Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: Is Memphis’ new AI supercomputer center fouling the neighborhood’s air?

And on the Memphis Patch calendar - Super Saturday - Winter Solstice Lanterns

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Thursday December 18th Patch AM
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Good morning Memphis! We're back again in your inbox, keeping you updated with what's happening in and around town. ☀️

In today's newsletter:

  • Is Memphis’ new AI supercomputer center fouling the neighborhood’s air?
  • Is Shelby County really alone with a “not approved” budget?
  • Which Memphis schools could close under the new consolidation proposal?

Also on today's calendar: Super Saturday - Winter Solstice Lanterns and 6 more events.

Find out what's happening in Memphisfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Today's riddle: My brother swallowed a box of firecrackers. - Is he all right now? 🤔 (Answer below!)

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Find out what's happening in Memphisfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Weather forecast:

  • Thursday: Showers and a heavier t-storm, with a high of 61 and low of 31 degrees.
  • Friday: Mostly sunny, temps: high: 46, low: 38.
  • Saturday: Mostly sunny; windy, warmer, with a high of 63 and low of 41 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Residents Complain Of ‘Rotten' Smell From Elon Musk Data Center (tvshowsace.com) — Residents near Elon Musk’s massive xAI data center in Memphis say a persistent “rotten” smell and rising air pollution are making it hard to breathe and even open their windows. Despite their complaints and health worries, an appeal to revoke the facility’s air permit was just denied, leaving neighbors frustrated as officials tout the project’s economic importance.
   

2. FOX13 Investigates: Fact-checking Shelby County's budget issues (fox13memphis.com) — Memphis and Shelby County residents are getting new clarity on the county’s shaky budget situation after FOX13 compared Mayor Lee Harris’ TV comments with past commission meetings and state records. Reporters found finance officials previously warned about payroll cash shortfalls and confirmed Shelby County is the only Tennessee county with a “not approved” budget after five years of incomplete submissions, raising stakes for local services and tax dollars.
   

3. MSCS holds final public school consolidation meeting (fox13memphis.com) — Memphis-Shelby County Schools just wrapped their final public meeting on a plan that could close Georgian Hills Elementary in Frayser and shift students to Whitney or Hawkins Mill. Parents, students, and board members weighed in on health concerns about the aging building, worries about separating friends, and what the consolidations would mean for the 2026–27 school year.
   

4. Feagins announces run for Shelby County mayor amid ongoing lawsuit against MSCS (actionnews5.com) — Former Memphis-Shelby County Schools superintendent Dr. Marie Feagins has officially launched a campaign for Shelby County mayor while her lawsuit over her 2024 ouster continues in circuit court. She highlighted broad priorities like safety, education, and housing, but offered few specifics at her Memphis announcement as a judge pushed key motions in her MSCS case to February.
   

5. Man records car burglars, recovers stolen chainsaw (wreg.com) — A Midtown Memphis lawn care business owner says a bystander’s quick thinking and cellphone video helped stop thieves from getting away with his chainsaw and possibly more expensive equipment on Jackson Avenue. The burglars still escaped with his wallet and gift cards, but the footage has already generated tips as he urges anyone with information to contact CrimeStoppers.
   

📸 Around Memphis

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Memphis

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🗓 Events Nearby

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • Want to say this first: EVERYONE who took food to Kirby when he was on the street is the reason he is alive and healthy and ready to go to his forever home.
    He was not skinny the night he was brought to me. He was a bit undersized for his age but is now at a normal weight. The nutritious, easy to find… (Nextdoor Normandy Meadows East)
  • Hey NextDoor family..
    This dog is named Dunkin..He’s looking for a good home to go too..The owner of Dunkin abandoned him n was trying to take him somewhere n drop him off… (Nextdoor Orange Mound)
  • Kroger posted a job opening for Courtesy Clerk/Grocery Bagger in Memphis. Apply here.
  • University of Memphis posted a job opening for Assistant/Associate Professor and Director, Institute of Egyptian Art and Archaeology in Memphis. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Memphis here.

Ok Memphis! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: I don’t know. I haven’t heard the last report.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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