〽️ Father's Day Weekend in the 901

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Good afternoon, Memphians! Welcome to the This is Memphis newsletter, where we have more hot (rib) tips than your favorite BBQ joint. 🥩 

We hope you’re gearing up for a (hot) Father’s Day this weekend.

In today’s newsletter:

• Supreme Court sides with Starbucks over Memphis 7

• RIP to Jerry West

• What to do in the 901 this weekend

• Top 3 Memphians of all time

And much more! Let’s get to it.

-Jonah Baer & Reuben Skahill

🗞️ The Digest

Supreme Court sides with Starbucks in ‘Memphis 7’ Union Case ⚖️

Forget the Memphis 13, this note is about the Memphis 7. The Supreme Court ruled in favor of Starbucks in the high-profile "Memphis 7" union case (7 Memphis Starbucks employees who were fired unexpectedly), impacting the Biden administration's labor agenda. This decision requires courts to apply a stricter four-factor test before reinstating fired workers, complicating efforts to protect union organizers like the Memphis 7.

State of Tennessee not involved in xAI deal 🤖 

Memphis is on its own with the xAI deal, said Governor Bill Lee on a visit to Memphis yesterday. He said that xAI did not approach the state Economic & Community Development as most big companies do. No surprise from Musk, not doing things like most others.

MSCS board pauses plans to cut 1000+ jobs 👀 

At Tuesday’s special board meeting, it ended with the board passing a resolution to halt the superintendent’s plans to cut jobs until further review of the budget. The school board claimed that the plan and budget were not fully discussed. Learn more here.

On the other side, the University of Memphis is officially operating its own school district and launching new schools in the future, in addition to their current offering of University Schools (which just had the highest overall pass rate of any school system in the state). Read more here.

_{P.S. - Like this type of coverage or want us to go deeper on a particular story? Reply and let us know what you think. :)}

〽️ A Taste of Memphis History

RIP to the NBA logo… Jerry West!

West, an absolute NBA legend, joined the Grizzlies in 2002 as the team’s President of Basketball Operations. He brought his expertise and reputation to Memphis and was instrumental in acquiring key players and reshaping the team's culture, leading the Grizzlies to their first playoff appearances in the mid 2000s. Memphis will always be thankful for his time here!

(P.S. If you have interesting Memphis history to share with us, we’d love to hear from you!)

🤸 9 Things To Do in the 901 This Weekend

There are tons of cool things to do in the M this weekend. Get out there and see all Memphis has to offer!

• Juneteenth Family Reunion Weekend | June 14-16 | Orange Mound Tower
  
  TONE’s annual Juneteenth Family Reunion is a weekend long celebration of the emancipation of our ancestors. They host several events like our spades tournament and gala. They end the weekend with the Juneteenth Festival and afterparty with Curren$y, Juicy J, Hitkidd, and more.
  
  Festival cost: $12
  Learn more here.
  

• Kix on Beale - Ft. Locash with Runaway June | Thursday, 7:30 PM | Handy Park
  
  This summer, Kix on Beale celebrates 20 years with six free shows in Handy Park.  All ages are welcome and the shows start each day at 7:30 p.m. 
  
  Cost: FREE
  

• Peabody Rooftop Party | Thursday, 7 PM | Peabody Rooftop
  
  Every Thursday night. All Summer long. Get downtown tonight if you want some drinks and amazing views!
  

• Free Concert Series at The Shell | Thursday, Friday, and Saturday at 7 PM | Overton Park Shell
  
  The free concerts at the historic bandshell is a beloved tradition. Sit back in the grass or in your lawn chair and enjoy a nights of funk, soul, hip-hop, house music and more. Check out Cedric Burnside tonight (Thursday), Lamont Landers on Friday, and Blvck Hippie on Saturday.
  
  Cost: FREE
  

• Shotgun Entertainment MMA Fighting Championships | Saturday, 7 PM | Landers Center
  
  Exciting Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) action returns to the Grand Hall at Landers Center. See the next generation of MMA stars!
  

• Water Lantern Festival | Saturday, 5:30 PM - 9:30 PM | Shelby Farms Park
  
  The Water Lantern Festival is bringing people together for a celebration of light and community! This unforgettable evening will be filled with tasty food trucks, fun music, activities, and thousands of lanterns lighting up the night with love, hope, and happiness. A perfect date night!
  
  Cost: $34
  Get your tickets here.
  

• 901 FC vs. New Mexico United | Saturday, 7:30 PM | AutoZone Park
  
  Check out the Beale Street boys in action this weekend in their home matchup against New Mexico United.
  

• Memphis Vegan Festival | Sunday, 11 AM - 6 PM | Fourth Bluff Park
  
  Join us for a day full of Vegan Food, Live Entertainment, and a marketplace featuring local businesses, plant-based health & beauty products, clothing and accessories.
  
  Cost: FREE
  

• Father’s Day Events | Sunday All Day | All over the city!

  
  Looking for ideas for Father’s Day but don’t have plans? Check out this guide from I Love Memphis for events all over the city ranging from brunches and beers to riverboat cruises and games.
  
  Check out the guide here.

📸 Photo of the Week

📸 @deepcityvisuals | Ever catch a Redbirds game from this angle?

DM us on Instagram to have your photography showcased in the newsletter!

📰 Instagram Post of the Week

We asked on Instagram who you thought were the top 3 most famous Memphians of all time? Over 300 of you responded! 🤯 

There were many of the same names you would expect.

Here are some of my favorite replies (some serious, some not):

• Al Greene, Isaac Hayes, and Kathy Bates

• Kemmons Wilson (Holiday Inn founder), Fred Smith (FedEx), and Clarence Saunders (modern supermarket)

• BB King, Justin Timberlake, and Elvis Presley

• And my personal favorite: Nahon, Saharovich, & Trotz 😆 

Who are your top 3 most famous Memphians? 👀 

Reply to this email and let us know what you think!

🌡️ WEEKEND WEATHER

Friday

95 🌡️ 73 | ☀️ | 4%

Saturday

94 🌡️ 73 | ⛅️ | 15%

Sunday

96🌡️ 76 | 🌤️ | 17%

THANK YOU MEMPHIS!

Thanks for reading the This is Memphis newsletter today. Please share it with someone who loves Memphis.

And please reply to this email with anything else you’d love to see from us in the future or any feedback. We LOVE hearing from you.

See you next Thursday!

The This is Memphis Team