🌱 Patch AM: When will you start seeing the new Frederick W. Smith airport name?

Morning Memphis! We've got the scoop on the latest happenings in town. Read on to get looped in. ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

• When will you start seeing the new Frederick W. Smith airport name?
• Flying soon from Memphis International? Here’s when to arrive and why.
• How did MSCS manage to double graduation readiness in four years?

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

Today's riddle: What did one astronaut stranded on the moon say to another? 🤔 (Answer below!)

From our Partner
Today's Memphis Patch AM is brought to you in part by T-Mobile. Everyone deserves to be connected. That's why T-Mobile and UScellular have joined forces to connect people from big cities to small towns and everywhere in between. UScellular is now a part of T-Mobile. Find out more at T-Mobile.com/Better-Together.
Find a T-Mobile store near Memphis.

Weather forecast:

• Friday: Mostly sunny and cooler, with a high of 46 and low of 39 degrees.
• Saturday: Mostly sunny and windy, temps: high: 61, low: 38.
• Sunday: Times of sun and clouds, with a high of 53 and low of 40 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Memphis airport renaming for FedEx icon Fred Smith on track for 2026 (commercialappeal.com) — Memphis International Airport is moving closer to officially becoming Frederick W. Smith International Airport, honoring the late FedEx founder. Airport leaders say the FAA has begun updating databases, with the new name likely appearing on charts and in publications as early as mid-January and more public details expected in early 2026.
   

2. Memphis International expecting 127k holiday travelers passing through airport (fox13memphis.com) — Holiday travelers flying out of Memphis International Airport between Dec. 19 and Jan. 5 are being urged to arrive at least two hours before departure, especially for 4–7 a.m. flights. TSA expects about 127,000 passengers and a peak day on Sunday, Dec. 21, and warns that those without REAL ID may face extra screening, so online check-in and checking with your airline can help you avoid delays.
   

3. MSCS schools see continued growth in 2024-25 Tenn. State Report Card (localmemphis.com) — Memphis-Shelby County Schools just posted another strong year on Tennessee’s State Report Card, with graduation readiness jumping from 36.6% to 47.6% in one year and doubling over four years. Enrollment is steady at about 106,000 students, and while chronic absenteeism ticked up slightly, district leaders say they’re tackling it through added student support and community partnerships.
   

4. Property fraud up 33% in Shelby County, leaders push for protection (fox13memphis.com) — Property owners in Memphis and across Shelby County are seeing a sharp rise in property fraud, with cases jumping 33% in just one year. Local leaders, including Rep. Antonio Parkinson of Memphis, want registers to be allowed to require ID before accepting quit claim deeds, while residents are urged to sign up for the county’s alert system to catch fraudulent filings quickly.
   

5. From Memphis to Milwaukee to Christmas Day: Craig Brewer's journey to his biggest moviemaking stage yet (dailymemphian.com) — Memphis filmmaker Craig Brewer is celebrating a career milestone this Christmas while still living and working out of Midtown, where he launched his moviemaking journey more than 25 years ago. The piece previews his latest high-profile project and doubles as a pitch to support The Daily Memphian’s in-depth local arts coverage that keeps residents connected to homegrown talent.
   

📸 Around Memphis

Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!

🗓 Upcoming Events in Memphis

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

Saturday December 20

• đź Daffodil Planting đź
  Vollintine Evergreen Community Association , 1680 Jackson Ave , Memphis
  9:00 am
• Super Saturday - Winter Solstice Lanterns
  Memphis Brooks Museum of Art , 1934 Poplar Ave , Memphis
  10:00 am
• Youth Villages Adoption
  10:00 am
• The Nutcracker in Collierville - Saturday Matinee
  The Harrell Performing Arts Theatre , 440 W Powell Rd , Collierville
  2:30 pm
• Santa and Mrs. Claus Are Coming to Oak Court Mall
  Oak Court Mall , 4465 Poplar Ave , Memphis
  3:00 pm
• The Nutcracker in Collierville - Saturday Evening
  The Harrell Performing Arts Theatre , 440 W Powell Rd , Collierville
  7:00 pm

Sunday December 21

• The Nutcracker in Collierville - Sunday Matinee
  The Harrell Performing Arts Theatre , 440 W Powell Rd , Collierville
  2:30 pm
• Candlelight: Christmas Carols on Strings
  Memphis Brooks Museum of Art , 1934 Poplar Ave , Memphis
  8:45 pm

Tuesday December 23

• Santa and Mrs. Claus Are Coming to Oak Court Mall
  Oak Court Mall , 4465 Poplar Ave , Memphis
  11:00 am

📣 Memphis Shout Outs!

Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!

🗓 Events Nearby

Friday December 19

• Bridge
  Lakeland, TN Calendar Lakeland, TN 38002
  12:30 pm
• Bingo
  Lakeland, TN Calendar , 4527 Canada Road , Lakeland
  12:30 pm
• Memory Makers of the MidSouth
  Bartlett Calendar , 5884 Stage Road , Bartlett
  1:00 pm
• USA Karate Spirit Event
  Lakeland Elementary School Arlington, TN 38002
  6:00 pm

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.

💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

• REUNITED!!!
  Thank you neighbors!!! MISSING DOG Have you seen Lt. Dan? He's missing from Lytle Circle near Allison and Graham. Extremely friendly, responds to… (Nextdoor Highpoint Terrace)
• Does anyone know this dog.
  He showed up in our carport on Saturday, wearing a dog vest, We have sonce taken off the best and washed it, but due to hot water heater issues, have… (Nextdoor Colonial/Willow)

• Cintas Corporation posted a job opening for Warehouse Associate - Washroom Operator - 2nd Shift in Memphis. Apply here.
• Walmart, Inc. posted a job opening for Merchandise and Stocking Associate 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 think you know the gravity of this situation.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

👉 Help make Patch AM better

• Help us grow by suggesting local news sources.
• Shape this newsletter with your feedback.
• List items for sale or services offered

We use a combination of real people and machines to tell you what’s happening around town. Learn more about Patch AM.

Share to NextDoor     Share to Facebook