Adventures in a Memphis Wal-Mart

For some time, one of our favorite sites, The Consumerist, has been keeping an eye on retailers that require consumers to show them a receipt for their purchases as they leave the store.

In today's tale, Patrick visits a Memphis-area Wal-Mart to buy a firearm, ammunition, and some groceries (like we all do) ...

• by John Branston

Topless Clubs in Memphis to Face Naked Truth?

On a recent Thursday night at the Gold Club, a topless, Caucasian woman with long, dark hair and an ample bosom snakes around a brass pole in the center of the stage. Occasionally, when the music's intensity heightens, she jumps into the air and lands in an impressive full split on the floor.

One man, seated at the end of the stage, inserts a dollar bill into his mouth, and the woman approaches him slowly. She smiles as she pulls his head toward her breasts ...

• by John Branston

The Lessons of Lester Street

In a city where murder occurs at the rate of about one every other day, the murders of six people, including two children, in a house at 722 Lester set a new standard for brutality.

Memphis police on Tuesday asked the news media and the community for help in solving one of the worst mass murders in Memphis history.

"There are people out there who have the information that we don't have," said Lieutenant Joe Scott.

• by John Branston

Fly on the Wall

• by Chris Davis

Design Firms Unveil Shelby Farms Plans

Three finalists in the Shelby Farms Park design competition revealed plans for the 4,500 acre park at a press conference at the Central Library Thursday morning.

Plans from all three firms -- Tom Leader Studio, Hargreaves Associates, and Field Operations -- were inspired by trends in "green" environmentally-friendly design. Each puts some focus on restoring waterways ...

• by Bianca Phillips

Up a Tree

Zoo cuts four acres of old-growth forest for new exhibit, upsets community members.

• by Shara Clark

The Bottom Line?

The County Commission's new "sexually oriented business" ordinance could signal the last dance for Memphis strip clubs. Will the City Council intervene?

• by Jackson Baker, John Branston and Bianca Phillips

What They Said

Comments from memphisflyer.com

• by Flyer Staff

The "U" Curve

Depression peaks worldwide for the middle-aged.

• by Michael Kahn

MGMT in London

Flyer editor Bruce VanWyngarden's favorite band, MGMT, is touring Europe at the moment. This week they're in England, where they have the top-rated video, "Time to Pretend."

They're also making a bunch of videoblogs of their journey. In this one, Andrew VanWyngarden (in the hat) and his bandmate Ben Goldwasser open a fruit stand and later try to find a copy of their CD in a record store, with mixed results. Their other vidblogs are on Youtube.com.

• by John Branston
• Tags: Video

Farmer's Insurance

• by Mary Cashiola

David Kustoff Resigning as United States Attorney

United States Attorney David Kustoff, who oversaw most of the Tennessee Waltz prosecutions, announced his resignation Tuesday, effective May 16th.

Kustoff, a Republican who was formerly active in Shelby County politics, became United States attorney for western Tennessee in March, 2006. He was appointed by President George W. Bush.

• by John Branston

See Spot Run ... Again

Memphis vet paves way for canine stem-cell treatments.

• by Bianca Phillips

Newspaper Guild Plans "Humorous" Protest at Commercial Appeal Wednesday

From the Memphis Newspaper Guild: The Newspaper Guild leads humorous protest against outsourcing.

Work at The Commercial Appeal is being shipped overseas. Today, some advertisements for Memphis-area businesses are being laid out by workers in India.

At least one Commercial Appeal worker has already left because he doesn't see the point of continuing under these circumstances ...

• by John Branston

Police Charge Victim's Brother with Six Murders

Jessie L. Dotson, a convicted murderer who served 14 years in prison, has been charged with the murders of six people at a house on 722 Lester Street, including his younger brother Cecil Dotson.

"We can all rest a little easier today," Memphis Police Department Director Larry Godwin said at a press conference Saturday afternoon.

Godwin said police are "confident" Jessie Dotson, 33, is the only killer, although the investigation remains open...

Making Changes

Last week saw some dramatic turnarounds and new approaches in the political universe.

• by Jackson Baker

Mississippi Casts a Vote for President Tuesday

Tuesday is the Magnolia state's day to rise and shine, as Mississippi Democrats go to the polls and choose between presidential candidates Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama. The Illinois senator, who is heavily favored because of the preponderance of African-American voters among the voters, would regain his momentum on the treadmill with a victory. But the never-say-die Clintons showed up in force over the last few days -- Bill and Hillary and Chelsea, too. So who knows?

• by John Branston

Two Parties Go Different Directions on Naming Trustee Candidates

Acting Shelby County Trustee Paul Mattila, a Democrat, said Friday he had “no problem” with the decision Thursday night by the Shelby County Democratic Party’s executive committee to withhold nominating a candidate for the August general election ballot until a wide-open party convention later this month. Meanwhile, the GOP steering committee will name a Republican candidate.

• by Jackson Baker

Obama Wins Mississippi Primary Handily

Illinois senator Barack Obama easily won the Mississippi primary Tuesday with 61 percent of the vote, to 37 percent for opponent Hillary Clinton. It was the second win within a week for Obama, who triumphed in the Wyoming Democratic caucus last weekend. Get vote totals, plus a verbal snapshot of the presidential race as of Tuesday's vote.

• by Jackson Baker

FROM MY SEAT: Know Thine Enemy

Memphis hosts the Conference USA basketball tournament for the fourth year in a row this week, with the hometown Tigers aiming for a third straight championship. While the players in uniform for the Tigers will be familiar, there will be 11 other teams aiming to steal some spotlight from the country's second-ranked team

• by Frank Murtaugh

It's C-USA Tourney Time, and the Tigers Are Everybody's Target

Memphis hosts the Conference USA basketball tournament for the fourth year in a row this week, with the hometown Tigers aiming for a third straight championship. While the players in uniform for the Tigers will be familiar, there will be 11 other teams aiming to steal some spotlight from the country's second-ranked team.

• by John Branston

Starting All Over Again

The fifth installment of George Romero's landmark zombie series is a self-reflexive relaunch.

• by Chris Herrington

"Mumblecore": A new new-wave showcase at the Brooks

• by Chris Herrington

The Bank Job

• by Greg Akers

Keeping It Real

• by Flyer Staff

The Game Outside

Going to see the Grizzlies offers lessons in free enterprise and life.

• by Bob Levy

The Memphis Week That Was

Yes, this is Memphis. And plenty of Memphians who live in old parts of the city never, ever go to Shelby Farms, which is outside the Interstate loop. And Memphis has more master plans than blues bars these days, what with the riverfront, Pyramid, Mid-South Fairgrounds, Graceland, zoo, airport aerotropolis, and Shelby Farms. And government doesn't have any extra money, or so they say.

But Shelby Farms has a conservancy of people who seem to know what they are doing ...

• by John Branston

Mass Murder Mystery

Police seek help in solving murder of six in house on Lester Street.

• by John Branston

Acting Out

John Rechy: from ghost boy to sexual outlaw.

• by Leonard Gill