year] * Memphis in May has a back-to-back winner for the first time in 42 years [https://dailymemphian.com/section/foodfood-news/article/63006/memphis-in-may-world-championship-barbecue-cooking-contest-has-a-back-to-back-winner] * A federal judge rules against Tennessee Democrats in a suit over the new congressional map [https://dailymemphian.com/section/metrostate-government/article/62969/federal-judge-favors-tennesseee-congressional-map-injunction-lawsuit] * A man killed by a MSTF agent was wanted on aggravated assault and burglary charges [https://dailymemphian.com/section/metropublic-safety/article/62937/man-killed-by-mstf-agent-wanted-on-aggravated-assault] * A new artist lounge will help the Overton Park Shell preserve its past and plan for the next 90 years [https://dailymemphian.com/subscriber/section/businessreal-estate/article/62921/new-artist-lounge-will-help-overton-park-shell]