Scientists at the Memphis Zoo have — for the first time in the world — successfully produced the first reptile offspring using frozen semen and artificial insemination.
The team achieved the feat through its work to preserve the Louisiana pinesnake. The Memphis Zoo’s Science team is led by Dr. Steve Reichling, Beth Roberts, and previous post-doctoral scientist Dr. Mark Sandfoss. The team collected, froze, and later thawed semen, which was then used to successfully inseminate a female Louisiana pinesnake.
Credit: Memphis Zoo
“Today, the future of endangered reptiles got a little brighter,” Reichling said.
Reptiles are often overlooked in such breeding methods, the zoo said in a news release. The concept of a “frozen zoo” has primarily focused on mammals, birds, and amphibians. The zoo’s method used in snakes demonstrated its potential in reptile conservation worldwide, it said.
“The emergence of these three hatchlings summed up five years of reproductive research and 30 years of Memphis Zoo’s use of cutting-edge science and dedication to save the Louisiana pinesnake from extinction,” said Roberts, Senior Reproductive Scientist at Memphis Zoo.
Testing at Auburn University confirmed that the offspring were sired by the male snake donor.
“We see this success as a huge step forward to enable future efforts to improve the genetic health of this species and other threatened reptile species,” said Dr. Tonia Schwartz, Associate Professor in Auburn’s Department of Biological Sciences.
Credit: Memphis Zoo
The Louisiana pinesnake is one of the rarest snakes in North America. Habitat loss continues to threaten their survival. So, researchers said the ability to use frozen semen offers new hope for maintaining genetic diversity in the species and ensuring its long-term survival. The zoo team plans to continue its work in reptile conservation, building on its research, and collaborating with other institutions worldwide.
Credit: Memphis Zoo
“Memphis Zoo is setting an example for the global community,” said Sandfoss, who spearheaded the research. “We’ve shown that it’s possible to use cryopreserved genetic material to aid in the recovery of an endangered species, paving the way for similar efforts with other reptile species in the future.”
Carol Coletta, Memphis River Parks Partnership President and CEO (Photo: Memphis River Parks Partnership)
Carol Coletta will step down as CEO of the Memphis River Parks Partnership (MRPP) and the board will soon begin a nationwide search for her successor.
Coletta, a Memphis native, helmed the organization since 2018. During her time, the group completed four major projects — River Garden, Fourth Bluff Park, River Line, and Tom Lee Park. Together, the projects totaled more than $80 million. Coletta told MRPP board members those projects were delivered “on budget and on time.”
“We have done amazing work together,” she said. “It has been the greatest honor of my life to work with you, our fantastic team, and our generous donors to begin the work of making a riverfront worthy of our magnificent river.
“We’ve completed four major projects on budget and on time. We did it in only six years. We have attracted more than one million people to the new Tom Lee Park in its first year. We have another major project, The Flyway, underway that will significantly increase that number.”
Memphis-based Adams Keegan will conduct the search for Coletta’s replacement, set to begin next month. The search is expected to conclude by year’s end.
The transformation of Tom Lee Park was easily Coletta’s biggest and highest-profile project in her term at MRPP. The project was lauded by many local officials and business owners, urban design firms, and media. Fast Company, for example, called it one of the top three urban design World Changing ideas.
The new park also had detractors, especially Memphis in May (MIM), which fought the design, even through a forced mediation process from then-Memphis Mayor Jim Strickland. MIM blamed the new design on dwindling attendance and a few years of financial losses.
Coletta said she will “support the [MRPP] in any way I am needed until the board finds the right leader.”
“There is exciting work ahead, and [MRPP] is well-positioned and committed to getting it done,” said Coletta. “To maximize the value of our riverfront, it must be better connected to Downtown and nearby neighborhoods. We also have a big opportunity to activate our harbor, and Mud Island needs a successful, sustainable future.
“The next seven years of work will be just as tough as the last seven. But the results will have as much impact — maybe more — than anything we’ve done to date. This is an intense and rewarding job for someone who will start and finish this work and who will own it all the way to completion.”
Credit: University of Memphis I The project is being led by Eddie Jacobs, a senior researcher at the Center for Applied Earth Science and Engineering Research.
Successfully operating a drone in heavy rain or extreme wind conditions has long been a challenge, but a new, multi-million-dollar project at the University of Memphis could soon change that.
The university has secured a $9.2 million contract from the U.S. Navy to design and construct a cutting-edge facility on Presidents Island aimed at developing and testing drones capable of performing under adverse weather conditions. An additional $21.18 million in U.S. Navy funding over two years will develop a wind wall with variable airflow patterns for testing aerial drones. The majority of this work will be conducted in Memphis, with portions of the project also being carried out in Tucson, Arizona; Orlando, Florida; and Columbia, Missouri.
The facility, sponsored by the Office of Naval Research and the Naval Surface Warfare Center – Carderock Division, will be located on President’s Island at the William Morgan Large Cavitation Channel. This project, still in its early planning stages, underscores the U of M’s commitment to advancing technological innovation and contributing to national defense efforts.
“This project is the latest in an ongoing effort by the University of Memphis to develop intentional research-focused collaborations with the Naval Surface Warfare Center – Carderock,” said Cody Behles, Executive Director of Research and Innovation Development at the University of Memphis’ Division of Research & Innovation. “The Memphis Institute for National Defense Sciences at the University of Memphis helps coordinate opportunities in partnership with the offices of the Tennessee Congressional Delegation. Their collaboration and continued support are vital to get projects such as this off the ground.”
The project is being led by Eddie Jacobs, a senior researcher at the Center for Applied Earth Science and Engineering Research (CAESER) and professor of electrical and computer engineering in the Herff College of Engineering. The U of M will collaborate with researchers from the University of Arizona, the University of Central Florida, and the University of Missouri-Kansas City.
“The William Morgan Large Cavitation Channel is already a unique facility for testing ship and submarine components,” Jacobs explained. “We now have the incredible opportunity to help build another unique facility for testing unmanned aerial systems (drones) in this space, greatly expanding the Navy’s ability to develop and test these systems.”
Jacobs highlighted the potential of the new Unmanned Systems Degraded Environment Facility (USDEF) to significantly enhance the performance of unmanned systems in challenging environments, with far-reaching implications for both military and civilian applications.
“When flying drones, we are often restricted to days that have calm winds and no rain,” Jacobs said. “We will be able to accurately control the wind and generate rain in this new facility. This will help us design and test drones that can operate under more challenging conditions.”
U.S. Rep. Steve Cohen (D-Memphis) said he’s long supported the U of M’s “headlong leap into the unmanned aerial technologies of the future.”
“This Navy contract will demonstrate the university’s critical national role in developing and testing these technologies, while helping create the cutting-edge aviation workforce of the mid- and late-21st century,” he said in a statement.
A February Truth Social post by former president and convicted felon Donald Trump resurfaced last week. We’re not sure exactly why, but we thought you ought to see it.
Trump claimed people have said he looks like Elvis Presley for years, posted a photo of himself and Presley side by side, and asked his followers what they thought.
Live Cam
Posted on Earthcam by Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium
Over the weekend, Memphis Reddit users debated the only real question: Do you call the Young Avenue Deli “The Deli” or “Young Ave.”? Results were mixed with younger folks mostly opting for “Young Ave.” Older respondents and Cooper-Youngers largely preferred “The Deli.”
Credit: Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security
Tennessee driver’s licenses have a new look, new security features, and new self-service kiosks that may mean shorter times to get them.
The Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security (TDOSHS) started issuing the new licenses Monday. The colorful new cards feature a stylized version of Tennessee’s historic State Capitol Building and state flag. However, the driver’s photo is in black and white.
The new design features an inlay of tight, wavy lines meant to make it hard for them to be photo-scanned or easily reproduced. They also feature a new printing method that overlaps data, graphics, and laser-engraved elements that will show if a license has been altered or is fake.
The back of the card has a barcode, which contains all of the driver’s information. The back also includes a mini “ghost image” repeated from the photograph to help reduce identity theft.
Credit: Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security
Many of the new elements make them more difficult to “counterfeit, alter, or duplicate,” said TDOSHS Commissioner Jeff Long. All in all, the measures “help prevent theft and fraud and help keep your identity safe.”
All current licenses are valid until their expiration dates. So, drivers do not need to rush out to get a license with the new design.
New kiosks at many Driver Service Centers across the state will allow drivers to self-serve a host of transactions. At the kiosks, drivers can renew or replace a license or ID card, change their address, update emergency contact information, advance a teen/graduate driver’s license, pay reinstatement fees, and request a license reissue. The new kiosks can take photos and process payments with Apple Pay, Google Pay, and credit and debit cards.
Suspicious minds at the U.S. Attorney’s Office found a Missouri woman was a devil in disguise for a fraud scheme against Elvis Presley’s family that may now have her singing “Jailhouse Rock.”
Lisa Jeanine Findley (also known as Lisa Holden, Lisa Howell, Gregory Naussany, Kurt Naussany, Lisa Jeanine Sullins, and Carolyn Williams), 53, was arrested Friday morning for an attempt to steal the Presley family’s ownership in Graceland. The woman will appear later today in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Missouri.
“As alleged in the complaint, the defendant orchestrated a scheme to conduct a fraudulent sale of Graceland, falsely claiming that Elvis Presley’s daughter had pledged the historic landmark as collateral for a loan that she failed to repay before her death,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri, head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “As part of the brazen scheme, we allege that the defendant created numerous false documents and sought to extort a settlement from the Presley family. Now she is facing federal charges. The Criminal Division and its partners are committed to holding fraudsters to account.”
According to court documents, Findley allegedly posed as three different individuals affiliated with a fictitious private lender named Naussany Investments & Private Lending LLC. Findley allegedly claimed falsely that Lisa Marie Presley had borrowed $3.8 million in 2018 from Naussany Investments, pledged Graceland as collateral for the loan, and failed to repay the debt.
To settle the purported claim, Findley allegedly sought $2.8 million from Elvis Presley’s family. She allegedly fabricated loan documents on which Findley forged the signatures of Elvis Presley’s daughter and a Florida State notary public.
She then allegedly filed a false creditor’s claim with the Superior Court of California in Los Angeles, and a fake deed of trust with the Shelby County Register’s Office in Memphis. Findley also allegedly published a fraudulent foreclosure notice in The Commercial Appeal, announcing that Naussany Investments planned to auction Graceland to the highest bidder on May 23rd.
Finally, when Naussany Investments was sued by Presley’s family in Tennessee state court as part of an effort to stop the sale of Graceland, Findley allegedly submitted false court filings.
After the scheme attracted global media attention, Findley allegedly wrote to representatives of Presley’s family, the Tennessee state court, and the media to claim falsely that the person responsible for the scheme was an identity thief located in Nigeria.
“As a Memphian, I know that Graceland is a national treasure,” said Kevin G. Ritz, U.S. attorney for the Western District of Tennessee. “This defendant allegedly used a brazen scheme to try to defraud the Presley family of their interest in this singularly important landmark.
“Of course, all homeowners deserve to have their property protected from fraud, and the Department of Justice will vigorously prosecute anyone who commits financial crimes or identity theft.”
Findley is charged with mail fraud and aggravated identity theft. If convicted, she faces a mandatory minimum of two years in prison for aggravated identity theft and a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison for mail fraud.
“Fame and money are magnets for criminals who look to capitalize on another person’s celebrity status,” said Inspector in Charge Eric Shen of U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) Criminal Investigations Group. “In this case, Ms. Findley allegedly took advantage of the very public and tragic occurrences in the Presley family as an opportunity to prey on the name and financial status of the heirs to the Graceland estate, attempting to steal what rightfully belongs to the Presley family for her personal gain.
“Postal inspectors and their law enforcement partners put an end to her alleged scheme, protecting the Presley family from continued harm and stress. This is an example of our relentless investigative work and commitment to bringing criminals to justice for their illegal activity.”
Black Lodge owners have announced they will close the venue, citing “exorbitant rent” and “crippling debt” as reasons for the move.
Black Lodge opened on Cleveland in the Crosstown area in 2019. That move came after it closed its original location in Cooper-Young in 2014. That location opened in 2000.
The original location was, primarily, a video-rental store, housing a collection of more than 30,000 VHS tapes, DVDs, and more, according to a post on the Crosstown Concourse website. The new location rented movies but it was also a restaurant, bar, and a venue for live music, and events.
The owners announced the move to close in a Facebook post Tuesday evening.
Here’s the post in full:
”Dear Black Lodge Community,
“With heavy hearts, we must announce that Black Lodge is closing its doors after five unforgettable years. Your unwavering support, especially through the challenges of a global pandemic, has made this journey more magical than we ever could have imagined. Together, we created something truly special — a place where friends, art, music, and memories were made.
“Despite our modest financial backing, we poured our blood, sweat, and tears into building a venue that stood out in this city.
“Unfortunately, the weight of exorbitant rent and the crippling debt we incurred during Covid-19 have made it impossible to continue.
“We’ve fought hard, but the reality of a struggling economy means that nights out have become a luxury that many can no longer afford.
“For those still interested in Lodge’s movie library and rentals, the video store will be moving to a new location. We’ll be announcing about its new home soon.
“As we close this chapter on the venue, we hope that the memories you’ve made at Black Lodge will live on. Thank you for being part of our story. We will be open this weekend, so if you’d like to come say goodbye and party one last time, come on by!
“If you have any amazing photos or videos of your experiences at Black Lodge please post them in the comments.
Longtime environmentalist Scott Banbury posted a video to Facebook this week showing “the un-permitted turbines currently running at Elon Musk’s xAI facility in Memphis, spewing low-level ozone-forming emissions into our air that is already out of attainment [of national air quality standards].”
Social Bikin’
Posted to Reddit by u/ChillinDylan901
The Memphis Social Bicycle Club meets every Thursday at 7 p.m. at Veterans Plaza in Overton Park, according to Reddit user ChillinDylan901. “The only important part is to make it to our destination before they run out of beer!” the poster said.
‘Insanely rampant’
Posted to YouTube by Versed
Video essayist Versed compared the Memphis and Nashville economies in a YouTube video in July. The GDP of the cities were both around $65 billion in 2000, he said. Nashville exploded to $136 billion in 2023 versus Memphis’ $69 billion that year. Memphis’ “insanely rampant” crime and a consolidated Nashville government were two reasons given for the difference.
He also mysteriously shows a shot of the Hennepin Avenue Bridge in Minneapolis and pronounces it “Appalakkian Mountains.” So … y’know.
Sounds like Baron Von Opperbean is traveling through time in his new adventure and he needs your junk to get there … or then.
Baron Von Opperbean and the River of Time is a massive undertaking at Mud Island, set to transform the old Mississippi River Museum into a new immersive experience. The installation will combine “an adventure-play labyrinth, fantastical stories, interactive games, community spaces, special events, food and beverage, and more.”
And that labyrinth needs junk. The project’s creators are asking for unused materials you may have around the house — e-junk, architectural elements, furniture, tools, construction materials — to help create the new exhibit.
“Baron summons your discarded treasures to forge an epic, dimension-hopping experience.”
Baron Von Opperbean
“Baron summons your discarded treasures to forge an epic, dimension-hopping experience,” reads a Facebook post. “E-waste, old furniture, forgotten relics — all fuel for extraordinary art across time and space.” The BVO crew is also looking for paper, fabric, foam, electronics, auto parts, playground equipment, tools, and more.
Taxes for Shelby County homeowners could surge in the wake of the 2025 reappraisal, warned a local official.
Melvin Burgess, Shelby County’s assessor of property, issued a warning Monday of “an anticipated substantial increase in property taxes” ahead of next year’s scheduled countywide reappraisal.
Home values here haven’t been appraised since 2021. Burgess said recent property sales data and escalating property values since then suggest “a significant increase” in tax assessments for homeowners.
His office will conduct a series of public meetings to offer guidance on how to manage potential tax ramifications, explain the reappraisal process, and examine the factors raising property values here.
“We recognize that property reappraisal can be a complicated and bewildering process,” Burgess said in a statement. “Our goal is to ensure that all properties are appraised equitably and accurately, and we are dedicated to fostering transparency and open communication throughout this process.”
