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Mayor Young Announces Convening of Black Mayors’ Coalition on Crime

Paul Young (Photo: Paul Young for Memphis)

More than 20 mayors and representatives will meet with Memphis Mayor Paul Young this week to launch an initiative to address crime through the power of Black leadership.

Young has partnered with the African American Mayors Association (AAMA) to announce the Black Mayors’ Coalition on Crime (BMCC.) Officials say this coalition will consist of Black mayors and “their proxies” from 12 states, including Mississippi, Louisiana, California, and others, who will collaborate to address crime across the nation.

“The time is now for us to speak with one voice to call for national and local policy change and funding, and to share our collective learnings to create the  meaningful change that will reduce crime in all of our communities,” Young said in a statement.

The announcement of the coalition comes at a time that Young has called “unprecedented,” as Black mayors such as Eric Adams (New York) and Karen Bass (Los Angeles) have taken office. Young said that he and the other mayors represent communities “most affected by crime,” which allows them to have a distinct perspective.

Adams has voiced his support for Young, and said that every city shares the need for public safety, because it is a “prerequisite for prosperity.”

“I applaud Mayor Young for convening the Black Mayors’ Coalition on Crime to have an honest conversation around protecting our cities and delivering peace of mind at a time when our communities need it most,” Adams said in a statement.

Officials said Young will lead the initiative. According to the mayor’s office, the two-day event will be hosted by Russell Wigginton, president of the National Civil Rights Museum, with a keynote from the Council on Criminal Justice.

The BMCC will also look at crime-fighting tactics that have been effective in other cities, such as the Operation SCARLET (Stolen Car and Recovery Law Enforcement Team) of Charlotte, North Carolina and Operation Good from Jackson, Mississippi.

North Carolina television affiliate WSOC-TV reported as of September 2023, Operation SCARLET had seized over 130 cars from several states. Law enforcement in the state has also made several arrests related to these incidents.

Jackson’s Operation Good seeks to “stop recidivism, clean up the environment in which the impoverished live, reduce violent incidents, introduce alternative solutions to gun violence and robbery, mentor the high risk population,” and more. During its first year of operation, the organization reported 286 days without “a gun-related death.”

While BMCC includes Black mayors, Young said that the coalition will “be open to anyone who can contribute to solving the issue.”

“My hope is that this will be the start of a broad, ongoing national effort to find real solutions to this very complex issue. I believe we can leverage our collective platforms to create change in the policies, laws, and resources needed to reverse the trend and heal our communities,” said Young.

Officials will convene in Memphis March 27-28.

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We Recommend We Saw You

WE SAW YOU: “The Angel of Memphis Arts”

Dorothy Orgill Kirsch, center, with Mario Monterosso and Dabney Coors at a "Simple Song of Freedom" event in 2023 (Credit: Michael Donahue)

It was time to honor Dorothy Orgill Kirsch.

You’ve probably seen her for years at cultural events around Memphis.

Earlier this month, Kirsch was the guest of honor at an ARTSmemphis tribute at the group’s headquarters. “It was attended by a representative of every single organization invited,” says longtime family friend Dabney Coors.  “She has supported all of them.”

The celebration was to recognize “65 years of Dorothy Orgill Kirsch’s support for all of our arts organizations,” And, Coors says, “We are going to celebrate her ongoing gifts to the city.”

According to the City of Memphis proclamation, organizations Kirsch has supported include Memphis Symphony Orchestra, Opera Memphis, Playhouse on the Square, and Theatre Memphis, as well as ARTSmemphis.

Other groups she underwrote include Memphis Zoo, Memphis Brooks Museum of Art, Rhodes College, TheatreWorks, Hattiloo Theatre, Ballet Memphis, and New Ballet Ensemble. “Every theater, every ballet group, you name it, she has underwritten it,” Coors says.

Debbie Litch of Theatre Memphis, Whitney Jo of Playhouse on the Square, Dorothy Orgill Kirsch, and Dabney Coors at the Kirsch tribute at ARTSmemphis headquarters (Credit: ARTSmemphis)

Kirsch also supported Mario Monterosso’s “Simple Song of Freedom” humanitarian project for the war in Ukraine. She underwrote 30 musicians and 30 singers for the project.

Monterosso envisioned using Memphis performers in a video similar to “We Are the World” based on the song by Bobby Darin. The video, which he wanted to use to send a message of peace and freedom, includes a wide range of performers, including Carla Thomas, Kallen Esperian, Amy LaVere, Larry Dodson, Gary Beard, the Stax Music Academy choirs, and the First Baptist Church gospel choir with Rev. Keith Norman. It ended with Priscilla Presley quoting Mother Teresa.

In her speech at the tribute, Coors, who referred to Kirsch as “the angel of Memphis arts” says, “Dorothy was tapping her hands and feet when she listened to ‘Simple Song of Freedom’ and she said, ‘Yes. I want to support this effort.’”

Monterosso premiered his video December 20th at Memphis Brooks Museum of Art.

Carla Thomas with Mario Monterosso at the “Simple Song of Freedom” premiere at Memphis Brooks Museum of Art (Credit: Michael Donahue)

Kirsch “loves Memphis beyond everything else,” Monterosso says. “In my opinion, every time she sponsors a project, it’s like she’s sponsoring Memphis.”

She “likes to see Memphis behind every single project,” he says, adding,  “Everything she does represents Memphis around the world. And this is incredible.”

People like Kirsch “are very rare,” Monterosso adds. “People who do things just because of their love of art, their love of the city where they great up and live their entire life, is so incredible.”

We Saw You
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Film Features Film/TV

Music Video Monday: “Whisper In Your Ear” by Richard Wilson

Memphis blues man Richard Wilson has a new album. You Can Have It All was laid down at the historic Sam Phillips Recording studio by producer Scott Bomar, featuring heavy hitters Al Gamble on keys and Justin Walker on drums.

“Whisper in Your Ear” is a sweet come-on of a song, which Wilson and Walker perform in the stark black and white video. Take a look.

If you would like to see your music video featured on Music Video Monday, email cmccoy@memphisflyer.com.

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Special Sections Sponsored Content

Outdoors Inc Commemorates its 50th Year

Outdoors Inc at 5245 Poplar Ave. (Photo: Shelby Scott)

Celebrating its remarkable journey since its inception in 1974, Outdoors In. commemorates its 50th year as a beacon for outdoor enthusiasts and adventurers alike. The origins of Outdoors Inc trace back to when co-founders Joe Royer and Lawrence Migliara merged their passion and entrepreneurial spirit by uniting their paddling companies, West Tennessee White Water Supply and South Central Canoe Base, into what was initially known as a store called The Great Outdoors. This venture was born out of necessity; as avid paddlers and racers, Joe and Lawrence could not find performance outdoor equipment in Memphis. Their first retail outpost was established in spring 1974, marking the beginning of a new era in outdoor retail.

In the early days, the focus was squarely on performance paddling equipment, catering to a niche yet passionate demographic. The founders’ trip to Rainier Mountaineering School was a pivotal moment, broadening their horizon and subsequently the store’s inventory to include climbing and camping gear. It wasn’t long before the brand underwent a significant transformation, adopting the name Outdoors Inc and expanding its product line further to encompass snow ski equipment and apparel. This expansion was timely, coinciding with a period of unusual regional snowfall, allowing Outdoors Inc to sponsor the first-ever Cross Country Ski races in Memphis’ Audubon Park.

The 1980s saw further diversification with the addition of cycling gear to their repertoire, underscoring Outdoors Inc’s commitment to catering to a broad spectrum of outdoor activities. The subsequent years witnessed physical and geographical growth, solidifying Outdoors Inc’s presence as the go-to retailer for skiing and snowboarding in West Tennessee.

Today, Outdoors Inc prides itself on being more than just a retail outlet; it is a cornerstone of the Memphis community, offering not just high-quality gear for a variety of outdoor activities, but also fostering long-term relationships with customers through exceptional service. The commitment to durability and sustainability is evident in the selection of products that promise longevity over disposability, reflecting an environmentally responsible ethos. Outdoors has continued to carry gear and apparel from industry-leading outdoor brands such as Patagonia, Arc’teryx, prAna, Cannondale, Hoka, Teva, Chaco, and more.

The company’s commitment to the community and the environment remains unwavering, as evidenced by its longstanding tradition of hosting events like the Outdoors Inc Canoe and Kayak Race on the Mississippi River that took place for 38 years until the pandemic struck, and the Outdoors Inc Gravel Race that happens every November at Big River Crossing. Outdoors has also partnered with and supported local nonprofit organizations such as Wolf River Conservancy, Overton Park Conservancy, and Shelby Farms Park Conservancy.

As Outdoors Inc marks its 50th year, it reflects on a legacy of innovation, community engagement, and environmental stewardship. It stands as a testament to the vision of its founders and the dedication of its team, promising to continue serving and inspiring outdoor enthusiasts for years to come.

The 50th anniversary of Outdoors Inc is more than just a celebration of its past achievements; it’s a pivotal moment that highlights the company’s role in the outdoor industry and its vision for the future. As Outdoors Inc continues to adapt, innovate, and inspire, it remains a testament to the enduring appeal of the great outdoors and the human spirit’s desire to explore it. Here’s to the next 50 years of adventure, stewardship, and community.

Photo: Shelby Scott
Participants in Outdoors Inc Annual Gravel Race at Big River Crossing

This article is sponsored by Outdoors Inc.

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Beyond the Arc Sports

Jaren Jackson Jr. Lifts Grizzlies to Victory Against Spurs

GG Jackson handles the ball against the San Antonio Spurs. Credit: NBAE/Getty Images.

A clutch basket from Jaren Jackson Jr. put Memphis back in the lead with 1.2 seconds remaining in regulation and secured the Grizzlies’ 99-97 win over the San Antonio Spurs.

Memphis fans are used to the “Call 12” mantra, referring to calling on their superstar point guard Ja Morant. But Friday night in San Antonio, the shorthanded Grizzlies needed someone else to come through in clutch time, and Jaren Jackson Jr. was that guy. Right when they needed him, Memphis called 13 and he delivered.

📞13

One of the silver linings to this dark cloud of a season has been the emergence of Jackson as a leader in the absence of Morant, Brandon Clarke, Marcus Smart, et al.

Starting the game with a shooting slump that saw them trailing by as much as 17 points at one stage, the Grizzlies had to battle through the remaining three quarters to mount a comeback.

San Antonio is currently the worst team in the Western Conference with an abysmal 15-55 record and is one of the few teams struggling harder this season than Memphis. Once the Grizzlies’ greatest league rival, the Spurs have been going through a rebuilding era, and they are well on their way thanks to 2023 number-one draft pick and presumed rookie of the year, Victor Wembanyama.

At 7 feet 4 inches tall, Wembanyama, the 19-year-old center hailing from France, has electrified the league with his remarkable athleticism and made the struggling Spurs must-watch basketball.

Wembanyama had a game-high 31 points and 16 rebounds on 11 of 24 overall shooting.

Guards Devin Vassell and Tre Jones (younger brother of former Grizzly Tyus Jones) were the only other Spurs players to score double digits, finishing the night with 27 points and 16 points, respectively.

Vassell and Jones made consecutive three-pointers in the final 30 seconds of the fourth to tie the game at 97-97 and set the stage for Jaren Jackson Jr.’s game-winning pullup in the paint.

Too many turnovers and poor shooting from three-point range continued to be pain points for the Grizzlies. They allowed the Spurs to score 18 points off 18 Grizzlies’ turnovers and outscore them 52-40 in the paint.

By The Numbers:

Jaren Jackson Jr. finished the night with a team-high 28 points, plus 7 rebounds, two assists, one steal, and two blocks, shooting 11 of 22, including the game-winner.

Santi Aldama put up 15 points, 13 rebounds, three assists, and one block while shooting three of six from beyond the arc.

GG Jackson added 14 points, eight rebounds, and three assists.

Scotty Pippen Jr. led the second unit with 18 points, three rebounds, two assists, and four steals.

Jake LaRavia closed out with 15 points and five rebounds, with 10 points added in the fourth quarter.

Who Got Next?

The Grizzlies continue their road trip, heading to Denver to face off against the Nuggets on Monday, March 25th. Tip-off is at 8:00 p.m. CDT.

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Hungry Memphis Uncategorized

Meet “Jr. Burger” at Tops Bar-B-Q

I love the new Tops Jr. Burger. (Credit: Devin Clegg)

You might have been wondering what the sign that read “Tops is Expecting a New Family Member 03/21” meant at Tops Bar-B-Q locations.

Customers came in and asked, “Which one of y’all are having a baby?” says Tops Operations LLC vice president Hunter Brown.

Of course, the obvious comeback was, “We don’t know what it’s going to be. It’s going to be a surprise,” Brown says.

But signs were different March 21st, Brown says, “Today the board changes and it says, ‘The Jr. Burger Has Arrived.”

Tops already sells a succulent hamburger. So, what is the Jr. Burger? “The Jr. Burger was something that was created as a result of a couple of needs for our guests,” says Tops CEO Randy Hough. “We felt that, number one, we wanted to provide an option for guests that were looking for a little less food, but still wanted to be able to satisfy their appetite.

“And, in addition, this really provided an avenue for those who were looking for great value without sacrificing what they love and expect from a great Tops cheeseburger. The Jr. Burger is still locally sourced, grilled fresh, same great flavor and taste, and ordered with all your favorite toppings. And we paired that with the Jr. Combo, which is a side of fries and a 16-ounce drink.”

The Jr. Burger is  $3.99 with cheese. The combo is $6.49 with cheese. The Jr. Burger is a two and a half ounce patty vs. the original four ounce patty. But the Jr. Burger patty is “a little bit larger than your typical junior-size burger,” Hough says.

“But it’s the exact same blend the guests have loved for 70 years plus,” Brown adds.

This is a first for the Tops hamburger as far as he knows, Hough says. “First time we’ve made a little smaller version of what everyone has come to know and love but still has a great flavor and still the same profile, which we’re really happy about. And you don’t have to change your favorite toppings.”

“Our barbecue line has two options: the pork shoulder regular or jumbo. Brisket the same way.”

Ditto for their Fire-Braised Chicken Sandwich. “It was never an option for a burger.”

Like their larger cheeseburgers, the Jr. Burger is dressed with mayonnaise, pickles, diced onion, lettuce, and tomato. “But if you just put a little ketchup and mustard on it, it’s perfect for the kids,” Hough says. “You can introduce the newest generation — the younger folks — of Mid-Southerners to the best burger in Memphis.”

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We Recommend We Recommend

Company d’s LOCAL: Art Moves Memphis

Company d dancers perform. (Photo: Courtesy Company d)

This Saturday, Company d dancers with Down syndrome invite Memphians to their performance of LOCAL: Art Moves Memphis, inspired by public art installations found throughout the city.

For the show, Company d engaged a cohort of guest choreographers: Noelia Garcia Carmona, Patty Carreras, Wayne Smith, Steven Prince Tate, and Yosek Prieto. Each of them, plus Company d’s own artistic director Darlene Winters, selected a piece of public art as a source of inspiration for the dances that’ll be performed this weekend. Choices range from Joe’s Wines & Liquor’s spinning sputnik sign to the mural inside the Renasant Convention Center by Kong Wee Pang and Jay Crum.

“Whenever we’re developing the show, it’s with the intent of also developing and enhancing the dancers’ cultural literacy skills,” Winters says. “So most of our programs have been based on things here in the Memphis area. It’s important for me for them to see to connect the dots and in turn make them feel more part of the community, and to be contributing citizens in the community.”

Winters founded Company d in 2001 after choreographing a dance for six dancers with Down syndrome for a one-night benefit celebrating 15 years of Special Kids and Families’ early intervention service. “We rehearsed for three months, and when it was over, we were just like, ‘Let’s keep doing this.’” Today, the nationally recognized Company d operates in Collage Dance’s studios, and student dancers represent three counties in the Mid-South, six high schools, post-secondary education at the University of Memphis, and various places of employment. 

A speech-language pathologist by trade and a lifelong “student” of dance, Winters says, “[Company d’s ongoing success] has totally been driven by [the dancers’] abilities and their desire to learn.”

The resulting program, Winters adds, has been a “beautiful infusion of my two worlds” — dance and speech-language pathology. “Some of the dancers have strengths and weaknesses in their abilities of their verbal skills, so this is an opportunity to express themselves through the performing arts through dance,” she says. “It also is giving them those same life skills that can be applied to their daily life and to future employment as far as commitment, supporting each other, accepting feedback, and [working through challenges] to improve on some things.” 

(Photo: P Johnson Photography | Courtesy Company d)

But, Winters reminds, these young adults have an “inherent aptitude for the performing arts.” The classes are conducted “in a performing arts training model equal to [the dancers’] age-matched peers,” as the Company d’s website states, but the classes are catered to the students’ specific learning needs — “modifying as needed and giving them access to more time,” Winters says. “Guest teachers will say, ‘How should I prepare?’ And I’ll say, ‘As if you were preparing for any other master class or commissioned piece of art.’”

Further, guest teachers, like the choreographers for LOCAL, allow “dancers the opportunity to work with professional artists and to receive quality technique and training in expressing themselves. They’re all involved in this creative process of art-making.”

“Not only people with Down syndrome but any other people with disabilities are often defined by their deficit,” Winters continues. “So this is an opportunity to shift the community’s perceptions and promote them and include them in the performing arts, so others can see that, yes, there is a disability, but there are also many abilities that need to be showcased.”

Catch Company d’s LOCAL: Art Moves Memphis on Saturday, March 23, at 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. at Hutchison School’s Wiener Theater. Tickets are $25 and can be purchased here.

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Film Features Film/TV

Now Playing: Who You Gonna Call?

Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire (Courtesy Sony Pictures)

It’s officially spring, but the weather is looking cool and breezy this weekend, so here’s what’s on tap in movie theaters around Memphis.

Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire

Following up on Ghostbusters: Afterlife, this one reunites the cast of Finn Wolfhard, Mckenna Grace, and Carrie Coon as the Spengler family who leaves Oklahoma to return to the old firehouse HQ in NYC. They arrive just in time to battle a new supernatural threat that will literally freeze the world with fear. 

Kung Fu Panda 4

Jack Black is back as Po, the Dragon Warrior who is ready to ascend to a higher plane of existence, according to his master Shifu (Dustin Hoffman). He takes on a new sidekick Zhen the fox (Awkwafina) to help defeat Chameleon (Viola Davis), the shape-shifting sorceress, and her army of lizards. You can tell she’s bad because she says, “We are not so different, you and I,” to the hero.

Immaculate 

Sydney Sweeney stars as Cecilia, a nun sent to a new convent where something is clearly amiss. When she becomes pregnant, although still a virgin, Father Sal Tedeschi (Alvaro Morte) reveals that the real purpose of this convent is to breed a new Jesus from cloned tissue recovered from one of the nails that pierced the savior’s flesh. What could possibly go wrong? 

A lot. A lot of stuff could go wrong.

Dune: Part Two

But half a billion dollars worth of Frank Herbert fans can’t be wrong! Paul (Timothée Chalamet) fights against his fate alongside his lover Chani (Zendaya) as they battle the Harkonnens’ occupation of Dune, led by the psychotic Feyd (Austin Butler). Denis Villeneuve’s sand wormy sequel is the best sci fi film since Mad Max: Fury Road.

Paul Reubens passed away last summer, but Pee-wee Herman is immortal. Sunday morning at 11 a.m. you can have brunch with Pee-wee at Black Lodge. Breakfast, mimosas, and Pee-wee’s Big Adventure will get your day off to a rollicking start. To get you hyped, here’s one of the greatest scenes Tim Burton ever directed.

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Beyond the Arc Sports

Warriors Demolish Grizzlies

Jaren Jackson Jr. drives to the basket against the Golden State Warriors on Wednesday, March 20, 2024. (Photo by: Noah Graham/NBAE via Getty Images)

The Golden State Warriors defeated  the Memphis Grizzlies, 137-116, on Wednesday night. The Warriors won the season series against the Grizzlies 2-1. Golden State improved to 18-18 at home, snapping a three-game home losing streak.

With the score tied at 58 in the second quarter, the Warriors went on a 22-0 run for an 80-58 lead. Memphis lost its fourth-consecutive game, fell to 23-47 on the season, and has been officially eliminated from playoff contention. 

Golden State is still fighting for postseason position, at 10th in the Western Conference, to be eligible for the Play-In Tournament.  

The Jacksons and Aldama led the way for Memphis. GG Jackson II scored a career high 35 points, and added five rebounds and three assists. Jackson also converted on a career-high seven 3-pointers and became the youngest player in the NBA history (19 years, 94 days) to do so.

With six consecutive games in which he has scored 19 points or more, Jackson II is now enjoying his best scoring performances of the season. The South Carolina rookie has solidified his position as a starter for the remaining weeks of the regular season. 

Warrior’s Chris Paul had good things to say about the 19-year-old after the game. 

Ja Morant also chimed in regarding Jackson II.

Jaren Jackson Jr. finished with 28 points, four rebounds, and three assists.

This marks the fifth game in nine games since the All-Star break that the 24-year-old center has scored 25 points or more. Jackson Jr. has now appeared in 60 games for the season, averaging 22.5 points, 5.5 rebounds, 2.3 assists, and 1.1 steals. 

Santi Aldama added 27 points, nine rebounds, four assists and two steals. 

Tidbits 

Freaky Deeky, Dejon Jarreau who signed his second 10-day contract with Memphis before the game had a remarkable put-back. 

By the numbers 

The Warriors bench outscored the Memphis reserves, 63-20. 

Golden State had 20 fast-break points while the Grizzlies only had 3.

The Warriors outscored Memphis 62-46 with points in the paint. 

Golden State had a season-high 43 assists while the Grizzlies had 29.

The Warriors shot 58 percent from the field and 48 percent from 3-point range and held Memphis to 43 percent from the field and 36 percent from beyond the arc.

Up Next

The Grizzlies travel to San Antonio to take on the 15-54 Spurs on March 22 at 7 p.m. CT.

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News News Blog News Feature

State Lawmakers Consider Ban on Lab-Grown Meat

Credit: Upside Foods - Upside Foods' Cultivated Chicken

A House Republican wants to ban lab-grown meat in Tennessee because its effects on humans, she said, were unknown and state citizens shouldn’t be used as “guinea pigs,” and, heck, Florida did it. 

Rep. Susan Lynn (R-Mt. Juliet) explained her bill to the House Agriculture & Natural Resources Subcommittee on Tuesday. It would have outlawed cultivated meat for human consumption at the business level, meaning no manufacturing, selling, and more. 

Cultivated meat — sometimes called cultured meat or lab-grown meat — is real animal meat but is produced by cultivating animal cells directly, cutting out the need to raise animals, according to the Good Food Institute. The meat is in different products by Beyond Meat and Impossible Foods, which are made with plant ingredients. The U.S. Department of Agriculture approved cultivated meat for sale in the U.S. in June. 

Credit: Upside Foods
Credit: Upside Foods
Credit: Upside Foods
Credit: Upside Foods
Credit: Upside Foods
Credit: Upside Foods
Credit: Upside Foods
Credit: Upside Foods
Credit: Upside Foods
Credit: Upside Foods
Credit: Upside Foods
Credit: Upside Foods
Credit: Upside Foods
Credit: Upside Foods
Credit: Upside Foods
Credit: Upside Foods

The news was welcome for People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA). The group said it funded some of the first research for cultivated meat and, beginning in 2008, offered a $1 million prize for the first lab to use produce commercially viable cultivated meat. 

The news was also welcome to Berkeley-California-based Upside Foods, the world’s first cultivated meat company. When it was founded in 2015, the company was called Memphis Meats, a tip of the hat to the city’s barbecue culture. When the feds green-lit its meat products, the company was ready to go and already valued at over $1 billion. 

“This approval will fundamentally change how meat makes it to our table,” said Dr. Uma Valeti, CEO and founder of Upside Foods. “It’s a giant step forward towards a more sustainable future — one that preserves choice and life.“

“It’s a giant step forward towards a more sustainable future — one that preserves choice and life.“

Dr. Uma Valeti, CEO and founder of Upside Foods

However, two Tennessee state lawmakers urged caution on the products, suggesting an outright ban on making and selling it in the state. They said they didn’t know how the products would affect bodies and did not want Tennesseans to be “used as Guinea pigs.” 

“It’s simply just too soon and too dangerous to allow this process to move forward before we know what sort of effects cultivated meat may have on people,” Lynn said. “The first question is one of ethics. Is this semi-cloning? We have no idea really where this is going. What happens when you create lab grown meat?” 

If that wasn’t enough to entice fellow Republicans, Lynn said the Florida legislature had already passed such a measure. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has not yet signed the bill but showed his support for the ban last month. 

”You need meat, OK?” DeSantis said, saying some blame agriculture for global warming. “We’re going to have meat in Florida. We’re not going to do that fake meat. That doesn’t work.”

”You need meat, OK?

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis

Lynn said the federal government has a track record of approving “medications and treatments” but retracts them later, “due to horrible adverse circumstances.” She pointed to drugs like Prevacid, Nexium, and Prilosec, which all once faced recalls but are back on store shelves. She also said the government once said cigarettes were safe. 

Rep. Bud Hulsey (R-Kingsport) agreed, pointing vaguely to the Nuremberg Code, which outlawed experimenting on humans without their consent, and to the “experimental shock” of Covid. But his approval of the bill seemed more plain. 

“Some folks probably like to eat bugs with Bill Gates, but not me,” Hulsey said. 

Lynn said she was not aware of any cultivated meat being sold anywhere in the state. Also, she had not discussed her bill with the Tennessee Department of Agriculture. 

“Some folks probably like to eat bugs with Bill Gates, but not me.”

Tennessee state Rep. Bud Hulsey

Another bill up this year would have clarified that cultivated meat could not be labeled as meat, poultry, or such food products. It was heard by House members already, who decided to send the issue to “summer study.” That is, ultimately, where the bill to ban such products ended up. Lawmakers said they hoped to get expert opinion on the safety of cultivated meat. 

Summer study is usually a kinder, softer death knell for legislation in the Capitol.  But the House agriclture committee promised to give the issue of cultivated meat a serious review before the legislature meets again next year.