A new collaboration between Cxffeeblack and Castle Retail Group will expand the Black-owned coffee brand’s reach, but the deal goes beyond the shelf, principals said.
Cxffeeblack’s products will now be found in Cash Saver stores, High Point Grocery, and South Point Grocery. The deal will also make Cxffeeblack the wholesale coffee provider for the in-house coffee shop at Castle Retail Group’s upcoming location, South Point Grocery at Silo Square in Southaven.
“This isn’t just about coffee on a shelf,” said Bartholomew Jones, founder of Cxffeeblack. “This is about partnership. About seeing each other. About making sure our kids and grandkids don’t have to fight the same battles we did. And most importantly, it’s about Memphis. Because Memphis is not just a place where things happen — it’s a place where the future is being built.”
The partnership “ensures that Memphis-grown Black coffee culture continues to expand,” the companies said in a statement.
“This is the kind of partnership that can change a city,” said Rick James, owner of Castle Retail Group. “Too often, we let barriers divide us — race, neighborhood, history — but at the root, our stories are more connected than we think. We’re all tied to the land, to labor, and to the pursuit of dignity. That’s what this is about.”
The woman who sought to steal Graceland from the Presley family pleaded guilty to fraud charges in court Tuesday.
According to court documents, Lisa Jeanine Findley, 53, of Kimberling City, Missouri, orchestrated a scheme to conduct a fraudulent sale of Graceland — using a fake company, forged documents, and false court filings.
Findley falsely claimed that Elvis Presley’s daughter had pledged Graceland as collateral for a loan that she failed to repay before her death. Findley threatened to foreclose on Graceland and auction it to the highest bidder if Presley’s family did not pay or settle the claim against the estate.
In court, Findley pleaded guilty to one count of mail fraud. She is scheduled to be sentenced on June 18th and faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence.
Germantown ticketed Alexis Luttrell, saying her decorations were against city law. (Credit: FIRE)
A Germantown resident sued the suburb in federal court Wednesday after she was cited by the city for her Christmas decorations.
Alexis Luttrell was popped by the city late last year because her Christmas decorations included skeletons. A photo of the scene shows a simulated human skeleton wearing a red-and-green tutu holding a leash of garlands attached to a skeleton dog wearing a Christmas tree hat.
Germantown ticketed Alexis Luttrell, saying her decorations were against city law. (Credit: FIRE)
But the city of Germantown says the display is against city code. It even has a law against it on the books.
According to the Luttrell lawsuit, Germantown law says that decorations “shall not be installed or placed more than 45 days before the date of the holiday for which said decorations are intended and shall be removed within a reasonable period of time, not to exceed 30 days, following the date of the holiday for which said decorations were intended. Holiday lights, even if not illuminated, are not permitted to remain on any house or structure year-round.”
But Luttrell thinks the law is a violation of her First-Amendment right to free speech. She sued the city in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Tennessee. Aiding Luttrell in the suit are lawyers from the Philadelphia-based Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE).
“There is simply no good reason for the government to care how and when a resident celebrates a holiday in their own front yard,” said FIRE attorney Colin McDonell. “When government officials try to stop that resident from expressing their holiday spirit to others, that violates the First Amendment.”
Luttrell’s skeletons went up in October for Halloween. Later, they held political signs for Election Day. In December, though, a Germantown code enforcement agent left a notice that the skeletons violated city law. She dressed them up for Christmas anyway.
In early January, Luttrell got a citation from the city, reminding her the skeletons still violated city law. If she didn’t pay the ticket, she’d have to appear before a judge this month. If she was found guilty, she’d be fined, and given a court order that she could never use skeletons in her holiday displays. City officials, she was told, could even enter her property and forcibly remove the skeletons.
“You don’t have to like my decorations, but that doesn’t mean Germantown has the right to force me to take them down,” Luttrell said in a statement. “This is America. Even our local government has to respect our rights.”
FIRE says the ordinance is unconstitutional, and that city governments can impose restrictions on displays that address safety, noise, or light pollution, but Germantown’ telling residents how and when they must celebrate a holiday’s law “is simply targeting protected expression.”
Luttrell’s skeletons are still up as of Wednesday, dressed in a “Love Is Love” theme for Valentine’s Day. She plans to costume them for St. Patrick’s Day, Easter, and Pride Month.
“Perhaps for President’s Day, I’ll dress the skeleton like a Founding Father and give him a copy of the Constitution,” said Luttrell. “Maybe a visual display will make it finally sink in when they ask me to tear it down.”
“I took it upon myself to study the faces of Memphis fans after this [Isaiah Hartenstein] dunk and it was pure gold,” tweeted OKC Thunder Gal during the Grizzlies loss to Thunder last Saturday.
Super Tigers
Posted to X by Memphis Football
“[University of Memphis] is now 4th all-time with 75 points scored in Super Bowl history!” Memphis Football posted to X after Super Bowl LIX last weekend.
Three former Tigers — Kenneth Gainwell, Bryce Huff, and Jake Elliott — suited up for the Philadelphia Eagles in the game.
Showboatin’
Posted to X by Memphis Showboats
If you’re sad to see football’s end, the Memphis Showboats got you. Their UFL season kicks off at Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium on March 30th against the Michigan Panthers. Go Boats!
The Greater Memphis Chamber's tribute to the xAI decision to move to Memphis last year. (Credit: Greater Memphis Chamber via X)
Posted to X this week by Elon Musk
State Democrats are taking aim at Memphis businessman Elon Musk’s activities involving government benefits and sensitive government data at the federal level.
House Democratic Leader Rep. Karen Camper (D-Memphis) asked Tennessee General Attorney Jonathan Skrmetti and the District Attorneys General Conference to investigate Musk’s “potential unauthorized access and misuse of sensitive federal data.”
Meanwhile, state Sen. Jeff Yarbro (D-Nashville) and state Rep. Jason Powell (D-Nashville) filed a bill to “hold people accountable for unlawfully interfering with the distribution of government benefits that Tennessee families rely on.”
Last year, Musk’s company xAI chose Memphis as the site of his massive artificial intelligence facility. The site powers Grok, the AI program from X.
Camper on sensitive data
Camper sent a formal letter to Skrmetti and the conference Tuesday to investigate press reports of Musk’s activities through his new Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). Report say Musk and his office have wide-ranging access to federal payment systems and personnel files of government employees. Camper said these activities could cause data breaches of sensitive information affecting Tennesseans and Tennessee-based federal employees.
Specifically, Camper wants the AG to review:
• If any data on Tennesseans of Tennessee-based employees has been accessed or extracted in DOGE’s activities.
• Where is this data now stored and who has custody over it?
• What is the chain of custody for such data?
• Has any data been given to any agency prohibited from handling such information?
“Additionally, considering Mr. Musk’s public statements regarding his desire to see the United States default on its debts and his history of data misuse for personal gain, it is imperative that he be deposed regarding his intent and purpose in accessing these systems,” Camper wrote in her letter. “The risk of a ‘shock default’ — where the U.S. could default without actionable warning to Congress — poses a serious national security and economic threat that must not be ignored.”
Also, Camper said if Musk was not authorized to access federal Office of Personnel Management (OPM) systems, including disciplinary records, this could allow federal workers grounds to contest or block disciplinary actions.
The STOP ELON Act
The Trump administration also caused a national shockwave of confusion last week as it paused federal funding to nearly every agency served by the federal government. This meant funds to any government contractor, like nonprofits or research groups, was halted, though they rely on that funding to continue work.
This policy decision came from Musk’s DOGE. President Donald Trump reversed course on the matter after nationwide concerns on how business could get done.
For this, Tennessee lawmakers Yarbro and Powell introduced the Shielding Tennesseans from Oligarchic Power & Eliminating Lawless Obstruction of Necessities Act (The STOP ELON Act).
The bill would create criminal penalties and a private right of civil action against any individual who obstructs or denies access to federal, state, or local government benefits, including Social Security payments, Medicare benefits, grants, and other financial distributions.
“If Elon Musk illegally hurts Tennesseans, he should go to jail regardless of being a trillionaire or whatever and regardless of whether he’s got a permission slip from the president,” Yarbro said in a statement. “Whether through malice or incompetence, if he unlawfully blocks our citizens from getting their Social Security checks or reimbursement from Medicaid or Medicare, his vast wealth should be on the table to compensate the people who get hurt.”
Rep. Powell emphasized the intent of the bill is to prevent abuses of power and ensure accountability, regardless of a person’s wealth or connections.
The law would put fines and prison time on those who would obstruct lawful government payments. Obstructions of benefits valued at $1,000 or less would be a Class A misdemeanor. As the amount of benefits go up, so do the fines and penalties, up to $250,000 and prison time. Those harmed would be given a legal pathway to sue for damages in state courts.
“Tennesseans who work hard and play by the rules should never have to worry about a billionaire meddling in their financial security,” said Powell in a statement. “People like Elon Musk need to understand that they are not invincible and the STOP ELON Act makes it crystal clear — no one is above the law. If you interfere with a person’s rightful benefits, you will be held accountable.”
It’s not yet known how state Republicans will respond to Camper’s request or the STOP ELON Act. However, House Majority Leader Rep. William Lamberth (R-Portland) reposted this from Musk on X Tuesday.
The Beale Street Music Festival (BSMF) will not return this summer but leaders say they are working to stage a festival in 2026.
Memphis In May International Festival (MIM) formally announced the news on Facebook Wednesday evening. Leaders there cited “major challenges since” Covid as one reason for the pause. But they said all other MIM events are a go this year.
Here’s what they said online:
“The Beale Street Music Fest has been paused for Summer 2025.
“The festival industry itself has seen major challenges since COVID but is currently seeing lots of new trends and opportunities that would allow music festivals to continue thriving in the years ahead.
“The pause on BSMF is temporary as it allows us to take a step back and reimagine the event to ensure we are providing the same premier experience for festival attendees as they have received in the past.
“Plans are already underway for the BSMF to return in summer 2026 with a greater impact to the city of Memphis.
“The Memphis In May International Festival is the only festival founded by volunteers to celebrate the city of Memphis and all the good things this city has to offer, and we plan to continue that tradition for years to come. #TeamMemphisInMay“
“Mwelu wanted to share his outfit of the day,” the Memphis Zoo said in an X post. “Is he rockin’ the Snoopy fitted sheet or what?”
Super Bowl-Bound
Posted to X by Memphis Zoo
Three former University of Memphis Tigers will suit up for the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LIX this weekend. Kenneth Gainwell, Bryce Huff, and Jake Elliott (above) all wore Tiger blue.
Grammy winner
Posted by Memphis-Shelby County Schools
Adrian Maclin, choir director at Cordova High School, earned the Grammy’s 2025 Music Educator Award last week. “Known for his philosophy of fostering a ‘choir family’ rather than just a choir class, Maclin emphasizes life lessons alongside musical excellence,” Memphis-Shelby County Schools said in a post on its website. “His dedication has had a positive impact on so many students, and many consider him a father figure in their lives.”
State and local groups are denouncing the recent distribution of racist flyers promoting white supremacy groups in Memphis.
The flyers have been seen around the city in the past few days, according to the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) and The NAACP Memphis Branch. They allegedly show anti-immigrant images and are similar to ones seen recently in other Tennessee cities, Ohio, and Virginia.
CAIR said one flyer promotes the Ku Klux Klan. Another promotes “another white supremacist group.” Such flyers for Patriot Front have recently surfaced in other areas.
Public images of the flyers online are scarce. Some that were posted on social media were removed for their content. This was the case for the Ludlow (Kentucky) Police Department that said, “after some discussion we have decided to take down the flyer because it serves no real purpose but we will keep this post up.”
“We are aware and have already taken one report for this disturbing and disgusting KKK propaganda that is being passed around our community,” the agency said on Facebook. “This hateful garbage has been turning up in other cities as well.”
One flyer from the KKK shows Uncle Sam kicking people with the phrase, “Leave now. Self deport.” Another shows Uncle Sam with his foot on a cage full of people with the same phrase and, “Americans on guard. Help us protect our homeland.”
The NAACP described the distribution of the flyers as “cowardly acts.” Those responsible party’s “attempt to divide us will not succeed.”
Credit: NAACP Memphis Branch
“These actions are deeply offensive to the values of equality, unity, and justice that our community hold dear,” said NAACP Memphis Branch president Kermit Moore. “The circulation of such vile propaganda under the name ‘The Ram of the Knights’ seeks to intimidate, sow fear, and divide our city at a time we must come together to address critical challenges and uplift one another.
“The reprehensible act reminds us of the ongoing presence of hatred and racism that we must confront and dismantle with unwavering resolve.”
The group asked local leaders and agencies to condemn the flyers and asked local police to investigate the matter.
CAIR has condemned similar racist and white supremacist activity in Tennessee and around the country in recent years. The group echoed the sentiment of the NAACP.
“This type of hate propaganda will not succeed in intimidating or dividing the communities of Memphis or any other American city,” said CAIR national communications director Ibrahim Hooper.
The Memphis In May World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest (MIM) is adding steak to its competition list with a top prize of $3,000.
MIM announced the addition of the Steak Cookout Competition Thursday morning. It’s a partnership with the Steak Cookout Association and a first for MIM.
“For 47 years now, the World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest teams have continued to bring excitement and immense competition during the Memphis in May International Festival celebration,” said Mack Weaver, MIM president and CEO. “We are thrilled to partner with the Steak Cookoff Association (SCA) to expand opportunities for our teams to earn more cash and notoriety.”
The total purse for the steak contest is $6,000. The prize money is broken down like this:
• 1st place – $3,000
• 2nd place – $1,500
• 3rd place – $1,000
• 4th place – $500
Winners also earn an automatic entry into the Steak Cookoff Association World Championship in Fort Worth, Texas.
“It’s long been a goal of ours to have an SCA Cookoff at Memphis in May,” said SCA founder Ken Phillips. “The cooks and judges are very excited about the opportunity. I look forward to a long and successful collaboration.”
The Steak Cookoff Competition will take place during the Memphis in May International Festival on Thursday, May 15, 2025, at Liberty Park. Cost for teams to compete is $150.
