FROM MY SEAT

Well, who needs FedExForum when The Pyramid feels as good as it did Saturday afternoon? Playing the closest thing to a "must-win" game in January as we'll ever see, the Tigers beat a solid Charlotte team by more points (22) than the sum total of the 49ers' three previous defeats (17). An estimated crowd of 11,000 was loud, the shooters made their shots, the defenders held Charlotte to under 42 percent from the field, and all seemed right with the world . . . for now.

• by Frank Murtaugh

TIME TO SUE?

TIME TO SUE?

• by Chris Davis

Taking Back the Neighborhood

Volunteers take part in a pilot clean-up project.

• by Bianca Phillips

LETTER FROM MEMPHIS

"...[I]n a nutshell, I think Howard Dean outran his message. A year ago, he was able to stand out from the crowd by claiming, quite legitimately, to be the only credible candidate opposing the Iraq war. As far back as the summer of 2002 he was ranting and raving about what a misadventure Iraq would become...."

• by Kenneth Neill

Stripped Down to Their Spots

PETA protesters get naked in Memphis.

• by Bianca Phillips

State of Shock

What harm could a few sex toys do?

• by Walter Jowers

LETTER FROM MEMPHIS

What did the president say, and why did he say it?

• by Kenneth Neill

The Blotter

The Blotter: Absurd crimes from the local police files.

• by Mary Cashiola

MAD AS HELL

Master of Deceit -- another take on the State of the Union.

• by Cheri DelBrocco

THANK GOD

THANK GOD

• by Chris Davis

Aiming at Attendance

Local teacher tries to stem the tide of student skipping.

• by Mary Cashiola

CITY BEAT

POISON PILL? When the mayor decided last month not to reappoint Morris, the Flyer requested details of MLGW's severance and benefits policy from the utility company and the city. Documents show Morris is seeking severance, pension, outplacement, sick leave, and vacation benefits worth $1,171,286. The Commercial Appeal reported in a front-page story Tuesday that "Morris bows out with $205,000." That is less than one-fifth of his total proposed severance and benefits package.

• by John Branston

Worldly Water

A Russian scholar studies Memphis water.

• by Bianca Phillips

LETTER FROM MEMPHIS

What about the Speech? Last year, remember, we were all on pins and needles right about now, waiting for President Bush to tell us exactly why we were going to invade Iraq unilaterally. And he did. And we did.

• by Kenneth Neill

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

• by Chris Davis

The Testament of Willie Herenton

Keeping his focus more or less secular, Memphis' embattled mayor reflects on his New Year's Day bombshells, his fight with the City Council, and the prospects for more conflict ahead.

• by Jackson Baker

MAD AS HELL

They rip with gusto into the government expanding, latte -drinking, sushi-eating, New York Times-reading, Volvo-driving " freaks" from the Dean campaign and urge them to take it back home to Vermont. No one should be surprised, really. This is faith, hope, and charity - Republican style Can't you feel the love?

• by Cheri DelBrocco

Short Cuts

Local Record Roundup: Candice Ivory's Path not taken.

• by Chris Herrington

POLITICS

It was Io-way or the highway.

• by Jackson Baker

Mayor of the Council

Mayor of the Council

CITY BEAT

The name of the game now is "Get the Mayor."

• by John Branston

IN CAL WE TRUST

"It's not life or death to me, folks," says Calipari.

• by Cheri DelBrocco

Turning of the Screw

Henry James' classic opens at Theatre Memphis; Hedwig and the Angry Inch rocks TheatreWorks.

• by Chris Davis

Here Comes Trouble

Chasing Liberty, an unfunny romantic comedy.

• by Bo List

Poison Pill?

Surprise severance package for Morris and MLGW executives could cost millions.

• by John Branston

The Messiahs Among Us

The Messiahs Among Us

• by Flyer Staff

Dean Agonistes

Like Al Gore, the former Vermont governor is taking unfair hits.

• by Richard Cohen

Postscript

Letters to the Editor: Annual Manual, Mayor God, and Our Liberal Bias.

• by Flyer Readers