Kailynn Johnson

1 week ago | memphisflyer.com | Kailynn Johnson

Nonbinary and gender-nonconforming teachers, students, employees, and more are seeing increased efforts by the Tennessee General Assembly to block the ability to express their gender identity. During this year’s legislative session, lawmakers passed a bill that allows people to refuse to acknowledge someone by their nonbinary pronouns or name in school settings. In the past, a similar bill was passed in 2023 that allows teachers to not use a student’s pronouns.

1 week ago | memphisflyer.com | Kailynn Johnson

As the xAI project prepares to enter its second phase, some of the temporary gas turbines will be removed over the next two months. An announcement from the Greater Memphis Chamber said the project reached “full operational capacity” on Thursday, May 1st, as it is now receiving 150 megawatts of grid power from Memphis Light, Gas and Water (MLGW) and the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA).

1 week ago | memphisflyer.com | Kailynn Johnson

The Memphis Crime Beat has asked elected officials for help in improving transparency in the city’s justice system. “Without data we don’t know how our systems are performing, and it’s really important that we do,” Leslie Taylor, president of Memphis Crime Beat, said during today’s meeting of the Memphis City Council’s Public Safety and Homeland Security committee.

1 week ago | memphisflyer.com | Kailynn Johnson

A letter signed by 42 University of Memphis faculty, staff, and students was delivered to the offices of President Bill Hargrave and Provost David J. Russomanno on Thursday. It expressed concerns about federal “attacks” on academia, academic freedom, and student safety. The letter asked that university officials “recommit publicly” to these issues. “Academic freedom is essential to the United States’ system of higher education,” the letter said.

2 weeks ago | memphisflyer.com | Kailynn Johnson

Memphis residents and elected officials gathered to voice their opinions on xAI during last Friday’s public hearing hosted by the Shelby County Health Department (SCHD). The hearing, held at Fairley High School, was to discuss xAI’s gas turbine permit. In early April, the Shelby County Board of Commissioners passed a resolution for the department to host a public hearing prior to the approval or denial of the permit submitted by CTC Property LLC, an affiliate of xAI.