On Wednesday, April 9, Soul Coughing will play the Hi Tone. It will be only the second time the band has played Memphis. The first was in 1995, when they opened for Jeff Buckley at the New Daisy on Beale Street.
A lot has happened since then. After three innovative albums and a string of hits unlike anything else on the radio, the band broke up acrimoniously in the late 1990s. Bandleader Mike Doughty pursued a solo career which took him all over the world. Ten years ago, he moved to Memphis, where he still resides today.
Last year, the classic lineup of Soul Coughing patched up their differences and embarked on a modest comeback tour. To the surprise of everyone involved, the tour sold out in a matter of minutes.
Now, the band is headed out on the road again, and they’re kicking it off in Doughty’s adopted home town of Memphis. The Hi Tone will be the smallest venue on this leg of the tour, so this is a chance to see the 90s underground legends in an intimate setting.
On this week’s Memphis Flyer Podcast, Mike Doughty sat down with Chris McCoy for a wide-ranging conversation about music, Memphis, and life.
When Boshi Botanicals first opened in 2024, one of the questions that owner Becky Beloin repeatedly heard was “Is Memphis ready for-zero waste?”
Boshi is the city’s first zero-waste store. Located at 3092 Poplar Avenue, Suite 16, the shop offers a number of eco-conscious products, such as refillable bathroom cleaning kits, reusable feminine pads and liners, scrap-felt polish pads and more.
From an optic standpoint, Beloin said Memphis may not appear to be a sustainable city, since it is still common for people to use plastic bags when shopping, and many restaurants still use plastic straws and cutlery, as well as styrofoam to-go containers.
Such habits may indicate the city isn’t prepared to change to a zero-waste lifestyle, but it doesn’t mean there isn’t hope. Beloin said initiatives such as Project Green Fork and Clean Memphis show that efforts are being made to increase understanding of an eco-friendly way of living.
Boshi Botanicals’ goal is to amplify the resources needed for sustainability, while also making them accessible. Beloin said customer feedback has shown that Memphians want to move towards a waste-free way of living, but there hadn’t been a place locally that could sustain it.
Photo Credit: Boshi Botanicals
“We live in a society where it’s so easy to order from Amazon,” Beloin said. “You can order pick-up from Target and obviously [if you purchase from these retailers] you don’t have to remember to bring your bottles.”
Beloin’s store not only encourages customers to bring their refillable bottles and containers, they reward them for it.
The costs of zero-waste can also pose a barrier. The University of Memphis’ “2024 Poverty Fact Sheet” showed that the city’s poverty rate is 22.6 percent. Beloin noted that the standard cost of living has become increasingly expensive — with many thinking that a shift towards sustainability costing significantly more.
However, she explains, this is a misconception. Many of the items sold at Boshi are refillable and reduce costs, including as wool dryer balls, which can last three-to-five years.
“It may seem a little higher up-front, but when you actually end up breaking it down, it ends up saving you money,” Beloin said.
“There’s interest [in zero-waste],” Beloin added. “I think a lot of it is education and getting the information out that there are things that we can all do as individuals to be more sustainable, but I think the city government needs to do things that could increase sustainability as well.”
She acknowledges that individuals can take certain steps towards an eco-friendlier lifestyle, such as using reusable shopping bags. However, she said the city shares a responsibility as well. Beloin suggested that the city evaluate different aspects of non-sustainability that they’d like to eradicate, and look into passing legislation that prevents wastefulness.
“There’s a cost to everything,” Beloin said. “People may say ‘Well, the plastic bag is free’ or ‘styrofoam is free,” but it’s not. It’s built into the cost of your food and it’s also built into the cost of [an] individual’s health.”
Beloin said the Mid-South may not be known for its sustainability, but she thinks Memphis can pioneer a movement by getting rid of pollutants such as styrofoam and plastic.
MemphisForgotten’s Insta is an amazing Bluff City Wayback Machine. It features news clips and interviews, from Playa Fly to Mr. Chuck and from America’s Most Wanted to Germantown High School’s 1992 homecoming and prom.
Posted to Facebook by Re-Elect Melvin Burgess, Shelby County Assessor
Property Appraisals
Confusion and surprise roiled the MEMernet last week as property reappraisals from Melvin Burgess, assessor of property, landed in Shelby County mailboxes. First, many thought the slick, glossy mailer — largely featuring a photo of Burgess for some reason — looked like junk mail or a political ad. Many landed in trash cans, unopened. After fishing them out, property owners were surprised to find their appraisals rose by a lot.
Posted to Facebook by Taylor Berger
Railgarten
Taylor Berger, one of the forces behind the establishment of Railgarten back in 2016, made a bittersweet Facebook post last week, after news broke that the entertainment complex was closed and on the market.
“The best parts were the surprises,” Berger wrote. “People on skateboards, live band karaoke, drag before it was mainstream.”
April showers bring April festivals, and then there are May festivals, and June ones, and July and August. And we don’t even have time to get to September. That’s right, friends (may we call you that?): It’s time for the Spring Fairs & Festivals Guide.
April
Month of Jazz at Crosstown Arts A monthlong celebration of jazz. Crosstown Arts, various dates through April 30
Memphis Tattoo Festival (Photo: Courtesy Memphis Tattoo Festival)
Memphis Tattoo Festival If you can dream it, you can tat it. Renasant Convention Center, April 4-6
TrollFest Don’t be a troll; instead, learn how to take better care of the environment at this festival. Memphis Botanic Garden, April 5
Wine, Food and Music Spring Festival Wine all you want. Notice I said “wine,” not “whine.” Beale Street Landing, April 5
Foodees Food and Culture Festival Does it bother me that it’s not spelled “Foodies”? A little. Do I care? Not when the festival is bringing 70 food trucks and 100 crafters and makers. Riverside Drive, April 11-13
TrollFest (Photo: Abigail Morici)
Brewfest You’re cruising for a brewski. Mississippi Ale House, Olive Branch, MS, April 12
Cooper-Young Porchfest Get out of my head and onto my lawn (for free porch concerts, obviously). Cooper-Young Historic District, April 12
Juke Joint Festival No need to be a juke box hero when you can go to the Juke Joint Festival. Clarksdale, MS, April 12
Orbit Fest You’ll want this fest in your orbit: seltzers, vendors, music. It’ll be a blast. Crosstown Brewing Company, April 12
Cooper-Young Porch Fest (Photo: Brandon Dill)
Shelby Forest Spring Fest A Mardi Gras-themed fest with wildlife and cultural exhibits, plus music, food, arts and crafts, and more. Meeman Shelby Forest State Park, April 12
Shop Black Fest Black businesses for the win. Bass Pro Drive + Riverside Drive, April 12
The Mid-South Korean BBQ Festival A backyard cooking competition of traditional American barbecue and Korean barbecue. Grind City Brewing Company, April 12
Juke Joint Festival (Photo: Courtesy Juke Joint Festival)
Black Arts & Wine Festival Shop visual art by Black creatives and sample wines and liquors from Black brands. Pink Palace Museum & Mansion, April 13
Concerts in the Grove Enjoy an outdoor concert or two. Germantown Performing Arts Center, select Thursdays, April 17-June 26
Africa in April Salute the Republic of South Africa. Robert R. Church Park, April 18-20
Good Vibes Comedy Festival LOL IRL. Hi Tone, April 18-20
Earth Day Festival (Photo: Courtesy Shelby Farms Park)
Earth Day Festival Where fun meets sustainability, and sustainability meets you. Shelby Farms Park, April 19
Shell Daze Dazed and confused, more like dazed and I don’t know where I was going with this … so I guess I am confused. But this festival is not confusing! It’s all about music: Lettuce, Daniel Dato’s Cosmic Country, Grace Bowers & the Hodge Podge, and The Velvet Dog. Overton Park Shell, April 19
Art in the Loop Let me loop you in: It’s the art festival in East Memphis. Ridgeway Loop Road, April 25-27
Double Decker Arts Festival A two-day (a double-day?) celebration of food, music, and the arts. Oxford Courthouse Square, Oxford, MS, April 25-26
Trolley Night Explore galleries, restaurants, bars, and shops open late with activities on the street every month. South Main, last Friday of the month
23rd Annual World Championship Hot Wing Contest and Festival Wing, wing, wing, this festival is calling for you. River Garden Park on Riverside Drive, April 26
Spring Craft Fair Find crafts and one-of-a-kind treasures. Meddlesome Brewery, April 26
Taste the Rarity Get weird with beer. Wiseacre Brewing Company, April 26
Mimosa Festival (Photo: Courtesy Mimosa Festival)
Mimosa Festival Mimosa is a fun word to say, and this festival is even funner (and that’s a fun word). Autozone Park, April 27
32nd Rajun Cajun Crawfish Festival Heads, you suck. Tails, you pinch. Riverside Drive, April 27
May
Experience Memphis Gardens Roses are red; violets are blue. I’d love to walk Memphis’ gardens with you. Various locations, May 1-June 15
Memphis in May International Festival Salute South Korea at this festival. Memphis, May 1-31
Mississippi Wildlife Heritage Festival Go wild with food, art, games, expos, contests, crawfish, and more. Downtown Leland, May 2-3
RiverBeat Music Festival This year’s headliners are Missy Elliot, The Killers, and Anderson .Paak & The Free Nationals. Tom Lee Park, May 2-4
Cigar & Whiskey BBQ Festival Cigars, whiskeys, barbecue — it’s in the name. Agricenter International, May 3
Bookstock This fest is for the books. Literally. Benjamin L. Hooks Central Library, May 3
Café du Memphis Beign-yay! (And shrimp and grits and café au lait. Yay for all!) Overton Park Shell, May 3
Overton Square Crawfish Festival Go cray for the crayfish. Overton Square, May 3
The Big Squeeze Food Truck Festival When life gives you lemonade, wash it down with food truck fare and music. Germantown Performing Arts Center, May 3
Memphis Greek Festival Say: Opa! And bring three cans of nonperishable food for free admission.
Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church, May 9-10
World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest Mind your Ps and ’cues — mostly your ’cues because I’m not sure how helpful those Ps will be. Liberty Park, May 14-17
SmokeSlam Talk about a smoke show. Tom Lee Park, May 15-17
DreamFest Weekend Sweet dreams are made of this: a weekend of Memphis music. Overton Park Shell, May 16-18
Ruby Bridges Reading Festival Enjoy book giveaways, children’s activities, and storytelling. National Civil Rights Museum, May 17
Trans-Fest A celebration of the trans community. Wiseacre Brewery, May 17
Uptown Arts Festival Expect art, music, beer, and a good time. Grind City Brewing Company, May 17
Bluff City Fair This fair isn’t bluffing when it comes to fair foods, carnival rides, and attractions. Tiger Lane at Liberty Park, May 23-June 1
Memphis Dragon Boat Festival Dragons will race. Well, dragon boats. Hyde Lake at Shelby Farms Park, May 31
Memphis Italian Festival Where everyone’s Italian. Marquette Park, May 29-31
Memphis Margarita Festival Some people claim there’s a festival to blame, and it’s this one. Wastin’ away again at the Memphis Margarita Festival … Overton Square, May 31
Memphis Vegan Festival No animals were harmed in the making of this festival. Fourth Bluff Park, May 31
June
Juneteenth Shop Black Festival Shop from 100 Black businesses. Fourth Bluff Park, June 1
Tupelo Elvis Festival Get ready to rock and roll. Downtown Tupelo, June 4-7
Memphis Pride Fest Weekend (Photo: Courtesy Mid-South Pride)
Memphis Pride Fest Weekend A four-day celebration embodying the spirit of the LGBTQ community. Various locations, June 5-8
Memphis Crafts & Drafts Festival Summer Market This event is no rough draft. It was perfectly crafted to fit all your summer market needs. It’s also put on by the Memphis Flyer, which I’ve heard is pretty awesome. Crosstown Concourse, June 7
Fried Chicken Fest Why did the chicken cross the road? To get to the Fried Chicken Fest? That doesn’t sound right. The fest is fun for humans though! It’s got fried chicken (with apologies to the chickens that crossed the road), music, and lawn games. Germantown Performing Arts Center, June 7
Craft Food & Wine Festival Delicious food, exquisite wines, and live music, all while supporting Church Health. The Columns, June 8
Betonia Blues Festival With a lineup with the likes of Nick Wade, Jimmy Duck Holmes, Chris Gill & Sole Shakers, and Bobby Rush featuring Mizz Loew, you know you’re in for a good time. Blue Front Cafe, Bentonia, MS
Memphis Brewfest Just brew it. Shelby Farms Park, June 21
Record Fair Girl, put your records on. Tell me your favorite songs from Goner Records, River City Records, and Shangri-La Records ’cause this is the place to buy all your music. Soul & Spirits, June 21
July
Delta Soule Picnic Festival Expect R&B and Southern soul music. Warfield Point Park, Greenville, MS, July 5
Memphis Summer Cocktail Festival Get your drink on. The Kent, July 12
August
Planted Rock Vegan Festival We will … we will … rock you (as long as you’re a plant). This fest promotes vegan foods and will give healthy living tips. Collage Dance Center, August 5
FedEx St. Jude Championship Here’s where I’d insert a golf pun, if I knew any. If you know about golf, I assume you know about this championship. TPC Southwind, August 6-10
Elvis Week (Photo: Courtesy Elvis Presley’s Graceland)
Elvis Week The Elvii are coming! The Elvii are coming! And they’re showing up for music, panels, contests, movies, fan meet-ups, tours, and more. Graceland, August 8-16
Skol-astic Book Fair Ah, book it. Book it real good. Soul & Spirits, August 9
Memphis Chicken & Beer Festival People like chicken; people like beer. Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium Field, August 16
The city of West Memphis has petitioned President Donald Trump to rename a portion of the Mississippi River, West Memphis River.
“We’re tired of Mississippi getting all the credit,” said Mayor [Marco] McClendon. “It’s time to put West Memphis on the map — literally.”
McClendon said the rebranding would come with new signage, tourism campaigns, and possibly a West Memphis River cruise port.
NAH! Those West Memphis folks were just having a laugh on April Fool’s Day. And they weren’t alone. The MEMernet was filled with all kinds of people, businesses, and organizations having a good time on social media Tuesday.
Here are a few:
Akbari what?!
Credit: Sen. Raumesh Akbari via Facebook
Zoo what?!
Posted to Facebook by Memphis Zoo
“ANNOUNCEMENT: We’re expanding our Memphis identity in a bold new way.
“Memphis Zoo. Memphis, Egypt. Memphis, Tennessee. A pyramid at our entrance. It only made sense. We’re (very unofficially) launching Bass Pro at the Zoo. A concept that would bring a satellite Bass Pro Shops location right into our front plaza.
The idea? A one-of-a-kind experience. Guests could grab a camping stove, pick out the perfect tackle box, and then stroll straight into the heart of the Zoo. Maybe even roll a few frames in a tiny bowling alley near the tortoises.
“We mentioned the idea to Bass Pro. They haven’t responded. At all. So, for now, it remains a vision. But we’re putting it out into the world… because it’s April 1, and that’s what visionaries do.”
Nacho what?!
Posted to Facebook by Memphis Made Brewing Co.
“You know we had to do it big for BBQ season! 🐷 Introducing “If You Smoke It, They Will Come.” A one-of-a-kind Imperial BBQ Nacho Stout, this is a creation that could only be Memphis Made!
“Brewed with corn chip malt and smoky pork shoulder puree, this porker of a stout packs a punch at 11.3 percent ABV (Be careful over the pit when you’re smashing these bad boys!) Available on tap every Tuesday at The Ravine and in 4-packs at all Memphis Publix locations, this conversation piece is sure to make a splash at one or both of our local May BBQ Competitions!
#memphisinmay #smokeslam #bbqfest #memphismade”
Sausage what?!
Posted to Instagram by Crosstown Concourse
“Before Monogram Foods even unpacks at Crosstown Concourse, they’re already bringing the heat — literally. To celebrate their upcoming move, they’ve teamed up with us to introduce a Circle B Smoked Sausage-Scented Candle inspired by the bold flavors of Memphis and the vibrant energy of Crosstown.
“Founded in Memphis in 2004, Monogram Foods is a leading producer of meat snacks, hot dogs, bacon, and other packaged foods, supplying some of America’s most beloved brands. Their move to Crosstown Concourse will bring their innovative spirit and hometown pride to the heart of our community.
Posted to Instagram by Crosstown Concourse
“🔥 The Circle B Smoked Sausage Candle – Smoky, savory, and guaranteed to make you crave a classic smoked sausage.
“This limited-edition candle will be available for purchase throughout Crosstown Concourse, including at @milisflowersandgifts
”Stay tuned for more updates as Monogram Foods settles into Crosstown!”
GTA what?!
Posted to Reddit by u/Legpistons
”Super pumped about the new GTA!”
Comment by u/readforhealth
“Side Quest Southaven Rendezvous
“Rico heads south of the border to grab 12kilos from the Chesteridge apartment complex. Little does he know, Brunnie B is also en route; and he hasn’t forgotten about the mess you made of his shop during the bust up. Meanwhile, Kitty Lee preps and wraps freshly packed powder for your arrival. This could get messy.
“Car 2018 Dodge Challenger Gauntlet
“Weapons Two Sig 365Ls and a sawed-off 12
”Objective Grab cargo and get back above the line by 5 O’clock”
Duck tour what?!
Posted to Facebook by Meeman-Shelby Forest State Park
“Special April 1st Tour!
“Plunge into the silliness this April Fool’s Day with Meeman-Shelby Forest State Park’s one-of-a-kind, one day only, Submarine Tour of Poplar Tree Lake!
“Hop aboard with Ranger Chuckles as he steers through the stump-filled shallows in our cutting-edge, pedal-driven submarine — equipped with snorkels for quick getaways and a periscope that moonlights as a selfie stick.
“Be amazed by underwater spectacles like the rare migration of freshwater rubber ducks and the mysterious Poplar Tree Lake Kraken (spoiler alert: it’s just a giant bass).
“Secure your pretend tickets today for a laugh-out-loud journey that’ll leave you soaked in fun — metaphorically speaking!
“Stay tuned for more April Fool’s Day events that don’t really exist! 😂 “
River what?!
Credit: City of West Memphis via Facebook
“🚨 BIG ANNOUNCEMENT FROM MAYOR MCCLENDON 🚨
“Mayor McClendon has officially requested federal approval to rename a portion of the Mississippi River to…The West Memphis River.
“’We’re tired of Mississippi getting all the credit,’ said Mayor McClendon. ‘It’s time to put West Memphis on the map — literally.’”
The proposed section would span from the I-55 Bridge to the I-40 Bridge.
Posted to Facebook by City of West Memphis
“‘We’re not trying to take the whole river,’” Mayor McClendon said. “’Just the best part.’”
“The rebranding would come with new signage, tourism campaigns, and possibly West Memphis may soon be home to a West Memphis River cruise port! Passengers can board for scenic tours newly renamed West Memphis River, taking in the sights, and sounds of the Delta in style.
”The petition has been submitted to the U.S. Board on Geographic Names and is now in the hands of President Trump. Stay tuned.”
Sauce what?!
Posted to Facebook by Rotolo’s Craft & Crust – East Memphis, TN
“B.Y.O.B 🪣
“What’s the elite pizza dipping sauce? 🍕
Ranch lovers, this is your moment! For ONE DAY ONLY we’re filling up your bucket with our creamy ranch. No limits.”
Elwood’s what?!
Posted to Facebook by Elwood’s Shack
“All sandwiches buy one get 3 free. One day April special. Today Only.”
Elon Musk. Photo by Trevor Cokley / Public Domain, via Wikimedia Commons
A resolution for the Shelby County Health Department to host a public hearing regarding xAI’s air permits has been passed by the Shelby County Board of Commissioners.
The resolution, sponsored by Commissioner Britney Thornton, urged the Shelby County Health Department to host a public meeting “prior to the approval or denial of the permit submitted by CTC Property LLC, an affiliate of xAI for the long-term operations of 15 methane gas turbines in South Memphis.”
Keshaun Pearson, executive director of Memphis Community Against Pollution, said this resolution would suspend the air-permitting process as the permit is not for the “current pollution” but “more pollution,” as xAI intends to bring more turbines in.
Groups such as Young, Gifted, and Green, MCAP, and Black Voters Matter along with several community members have openly condemned the project — with the news of the turbines operating for almost a year further amplifying outrage.
“Elon Musk holds nothing but malice for the people of Memphis [and] Shelby County,” Brandy Price said during the public comment section of the meeting. “To vote in favor of anything that aids Elon Musk will be a stain on yourself.”
Several people have spoken about the environmental risks that the project poses. Jonathan Reid, a resident of South Memphis, urged the commission to not only vote in favor of public hearings, but to “bring science to the table” when evaluating the project.
“I would like to know down the road when Elon Musk do[es] all this gas stuff what’s going to happen to the health of South Memphians?” Barbara Denton, a 72-year resident of South Memphis said. “Health is not being considered. All y’all want is money. It’s all about politics and money when it comes to South Memphis. Why does South Memphis have to get the neglect of being Black – mostly 90 percent? If y’all want to move something, move it Downtown. Let’s move it Downtown and see how it works for you.”
Dr. Michelle Taylor, director of the Shelby County Department of Health, acknowledged the community’s comments and said the public comment period is open now through April 30th. Residents can review xAI’s permit application and leave comments through the department’s website.
“We only can do as much as current legislation allows us to do,” Taylor said. “We did request an EPA community assessment. We requested, twice, in two letters to the EPA in August. We received a response on November 1 of 2024 saying they could not do the report.”
Taylor assured that the Health Department is committed to being held accountable by both the commission and the community.
The resolution passed 8-3 with one abstaining from voting.
Work has begun on a project that will forever end parking on the Greensward at Overton Park and open new trails in a new part of the Old Forest, according to the Overton Park Conservancy (OPC).
A decades-long struggle to end Memphis Zoo overflow parking on the park’s signature field ended with an agreement by the zoo, OPC, and the city of Memphis in 2022. Read our story about the deal and a timeline of the saga here.
Credit: Overton Par Conservancy
Parking project
The project to end Greensward parking is a multi-phase dance with specific choreography. OPC outlined those steps in a Greensward update on its website Monday.
The first phase — repaving and re-striping the zoo’s main parking lot — is complete.
Credit: Overton Park Conservancy
The second phase will include demolishing crumbling asphalt in the park’s southeast corner (an are close to the corner of Poplar and East Parkway). That area will then be leveled and paved for a new public parking lot. This phase will also include getting some old city-owned buildings ready for the zoo’s new maintenance facility.
This phase is now in the engineering and permit phase, OPC said, and work will begin when those permits are in hand. No timeline was given for its completion.
When all the construction in Phase 2 is complete, the zoo will move its maintenance and adminstrative functions to that space, the former General Services facility on the park’s east side. This move will leave empty the zoo’s current maintenance area along North Parkway.
That area will, then, be razed for a new parking lot there in Phase 3 of the plan.
“When that lot opens,” OPC said in a statement Monday, “cars will no longer park on the Greensward.”
Credit: savethegreensward.com
In Phase 4, OPC will create a new walking loop around the Greensward.
”We appreciate your patience as we complete all these steps!” OPC said. “We’re very fortunate that this project is being funded through a $3 million HUD Community Project Funding grant, thanks to Congressman Steve Cohen.
Credit: Overton Park Conservancy
“We received HUD’s approval to proceed in fall 2024 and began the environmental review process at that time. Since then, the Conservancy has been working closely with the city and the zoo to refine the design of the parking area and new zoo maintenance facility.
“We’re happy to be teaming up with our partners at the zoo and the city on this long-awaited project, and to see so much progress underway.”
New trail, Old Forest
The deal for parking also included the zoo restoring 17 acres of forested parkland back to the OPC and the Old Forest. Work to open these acres has already begun and it will intensify and continue. OPC hopes to have access open and new trails ready by fall.
Credit: Overton Park Conservancy
“If you’ve walked in the forest recently, you may have noticed some activity in the fenced acreage that’s currently on zoo property and will come under Conservancy management soon,” the statement said. “Crews have finished building a new boundary fence for the zoo that will allow us to eventually remove the old fence and open up these forested acres to the public.
“Before the old fence comes down, we have two more tasks to complete. We’ll be going out to bid in the next few weeks for a contractor who will build the new walking trail over the summer.
“After the trail is created, we’ll have another contractor come in to remove invasive plants. When that work is substantially complete, we’ll take the fence down. Our goal is to have a ribbon-cutting and open the trail this fall!”
Bacarra Maudlin, former Interim CEO of MATA (Photo Credit: Memphis Area Transit Authority)
Bacarra Mauldin, former interim CEO of the Memphis Area Transit Authority, has been fired by the agency. The decision was made by acting CEO of John Lewis and backed by MATA’s board of commissioners.
“This action follows an internal investigation which concluded that Ms. Mauldin violated MATA’s Procurement and Travel Policy, and did not take sufficient steps to ensure compliance among her direct reports,” a statement from the agency said. “These findings represent a serious breach of the standards and expectations we uphold for all MATA leadership and staff.”
Earlier this month, officials revealed that a “preliminary review of FY24 General Administrative expenses,” which showed that out of $9.9 million, $848,000 was spent in discretionary spending. This included $603,000 in sponsorship of the Memphis Grizzlies and $144,000 in “other AMEX purchases.”
Officials said this did not include charges for travel and meetings.
“We asked for detailed statements of that, had to do some digging with American Express — the agency at the time did not have itemized monthly bills, which was not a best practice to say the least,” Lewis said. “After we received itemized statements going back the last couple of years, we found within those purchases, seemingly non-business-related purchases.”
Lewis said these included $5,000 in payments via PayPal and Venmo, $7,000 in purchases at BestBuy, $10,000 in party equipment rental, $30,000 in customizable purchases, and $1,200 in Montblanc purchases to name a few.
He added that they brought this to the attention of the city auditor, and as a result the state comptroller has been notified. Lewis and his team has been advised to seek outside counsel for a more thorough investigation.
At the time, officials said “the former leadership that had possession of the AMEX card has been placed on administrative leave.”
“While personnel matters are typically confidential, we acknowledge the public interest in this situation, given the leadership role involved,” MATA said in a statement. “ Our focus moving forward is to ensure stability, restore trust, and continue providing safe, reliable, and equitable transit services for the people of Memphis.”
Mauldin was named interim CEO following the retirement of former CEO Gary Rosenfeld in February 2024.
Gov. Bill Lee and his staff have remained mostly silent in recent weeks regarding questions about the state legislature's current special session. Credit: Martin B. Cherry / Nashville Banner
Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee is all-in on dismantling the U.S. Department of Education and is leaving the door open to use federal funds to support his new school voucher program.
Last week, hours before President Donald Trump signed an executive order instructing his recently-appointed Education Secretary to begin the dissolution of the federal DOE, Lee reissued his support of Trump’s plan, telling reporters the state would be better off without the federal oversight of education.
“I am one who believes that the federal Department of Education is largely a bureaucratic problem for states,” Lee said, calling the federal government “too big, too cumbersome and too bureaucratic.”
The governor, who was set to attend the executive order signing, has been supportive of Trump’s plan to dismantle the Department of Education since at least November, when he said he “hopes it looks something like block-granting the dollars to states,” comparing the idea to a Medicaid block grant waiver that Trump approved in his first term, allowing Tennessee more discretion in spending money intended for Medicaid recipients.
In an op-ed published Wednesday, Lee called the DOE an “$80 billion failure,” and said that states were better off managing federal education funding, as had been the case prior to the DOE’s formation in 1979.
When he initially endorsed Trump’s plan, Lee declined to comment on whether he would use the funds to benefit his private school voucher program, which later passed in a January special session, partly urged by Trump to address immigration. For each of the last three years, including 2025 projections, the DOE has reportedly provided Tennessee between $3.36-3.66 billion.
On Thursday, with the voucher bill signed into law and the end of the DOE in sight, Lee suggested that the legislature could conceptually tap into the DOE money for vouchers.
“The funding from the federal government shouldn’t impact that strategy,” Lee said. “It should just continue to give us the resources necessary to fund the education for all the children of the state, both public and private, through education freedom scholarships or through traditional funding to our public schools.”
Lee noted that he expects to see a “ramp up” in the voucher program, but added that “the law, as it stands today in Tennessee, is how I view that it will be going forward, until the Legislature makes a decision to change.”
Educators and parents across the country have expressed concern that a lack of federal oversight could prevent some students, like those with disabilities or special needs, from receiving adequate and fair education.
“If successful, Trump’s continued actions will hurt all students by sending class sizes soaring, cutting job training programs, making higher education more expensive and out of reach for middle-class families, taking away special education services for students with disabilities, and gutting student civil rights protections,” National Education Association President Becky Pringle said in a statement, calling supporters “anti-public education.”
Lee dismissed those concerns, arguing that the state is better equipped to manage those students than the federal government, repeating a common refrain that the states know best how to handle education.
“I don’t have one bit of concern about a lack of services or a lack of educational opportunities for children when the federal Department of Education is removed,” Lee said.
Lee’s wholesale support of a Trump plan before the details have been shared echoes his alignment with Trump’s deportation policies, which Lee loudly supported and urged other Republican governors to support before Trump was in office or had shared specifics.
“I can’t speak to how I feel about that, because that’s not been decided yet,” Lee said, adding that he was broadly supportive of addressing what he described as issues caused by illegal immigration, “including how they impact our education system.
Though he lacked details, the governor said ending the DOE would benefit Tennessee because more money would be spent at the state level.
“That’s more dollars directly spent on education services for children, and not on jobs in D.C.,” Lee said.
Asked if the state would have to replicate any of the administrative roles being axed in the federal department of education — or the “bureaucracy” described by Lee — the governor was unsure.
“We have no idea what’s coming,” Lee said. “We’ll know a lot more, probably after today, and then we’ll begin to plan to work with the federal government on being a good partner.”
This week on the Memphis Flyer Podcast, we have a special guest. John Doyle of the Memphis Rock ‘n’ Soul Museum joins Alex Greene to talk about moving the museum and the Memphis Music Hall of Fame to Beale Street.
